Page 64 of My Monster’s Keeper

But my monsters lead me away from the church with the demon in it.

We’ve got two weeks to think. I’m going to use every second.

Chapter 18

Becky

We check in, but I don’t think any of us are ready to be locked in that room so quickly. It’s huge, with a massive bed and huge glass windows. Everything is cream and gold. It’s pretty and expensive, and I feel like just being in the same room makes it dirty, but I think that’s a life of poverty talking.

And did I mention the massive bed?

The issue for me was the bed, in the middle of that room, like a work of art or a statement piece screaming the elephant we’ve all been trying to avoid. Or I have, especially after that conversation with Hartley.

I back out quickly with a mumbled excuse of needing clothes.

I take us down to the closest store and set about getting enough clothes for all of us for two weeks.

Puppy walks beside the trolley, touching fabrics and grabbing anything that is shiny. He’s got a bit of magpie tendencies. But he keeps quiet.

I almost ask him what’s wrong, but he seems ill at ease, and I don’t want to make him feel worse.

Stix is quiet, too, but in a peaceful way. He’s standing more confident, and when he looks at me, his gaze holds a softness that makes my stomach flutter.

Frost and Wilder have disappeared, but I just grab what they need.

While I’m in line, I show Stix and Puppy how to pay for things using the card. Then I hand Stix the card and point to the shop.

He walks into the bakery, points to five items, and pays for them. When he comes back, there is such a sense of accomplishment that I lean into his arm, giving him a one-sided hug.

I take the card and give it to Puppy. He stares at it like it’s a snake and hisses.

“You don’t want to try?”

The growl is all the answer I’m going to get. I’m disappointed but not surprised. I can see the effort he’s putting in to stay here with me and not attack everything that moves.

He grabs my hand and holds it tight enough to make the bones ache. I carefully pull my hand free, hating the rage and hurt on his face. Before he can pull away, I thread my fingers with his and hold lightly.

“Softly, you’ll break my fingers.”

“Softly does not keep you shackled!” Puppy snarls.

“Sure, it does.”

He blinks down at our joined hands and licks his bottom lip. I’m not sure what he’s thinking, but it’s obvious that he’s pleased.

“Fine. No one will steal my meal from me.”

I roll my eyes, but I’m starting to like the way he calls me meal. Someone send help.

Frost and Wilder come back and exchange a long, meaningful look with Stix.

“I take it you just checked the perimeter and evicted some poor unsuspecting visitors?”

“I asked nicely,” Wilder says with a grin that makes my knees weak.

I snort and angle the trolley to the supermarket. Puppy still has hold of my hand and crowds closer, putting his free hand on the trolley and completely taking the weight of it.

“Now, we’re not looking for food to cook, just snacks and not much that needs to be cold or frozen.”