Page 1 of Monster's Heart

PROLOGUE

Sten

“Good evening, Menon Blau,” Headmistress Blackthorn said as she passed me in the corridor.

“It’s Sten, headmistress,” I corrected her, and she stopped, turning to face me.

“Yes, Sten. You prefer that to your given name. May I ask why?”

“You know as well as I do, it’s safer to use Sten,” I growled, angry that she insisted on pulling this information from me at every turn.

I didn’t know what she wanted, but part of the deal for my attending Blackthorn Academy was that my identity would be kept secret. Menon Blau was not just my full name, it was my title. As a direct descendant of Mani, the Norse Moon God, I inherited not only the power to change the tides, influence the seasons, and bless the rites and spells of supernatural folk across the realms. That would be easy. That would be fine.

But no.

As a bonus, I also inherited the many enemies who would not mind having a go at me before I took my rightful position. Destined to serve as the Premier Celestial Guardian of Asgard, my life was already laid out for me.

I’d join my brothers and sisters in what was a long established order. I couldn’t wait, but before I could take my place working beside my family, I had to finish my courses here. Learning to control my unique powers was no easy feat. But the Guard of Mani was only as strong as its weakest link, and there were many who would want control over the powers of the moon.

“Did you know of all the heavenly bodies, in all the realms, it is the moon that holds the most power, headmistress? So here I am not Menon Blau. Here, I am Sten. Do not forget it.”

“I will endeavor to remember, as you will treat me with the respect due someone in my position, Sten,” she replied, one eyebrow arched, and I gritted my teeth.

But still, I nodded, offering her a deep bow reserved for those of the highest power. Headmistress Blackthorn was, indeed, powerful, and I admired what she’d managed to do with the Academy. I simply did not want to be there. And that was no one’s fault but my own.

My powers were growing, but without the ability to control them, they were superfluous, dangerous, and an altogether a fucking nuisance. Being one of very few beings with the ability to manipulate lunar energy or magic, my ability to harness my powers was of paramount importance.

It was merely a fact. My potential was great, but I was stuck in a metaphysical rut. Unable to improve unless I did the one thing I was loath to do, find the one destined for me. It was like a cosmic fucking joke. A bad one, too.

Who would want me for a mate?

The headmistress watched me as I stalked away, giving her my back. I should have said something more maybe, but I felt too unstable to remain indoors. That was the thing about my powers, I needed to be outside. Immersing myself in the night like you would the sea was the only thing that grounded me when I felt that way.

Blackthorn was not just some school to me. It was hideaway. A place where I could bear the shame of my failures in solitude. Maybe I was never meant to take the reins of my name. Maybe my Fate was to be devoured like those before me who had failed to harness their true strength. Only time would tell.

Meanwhile, I would walk the halls of Blackthorn Academy anonymous, friendless, and alone. If the Fates had a mate for me, then she was likely lost somewhere in the multiverse. Maybe it was better if she stayed there. In fact, I knew it was. I was no good for a woman.

It was better for everyone if I remained alone. I would simply have to find another way to claim what was mine.

CHAPTER 1

Amrin

Oh gods, my mother was going to kill me.

I sighed as I looked down at the grade I’d received in Astronomy. There was no question now whether I would fail at the end of the semester. A big fat F circled at the top of my exam sort of gave it away.

Damn. Damn. DAMN.

“That’s it, everyone. Class is dismissed,” Professor McEwan said.

I remained in my seat a moment longer, wondering how I was going to break the news. I stood up without checking and wound up falling right back into my seat. Apparently, walls moved in that class. Well, not really. But the giant, blue-skinned male glowering at me sure felt like one when I bumped into him.

“Sorry,” I muttered, but he turned and left, ignoring me like the pathetic little Witch I was.

Screw him, I thought in a rare show of spunk.

He had horns and a long tail, like some sort of cyan-tinted Devil or Hobgoblin, and I wondered what kind of supe he was. It wasn’t polite to ask, but I was almost curious enough to. Not that I would get the chance. After all, he’d already bolted outdoors. Some of the Monsters at Blackthorn were like that. No, it was not nice to call them Monsters. After all, most of the women in attendance were Witches, and that wasn’t necessarily nice to say either.

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