Page 162 of My Monster’s Keeper

“We’ve decided to kill you and just, well, do the world a favour.” I shrug my shoulders. “Nothing personal.”

Grant stares at me. “When did you get so cold?”

I raise an eyebrow. “Why are you having so much fun?”

Grant lunges forward, and Wilder is thrown backwards into the house across the road. My friend’s hand lands on my shoulder and squeezes painfully, but I refuse to bend, I refuse to break.

“Because you’re not in charge,” Grant whispers into my ear. “I am.”

I snort and start to laugh. He shakes me so hard my teeth snap together, but I can’t take him seriously.

“You think so?”

“I just threw your massive meat boyfriend into the neighbour’s house. I am in charge.”

I shake my head and smile up at him. My hair starts to float. I grab at the shadows, pulling them to me. The fire and ice is close by, but I seize Puppy’s gift to me, letting my human shape shift and reform. Until I’m standing with huge black talons and a body of scales, I’m an extra three feet taller. My teeth are long and wicked sharp. I’m part something else now.

Part Grim.

Grant frowns. “That’s cheating.”

I snort a laugh. “No, I evened the playing field.”

“You’re some kind of mutant tri-breed.”

I roll my eyes.

“Why didn’t you try to kill me when I tortured you?” Grant asks.

“Because I needed to know who your people were. It’s the only reason I waited so long. Diablos and I knew that we had to do whatever it took to get all of you. I think you went a bit too far, though. Trying to bring on a heat.”

Grant stares at me, his face getting pale as he realises that we are indeed surrounded by his people. The traitors. All of those that I wanted to flush out. Because I was standing here looking weak and useless. I’ve allowed Grant to posture. I’ve allowed him to look big and strong.

In front of the camera crews.

While the Sirens sang their summons in the background.

I bare my teeth in a vicious smile.

“The wonderful thing about being human is how quickly we spread the word. You might have magic and strength, but we have technology.”

Grant frowns and then looks around, really looks around. His eyes widen, and his nostrils flare. A sure sign of panic.

“Your whole army is here. Witness the end,” I say softly. “Okay, you can kill them all now,” I say gently.

Diablos explodes forward, bursting out of his skin, and seizes Grant by the back of the neck. He forces him to the ground. The demon looks terrible. Red ichor runs from a dozen cuts, but his eyes are positively blazing.

“You’re dead, you little shit.”

I can feel Stix, Puppy, Wilder, and Frost charging the demons that came to the summons. The Sirens walk out to meet the army. Cutting through them like they’re butter.

I listen to the screams of the dead and dying but keep my eyes on Grant.

“Is this what you wanted?”

“Obviously not. I wanted to make humanity our slaves. They are such an ugly race. So primitive and helpless.”

“Grant…”