Page 32 of Their Pretty Little Monster

A suspicious side of me tells me his decision has nothing to do with making me his bride. Why else would they all keep saying they’ve been waiting for my arrival?

And now, this ritual terrifies me.

Breathless, I rush after Grimm, and soon, we’re standing near a set of double metal doors that look large enough for a giant to fit through. My thoughts fly to Killian in his monster form, and terrifying concerns pop into my mind that this ritual involves me and actual monsters.

Grimm claps, and the doors swing outward. I’m left breathless at the sight before us.

How is a jungle growing on a ship?

We’re on the top floor, the cool breeze wrapping around me, tugging on my dress and hair.

Tall, lush greenery stretches upward, disappearing into the sky. Trees I don’t recognize, in shades of blues and violets, have leaves as large as my face. The forest stretches outward as far as the eye can see, and by the looks of it, it takes up an entire floor on the vessel.

Stepping inside, I take in the expansive forest that somehow exists on a ship. In front of us runs a stone walkway with exotic flowers blooming in vibrant colors that pulse in the dim light, dotting the land, along with grass up ahead of us in an open area easily large enough to fit over two hundred people. To my right is an explosion of woodland.

I draw in the refreshing, crisp air. As we step along the path, I start to realize there are so many monsters to my left, staring at me. It’s startling at first to see the wide array of creatures living on this vessel. Most are built as if made for war. Round, tall bodies appear to have armor as skin. Tusks, horns, claws…

Glancing around frantically, I have a horrible thought that these monsters are somehow involved in the ritual with the woods.

Then I spot the three monsters from last night’s dinner. Killian’s already marching up to me, dressed in a pair of loose black pants. No shoes, no shirt, and I’m unsure where to look when I’m drowning in the sheer number of muscles he has. His stomach is ripped, his biceps bulging, and his pants sit dangerously low on his hips.

“Good, you’re finally here,” he says, as if whatever is going on is ordinary.

“Wh-why are you dressed like that? All of this is really scaring me.”

He glances down at me, his hands cupping my face. “Deep breath, Sage. I promise this isn’t a means to torture. The Veil Ritual is a rite of passage that will confirm we are destined to be together.”

The chatter around me seems to escalate, and I feel like all eyes are on me, the human, the person who doesn’t belong here.

“Come, let’s get ready.”

I’m glued to his side as I make my way across the stone path, heading to where females are either going into small capsules or coming out. They are in human form and appear to be around my age. They all wear similar white dresses that hang loosely from their shoulders, cinched in at their waists, and fall to mid-thigh. They’re wearing white enclosed shoes.

Before I know it, Killian is ushering me into a booth, too, handing me clothes and shoes. “Quickly, get changed so we can begin.” He’s in the doorway, grinning, offering me a smile that melts me.

Then he shuts the door, and for a moment, I just stand there, trying to catch my breath.

I keep going over Grimm’s words that if I don’t fit in with my monster mate, I could end up dead. That terrifies me when I promised my mom I would return to her.

So, death is out of the picture.

I change my clothes, and by the time I’m out, I’m collected by Killian and brought to stand next to him and Nyko. He’s glancing over at me, his lips curling.

“I’ll give you a hint,” he whispers as Killian speaks with Wolfe.

“What do you mean?”

“When it starts, run. Don’t lose one precious second. Make Killian work for you because you are the one with power over him.”

My head hurts as confusion comes over me.

Run. Nyko said to run. I glance at the other girls, who are all stretching and smiling. They keep taking glances at a group of men dressed like Killian, also in human forms.

I’m no fool… we’re going to be chased, aren’t we? This isn’t about seeing who runs fastest in the woods…

“Welcome, everyone,” Wolfe announces abruptly, his voice projecting across the open space.

The murmurs from the gathered crowd fade as Wolfe steps forward to face everyone. He’s wearing a warrior outfit similar to the one Killian wore when he found me in the garden in Nightingale Village… a memory that feels like a lifetime ago.

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