Page 103 of Land of Monsters

“Yeah.” I swallowed but kept my voice strong and sure.

“I may call mine princess, but yours actually is.” Warwick smirked. “You are so fucked.”

“Tell me about it,” I grumbled, shooting a look at Raven, whose mouth was pursed with impatience.

“Every moment we waste here, my brother is in hell,” she reminded us.

“Okay.” Brexley nodded, clasping her hands together. “We need a plan to find where they’re keeping the prince.”

“We already know that,” I broke in. “Sonya’s base is Castle Bran.”

“Bran Castle?” Brexley lifted her brows. “As in Dracula’s castle? She’s creating monsters in a castle infamous for its monsters?”

“The irony is not lost.” I huffed. “She’s not one for subtlety.”

“What she had there… what they are doing.” My attention went back to Raven, the hot sickness recalling what those monsters were doing to the women. What they almost did to Raven.

Raw fear and anger shot me to my feet, and I imagined if I’d been there just a few minutes later. Raven sensed my thoughts,her hand reaching for mine, gripping it with assurance she was okay.

“So, what’s our plan to get the prince out safely?” Brexley asked. “While taking out Sonya, Iain, Kalaraja, Joska, Samu, and the impossible-to-killPrimul, plus saving everyone inside, and trying not to make this an international declaration of war.”

“Yes, and…” I cringed, already knowing the response. “You can’t forget killing Nyx as well.”

“Nyx?” Brexley did not fail, her shriek filling the room. “She’s with them?”

“That bitch is still alive?” Warwick snarled.

“And really hates all of us.”

“Fuck.” Warwick pinched his nose. “She’s like a fucking cat with nine lives. She won’t fucking die. You really thought you could do this on your own?” He glared at the door like it insulted him, like he sensed something coming.

“Good thing we brought back up.” Brex winked.

The door cracked open, and figures spilled into the room. My instinct to protect Raven had me stepping in front, ready to fight, until I noted their faces. My fear turned to disbelief.

Five people squeezed into the space, turning to me.

“Ó, hogy baszd meg egy talicska apró majom!”Oh, may a wheelbarrow of small monkeys fuck it.A petite woman pushed through the tall physiques, her white-blonde hair pulled back in her signature ponytail. “Either I punch you or hug you. Pick one, fairy.”

“Birdie.” I opened my arms, and she barreled into me, her tiny frame deceivingly strong.

My heart clenched as I peered over at the rest of my friends: Scorpion, Hanna, Caden, and Wesley.

I should’ve known.

I shot a grin at Raven to let her know this was good. My family would never let me do this alone.

Chapter 20

Raven

?

Nails dug into my palms, my nose twitching and spine burning as blades prickled inside the bones. It wasn’t only the need to pull the white-blonde girl away from Ash, my dweller growling with protectiveness. It was the other darker blonde woman standing towards the back who had my dweller ready to attack.

Her scent was wrong. Unnatural. Not fae or human. She smelled like Joska and Samu.

Her eyes shifted to me as if she sensed my predatory thoughts, her pupils slivering. Wild cat-like features shifted over her pretty face, her teeth showing as a low hiss pushed through her lips, drawing the attention of the gorgeous, heavily tattooed man next to her. His gaze bounced between us as another snarl showed off her pointed teeth.

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