Page 8 of Monster's Heart

Headmistress Blackthorn knew I was volatile, and she’d reluctantly agreed to allow me my space. After all, I could not sleep with the very same dogs that had hunted down my family for eons. The academy was neutral territory, and my identity was secret, but that didn’t make it any easier to take.

Back to Amrin.

No, I didn’t relish outing my ridiculous feelings for the almost human girl, but what choice did I have?

I was just about to head off into the trees when I heard humming. I paused, canting my head so I could listen to the sound better.

Five minutes later, my pretty butterfly emerged from behind a tall white pine, and my heart thudded heavily at her approach. She wasn’t looking at me, so she didn’t know I was there. But I was looking at her. And the picture she made, this time in a pair of cut-off jean shorts that showed her legs off up to her thighs.

Her shirt was bright blue and tight across her chest, showcasing those perfect tits for all and sundry. My mouth went dry, and my cock grew hard beneath my pants. I should have put on something other than sweats. It was almost fucking impossible to hide a boner in sweatpants, for fuck’s sake.

Where the fuck was her robe?

I wanted to growl out loud, but then I saw it folded over her arm. She was walking and humming, a book in her hand, and I shook my head, allowing myself a slight grin.

Fuck.

She was adorable.

“Oh, hi,” Amrin said, smiling widely when she saw me.

“Hey,” I grumbled, putting on the sullen mask I’d decided to wear in her presence.

Yeah, I was crushing on her, but I was smart enough to know I shouldn’t. I mean, she was too good for me. I was a fucking fuck up. Really, I should just tell her to forget it. That I wouldn’t help her with her extra credit, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it.

The truth was, I was greedy for every second I could get with her. And I wasn’t willing to give it up just yet.

Maybe not ever.

CHAPTER 5

Amrin

Day five of being tutored by Sten in Astronomy and I was getting better, but that wasn’t saying much since I was pretty fucking clueless when we’d started.

“Use the calculations I showed you,” he grumbled.

He was looking over my shoulder as I input numbers into a computer program he’d apparently developed for Professor McEwan to use in tandem with his lessons.

Who knew the blue Monster was a fucking nerd?

Did he have glasses?

Was it wrong I hoped so?

Sigh.

I was such a mess.

“I am,” I muttered, not a mathy sort of person.

“No, you’re not. Look, a typical astronomer uses math all the time. This is the most basic tool for mapping constellations. Try to imagine it in your mind, the entire sky is just a map and numbers help us locate items on the map, coordinates, yeah?”

“No, yeah, I get it, but this is so much information,” I moaned.

“I know, Luna. But you can do it,” he said, giving me a nod. It was weird, no one had ever believed in me like that before and I felt it down to my toes.

“Oh my gods,” I mumbled as I read over the instructions again. “I have to do these for all the realms, not just this one!”

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