Page 22 of In the Monster's Wake
He didn’t care.
Chapter Seven
Jasper was on his wayback to Archie’s office.He shouldn’t be as excited as he was at the thought of spending time with the monster, but he’d dug through the hunters’ archives, and he had some information.It wasn’t enough to allow him to locate Kester, but maybe putting everything together with what Archie knew would help.
He could’ve emailed Archie.Hell, he could’ve called him and told him everything.He didn’t have to go all the way to the PI office, yet here he was, two coffees in hand, about to walk through the door.
He hoped Archie would be happy to see him.
He pushed the door open with his shoulder and walked in.The waiting room was empty.The sad plant in the corner was the only sign of life—and Jasper wasn’t sure itwasalive.Jasper paused and listened, hoping like hell that someone was in the building.He didn’t want to think about why the door would be open if that wasn’t the case.
A noise finally came from the direction of the office.Jasper smiled and started to move toward it, but the monster who appeared wasn’t Archie.
The monster was shorter than Archie, about Jasper’s height.His skin was a dark blue with visible veins of an almost silver color running beneath it, creating a delicate web across his body.His wings were tucked against his back, but they shifted and fluttered as if the monster was having a hard time keeping them in position.The monster’s eyes were completely white with no visible pupils, which was creepy and gave him an unsettling presence.His hair was long and silvery, the same color as the veins under his skin.
The monster smiled.“Is one of those for me?”
Jasper held the coffees closer to his chest.“Since I don’t know you, no, they’re not.”
The monster groaned.“Dammit.Why don’tIhave a cute guy bring me coffee?”He turned toward the office he’d just come out of.“Archibald?There’s someone here for you.”He eyed Jasper.“I’m pretty sure it’s the hunter.”
There was the sound of something dropping, and someone yelped.Archie pushed the monster away as he stepped out of the office, a smile already on his lips.Jasper’s heart raced.No one should be so handsome, but especially not a monster Jasper shouldn’t have anything to do with.
Fat chance of that.He was involved in this mess up to his neck, and for the first time since his mother had suggested he look into this, he was happy he’d said yes.
He raised one of the coffees.“I didn’t know how you took it, so I hope it’s fine.”
Archie’s smile was easy.“I’m sure that whatever you chose is perfect.”
He took a sip, then pressed his lips together.Jasper tried not to laugh.It was obvious that it wasn’t perfect.“I drink black coffee, no sugar or cream.That’s what I got you.I thought it would be the easiest to fix if you didn’t like it.”
The second monster snorted.“He likes his coffee not to taste like coffee.The sweeter, the better, and you need to put as much creamer in it as you can.”
Archie glared at his friend—or was it his fellow PI?Jasper wasn’t sure, but he suspected he was going to find out.“It’s not my fault I don’t like the bitterness.”
“Then maybe you should stick to tea.”
