Page 12 of In the Monster's Wake
Sometimes, Jasper wondered how he’d grown up to be so different from his father.Leroy had raised him to be a monster-killing machine.He’d started training Jasper when he was ten, and he’d taken Jasper out on his first hunt when he was fourteen.He’d even complained that he’d had to wait that long, but Jasper’s mother wouldn’t allow him to do it sooner.Leroy had never understood why Jasper wasn’t as giddy as he was to hurt monsters.
Jasper could admit that some of them needed to be stopped, just like some humans.A monster like the one he’d fought the other night was dangerous to everyone.Hunters didn’t discriminate, though.They went for all monsters if they had a good excuse to do it, even the peaceful ones who were just trying to live their lives.
“I’m just saying that we know what we’re doing.We could help this time.That monster is dangerous, and I can’t help but wonder if any of the hunters will be able to stop him,” Corey explained.
“I don’t thinkwewill.There are only three of us.”And only Jasper had promised his father that he’d look into it.He didn’t want to pull Corey and Kerry along.He knew better than to tell them—especially Corey—to stay out of it, though.His best friend would push until he was allowed to help.Trying to keep Corey out of trouble just meant that he’d find a way to get himself in trouble on his own.
Sometimes, Jasper felt like he was Corey’s keeper more than his best friend.
He sighed.“Fine.What did you have in mind?”
Corey was on his feet instantly.“Go change.We’re going to the club.”
It wasn’t what Jasper had expected, but he was glad not to have to think about what his next step would be.Corey seemed to have given it some thought, and Jasper was happy to go along with it.Nothing would probably come out of it, anyway.
That didn’t mean Jasper didn’t feel uneasy when they left the house.He could still remember the way the monster had told him he’d see him again, and he wondered if the monster was watching him even now.Was he hiding in the darkness, planning how he would snatch Jasper off the street?Corey would intervene if anyone tried, but would he win that fight?
Hunters had always been at a disadvantage when it came to fighting monsters, which was why they worked in teams.Jasper, Corey, and Kerry were a team, but there were only three of them.
At least they were armed tonight.
Corey took them to a club, but not the one where they’d been the other night.They’d hidden their weapons on their bodies and were able to pass through security without anyone finding them, mostly thanks to Kerry, who flirted with the bouncer and distracted him.
The smell of sweat and heavy perfume hit Jasper as soon as he stepped in.He wrinkled his nose and looked around, but there was nothing odd about this club.People danced on the dance floor, sat at the bar, made out, and yelled at each other, just like in every other club.He could feel the music through the vibrations of the floor, and the lights were alternatively blue, green, and pink.
“What now?”he asked Corey.He had to lean close enough that his lips almost brushed Corey’s ear as he spoke.
Corey pushed him away.“Now, we dance.”
“I thought we were here to catch a monster.”
“We are.You said the monster seemed interested in you.”
Jasper shuddered.“Can we not say it like that?”
“We’re using you as bait.”
Jasper groaned.“Of course you are.”It wasn’t a bad idea, but Jasper would have preferred to know before getting here.He would’ve been more prepared.
Corey took his hand and pulled him toward the dance floor.Jasper went.They were here for a reason, and since he was going to be bait, he’d be good bait.
They danced and drank—only water because Jasper didn’t want to be impaired in case the monster popped up—for about an hour.Jasper kept glancing around, but while he did notice a few monsters here and there, most of the people in the club were human.No one seemed to have a problem with the monsters’ presence, fortunately.One was even making out with a man in a corner.
Jasper was dancing with a tall blond when the back of his neck prickled.He frowned and turned, but he couldn’t see anything wrong.Corey was dancing next to him, his attention on the man moving with him.He didn’t seem to have noticed anything, but when he turned to Jasper, he nodded.“He’s here?”he asked.
“I don’t know.”
Jasper might feel like someone was watching him, but he could be wrong.Even if he wasn’t, it might be someone else entirely.Maybe someone had noticed him and wanted to dance with him or take him to the bathroom for a different kind of dancing.Maybe it had nothing to do with the monster.
Or maybe the monster was somewhere in the club, staring at Jasper.
* * * *
“DO WE REALLY HAVE TObe here?”Archibald complained.
Braith took a sip of his drink as he continued watching the dance floor.“Do you really have to ask?”
Archibald sighed.No, he didn’t.He knew why they were here.
