Page 36 of Monstrous

Turning around with victory urging me on, the power inside of me seems to burn just as hot as flames as I think about the three men who have claimed me as theirs. The men who own my entire heart.

“I’m sorry,” I repeat to Walker. “It’s time for you to go. I hope you can move on to whatever is beyond this life and get the peace you deserve.”

Same goes for me.

Light swirls around him and at last the shadows keeping my monsters captive fall away. They drop to their feet and stalk toward Walker but it’s too late; he’s entranced by the light. He’s not attacking anyone now.

It’s time for me to stop looking at my future like some unattainable fairy tale. Because this is real. And I’ve made it happen.

Screaming, Walker lunges toward me at the last second, but the light isn’t letting him get close. It wraps around him the same way he used his shadows against us, and a moment later he bursts into flame. Falling like embers to the floor along with the paper he burned.

Everything stills as I stare at the place where he’d stood. My pulse thrumming with power in my veins. Horror and shock war with confidence inside of me as blood continues to drip down from my head wound, staining my clothes.

Then suddenly the boys surround me, their hands on my skin and a semi-circle of concerned faces checking me for injuries.

Little love, you were so brave, Arc says gravely. He bends down to kiss the uninjured side of my head.

I’m not ready for a victory dance just yet, though. I push them aside looking for Mom and finding her nowhere.

Once again, Zane reads my mind. He lifts up a second patch of thickened shadows, revealing my mom crouched down and hiding beneath her side table. She’s made her body as small as possible and the moment she realizes she no longer has to hide, she blinks. Crying out when she sees me.

“Mari!” She unfolds her body and rushes forward to wrap me in her arms. “Are you okay? What happened?” Fear laces her voice.

I hold her tightly, not even caring when her embrace sends agony ricocheting from my chest outward. Okay, so I’ve probably cracked a rib or two. It’s no big deal, right? I can heal myself.

Mom pushes me away to probe at my head wound and I wince. “It’s fine, Mom.”

She gushes out a wet laugh, tears streaming down her face. “Now I know you’re lying.” It seems like it takes a while for awareness of the others to set in. Although, when Mom finally gets a good look at the three monsters, she doesn’t run screaming for the hills like I think she will. Instead, she holds out a hand to personally greet each one. Thanking them for what they’ve done.

And the situation is so absolutely absurd I can’t help but join her in laughter.

Because of all the surprises of tonight, this is the highlight.

ChapterEleven

Ilay on the bed with my feet gently kicking behind me, humming the same nameless tune that’s been stuck on my lips for the last few weeks. Something light and airy and fun as I work my pencil over the rapidly filling pages of my newest sketchbook.

One of the largest and nicest ones I’ve ever owned. The boys make sure to keep me fully stocked so I can draw to my heart’s delight. And since our showdown with Darkness, I haven’t slowed down.

Everything the pills repressed has come pouring out of me in a nearly endless stream. The faucet is now fully open, I think with a rueful grin. And none of the bleak, dreary images of demons I’d once drawn, either.

Not that everything is roses and unicorn farts now.

I have my fair share of bleak moments, and yet none of them compare to the absolute bliss of my life.

You’ve holed yourself in your art cave again.

Zane’s voice reaches me and I chuckle, still focusing on my drawing. “I hardly call it a hole,” I reply. “The blinds are open and it’s sunny outside.”

I know. It’s absolutely disgusting, he says.

I shake my head, used to him and his sarcasm. Although he doesn’t look like Walker anymore. Instead, I’ve gotten to see a hint of the Zane behind the faces he adopts, the nightmare known as Fear is no longer something for me to worry over. He kept the curly blond hair but shifted a lot of the features on his face. A sharper nose. A stronger chin, higher cheekbones.

Although I love seeing the mischief in his eyes.

“Don’t worry. The weather is calling for storms the whole rest of the week,” I say with a teasing tone. “Then you and the boys will finally be happy.”

He sits down next to me on the bed and the mattress dips at his weight.We are happy if you’re happy.

---