Page 28 of Monstrous

I lift my hand away from the cardboard the moment something inside of me says it’s complete. For a moment, there is no sound, everyone in the room still and poised. Then I listen to Vexx’s groan shift slowly into a sigh.

By the time I finally turn to look at him, he has his eyes closed and a slight smile playing across his lips.

And you say you don’t know what you’re doing, he mutters contentedly.

I stare between him and the sigil for a moment, trying to make sense of it, of everything. Dropping the cardboard, I scurry over to check the wound. It’s completely gone, no evidence on his skin. Only the ripped pants and bloodstains indicate there had been a problem.

“Because I don’t,” I tell him. “I have no clue about any of this. It isn’t possible…”

My voice drops off into nothingness. Because apparently it is. And apparently I can do things.

There’s pressure on my chin as Arc crooks his fingers against my skin to get me to look at him. Gray eyes scour mine, and in their depths I see something close to pride.You can do much more than you think, little love, he says.Just as you can attract the dark, you can also attract the light. You’re a beacon. And you can use your light and your skills to heal.

I shake my head, but he tightens his fingers to try and stop me from any more excuses.

The happier you are, the brighter your light, he explains.

“Do I look happy to you right now?” I joke.

He’s not in a teasing mood, however. And it’s clear he doesn’t appreciate my attempts to use humor to defuse the tension I feel.

“I don’t get it, Arc. Why me?”

It’s the same question I keep repeating, and I’m still craving an answer. None seems forthcoming anytime soon, either, as we wait for Zane to clear the blood trail leading us here. Hoping Darkness isn’t hot on us for the moment.

Because it’syou. Arc’s answer is simple.You were born special. We can teach you how to shine your light, Mari, as long as you trust us. The happier you are—

“The brighter I shine.” My voice sounds dry.

We know how to make you happy.

“Through sex.” I narrow my eyes at him, glancing sharply to the left where Vexx lays still, his hands looped together over his stomach. Begging one of them to prove me wrong and knowing they can’t, because I’m absolutely right.

Arc shrugs.In part. I’m not going to deny it is a large part of what the four of us can have together. That’s why we are so eager to please you. Have you not wondered why the three of us are here as your protectors? As your lovers?

I open my mouth to protest when Vexx clears his throat for my attention.We brought you this. He reaches into his pocket and draws out my cell phone.We know how attached you are to the thing.

“It’s been my lifeline,” I admit.

Surprisingly, the cell is buzzing in his hand. And I’m not sure which is stranger. That the guys thought to grab it on their escape, or the fact that my mother is calling at nearly three in the morning.

A chill rips up my spine as tension tightens my shoulders. I don’t remember dropping to my butt on the floor but I’m suddenly there with my knee wrenched at a bad angle.

I flash both monsters a grateful smile before pressing the button to answer. “Mom? What’s the matter?” Because something has to be wrong. She doesn’t call this early unless there’s an emergency.

I have a very bad feeling about this.

But she sounds calm when she says hello. “I’m sure you’re worried, and I hate bothering you. I didn’t wake you up, did I?”

I clear my throat before responding, “No, you didn’t wake me up. I’m having a little bit of trouble sleeping. What’s going on?”

“It’s nothing serious,” she says.

“Then why are you calling?” And why isn’t she getting to the point?

“It’s just…one of your friends from out of town dropped by the house. He’s sitting in the living room with me right now. He says he’s looking for you.”

My eyes widen as fear steals my breath, lungs clenching and my heart poised on the edge of explosion.

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