Page 147 of Their Pretty Little Monster

Killian glances around, ensuring the dark field is clear.

I try to steady my nerves, and start strolling quickly toward the village. My mind races with thoughts of my mother. What will she say when she sees me? How will I explain everything that’s happened? The anticipation is almost too much to bear.

As we near the first few homes, the reality of what we’ve been through hits me. When we reach my house, I turn to Killian, who gives me an encouraging nod.

We’re in the shadows, outside what used to be my bedroom.

“I won’t be coming inside with you since I have a few things to settle,” Killian says. “I promised to take care of this village before I left, and that’s what I’m going to do, but first, I need to visit the Elite City.”

It makes me wonder if my friend, Alina, actually made it there, but I don’t want Killian to ask about her in the Elite City, not wanting to draw attention to her just in case she doesn’t want to be found. I smile, telling myself that, just like me, I hope she’s found her happiness.

“So, what’s in the Elite City?”

“It’s a who,” he says with a grin. “The Elite City King offered me the position of temporary Viscount in Nightingale Village, which I took to come and learn more about you.”

I grin shyly, realizing how things had been set into motion by him way before we ever met.

“And I’m going to gain approval for our regular returns to Earth from Blight to visit your mother and notify him that I won’t be spending time in the city any longer.”

“Unless my mother wants to join us?” I ask, hopeful though worried she’ll struggle there. “However, before she fell sick, she loved the simple village life.”

He shrugs. “Sage, that might be difficult, seeing as approval may be needed from Cain, and it may not be given since that could raise a lot of questions. I have something else in store to help your mom, but initially, I have to speak with Cain. Something that could go either way.”

I swallow hard. “Should I be worried?”

He laughs softly. “Never with me.” Then he places something in my palm, and I glance down to find a small clear bag with powder inside. “Give her this to drink with water, and her chest infection will completely go away. She’ll be healed in a few hours.”

My throat thickens. “Really?” I throw myself into a hug with him.

He threads a finger under my chin, lifts it, and in the dark shadows of my house, his mouth meets mine. It’s fire, passion, an explosion of carnal pleasure. With it comes a memory of the way he adores my body when he claims me. He’s a dominant lover, enjoying me being tied up, and I’ve grown to love it. I’m planning to surprise him next time with a trick of my own—binding his hands. The thought excites me, and I kiss him back deeper, leaning against him, pushing myself on my tippy-toes to reach him fully.

I almost laugh, thinking about how those girls who used to bully me in the village would react now if they saw me kissing the Viscount.

Killian pulls back. “All right, my pretty little monster, now head inside, and I’ll return as soon as I can.” He walks me to the front of the house, takes a quick kiss, then whispers, “I love you more than stars sparkle in the sky. I’ll see you soon.” And he’s gone.

I’m buzzing all over, my lips slightly sore from his kiss, my insides swooning from his words. I watch him vanish into the dark.

The familiar creak of the front porch has me covered in goose bumps from excitement. There’s a soft glow in the window, telling me the kitchen light is on. She must be up, probably worrying about me.

Taking a deep breath, I gently knock on the door, not wanting to just barge in and scare her. Hurried footsteps rush to the door, and moments later, the door swings open. My mother stands there, her face pale with shock and relief. She’s suddenly crying, and I burst into tears.

“Sage?” she gasps, pulling me into a tight embrace. “Oh, my sweet girl, you’re home!”

I hug her back, the warmth and love of her embrace bringing me back home.

“I’ve missed you.”

I pull from her and move inside, closing the door quickly behind me, then I hug her again.

“You have no idea how much I wanted to contact you, but I couldn’t leave the monster world at first. It’s complicated.”

We move into the kitchen, where it’s warm, and she’s just made herself a hot tea. She’s in her robe, her hair messy. She breaks into a rough cough that has her trying to clear her throat several times. Then she stares at me, smiling as she wipes her tears.

“Where have you been? What happened? After I read your note, I suspected the worst… that I’d never see you again.” She examines me, smiling yet uncertain. “You look different, your hair, it’s more violet. And your eyes.” It’s as though she finally sees me now.

I grin at her, and she sighs heavily.

“You know what I am, don’t you?”

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