Page 24 of Becoming Monsterous

As a compromise, I shift back to my human form, but keep Cornelia. Since she's normally buried in my dark hair, I pull that back in a ponytail, and let her scaled body curl around my neck.

Human. Monster. Divine.

What and who I am is something in between now. Something altogether new.

Looking out over the rest of the human and human-adjacent monsters here, I spot Mera lounging with Greymark House. As more members of Magna House enter, she and the other shifters move closer to the nearly-human Occult House members.

Despite the big fight that happened in the dining hall, it seems the two houses are closer than I initially realized. That makes sense now that I know the other houses are giants, monstrous creatures, and spirits. What separates Greymark House from Occult House is also what binds them together: their shared connection to humanity.

I still don't forgive the shifters for arguing about killing me.

Once more of the giants have appeared and settled down on their side of the combat room, a familiar figure strides into the center of us all. Jean Kincaide is the summoner and seance I met on my first day here. Tall and thin, she has long white hair but the face of a woman in her thirties.

Her connection to the spiritual realm has always unsettled me. Even though I did that seance with her, I feel out-of-sorts in her presence.

That feeling intensifies when she raises her arms, a staff in one hand, and begins to chant.

I move back instinctually, and a comforting arm goes around my shoulders. It isn't Aleron this time, but Morpheus. He moves in close to me, his warmth pressing against my skin.

"She's opening a portal to let Anima House through," he says, pitching his voice low for my ears, his tone intimate and sensual. "They're unable to enter otherwise, and will dissipate shortly after she closes the portal."

Four spirits enter, and Morpheus explains each of them to me, his arm drawing me ever closer.

The first two are women with long hair and white dresses, their posture stooped, their eyes red and wild. They're banshees, spirits of dead women who enact revenge on men. Mostly harmless, they're known for their tendency to eviscerate their prey—but they only go after the truly despicable.

Third up is a Raiju, a wolf-like beast spirit created when a magician summons a storm. There aren't many Raiju in the Spirit Realm anymore, Morpheus tells me, because storm summoning is an inherited trait and fewer magicians are born each year. This spirit crackles with energy, sparks dancing across its translucent form, which moves like a storm across the floor.

Fourth and last is a small, bent-over spirit that resembles a child but has the weariness of an adult. This is a Shriek, Morpheus tells me.

"They're spirits born when a child dies too soon," he says, his tone serious and intent. "I can't say that I'm thrilled to see one here, but... Jean has her reasons. Perhaps this Shriek has something to offer us."

The spirits creep me out, and I'm glad when Jean ushers them to the side of the room. She stands near them, holding her staff firmly, its butt against the ground. Waving her free hand, she folds the portal up until it's as small as a playing card, hovering in the air.

"Nothing else will come through," Morpheus reassures me. "At least through that portal. Osseus House will be brought in through portals as well... though hopefully by more than one summoner, given their unpredictable nature."

Unpredictable nature.Not reassuring to think about. Especially because all these houses will be freed if I open up the gates between Earth and the Shadow World.

Looking out over the monsters assembled here so far, I can't help but wonder: do they deserve to be let loose on Earth? Because while they may not deserve to be enslaved by contracts, I can't help but question the sanity of letting themcompletelyloose. Especially when it seems like we could give them a nicer prison.

Though I wince at that thought—anicerprison. There is no such thing. And while the spirits may creep me out, they didn't exactly create themselves. Especially the poor Shriek, whose only living sin wasdying.

Maybe there's another way.

Therehasto be another way.

Of course, as soon as I think that, the nightmares arrive.

Chapter20

Ellie

Two tall, half-reptile man-like creatures enter the combat room, one pacing in front of the other, about twenty feet apart. I recognize their species after fighting one. Called Reptilis, they're part monster, part human creatures with long reptilian tails, slitted pupils, and soft skin covered in a spattering of scales.

Each of the Reptilis is wearing padded leather armor, and both have long swords at their hips. The way they look around with keen eyes makes it clear that they're guards.

Trailing between them are a series of creatures I never thought I'd see outside of the Shadow Realm and my own personal nightmares.

Three of them are howlers, the small possum-like creatures I fought in the Shadow Realm that scream in order to stun their enemies. Though they look cute and harmless, once they've stunned someone, they consume their flesh. All three are wearing thick iron muzzles.

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