Page 1 of Monsters of Mayhem

Chapter 1

“I hate flying in planes.” I gripped the handles of the seat, feeling my stomach drop as the small jet hit some turbulence.

Ratchet burst out laughing and reached his arm across the aisle. “Hardly acting like the God of Monsters, if you can’t handle a little wind movement.”

“It’s just unnatural,” I complained. “Getting in a metal tube and going at the speed of light.”

“It’s not that fast. Besides, what, do you want to do, walk all the way to New York?” Ratchet asked.

“We could’ve used a portal,” I ground out.

“And miss quality time with me?” Ava said as she stepped out of the captain’s seat and came to rest by us.

“Who is flying the plane?” I looked at the empty cockpit.

“Relax,” Ava said. “These things fly themselves.”

“Then why do we need you?” Ratchet asked.

“Play nice, little demon,” Ava grimaced at him, “Or I’ll open the door and kick you out.”

Ratchet laughed. “A lot of good that will do,” he said. “It’s not like I can’t handle myself in the air.”

“Why did you insist we fly with you?” I grumble toward Ava.

“Because I need to talk to you and it needs to be in private.” She rested her feet on the seat opposite her. “The frequency from these planes means it’s impossible for any of the supernatural creatures to figure out who we are and what we’re doing.”

“What’s so important you want to hide it from the DGC?” I asked. “They’re supposed to be supporting us. After all, I’m going to them to get protection for Caroline.”

“I think that’s a good choice,” Ava shrugged, “but it doesn’t solve the problem of the monsters after her. I wanted to tell you about the rumors I’ve heard coming from the north, where the frost giants live. I think the rift up there is damaged.”

Ratchet reclined his chair. “If there were monsters on Earth, we would know about it.”

“Clearly you don’t,” Ava pointed out. “If there’s a monster after Ryder’s wife and the rings, don’t you think that means we should investigate every place on this planet we’ve seen monsters?”

“We already do,” I growled at her.

“I’ve been to places you’ve never even dreamed of,” Ava said. “In my work flying the DGC around, there are any manner of stray supernaturals who want to stay under the radar.”

“What are you suggesting?” I asked. “Do you want to fly us around looking for monsters?”

“No.” Ava shook her head. “I’m working to find out who murdered my mother, but I can tell you a couple of places you haven’t looked where monsters are getting through. I suggest you go to those places and see if you can take out this monster, who’s not only trying to take over the planet, but trying to kill your wife as .”

“Ex-wife,” Ratchet corrected her.

I ignored them both and stared out of the window for a moment. I’d be lucky if Caroline ever spoke to me again. I couldn’t believe I had made love to her. As much as it pained me, I would never do that again. Whatever was after her, was no doubt trying to get to me. By making love to her, I’d only strengthened that bond again, putting her in more danger. If they were tracking my movements, they’d be sure to find her.

It was bad enough she was at risk. Her life was endangered being in a place I could barely protect her. She just wasn’t safe. The demons could get to her, the monsters could get to her, and there seemed to be nothing we could do about it, if the DGC wasn’t going to be able to help.

After I’d handed her to the DGC, it was up to me to try to figure out what was going on with the monsters. There was no way I could tell the DGC there was a monster issue I didn’t have a solution for.

I inhaled deeply. It was like I could still smell her. The light frequency of rain. She made me feel, like everything was going to be okay, like I was alive. It was as if there was a part of me that could never be alone anymore because she was always with me. It didn’t matter if we made love or not, she would always be a part of my life, of my soul, of my very essence.

I knew the truth, though.

I had made love to her selfishly. I had taken her when she was vulnerable, right after she had been attacked. It had not been about her. It was about me wanting to possess her, to hold her. It was about me needing comfort because I’d almost lost her. I was generous in my lovemaking, but it didn’t change the fact I had slept with her because I had needed her desperately. That was a dangerous place for the God of Monsters to be in. I needed to not need anyone. I needed to have no weaknesses and Caroline was definitely a weakness of mine. She was already in danger because of me.

My mind spun in circles.

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