Page 11 of Monsters we Crave

She gave me one last concerned look and left the room, granting me some privacy. I moved to my grand armoire and grabbed some night clothes before I stepped into my attached bathroom. I started the shower, letting the steam fill the space as I shedded my uniform and got in. The warm water felt like an embrace as it cascaded down, helping ease my tension.

When I was done, I brushed my teeth and started my final skincare routine. I looked into the mirror, the warm light illuminating my features. My heritage was evident in the tanned complexion I bore, a contrast to my stormy blue-grey eyes. My dark brown hair, damp from the shower, reached to the center of my shoulder blades. I usually threw it up in a clip or styled it in a loose braid to keep it off my face. And then there was the mark on my lower right jaw, faint but noticeable. It had an odd shape to it.

Grandma used to apply a cream to lighten it when I was younger, telling me it was a burn scar. As I got older, I began to doubt the truth of that. I had no recollection of burning my face in such a way. It made me wonder why she wanted it hidden. My parents never denied or confirmed what she claimed, and we rarely discussed the mark at all anymore.

I emerged from the bathroom, the warm steam from my shower dissipating behind me. Amalthea had already made herself comfortable on the area rug beside my bed, her soft breathing serving as a gentle reminder of her unwavering presence. Picking up my NyxPhone from the bedside table, I sent Ezra a brief goodnight message. It was more for appearances than anything else. If we really were being monitored, I needed to keep up the facade of our usual relationship.

I switched off the lights and climbed into bed, but sleep was elusive. Aidoneus' unexpected visit to my job and the scene I had witnessed on my way home played repeatedly in my mind, mingling with my already swirling thoughts.

As I pulled the covers closer, I tried to push away the unease lingering in my chest.

CHAPTER FOUR

The trill of my NyxPhone jolted me awake, banishing the remnants of my dream to the shadows. I blinked, letting my eyes adjust to the soft morning light filtering through my window. My heart raced from the vivid images that had haunted my sleep: a dark, enchanted forest shrouded in mist, where a majestic black unicorn roamed, its presence both comforting and foreboding. In the distance, a powerful dragon watched over the realm, its eyes a molten blend of red and gold, filled with a possessive intensity that both thrilled and terrified me.

I reached for my phone, my fingers trembling slightly. The screen lit up with a message from Ezra, but my mind lingered on the dream’s haunting symbolism. It felt like an omen, hinting at a fate I couldn't yet grasp.

"Hey, what's your plan for today?"

I responded vaguely.

"Not much, just a few errands. You?"

Before I could set the phone down, another notification popped up. This one was from Nefertari.

"We still on?"

"Yes, about to get ready now." I sent back quickly, confirming our plans.

Stretching my limbs, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed.

Amalthea, who had been curled up on her rug, raised her head and blinked sleepily at me. “Good morning,” I murmured affectionately on my way to the bathroom.

After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I selected a comfortable outfit suitable for the day’s activities and then headed downstairs. My parents were in the kitchen, the familiar aroma of scrambled eggs and toast filling the air. Dad was at the toaster and Mom was at the stove, her chestnut hair piled on top of her head. She looked up as I entered, her warm brown eyes surveying me from head to toe.

“Morning,” she greeted, a smile playing on her lips.

“How was your night?” my father echoed her sentiments and asked.

I stiffened slightly. The question wasn't as innocent as it normally would be. They knew something. Fucking Ophelia. “It was...eventful,” I admitted, unwilling to lie but not ready to delve into the details without knowing how much she’d told them.

He glanced over his shoulder at me, stormy-grey eyes a little darker than my own meeting mine. His cropped hair, a peppered mix of black and silver, was damp, but he hadn’t shaved. His jawline still had a couple of days’ stubble, giving him a stern appearance. I diverted my gaze and went to the sliding glass doors that led to the deck, pulling them open to let Thea out into the backyard.

“Were you busy?”

“Not any more than usual.” Walking over to the fridge, I pulled out a container of fresh raw meat, specifically tailored for Amalthea's unique diet. The delicate scent filled the air as I placed some into her bowl.

While I was occupied, my mother moved in closer, wiping her hands with a dishtowel. “Korinna,” she began, her voice gentle but laced with concern, “maybe you should consider rescheduling your plans today. It might be safer if you stayed close to home.”

“I can't. You know the housing officials set each appointment up individually weeks in advance. Nefertari's already on her way to pick me up.”

“But why the rush to move out? Is there something we should know?”

I almost laughed. Neither of them had any tact whatsoever when it came to fishing for information or being discreet with their intentions. “Mom. I'm an adult. It's a part of growing up, making decisions. You and Dad always preach how you want us to be able to stand on our own two feet.” I paused for a moment, gathering my thoughts before continuing in a way that would give nothing away. “Whether I'm here or in my own place, it's not going to change whatever is happening out there.”

They shared a look, and a familiar determined glint lit in both their eyes. I almost groaned. This meant they were gearing up for a united front, ready to pull out all the stops. Rarely was I the one at the receiving end. Ophelia had been carrying that burden all on her own.

“Listen, with everything that's been happening, we thought perhaps we could have a quiet day. Maybe watch some old films or play some board games?” Mom asked, her gaze hopeful.

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