Page 37 of An Invocation of Monsters

I took a deep breath. If I wanted to get to know these monsters and see more of the Void, I was going to have to get used to operating in the dark.

Without thinking about those massive claws, which could hamstring someone all too easily, I climbed off the couch and didn’t even pause before flicking off the fireplace switch.

The flames died immediately, casting the room in darkness.

“There,” I said into the shadows. “No light.”

It was still just bright enough to see thanks to the waxing moon outside, but the silvery light didn’t seem to bother them nearly as much as man-made illumination.

The couch shifted again, the legs squealing against the wooden floor.

Then another, darker shadow filled the room behind it, rising into a height that made me swallow with a dry click in my throat.

Kiraxis straightened, turning until those six eyes flared like lamplight as they landed on me.

He was… well, monstrous. His muscular build seemed like muscles on top of muscles, dark, mottled hair covering him from his pointed ears and extending down his broad back.

Two arms flexed on each side of his body, and his trunk-like thighs shifted as he moved around the couch on all fours, leaving two arms free.

I couldn’t help my eyes dropping lower, and the same flush of heat went through me that I’d felt for Drazan. Kiraxis’s cock was massive, with a knot-like bulb at the base over a pair of heavy balls.

Half of my brain was immediately devoted to imagining what it would feel like to cup them in my hands, to stroke that thick shaft, or what that broad, chiseled stomach would feel like to lay on…

Down, girl. I mentally sprayed myself with a squirt bottle.

Horny Elle was starting to take up entirely too much room in my brain rent-free.

With an effort, I made my eyes move upwards, and found a rather vulpine face watching me with a smug look.

He spread all four arms, revealing that sculpted torso in all its glory. “Look upon me and be amazed.”

Amazed, I certainly was.

Then he dropped back down, two arms supporting him, two arched above his head. He did a little hop, and made a rumbling noise.

Then he hopped to the left, making that noise again. His arms waggled, claws splayed wide like a crown.

“Is this a dance-off?” I asked, watching him hop to the right and wondering if I should imitate him. Was this a typical monster greeting?

Kiraxis cocked his head, stopping the little dance. “Are you not amazed? I practiced my courtship dance just for you, Elle.”

He did another hop, putting all his effort into the waggling.

“I am… awed and astounded,” I said weakly, trying not to collapse or burst out cackling or both.

A courtship dance.

Horny Elle was howling in the back of my brain.

“Good. I will bring you to my nest and prove my virility,” he announced, standing upright once more. It was literally impossible to not notice the elephant’s trunk in the room.

“Hold up.” I held my hands up. “We’re not even to the first date stage, my nice new friend. What happened to flowers and chocolate before getting the goods?”

He cocked his head. “Flowers?”

“As impressive as your courtship dance is, we humans have a, uhh, different way of selecting mates.” My god, was I really having this conversation? I grabbed my wine glass, rescuing it from almost toppling off the table from Kiraxis’ last hop, and took a healthy swig to fortify myself before I continued. “I can’t just jump into bed with you five minutes after I learned your name.”

“Names are not important. Strength is important.” He flexed his muscles for me. “I can protect you. I keep you warm and safe. I keep the nest clean and pretty. I rip the heads from your enemies. I slaughter those who threaten our young. I burn the—”

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