Page 10 of Their Lethal Pet

How have I never noticed this before?I marvel, blinking up at him like a deer lost in a sea of wolves.Because I’ve never reallylookedat him before.

We were taught to bow at a young age.

Submit.

Treat ourelderswith reverence.

“They’ve lived this long for a reason,” my mother used to say softly. “Remember that. Respect that.”

Alas, I lost my respect for our Viscount and his Barons when I received that note from my sister. Or rather, I stopped caring about respect.

I’ve been solely focused on being selected as an Offering. My name is in that Chalice probably close to three hundred times.

But there are a thousand other men and women in this town square now that are all eligible. Each of them has put their name in the selection pool at least once, too. Many ofthem will have more than one entry. It’s the only way to survive here—bartering entries for resources.

“Welcome to the Day of the Choosing,” the Viscount says, his hands spreading wide despite everyone else’s gaze remaining on the ground. “Today we celebrate monsterkind and give tribute by selecting our Offerings.”

He says that like we should all applaud.

No one does.

No one even moves.

It’s like he’s talking to a damn wall.

Yet he smiles anyway, clearly enjoying his podium and placement on that stage. I’ve never actuallywatchedthis part before. Never really paid attention. But the Barons behind him are grinning as well.

“For over three centuries, the monsters have been kind enough to allow us to live in harmony with their presence on this great earth. They have supplied us with the many resources we need to survive, ensured our good health, and gifted us with longevity. To thank them, we provide them with Offerings. Which makes this ceremony so incredibly important—we need to make sure we send therightOfferings.”

He looks at me with those last two words.

Or maybe it simply appears that way since I’m the only one staring directly at him. But I can’t seem to bow my head now, not even as nerves dance along my limbs and trickle down my spine. We’re engaged in some sort of battle of wills that I can’t afford to lose. Yet I’m not sure I can afford to win, either.

“Before we get started, I’d like to take a moment to thank monsterkind with a prayer. If you’ll please close your eyes and join me in worship…” He trails off, his gaze still on me.

Idon’t close my eyes.

I don’t even move.

And I swear I can hear his teeth grinding together from way back here.

What are you doing?I ask myself.This is a whole new level of defiance.

Over the last year, I’ve grown bolder in my rebellion, but it’s all been for the sole purpose of being selected as an Offering.

However, this feels different. Necessary. And utterly insane.

The Viscount begins his prayer, the words ones I’ve heard uttered annually in this very square.

Except it’s all different now. Because he’s speaking them while staring at me. His voice sounds… deeper. Angrier. More intense.

Am I imagining it?

Shivers skate along my limbs, stirring goose bumps despite the balmy air. My stomach clenches in response to the sensation, my insides cold while sweat dots my brow.

The conflicting temperatures make me dizzy, causing me to nearly blink away from the Viscount. But then his final words anchor me in place.

“To the fates we pray that our Offerings are of the best quality, that monsterkind is appeased by our sacrifice, and that none of our brides or grooms let us down in any way.”