Page 79 of An Inheritance of Monsters

When the last of the ghosts ascended, Rask finally released me. I held onto his arm, shivering now, still watching the souls swirl towards the Beyond.

Neither monster moved me until I lowered my head, my neck aching but my heart feeling mended in a way it hadn’t been for years.

He was there. I was sure of it.

I exhaled deeply.

“Time to go home, little one.” Rask wrapped an arm around my shoulders, and I leaned my head against him. “You will die of cold.”

My lips curled upwards. “I promise, Rask, being cold is not going to kill me.”

But a hard shiver wracked my body. The storm in the human world had been murderous, pouring icy buckets on me.

“You will come with us now.” His tone brooked no argument, and the two monsters carried me to Rask’s cavern.

We came through from under the bed, just as thunder rumbled down to the foundations of the manor.

Voraal’s shadows crept away from him, covering the door completely. In the darkness, I felt Rask’s claws delicately stripping me out of my clothes, but my skin was so numb from the cold I hardly felt it.

The sound of running water drew me to the bathroom like a moth to a flame. Steam was rising from the water, and Rask grunted in approval.

I stepped in, sinking into the deep tub with a groan. Maybe theMlul’drahad a point about dying of the cold.

At least my insides no longer felt fractured. All I felt was a certain serenity: maybe I was fading from the world. Maybe I was marked.

But my brother, who had been a shining spot of joy in my childhood, had found a doorway, too. I no longer had to fear that he’d be trapped on earth, his soul constantly reliving his final torment.

In the darkness, surrounded by my monsters, I was more than happy to let go, too.

“Now you understand,” Voraal said. His claws ran over my arm, tracing through beaded water.

“I do.” I closed my eyes. “Everything was by design. I am here because of who I am.”

He made an indeterminable noise, but when I opened my eyes, his face was impassive.

I had the feeling that I was missing something, another vital piece to the puzzle… but whatever it was, I was sure it would become clear in time.

I was meant to be here.

As my skin regained feeling in the hot water, the numbness giving way to an uncomfortable prickling sensation, I became aware of softness stroking against my feet and ankles.

“Come up, Zirin,” I said softly. I wanted all of my monsters here.

My mates, binding me to this world.

Water sloshed and the level rose as another large mass joined me. I was just glad it was big enough for the both of us.

His tentacles twined around me, eyes gleaming blue in the darkness.

You’re putting it all together, he said, reaching out to stroke a lock of my cold, wet hair.I knew you would.

I leaned into his grasp. “It was destiny.”

Chapter23

Voraal

If my lovely mate believed she was going to be fucked and cuddled immediately, she was in for a rude awakening.

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