Page 6 of Monsters we Crave

Mom’s expression darkened further. “You need to be careful. Both of you,” she warned, a hint of panic creeping into her voice. “Stay away from the plaza, at least for some time.”

Ophelia looked confused by the warning but wisely didn’t argue. The seriousness in Mom’s voice was not lost on either of us. I got the feeling her alarm ran deeper than our chance encounter. I caught her eyes darting toward a faded photograph of grandma on the fridge. Her smiling face, now faded with time, reminded me of the void she left behind.

I missed her more than I often allowed myself to admit. She’d returned the day after I’d gone out to search for her with Amalthea at her side and then disappeared again shortly before our move from the secluded cabin to Antheia, the second sector of Nixon City. Understandably, Mom had become a little prickly on certain topics of conversation ever since.

Ophelia changed the subject, and I focused on the task in front of me, my mind beginning to wander.

Everything had been so new and overwhelming when we left our cabin. The bustling pace of the city, the advanced technology, the myriad faces—it was a stark contrast to how I’d lived for half my life.

The memory of the man in the woods, with his imposing presence and intense eyes, was still fresh in my mind. I knew he was associated with the Triad, but the truth of his identity was something I learned much later, and it wasn’t from me seeking it out. One day, a propaganda reel had come on our Vistaview—a sleek, holographic television. His face had been unmistakably familiar. Realizing he was none other than the heir of the formidable Maelstrom family had been shocking. Their notoriety was no secret. The Triad Four were deities to the loyalists of not just Nixon City but across the nation.

Riven's sudden interest, after so many uneventful years, was unsettling. I'd done my best to put that eerie night in the woods behind me. With Grandma gone, the secret was mine alone.

It was something we agreed never to speak about. I made her a promise I wouldn’t ever reveal my run-in with him. After the incident, Grandma, having noticed my rattled state, pulled me aside. She had a way of seeing through me, of understanding things I hadn’t voiced. When I recounted the tale, she listened with an inscrutable expression, then whispered words that have stayed with me since. I didn’t understand it fully then, and I still didn’t now, but I trusted Grandma's wisdom.

Surely the two couldn’t be related, though. Too much time had gone by—seven, eight years at least. If this was by some slim chance the Maelstroms' attempt to let us know they were watching us, to what end? Why? The weight of unanswered questions bore down on me, wrapping my heart in unease for the remainder of the evening.

CHAPTER THREE

Dwindling light streamed softly through the windows of Nectar & Beans, and the familiar scent of roasted coffee hung in the air. I’d been working here for two years, and though the pay wasn’t close to making me rich, I really enjoyed the job. I never dreaded coming to work. The atmosphere helped, exuding an ambiance of vintage sophistication. After the restless night I’d had, it was a nice buffer.

Upon entering, patrons were greeted by a captivating mosaic of a woman holding a pomegranate, its vivid seeds spilling from her grasp and embedded into the terrazzo floor. The high ceilings were adorned with ornate moldings and gave the space an expansive feel, while the shimmering crystal chandeliers added a touch of charm. The walls, a rich forest green with intricate golden motifs, evoked images of orchards under a golden sun.

Dominating the space was the grand, aged wooden counter. A large chalkboard hung elegantly on the wall behind it and displayed the menu, its items written in delicate, flowing cursive.

It was a sharp contrast to the more tech-geared café s, but that’s part of what made this place so special. I looked up from the espresso machine to see Mrs. Everhart, one of my regulars, shuffling to the counter, her fragile hands clutching her empty teacup.

“As always, thank you for the tea,” she murmured, her voice quivering with age.

I smiled warmly at her. “My pleasure. Get home safe, okay? Curfew's starting soon.”

She nodded and dropped a few silver drachmas into the tip box, her eyes carrying a mix of gratitude and something else I couldn't quite place—perhaps a nostalgia for a time before the world had changed so drastically.

“You're a sweet girl, Korinna. Always looking out for an old woman like me.”

My smile cooled at her endearment, but I held it until she turned away. She always called me that and I innately had the same reaction. The term felt oddly fitting and misplaced all at once. I tried to be kind to everyone, and I definitely had my moments. But sweet? Not so sure about that.

There were layers to me that even I hadn't figured out yet. Maybe she saw something I didn’t. As Mrs. Everhart exited the café , I turned my attention to finishing up the day's tasks. Tyler was on shift with me, but I hadn’t seen him in nearly an hour. I assumed he was in the backroom, likely engrossed in one of his tech projects or sorting through inventory. I wasn’t going to bother him. I could get everything done quicker without his interference.

While I enjoyed my job, going home and unwinding with a glass of Vitis Nebula wine was just as enticing. Sometimes I met up with Ezra, but I hadn’t heard from him since earlier. That was fine with me, though. I didn’t feel up to a quick tryst at the Lunar Lounge. If we were going to do this, remain in a relationship, there had to be more than late-night rendezvous between us. Otherwise, what was the point?

I moved to the front of the café and flipped the sign from OPEN to CLOSED. Behind the counter, Amalthea lounged comfortably, her ears perking up every now and then.

I often brought her with me to work, enjoying the comfort of her presence and the added security she provided. I was in the process of cleaning the counter when the bells above the door jingled abruptly. I spun around, irritation forming on my lips, only for my words to die in my throat.

Why was he here?

Beside him stood another I immediately recognized. Jae-Hee Yeon was rumored to be one of Aidoneus’ closest friends and was also the beloved heir of the Yeon family, another branch of the Triad. He was undeniably attractive, with sharp, chiseled features and a deep tan, but he couldn’t compare to the man he stood next to.

“It looked like you were still open,” Aidoneus remarked, a trace of amusement evident in his voice. His eyes, however, were serious, scanning the room before settling on me.

There was no way he thought that. Curfew had gone into effect almost an hour ago, triggering the café’s windows to automatically tint, transitioning from clear to an opaque shade that ensured nothing was visible from the outside.

Tyler poked his head out of the back room, his eyes widening in recognition and fear when he realized who had just walked in.

“I-Is there a problem?”

Aidoneus' gaze shifted from me to Tyler, his expression unwavering. “You should leave,” he stated, the command in those three words clear.

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