Page 41 of Monsters of Mayhem

Magnus nodded in agreement with Laney.

“How long have you two known each other?” I asked.

“We’ve been dating since Caroline left,” Laney said. “I needed someone to comfort me and I already kind of knew Magnus.”

“You kind of already knew him?” I asked, my gaze going to Magnus.

I stood up, chaos erupting within me. I grabbed Magnus by the throat, reaching across the table and watching food and dishes spilled across the way. “Tell me what you’re really doing here, brother.” I spat the words out.

“Why is it so hard for you to think I’m here to help?” Magnus asked.

“Because you’ve never been interested in this life at all. Even though you’ve been around it for hundreds of years. You’ve taken the checks and ignored the responsibilities since we were born.” I pointed out.

“Oh, really? You want to talk about avoiding responsibilities?” Magnus said. “You visit Mom like three times a year whether we like it or not, no more, no less. How do you think that makes her feel? You know she’s lonely, especially since Dad left and the only person she has around is me.”

“Mom is an immortal. She could have the world at her feet if she wanted it, but she doesn’t want it. She likes to live curled up in Bodega Bay and avoid the world completely.” I said. “That’s not on me, that’s on her and you, if you encourage it. She doesn’t have to be as lonely as she makes out.”

“It almost killed her when Dad was banished,” Magnus said.

“He wasn’t banished, he left,” I said. “He should’ve been banished. He was wreaking havoc on humans with no set of consequences. The only human he didn’t destroy was Mom.”

“I guess liking humans runs in the family,” Magnus chuckled.

“I’m not a human,” Caroline clarified.

“Oh my god. You’re not?” Laney’s hand flew to her chest.

“No, it turns out I’m a banshee, which means I’m fae,” Caroline stated.

“Maybe I have magical powers,” Laney mused. “Is there like a test we can take that can tell me if I have magical powers?”

“There is a number of things we can do to test out if you’re a supernatural,” Eunice said. “We can make a potion and if you drink it it’ll wake up any latent supernatural powers you have.

“What if I don’t have any?” Laney asked.

“Then it’ll kill you,” Lana shrugged.

Laney swallowed. “Yeah, maybe we just put that thought on hold. I’ll be the token human.”

“I’m here to help, brother,” Magnus said. “You can take it for what it is, but you can ask me to leave as . I’ll do whatever you tell me to do, but the way I see it is I’m the only other intelligent monster around that you know and we’ve got one we are trying to find. Maybe if you let me help, I can make a difference in this ragtag squad you’ve got together to help beat the monsters.”

“This is not a ragtag squad,” Eunice countered. “We are a fine fighting machine. We just need to figure out what direction we’re headed in and then you’ll see our power.”

“I think what we need to all do is get some rest,” I said. “It’s been a long night and a long day and a long time since I think any of us have gotten some rest. Ratchet, you stay up and watch the alarms. See if there’s any disturbances in the night. Laney and Caroline, you can have the room up here. Magnus, you get the couch. The witches can take the rooms one level down.”

I knew I needed some time alone. I needed some space to myself. I needed to think things out, because I was suddenly very suspicious of my brother and I didn’t know if it was just the monster in me that was suspicious or if there was valid levity to it.

I stalked off to my bedroom and slammed the door.

Chapter 24

The room Ryder had given us was really nice. It had an ensuite bathroom and a large king-size bed.

“How are you doing?” Laney asked as I stepped out of the bathroom having just had a refreshing shower.

“It’s a little crazy right?” I ran a brush through my hair.

“What’s crazy is all of it. Ryder and Magnus are brothers.” Laney sat cross legged in the middle of the bed, her eyes wide.

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