Page 135 of Land of Monsters

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“For what?”

“For being there.”Saving me back. Being my anchor.

He wiped the drying blood from my face. “Always.”

I kissed him, not even thinking about anyone else, not hiding the chemistry between us, but I could hear my father’s growl, everyone’s eyes on us, taking in what we couldn’t hide.

“Oh, fuck no—” My father was cut off by a squawk splintering the sky, whirling me and Ash toward the sound.

Nyx swooped over the castle, pulling my focus outside our group. Mounds of bodies dotted the terrain, the ruler of Russia and his wife, Dubthach, Sonya and Iain—the castle of monster lore was their graveyard.

Another screech came overhead. Brexley pointed her gun, firing into the sky, but the hawk sailed away, her cries dissipating into the distance.

“Fuck, that bitchwon’tdie.” She rolled her shoulder, where wounds from bird claws could be seen through her torn shirt.

Ash’s family and mine had moved in a protective circle around each other, still on guard. Wounded, hobbling and bloody, but all alive.

Except the threat was still not over.

A deep growl came from Uncle West and Cole, their dweller forms hunching and snarling as figures moved from the dark to us.

Z, Rhino, Beetle, Boar, Joska, Samu, Balazs, and a few otherPrimulI didn’t recognize stood yards away.

Aunt Gabby etched her claws into the dirt, baring her teeth while Uncle Dax and Dom moved around me, probably at my father’s order.

“No.” Aunt Zoey stepped out in front, her petite frame dwarfed by the monsters. “No more fighting.” Ryker and Croygen instantly moved in behind her like bodyguards. “There will be no more death here tonight. You will leave my family alone.”

Z’s chin jerked, his eyes flaming with what I swore was hurt before flickering to anger.

“Family?” His throat rattled. “Am I not your family…Mother?”

Zoey’s silence tightened his shoulders, though emotion twitched in her jaw.

“Yes, I know. I was never the favorite,” Z jeered. “Guess it goes to pretty boy here.” He flicked his chin at Wyatt. “Though I still should be above my brother Zeke. I mean, he did murder your sister, rip out her guts in front of you.”

Uncle Croygen grunted, stepping closer behind Zoey, his sword ready to swing. Rage narrowed his dark eyes. Kat stayed close next to him, ready to shed blood alongside him.

“You killed one of mine.” Z gestured to the head of the snake near him. “What makes you think I won’t kill all of you in retaliation?”

“What makes you think we won’t just kill you first?” Ryker snarled, his axe twirling in his grip, his white eyes narrowing.

“She won’t let you.” Z smiled down at Zoey. “Or you would’ve already, right,Mom?”

“Don’t underestimate me,” she replied coldly. “It never works out well for those who do.”

Ryker stepped forward, and I noticed Warwick came around the other side, holding his own battle blade. A harmony of snarls came from the dwellers, most of them still in their beast form. Aunt Fionna, Piper, my mom, and I grouped together, our magic humming between us. Brexley moved closer, and dead bodies started to twitch. An icy feeling different than the cold temperature rose the hair on my neck like a ghost brushed over me.

Z’s eyes darted around, his stinger tail dripping with poison, feeling the sensation too, taking it all in, ready to fight. They were strong, but we had the numbers now.

“I think there will be more death here tonight. Am I right, Kovacs?” Warwick smirked, something telling me there was more to those two than I realized. Like they were messengers of death.

The dwellers agreed, rumbling in unison, inching forward, ready to pounce on their prey.

It was so fast, Z’s reaction blurring my vision. He lurched out, grabbing the arm of someone close, and bringing her to him, using her as a shield. A hostage.

“Hanna!” Scorpion bellowed as Z clutched the blonde to him, his stinger primed at her neck.

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