Page 42 of Beauty's Monstrous Demons

“I grew up in the foster care system,” I explain, walking next to him as he commands attention in the hallway simply by his presence. What I’m telling him isn’t a secret, and I’m not going to hide where I come from.

People shift around us, and I begin to worry less about being slammed into a wall. I swear, I’m collecting bumps and bruises. While Samael walks with me when he can, I still have to get around alone at times. I’m not helpless, just fun sized.

“Is that why you want to join a government agency?” he asks. “Where does chemistry come into play?”

“I don’t know if there’s an environment where the two are married to each other, but I’d like to investigate my options,” I tell him. “I enjoy creating things in the lab. If I can find something where I can also do research and pave the way to do some sort of work in the public sector, I’d be happy. Even if I need two jobs to do it.”

“I believe in a work-life balance, Lorelei,” he rumbles. “Time to enjoy yourself while you still fulfill yourself with a job that you enjoy. It’s important not to burn out. What if you looked at a company that would allow you to do research and apply for grants to further its development? Or you could look at a private pharmaceutical company that has a sector for developing new medication. Or fuck, write your own story and open your own place with private funding and do what you want!”

Dr. Alvaro is a free spirited person, and truly believes that the sky is the limit. He’s been a lawyer, a journalist, and various other things before he became a chemist.

“You make it sound very easy,” I tease him. “I still don’t know how things will pan out, or in what direction, but I appreciate the enthusiasm and confidence.”

“Always,” he says. “I am hijacking your day a bit, but Alecto Ferros is a good asset toward helping your dreams come true. He is an adjunct professor this year with the university and is teaching business management and chemistry.”

“Both?” I ask, tilting my head toward him.

“Mmhmm. He has a good head on his shoulders for business, so the graduate business school has been very excited about his teaching a class. The time slot filled up as soon as it opened too,” the head of the department says with a shrug. “It was fun watching people fight each other to get into his class. He’s also an incredible chemist, and his students have been enjoying his teaching. He’s a very good example of someone who has managed to do it all.”

Monsters live much longer lives than humans do, but I’m not going to point that out. It would be considered rude, and that’s not my intention. Dr. Alvaro continues to speak as we walk around the corner, and I notice a gorgeous monster with bleach white hair and black horns. Almost tripping over my boots, my lips part as I realize that I saw him yesterday at work.

What is an adjunct professor doing at a strip club in such an expensive fucking suit? I can’t stop staring at him, trying to wrap my mind around how beautiful he is.

“Miss Rose, this is Professor Alecto Ferros,” Dr. Alvaro says, checking his watch quickly. “I promised that I would introduce you two, but I unfortunately have to run.”

My eyes widen as they say, ‘Are you fucking kidding me?’ He doesn’t notice, though, as he apologizes and walks away.

“How exceptionally lucky I am that he’s in a hurry,” Professor Ferros purrs, making my pussy clench.

Fuck a duck, I shouldn’t be so attracted to him. He looks like sin, and sounds it as well.

“And why is that?” I ask, my head craning back to look at him.

“You’re intriguing, and I need to figure out why,” he says.

Breathing in deeply, I find that I smell… nothing. There’s not a hint of scent, which can’t be right. It’s as if he’s not even here, yet he is.

I’m flummoxed, which is making me uncomfortable. I don’t like it when I don’t understand something. My life feels as if I’m on the precipice of danger every day, and I’m even more on edge since moving into Phenex’s apartment.

Professor Ferros’ gaze is intense, the milky white of his eyes reminding me of the fortune teller while she was in the throes of her reading. That may be yet another reason that I want to run away from him.

The unknown is disconcerting.

“Good luck with that,” I mutter. “Is there a reason you wanted to see me, or are you stalking me now?”

“Do you have a stalker problem I should know as a member of the faculty?” he deflects, smirking as I roll my eyes and turn to walk away.

“I have a problem with people wasting my time,” I reply. “I have work to do in the chem lab.”

“Good, I’ll join you to attempt to sweeten your mood,” he rumbles.

I need my body to stop responding to his voice, or I’m going to need to drown myself in descenting spray.

The almost silent steps of the monster follow me as I walk to the lab. I have time to give to people who want to help my career,not ones that want to shove me under a microscope so they can poke.

“Lorelei, I was just going to leave,” the professor who runs open lab hours says, standing from the desk as I walk in.

“But there’s two hours left,” I remind her, checking the clock on the wall to ensure I’m not losing my damn mind.

---