Page 19 of Monster's Pet

“Oh, that reminds me!” I dug my hand into Aiden’s pocket where the magic generators were located and pulled one out. “This will help Sugar regulate,” I said, sticking it to the back of her neck while she was sleeping.

“Sugar?” Aiden said, wrinkling his nose. “Might as well name her Flour.”

I giggled. “That sounds silly, too.”

“You know,” Rhiannon said, cocking her head in thought as she stared at the kitten, “she’s kinda unique. She was bornafterthe ley lines disappeared, which means that the world is normal to hernow. She might not feel the effects from the lack of magic.”

“I really don’t want to find out if you’re right,” I said. “Be right back.” I dropped a kiss on Aiden’s forehead and headed over to the counter to grab our meals.

Aiden was surrounded by more people, most of them girls, when I returned. They were all cooing over him and the way he held the kitten.

“Mine,” I almost growled, and everyone scattered.

Aiden glanced up at me teasingly. “Feeling jealous?”

“Only a little. I want you all to myself.” I sat beside him, putting his plate down. I’d grabbed food he could eat without cutting.

He rubbed one of the kitten’s ears between a finger and thumb. “I’m sorry she’s going to take so much of my time—” His eyes reflected his disappointment.

I shook my head, cutting him off. “She’s different and you know it.”

“Just checking.” He leaned over for a kiss, which I happily supplied.

“Thank you for being there for me.”

“Ugh, you two are so gross,” Una said, pretending to gag. “I wish I had what you have.”

“You could, you know.” I pointed at her with my fork. “If you stopped sleeping around.”

Una’s eyes opened wide. “But how will I find my most compatible match if I don’t try him out first?”

“I dumped pudding on Siobhan’s head,” Aiden remarked.

“I haven’t tried that,” Una said thoughtfully.

“I don’t recommend it,” I said with a laugh. “Especially with all our magic so low. It would be difficult to clean up the mess.”

“There you go, spoiling all my fun again!” Una pretended to pout. “I’ll find myself a man, don’t you worry.”

The kitten yawned loudly, ending on a squeak, and blinked open her eyes.

“Hello, little one,” Aiden said softly. “Are you hungry?”

The kitten mewed piteously.

I laughed. “She’s got you wrapped around her little paw.” I used the syringe to draw up a few millimeters of warm cream. After glancing at Rhiannon for confirmation, I handed it over to Aiden to feed the baby.

“She’s got purple eyes,” Aiden said, awed, as he fed her.

The kitten suckled greedily at the cream.

“That’s weird that her eyes opened already,” Rhiannon said, making a note in her journal. “She was only born a couple hours ago.”

“Magical being,” I said dismissively. “I’m curious to know when her wings will grow in.”

“Wings?” Rhiannon frowned. “I didn’t feel any nubs. Aiden, once you’re done, can I see her again?”

“Of course.”

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