Page 48 of Their Lethal Pet

Jones doesn’t seem to notice our resistance, instead opting to continue with his tour by pointing out the various tower amenities.

“There are five restaurants on the main level,” he informs us, gesturing to an archway with inviting confetti decorating the metallic siding. “The menus are extensive and feature anything from traditional human fare to dehydrated bone to orc stew.”

“What about dark souls?” Reaper asks, being his usual sarcastic self. “Is that on the menu? Or do I need to go retrieve the one we left tied up in that building?”

Jones blinks at him. “I will… talk to the chef about your needs and see what we can prepare.”

A chuckle tickles my chest, causing Alina to look at me with her inquisitive gaze. “Dark souls can’t be prepared,” I whisper to her. “They can only be consumed during active death.”

Her nose crinkles. “Oh.”

“Stop scaring her, Flame,” Orcus tells me.

“I’m not scaring her. I’m just explaining the situation and why I find it amusing that Jones here thinks his chef can properly meet Reaper’s needs.” I stare down at Alina once more. “It’s impossible. He’s insatiable and impossible to satisfy.”

“Now that’s just not true,” Reaper interjects, a hand covering his heart. “I’m certain Alina would satisfy me just fine.”

“Stop,” Orcus cuts in before I can respond to that. “Take us to our room. We’ll learn about your amenities later.”

His authoritative tone has Jones swallowing, his vibrant eyes bouncing between the three of us before looking at Alina. “Consent is important in Monster City.”

“Another rule?” Reaper drawls. “And what happens when one is taken without consent?”

“Reaper,” Orcus warns.

“What?” he asks with false innocence. “Those dark souls were trying to take Alina without her consent. But this guy says it’s illegal to kill humans. So what punishment should they have received for their actions?”

Death, I think.No other option.

“That’s a conversation for Queen Helia,” Jones says, his tone indicating his discomfort. But after a beat, he clears his throat and smiles. “I’ll just show you to your room. She can tell you about our other amenities, like the rooftop recreation area, the underground pool, and our other dining establishments.”

He wanders over to the elevator bay while Reaper smirks at his back. “More dehydrated bones and orc stew?”

Jones presses the button before replying, “Yes, actually. As well as lava drinks, catermines, and bulbas fruitas.”

I have no idea what those things are, and I know Reaper doesn’t either, yet he smiles widely and gives Jones an enthusiastic nod. “Can’t wait to try them, old chap.”

This time, my chuckle reaches my throat and escapes through my mouth. Reaper’s take on an English accent—which Jones has—isatrocious.

But theold chapdoesn’t appear to care or notice. He simply escorts us into the elevator and peeks over at Alina again.

However, her gaze is on my lips, something I definitely don’t mind. I smile down at her. “Comfortable, little panther?”

Her nose scrunches. “Why do you keep calling me that?” Her voice is like music to my ears, the raspy quality from earlier seeming to have diminished a bit. However, her wince tells me her throat still hurts.

Definitely deserved death,I think, recalling the assholes who tried to hurt her. If Helia disagrees about the main assailant, then we might have a problem during this futureconversation.

But that’s a problem for later.

Right now, I have a sweet little panther’s question to answer. “Because you remind me of a panther.”

“A big cat?”

“A lethal cat,” I correct her. “Sly. Beautiful. Sleek.Strong.”

Her brow furrows, providing me with a glimpse of that adorable little frown line again. “But you don’t know me.”

“Maybe not,” I agree. “But my jaguar senses his equal in you.”