Page 93 of An Inheritance of Monsters

As the nightmare faded, I became aware of my body moving in real life, pushing back the covers.

I stood up, and the iciness of the floorboards on my feet dispelled the last of the nightmare. Lightning flickered before me.

I was no longer in my childhood room in Essex, stuck in that room and unable to move.

This was Duskwood Manor, and the doors of the closet in front of me were rattling on their hinges, darkness spilling from between the cracks.

That voice was home, promising safety and comfort to chase away the remnants of terror.

I nearly flung myself through that door into the Void, seeking Voraal.

The screams that had been building in the dream swelled in my throat, choking me.

It always felt real. I always woke up screaming, remembering that first time and how terrified I’d been.

I tried to suck in air through the swollen passage, my eyes burning, fists clenched—

And arms and swirling shadows wrapped around me.

“It was only a nightmare.” Voraal stroked my hair, holding me tight. The warm air of the temple, redolent with jasmine, surrounded us.

I nodded, releasing a breath and faint sob… and that was it.

The tears and screaming I expected never came.

After years of therapy, I could usually manage to lock away my feelings, but on nights when I hadthedream, they all came back in full force.

Now they faded away like mist on the wind.

I kept my eyes closed, leaning into the feeling of Voraal’s chest rising and falling under my cheek. He was a safe harbor from that old pain.

“I think… Eloise’s death just dragged all of it to the surface. It’s been a long time since I had that nightmare.” I let him hold me, just breathing and letting it all fade away.

I felt more presences arriving: Rask clambered up and over the temple wall, purring as he drew closer. The vibration of him against my back was soothing.

And Zirin… I heard him beckoning, his mental voice drifting to me.We’re here, Juno. Whatever you need from us, we’re here.

Voraal cupped my face, looking down at me with his horns haloing his skull. “Tell us, Juno. You’re not alone with your fears anymore.”

I nodded, my throat tightening for one moment more… then loosening.

It was time to get it all off my chest.

Chapter27

Juno

My monsters brought me to a place where we could all converge: the bathing chamber of the temple.

The water in the enormous bath grew dark, and Zirin emerged, preceded by his searching tentacles.

Rask curled up at the side, and I sat in his lap, my feet dangling in the water where I could be closer to Zirin.

Voraal watched me, a silent, swirling tornado of shadows.

“I’ve never told another living soul the full story.” I leaned my head back against Rask’s chest, letting his purr seep through me and soothe my frayed nerves. “Not even my best friend Crispy.”

My closet monster nodded, his eyes guttering flames as he watched me speak.

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