Page 139 of My Monster’s Keeper

“Yes. Send the prince to the Infernal Oceans.”

Frost shouts, but they drag him to the portal and throw him in. There’s a splash, and I spot a massive wave, and he’s gone. I thought losing Becky would hurt, but losing part of my murder is agony.

A moment later, another opens. I peer inside and see a beautiful court. I look at Wilder on his knees, willing him to look up, to see me. It’s not over. It’s not ever over.

“A Seelie hostage in an Unseelie palace. I wonder what fun they will have.” Grant snickers and, with a flick of his fingers, gestures for Wilder to stand.

“Your Majesty, as agreed, here is the peace offering. Frost received your gift and is currently enjoying his stay in the Infernal Oceans.”

The queen sitting on her blue throne smiles evilly and inclines her head.

Wilder gazes at Becky for a long moment and inclines his head. “No regrets. Whatever you have to do to survive, just survive, Becks.”

Her eyes are wide, and she fights Grant for all she has. But she’s got no hope of beating his superior strength.

Chains snap out. Chains made of iron, and then Wilder is dragged through the portal. It snaps shut behind him.

“Bring the box!”

A huge metal box is wheeled towards the portal to my world. It’s made of layers and layers of metal and is on huge wheels. At the front are glowing bars.

A cage.

They are putting Puppy in a cage.

I feel sick.

The giant opens the back door and waits.

“Get in, Grim. No one wants to live in a world where you exist.”

Puppy looks up at me, and, I swear, I see fear in his eyes, but the Grim creeps into the cage, his tail between his legs.

“Let him go!” I howl. “You can’t do this!”

The giant slams the door and laughs.

Becky loses her mind. She’s screaming now in a way I’ve never heard before. Bruising herself, fighting her childhood friend. Her sobs are soul deep, and her pain is felt with all of her. I never want to hear her in that kind of pain again.

But I can’t help her.

The only way to help her is to do this. To obey. I watch in helpless fury as Grim in his cage is pushed into Shadow.

“And now for my most anticipated part,” Grant crows. “Put the Shadow King in stone. And take him to Ableth.”

Those creatures with their molten bodies race towards me. I stare at Becky, ignoring them, not moving a muscle as my body is steadily encased in stone. The magic and power that goes into the mud binds it closed and turns it harder than diamond.

Song and Pitch dart away, disappearing in the shadows, unseen. Now she’s going to be alone. I didn’t want that for her.

It creeps up my body, but I ignore it.

All I can see is her.

“Becks, remember who you are. You are a cop, an Earth woman, an omega, a queen, and part of this murder. You can survive this. You are not alone. And…I love you. It has been the joy of my life.”

She sobs, reaching out a hand.

I close my eyes just before it covers my head and succumb to the darkness.