Page 93 of Enticing Monsters

We believed that the initial murders were some sort of ritual, though we didn’t know what for. Then, when the killer was removed from the equation, we struggled to find a connection between the new murders and the old.

But this is it.

This is the connection.

What was the symbol doing on the ground? Obviously, it has something to do with all of the bodies we found, but what?

Another nagging thought occurs to me, causing me to straighten, my stomach flipping over itself.

Just how did Anderson know about the symbol in the pit?

And if he’s involved…what will this mean for Foster?

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

SERAFINA

We set out for the portal as soon as the rain stops—only hours after Cadmus’s revelation that still percolates in my head.

The Obsidian Queen.

Skinwalker.

Arisha.

Dying Faerie.

Cadmus didn’t need to say it out loud, but I understand his subtle implication.

The world itself sent the virus in order to rid itself of the rot infecting it. Or at least, that’s what he believes.

But how many innocent fae died to kill one evil fae?

And who is the one taking over where the Obsidian Queen failed?

What goddess helped her in the first place?

“I can’t help but wonder if my father wasn’t crazy,” Foster whispers from beside me, his tone hollow.

“What do you mean?” I glance at him in concern, but he keeps his attention fixated straight ahead.

“Some of the things he spewed… It’s starting to make sense now. He was the historian for the fae. It wouldn’t surprise me if he stumbled across this information during one of his studies.”

Kian, who’s walking on Foster’s other side, whips his head around to stare at him. “Do you think he has more information?”

Foster shrugs. “I honestly don’t know.” Then, in a lower voice, he adds, “I don’t know anything anymore.”

I reach for his hand and give it a squeeze. He offers me a tiny smile, though his green eyes remain subdued, swirling with emotions I can’t articulate.

“Watch your head,” Cadmus instructs abruptly.

All of us duck as we step beneath a tree branch covered in an unrecognizable substance. It almost looks like…cotton balls. Purple cotton balls, all clumped together to dominate the entire branch.

“What is that?” Kian asks.

He instinctively reaches for it, but Cadmus hisses, “Don’t! Do you want to lose a limb?”

Kian drops his arm back to his side.

---