Page 42 of My Monster's Keeper
“Did you freeze the ocean to save me?” I ask the Unseelie Prince.
He shrugs. “Even the ocean will not take from us what is ours.”
“Careful, I’m going to think you care.”
“Don’t be deceived by my goodwill. When you run out of food, your allure will wear out, and I shall give you to the Grim to consume.”
I don’t even bother listening to his threats. Puppy slams into me, sniffing my hair and my arms, down my chest, my freaking crotch.
I struggle to hold the Grim back as he anxiously snuffs at me and inspects every part of my person. My cheeks are on fire, and I can’t help but hope that I smell okay. And, also, why am I getting all hot and bothered by him sniffing me?
“I’m fine,” I manage to stutter out.
He switches to his man form and pulls me into a hard hug. I’m so surprised that I don’t even complain about the fact that he’s making my ribs creak.
“My turn.” Stix easily removes the Grim and picks me up with a gentleness that reaches inside me and melts my brain. His long fingers hold me easily as he leans in so he can rest his face against my neck.
It’s only then that I realise the Shadow King is trembling. For me. I reach up hesitantly and then throw my arms around him, pulling myself tight against him.
He stiffens and then relaxes in my hold.
“Water is our one weakness, especially salt water.”
“It’s okay, I’m okay!”
“Where is Wilder?” I ask when he puts me down.
I peer up and down the jetty until I finally spot the black steed in the warehouse.
“What is he doing?” I ask and jog towards him.
The answer is much more disturbing than my brain could come up with. Wilder is standing inside the huge doors, staring upwards.
“Wilder?”
He points to the roof, where we find the dangling feet of dozens and dozens of workers.
“Oh. My. God.” I don’t want to step under them, but I need more light and a better view. “Are they hung or just tied up there?”
Puppy scurries up and drops a body down. Wilder catches it and lays it on the floor.
They are not hanging by ropes, they are hanging by hooks that go through their backs and come out under their ribs.
“How did they die?” I brush back the hair off the man’s forehead and find he’s just a guy about my age. He had a life and a family, and now he doesn’t.
“Smells like toxins,” Puppy sneezes. “Not for eating.”
I frown. “Is this…bait?”
“Doubtful,” Frost murmurs. “It is most likely a creature storing food for another season.”
“Storing food? Like a squirrel?” My brain just won’t let me see this.
Wilder crouches beside me. “Breathe, little Becky, we won’t allow you to become one of the dead.”
I peer up at him. This world is so much bigger and darker than I’d thought. No, my world is bigger and darker, too.
“What kind of creature is it?”
