Page 29 of Their Lethal Pet

And beyond it is… a scene I barely comprehend.

Trees intertwine with metal, creating an architectural design that’s so unique I can’t even begin to define the structures outside.

It’s nighttime. I think. Because there are lights illuminating the streets and the remarkable buildings waiting for us beyond the glass.

Bartholomew and Miranda appear to be just as enthralled as I am as we’re led through the doors, our gazes instantly following the spirals upward into the sky. I’ve read aboutskyscrapers. But these… these are something else entirely.

They remind me of massive trees with metal trunks and branches, decorated with green leaves. It’s unworldly.

Monsterly, I correct, reminding myself of where we are.Monster City.

Of course the architecture here would be different from that of my village back home.

The sudden understanding dampens my intrigue, allowing my gaze to return to the street. There are a dozen or so other people here, all dressed in outfits similar to my own.

Meanwhile, the Protectors have created a line by the all-glass building I just departed from, their defensive stances making their silent command clear—you shall not pass.

That’s fine.

I intend to find a map, not hitch a ride on a train.

“Twenty-five minutes,” a feminine voice announces. I scan the crowd for the source, but I don’t see anyone with a microphone. Although, that voice sounded like it came from the sky. She also saidtwenty-fiveas opposed tofive-and-twenty.

Because the monsters prefer that style of telling time,I think, recalling what the Duke said right before he departed.

I glance up again, wondering if perhaps the monster is hanging off a building somewhere. Or maybe even flying above us. However, a flurry of enthusiastic chattering distracts me from my search. A trio of girls push through one of the glass doors to join us, all of them tittering at one another as they glance around with obvious intrigue.

They’re dressed in corsets and gowns, like me. Although, their hair is tastefully braided over one shoulder, not piled on top of their heads like a wild bee nest.

Much more practical.

What isn’t practical, however, are their giggles. They appear to be… excited.

Meanwhile everyone else is looking a little lost.

“Are these all other Offerings?” Miranda whispers, her words seeming to be for Bartholomew, not for me.

He gives her a stiff nod. “From the other villages.”

“Oh.” She swallows, her blue-green eyes dancing up and down the street. “Are we…?” She trails off as she catches her lip between her teeth and glances at the row of Protectors.

They don’t seem to care that she’s talking. Just like they’re making no move to stop the happy trio walking in our direction.

“Two blocks,” one of the girls is saying as her group waltzes right by us. “That’s where the Ozamique Portal opens.”

“I know, Gretch,” the other replies. “We studied the same maps that you did.”

Maps?I think, suddenly very interested in their conversation.

“Yeah, yeah,” the one called Gretch returns. “But you’re hoping to seduce a Shadowfen and be taken to the Blight Realm.” The slender woman shudders as she mentions the last two words. “Good luck breathing underwater.”

“They have vessels,” the one mutters as she flips her long black braid over her shoulder. “Or something like them.”

Gretch snorts. “You’re just hoping to live in some sort of glorified water palace.”

“I don’t think the monsters pick us based on our preferences,” the third one in their party informs them both. “We’re meant to suit their needs, not the other way around.”

“Oh, not this again,” Gretch groans, her voice growing distant with each step the girls take. “I’m so tired of this lecture, Playa. It’s a mutually beneficial arrange…”