Page 98 of Land of Monsters

Rubbing my head, I closed the door to the room, turning to my best friends. “Leave it to you to always have explosives.”

A rumble from Warwick was my only warning before his fist slammed into my face. Pain exploded behind my eye, fire rushing into my cheekbone and mouth. I dropped to the ground with a thud.

Groaning, I reached up for my face. “What the fuck?” I wiped at my lip, red coating my hand.

“Lófasz a seggedbe!” Fuck you! A horse dick into your ass!He stood over me, fury snarling his face. “You disappeared! You left us without a fucking word, not caring how we felt, to be some moron with a hero complex? You deserve far worse!” He looked ready to punch me again, instead he grabbed my arm, yanking me to my feet again, and pulled me into a hug.

Warwick did not show emotion except to the few he allowed in his circle. He was my brother, and no matter how mad we were, he was my family.

Breathing out, I blinked back emotion.

“Fuck you too.” I patted his back. My mouth throbbed, but I deserved his wrath.

“Menj a halál faszára!” Go to hell! Go onto Death’s dick, he rumbled.

I pulled back, turning to see Brexley glaring at Warwick.

“What?” His brow furrowed.

“I was supposed to hit him!” She threw out her arms, only making Warwick smirk.

“You want to hit me too?” I wiped the blood from the corner of my lip.

“Yes!” she exclaimed. “Fuck! I am so mad at you. Do you know how worried we were about you?”

“Worried?” I snorted, motioning to the menaces on her shoulder. “You sent your little minions to spy on me!”

“Minions?!” Opie exclaimed from her shoulder, but nobody took heed. “How dare you, tree—”

“Because you cut us off,” she exclaimed.

“I-I couldn’t be around… anyone.” I swallowed roughly. “It was too much.”

“I get that, Ash.” She stepped up to me, taking my hand. “But we love you and the thought of anything happening to you?” She punched at my arm with more strength than I’d expected.

“Ow.” I rubbed my bicep.

Her mouth wobbled, her eyes filling with tears. “Don’t youeverdo it to me again.”

“I won’t.” I cupped her face, suffering the pangs of hurting her. “I am so sorry.” I stared into her eyes, making sure she saw the truth in them.

Iwassorry. I had been selfish and insensitive, but it was the only way I knew how to deal with my pain.

Brexley was in my arms, squeezing me so tight my bones cracked, as if she wanted to make sure I was real. “You’re here. You’re all right,” she whispered, reconfirming it to herself. “Please don’t leave us like that, Ash. We need you.Ineed you.”

My throat tightened. The familiarity of her voice, her smell, the feel of her in my arms, cracked something in my chest. I had stayed away because I wasn’t strong enough to face them, to see the disappointment in their eyes, but now that my family was here, I realized how much I missed them. Needed them.

I held her for another moment before I pulled away to look at her face. Brexley’s onyx hair and black eyes against her pale skin always took me back for a moment. A mix of Russian and Irish, her features were unique and so stunning it could almost make her appear cold and fragile. Until you met her and realized she had the warmest heart and could take down a legion of warriors, resurrect men from the dead, and beckon spirits to her will, all without breaking a sweat.

My gaze went to the figure on her shoulder, my lids lowering. “Snitch.”

“They were already here! I just pointed them in the direction they needed.” Opie held up his hands while Bitzy flipped me off.

“What do you mean already here?” I stepped away from her.

“Dzsinn contacted Scorpion.” Warwick leaned on the windowsill. “Told us where you were.”

“Dzsinn.” I huffed out his name. “What? Tired of babysitting me and handed me off to you guys?” Now I knew where the genie was headed after he disappeared on us. “Like I can’t take care of myself.”

---