Page 126 of Their Pretty Little Monster

I’m half startled by my rage, at my admission of wanting to kill him. Cold loathing floods my veins toward him. He’s making us jump through hoops.

“What does the quest involve?” I ask in a strong voice.

My three monsters are ready to rip him to shreds, glaring at him like predators, shoulders curled forward, chests puffing. A battle could mean we all die, and my vision for Howler might become a terrifying reality.

My half sister studies me with the rise of an eyebrow, her eyes wide at the burning tension around us.

“You must perform a task to prove your loyalty.” My father straightens his posture, chin high. “A mission of my choosing.”

“What sort of mission?” I ask, skeptical that it will be something close to impossible to complete.

He gives me a toothy grin. “Will you commit to show your true loyalty by agreeing to the quest? Otherwise, you will be thrown out immediately, and count yourself blessed for not dying today. And you will be forbidden from ever setting foot on my land.”

“We accept,” Wolfe growls with anger, not even giving thought to the offer.

I huff that he never asked us about it, but it’s done now. Killian and Nyko don’t seem perturbed, but then again, they look up to him as their leader.

“Good, you’re finally making a fucking correct decision.” My father claps his hands twice as if we’re his entertainment. “You will begin at the crack of dawn. The information you need will be supplied at that time. Tonight, you and your guards will spend it in the city in secured quarters. You will be supplied with food and everything you need. But let’s make it clear… if you try to escape, you will be killed. If you hurt any of my guards or Shadowfen, you will die. If you are seen anywhere other than your quarters?—”

“We fucking get it… we’ll be killed,” Nyko blurts.

“Then we understand each other. I am a Shadowfen of my word, unlike others. But if the four of you fail the quest, Sage is mine, and you three will die. You succeed at the quest, and I’ll honor the King’s Oath and publicly confirm you four as my rightful successors to the kingdom.”

My stomach drops as I lean on Killian’s arm for support, staring at my father, who’s grinning, loving every moment of this.

Wolfe clears his throat, his shoulders squared. “If we agree and we succeed, you will also supply half of your land for us and our Shadowfen to live on immediately until it’s our time to claim the throne.”

Meaning until he dies, we get to live on the island with everyone from the vessel.

Silence fills the room. My father’s jaw clenches.

Is he fucking kidding? My monsters’ lives are at stake.

Wolfe glances at me, and silence pulses between us. When Killian and Nyko nod in agreement, now they’re all looking at me, and I’m feeling sick to my stomach. This is moving too fast. I’m not ready to risk their lives, but they are relentless and insistent that we’re doing this, aren’t they? My father is staring, smiling a toothy grin, and I hate him more with each passing second.

Swallowing hard, I feel the pressure. My skin is burning up, and I want to say no, but we’ve come this far, and we won’t get this chance again. But…

Ah, fuck it! It’s now or never…

So, reluctantly, I give my confirmation.

Wolfe faces my father. “Agreed!”

“When you’re ready, my guards will wait for you outside the room and take you to your quarters.” Without another word, he marches from the room with his guards.

Elara remains and approaches me. “Good luck.” Then she reaches over, patting my arm. Her touch is a furnace, and her fingers feel like pins digging into my arm where she touches me. She pulls back, and my mind darkens, my vision blots out, and I’m suddenly convulsing. I hear Killian calling for me, but my vision flashes until I’m no longer in the room but somewhere else entirely.

Avibrant rose garden surrounds me, flowers in every color possible, the sun warm on my shoulders. Elara’s smiling, standing by a pond, feeding large golden fish. She glances up at fluttering bugs that I swear are Shadowwings, the toxic butterflies, but she’s not afraid. They leave her alone. The smile on her face is contagious. She’s so happy in this world, so content. The peace in her expression tugs at my emotions.

Then, abruptly, the vision is ripped away. I’m suddenly in a mess hall, waiters rushing around and bringing platters of food to my father. His face is twisted in anger, glaring at my half sister.

“Stop wasting my fucking time, Elara. You’re so useless,” he snarls, shoving her from him and the table. She stares at him for a moment as though she imagined him pushing her away, tears glistening in her eyes, then she darts out of the room.

My heart breaks watching her scurry away, head down, shoulders hunched. What the hell’s his problem?

Another vision slams into me.

Elara at a grand hall, everyone dressed in glittery gowns, some in human form, others monstrous, drinks flowing, music playing, and lights twinkling overhead. It’s breathtaking. She’s wearing a blue flowing dress adorned with wings, her smile radiant. Absolutely stunning. Our father appears at her side, grabbing her roughly by the arm, hissing.

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