Page 13 of Monster's Heart

“Why? Did something happen?” I asked, wanting to know more about her.

Not just about her study habits or the fact she twirled her hair when she was lost in thought. Or the way gummy bears were her go to study snack. And she detested all things peanut butter. I wanted to know something deep, something real. And I was such a greedy Monster, I wanted her to give me that information freely.

Fuck, I think I wanted her to trust me.

And that was a first.

“It’s nothing,” she replied softly, but I wasn’t about to let it go.

“Luna,” I growled, narrowing my eyes at her perfect face.

Gods, she was so pretty.

“It’s Amrin,” she corrected.

For everyone else, maybe. But for me, she was Luna.

My Luna.

The power she held over me rivaled that of the celestial body that ruled my magic, my person, my very destiny.

Fuck.

I did not know how I was going to tell her, this sweet, soft creature, but I’d get to that, eventually.

For now, I just shook my head, moving to block her retreat when she would have walked away from me. It shouldn’t have been important. I knew better than to get my head turned by some female. Hell, look what happened with Ingrid and my brother Erik.

But I’d been stupid and young. Betting everything on a childhood crush had cost me plenty with my family back in the realm of Asgard. It was why I was sent to Blackthorn. Spiraling after my adolescent heartbreak had caused a rift in my powers, and I was there to help recover my control. But for some reason, that very significant worry was at the back of my mind.

Usually, it was the only thing I was thinking about. How to move on with my life, regain control, fill the void inside of me, and claim my destiny. But as I stood there, looking at my sweet Luna, all I wanted was to know what happened to make this beautiful bright creature afraid of something so tiny and utterly gentle as a moth.

I wanted to know who I had to kill for such a terrible offense. And I was offended on her behalf. My growl filled the space between us, and her bright eyes flicked up to mine.

“I can stand still for hours, you know. Like a statue. Might as well tell me, or we’ll be stuck like this,” I murmured, trying to bring some humor to the situation.

If she smiled, then I knew she would tell me, so I waited. And as it turned out, I was right. Her lips quirked, and I felt something stir inside me.

Relief?

Elation?

Both, perhaps.

“Fine,” she said and exhaled, crossing her arms in a defensive position.

I didn’t like that. Not one bit. I wanted her to smile again, but I bit my tongue and waited for her to confide in me. The enormity of the gift she was about to give was not lost on me. Sweet Luna was about to tell a secret to a Monster.

Could you believe that?

This soft, pretty thing was going to share a confidence with me—me.

Fuck.

I could hardly wait.

“My family is head of the Cordoza Coven,” she began, and I slowly backed up, giving her space.

She slid down the wall and sat on my floor, and I canted my head, watching her.

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