Page 8 of Claimed By Her Monsters

“If you’re aiming to make me feel guilt for my making love to you, Athena, its failing miserably.”

“So you carry no guilt for abandoning your child and allowing her to perish if the humans get their way?”

He said nothing as his eyes only further narrowed, until he took a deep breath through his nostrils and let it out — igniting streams of smoke to escape.

“To my office,” he ordered. She stood her ground until his eyes bled black and he held her chin firmly.“Do not disobey me, my love, or you will not like my reaction.”

She let out a huff but proceeded to leave. The door slammed closed, leaving the room to the man in question.

Sliding the book back in place, I was left to stand there in confusion as I looked at my little hands.

“A child of mine.”

I flinched at the voice that came from behind me, which forced me to spin around and look up to the man who’d just been on the opposite side. I opened my mouth to say something, but his finger pressed against my lips as she slowly crouched down until he was on the same height level as I.

He shook his head, disapproving of my attempt to scream, which encouraged me to remain silent. Even as he removed his finger from my lips, I remained completely silent while he looked at me long and hard.

“The consequences of my actions,” he muttered in disapproval while he looked at me — his hand reaching out to gently stroke my hair. “Yet a consequence can create such a beautiful being of darkness…and light.”

I blinked in confusion before I dared to whisper, “You’re not going to get rid of me?”

My question made me fear I’d be returned back to the village and punished for being rejected.

“No,” he answered calmly as his eyes softened just a smidge. “What do you fear, child?”

“Returning to the village,” I nervously spoke as I lowered my head. “Athena’s my only way out. Of the rituals. Of the torture…and pain. I disappoint the worshippers every day, but not Athena. Even when I make mistakes, she’s proud of me. Of what I do. She says I’ll be a powerful goddess one day, but the worshippers don’t want that. They only need me for the dark gods.”

“Do you like these dark gods?” he inquired.

“They’re nice in their own way,” I voiced, but I knew it didn’t really answer the question. “I don’t know them enough to say I like them, but I don’t want them to get hurt.”

“Why would they get hurt, child?” he inquired.

“Those worshippers don’t want the best for them…” I admitted and quietly added, “Or me.”

“Do you need assistance with that?”

I stared at him long and hard before I gave my best smile and shook my head.

“Not yet,” I declared. “I…I want to try to do this on my own.”

“And what if a time comes when you can no longer handle their scrutiny?”

“Then…I’ll call for you!” I voiced. “You and Athena!”

“You don’t even know my name, child,” he acknowledged.

“I do,” I huffed as he stroked my head yet again, the action making me yawn as I began to rub my eyes. “You’re…um…Athena’s…boyfriend,” I voiced first before another yawn escaped me.

“Boyfriend, huh,” he chuckled. “Guess we’ll go with that for now.”

I wanted to reply but my eyes were far too heavy, along with the rest of my body, which left the man no choice but to pick me up and rest my head on my shoulder. He continued to stroke my head slowly, until I felt the heat from the fire that made it even easier to fall asleep.

Despite my efforts, I couldn’t stop myself from slipping away, though the man’s words reached me from far away.

“When you remember who I am and can’t find the strength to fight this game of life, simply say my name, child.”

His voice continued to fade away.

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