Page 61 of An Inheritance of Monsters

The only problem was the daylight. I drew the heavy drapes, blocking as much sun as possible, but I knew the monsters were particular. Even a single ray of daylight might hold them back.

I stretched out on my bed, replaying the odd vision in my head and waiting for a presence to arrive, trying to do as Voraal had asked.

Trying to put the pieces together.

Although I now felt I knew what had happened to all the men ‘cursed’ by the island, there was still something I was missing.

It was like a small hollow in my mind, that empty space that would draw everything together for me.

And while I was waiting, I fell asleep.

Juno.

I sighed, a dream flickering at the edges of my mind. My entire body was heavy, sinking into the pillows.

Juno, come to me.

I’d been having a silly dream about riding flying pigs. A happy dream.

But somewhere along the line, it had changed, blurring from one image into another.

I dreamed of Voraal, of shadows spilling over me, of looking up into the sky of the Void, and a titan with eyes like supernovas looking back.

Of claws running over my skin.

The things I would do to you, he purred in my ear, shadows pinning my hands. In my dream, and distantly, in real life in my bed, I moaned and rolled over.

The things you would beg me for.

Shadows crept over my body, caressing every inch of skin. I sighed as one slipped across my lips.

Come, Juno. I will show you.

I was vaguely aware of rising from my bed, legs dropping over the side. I hit the floor and weaved drunkenly to the closet as the doors slid open.

On the other side of that doorway, all my dreams could come true.

I stepped through, my dream changing shape around me again. The Void was brilliant as I stepped through the darkness onto warm stone, and that was when I realized I was no longer dreaming.

I had sleepwalked my way into the Void. Into a temple built by mad gods.

Spires and columns rose around me in a massive circle, and dark sand blew over the black stone. Pale runes glowed underfoot, lighting up when I stepped on them.

I laughed softly to myself.

Not even in sleep could I escape the call of the Void.

“I figured it out, Voraal.” My voice echoed off the spires, bouncing back at me across the temple. “Or at least enough to understand… I am not the only woman to come across you before.”

Between the columns, outside the temple, something enormous shifted on the sand.

A massive being, eyes glowing so hot I had to turn my face away.

But the shadows condensed, the being disappearing, and Voraal slid from behind a column. “Not me… but the otherV’uthli. My predecessors.”

Inside me, a tiny bubble of tension popped. I’d wondered if Voraal had ever claimed another human as a mate.

“None of the histories are true, are they?” I asked, watching him slide between columns as he wove closer to me.

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