Page 45 of An Inheritance of Monsters

I chewed my lower lip, shivering a little in the cold.

The last time we’d met, he had vanished back under the bed in a heartbeat, alarmed by the noises of the others—but also driven back by my own reticence.

Now, all I wanted was to see the monsters again.

I held out a hand in invitation, palm up. “Come on out, then.”

Several tense moments passed. The form beneath the bed seemed to solidify in the shadows.

“You are not afraid of me now?” Those gleaming eyes blinked.

It seemed to me that honesty was the best policy with these monsters. “I wasn’t really afraid of you, Rask. It was just a lot to take in.”

His eyes bobbed up and down, as though he were nodding. “I will be much for you to take, Juno.”

I swallowed hard as he began to emerge, those sharp-toothed jaws first, followed by the rough ridge of fur extended over his head and back.

Four arms crept out, dragging the rest of him.

I scooted back, giving him space as the full bulk of him emerged. Lightning flashed, blazing right through the thick curtains and illuminating the mass in my room.

He was warm, the heat radiating from his skin, and I almost instinctively cuddled up against him. I was cold enough now for my teeth to start chattering.

“Why are you so cold?” Reaching out tentatively, all four arms scooped me up.

It was like being wrapped in a cage of muscle, leathery but soft against my skin. I made myself stay calm and relaxed despite the pounding of my heart, not wanting to drive him off again.

If there was one thing that could convince me that Rask was to be trusted, it was how careful he was with my feelings. All it would take was one word, and he would vanish back into the Void beneath my bed.

I could trust this monster as well as Zirin.

So I leaned into his chest, resting my head on a heavy pec and exhaling a sigh of relief as the cold finally began to seep out of my bones.

“We were out on the island today and a storm rolled in. I haven’t had a chance to change yet. But Rask, were you safe during the Voidstorm?”

Rask made a softtsk’ing sound in the back of his throat, pointed ears swiveling. “I fear nothing from the Voidstorms. I am strong. But my Juno is small and weak.”

I almost snorted at this description of me.

“You must protect yourself when I cannot be there.” He looked down at me, that low purr rumbling from his chest. “You should be out of those clothes.”

He’d warmed me up enough just from cuddling me that I’d almost forgotten I was still wearing damp, chafing, ice-cold leggings and a tank top.

“Rask, are you hitting on me?” I looked up, grinning at him.

But Rask stared at me blankly.

“I would never hit you. You would die.” He held up one hand and flexed his claws, and thick forearm, for emphasis.

“Indeed.” I gazed at that claw as he returned it to my thigh, bemused. I’d come to realize he was very literal.

“So you will take off your clothes now? Humans are fragile. You will also die if you are too cold.”

God, the last thing I wanted was to be put down when I was feeling so warm and snuggly after a day of being freezing cold and full of fear.

“Can I do that in a moment?” I placed my hand on his chest, fingers splayed. His heart beat against my palm, a heavy, hollow rhythm that I felt echoing in my bones. “You’re so warm, and I’m so comfortable.”

Rask’s purr sent another shiver through me, one that had nothing to do with the cold.

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