Page 12 of Monsters we Crave

“You mean just us two? Dad has to work today, doesn't he?” I challenged, glancing at the wrist-comm my father wore that signified his association with the city's central grid. “And Ophelia, she's not even here. She must be at the boutique already. Why is it only me you want to stay home?”

“We worry more about you. You’re the one who more often than not faces dangerous situations head on. Your sister is less confrontational,” my mother responded, her hands wringing the edge of her apron.

I felt a twinge of guilt for keeping things from them, but I knew them too well to do otherwise. They wouldn’t leave this alone. I’d never been a little girl who hid behind her parents, and I wasn’t going to start now as a grown woman. “I appreciate your concern, but staying home isn’t going to make any of what happened go away. If the Triad wanted me, they’d have me.”

“Don’t talk like that, Kore.” She turned towards Dad. “Tristan, some help please.”

My father sighed, clearly not fully onboard with the tag-team method. “Korinna, it's just—like your mother said. You've always had this spark, this fire. We fear that it might make things worse if you are approached again.”

I was about to retort that I didn’t completely lack common sense when Mom added, “It's not that we don't trust you, honey. We don't trust the world around you.”

The sound of a soft horn interrupted our conversation. “I have to go. Can one of you let Thea in when she’s ready?”

“I got it,” Dad replied, shooting my mom a look that said leave it alone—at least for now.

“Thank you.”

Grabbing a piece of toast, I quickly ate it while simultaneously collecting my documentation card and other essentials into a small satchel. As I approached the front door, my mother called out, “Be safe, Korinna!”

“I will, Mom.”

Stepping outside, Nefertari's distinctive SUV waited for me at the end of the driveway, its design unique with sleek lines and ambient lights. The moment I slid in, she shot me a sidelong glance, her eyebrows drawn together in a mixture of concern and curiosity. Her makeup was done impeccably. There was a hint of mauve on her full lips, light eyeshadow framed her dark eyes, and a touch of blush highlighted her enviable cheekbones.

“I know that look. What happened?”

“Long story.” I heaved a sigh and leaned my head back against the seat. The inside of the SUV smelled like her usual perfume, Midnight Jasmine.

“We’ve got a long day, so start telling.”

“It’s been one thing after another. You won't believe what happened yesterday.” I began sharing the tale of Aidoneus' sudden appearance at the café, my nerve-wracking journey home, and my parents' subsequent attempts to keep me under their protective wings.

Nefertari listened intently, her expressive eyes widening with every twist in my story. “Damn, Kore. That's... intense. What would they want from you, though?”

“I have no idea. If not for work or going out to eat with you, I would barely leave the house—aside from the usual shopping that needs doing.”

“Yeah, I know. Don’t get mad, but this seems more of a result of something Ezra’s ass probably did.”

“I thought the same thing,” I admitted.

“You know that would be fucked up, right? But maybe that’s why he’s been acting so weird. He did joke about you two running away to sector three.”

“Ugh, I almost forgot about that.”

Sector three, Tartarus, was the slum of Nixon City and a bleak, miserable contrast to the other two sectors. Closer to the sea, its buildings were worn down by the salted air, time, and neglect. The only way to access it was by traveling through a dense woodland, passing the Enforcers manning its perimeter, and then getting over an electric and barbed wire fence.

I looked out the window, contemplating whether I was the reason for the Triad’s interest, or my boyfriend’s stupidity. I felt a little bad about not fessing up about the woods incident even to her. Part of me wanted to believe too much time had passed for that situation to be relevant, but the other couldn’t get over what Aidoneus had said.

He’d killed for me.

I could only assume that made me indebted to him in some way. Thinking about all the what ifs made my head hurt. It wasn’t like I could drive over to Elysium and knock on his door to demand answers.

“I don't want to get into this now. Tell me how your internship with the city's historical archives is going? Have you dug up any juicy secrets?”

Nefertari lit up at the mention of her favorite subject. "I’m having fun with it. Girl, some of the things I’ve come across are so damn scandalous. Others are completely fucked up. I see why the Triad’s PR works so hard.”

Our conversation shifted smoothly as we drove around, viewing potential homes. Before long, we found ourselves seated at Lunar Lagoon, a cozy bistro known for its eclectic mix of modern and traditional dishes. Surrounded by green foliage and the gentle hum of diners, we indulged in plates of herb-roasted chicken, a medley of seasonal vegetables, and honey-drizzled baklava for dessert. Amidst bites of the flaky pastry, my NyxPhone vibrated, signaling an incoming message. I saw Ophelia's name on the screen.

Kore, I'm really sorry. I shouldn't have gone behind your back. It's just... I was worried.

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