Page 18 of Their Pretty Little Monster

“So, then, what about you? You’re delivering me to a monster in your vessel, then returning to the village to act like a God?” I fail to keep the sarcasm from my voice. It must be that I’ve already faced my death a couple of times today that I’m speaking so boldly to the Viscount… except he’s Killian, a monster.

He pauses mid-chew, his expression unreadable for a moment before a wry smile curves his lips.

“It’s a bit more complicated than that,” he admits, setting down the half-eaten skewer he started on. “My role as a Viscount isn’t just a facade; it’s part of a larger effort to help humans, to ensure things run as fair as possible. If the current structure of villages and ceremonies falls apart, monsters will take over Earth, along with as many Offerings as they want. And it won’t be long before your kind is extinct.”

I swallow the meat in my mouth, almost choking on it. “You’re joking, right?” I sputter out.

He shakes his head, his expression serious, lips taut at the corners. “No, it’s the truth. It’s what the Elite family has implemented to prevent chaos—by having regulated Offerings once a year. The sacrifice of a few saves an entire race.”

I try to digest his words. The idea that a few should suffer for the many is an idea that sounds logical in discussion, but when you’re one of the few, it feels terrifying and unfair.

“And me? You never answered my question,” I press, needing to know where and who I’m being delivered to.

Just as he opens his mouth to respond, a sudden, blaring sound erupts from outside, cutting him off.

I flinch, my heart leaping into my throat. “What’s that?”

“The Howler’s here. Quick, we need to move,” he says urgently as he jumps to his feet and begins extinguishing the fire by kicking dirt onto the flames.

I hurry to assist, scattering earth over the remaining embers until the light winks out, leaving us in semidarkness. He’s got his orb light on as I chase him out of the cave. Once I reach his side, his hand grips mine firmly. But I’m trembling about what will happen next to read too much into his behavior.

We pass the carcass of the lizard, its body sliced open and disturbingly still. I avert my eyes, focusing on the cave exit as my stomach churns with unease.

The blaring sound continues, and Killian moves faster, dragging me alongside him.

As we reach the mouth of the cave, daylight floods my vision. The rain is still falling, but it’s eased to a trickle. I’m momentarily blinded by the natural light. When my eyes finally adjust, I’m staring at a massive globe vessel.

The Howler floats on the water a fair distance from the shore, and I can’t for the life of me see how we get on board. It’s enormous, its surface opaque like mist, making it impossible to see inside, yet the balconies that curl around the outside are clearly visible, suggesting the vessel has over a dozen levels, maybe more.

Killian’s hand squeezes mine lightly, and I glance up at him. The overwhelming explosion of constant surprises makes me lightheaded once more. He looks at me with a smile, one that’s disarmingly kind, and my heart flutters despite my better judgment. I remind myself he’s a monster, yet I find myself drowning in those sharp blue eyes.

“To answer your earlier question,” he begins. “You’re here because I’ve chosen you as my bride.”

I gasp, instantly pulling my gaze from his.

He chuckles.

My stomach plummets as if I’ve stepped into thin air, my body trembling, and I think I might pass out again.

Chapter

Six

KILLIAN

Turns out, fate can fuck you up when you least expect it.

My mission had been clear from the start. Bring the girl into Blight, then do whatever the hell it takes, including sacrificing her to the enemy King, to reclaim what’s rightfully ours.

The Silvercrest Kingdom.

Yet I’m foolishly grinding my teeth at the thought of doing that. Since collecting her from the village, her scent has been heavy in my nostrils—raspberries, cedar, and the delicious perfume that is all her. Her touch has brought out the beast inside me, roaring for escape to do more than destroy those fucking Tidecreepers.

When I revealed to her that she was to be my bride, it was supposed to be a strategy to gain her trust until we revealed her true reason for being here and the role she’d play.

Except a savage hunger now grows within me that perhaps this girl is not just our key but something so much more.

That she’s my real true mate.

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