Page 62 of My Monster's Keeper
“Are you sure you want them? Are you sure you’re ready?”
Instead of answering, I pick up my orange juice and drink it. I have a lot to think about, but Hartley seems content not to press me.
“Nice house.”
“Yeah.” Hartley looks around. “It is nice. Don’t worry about the hotel, I’ll make sure Diablos gets you the room at the Milford.”
I finish the glass, and he reaches out, taking it and putting it in the sink. He pulls on his shirt and gestures to me to follow him.
He leads me through a few more doors and out into an atrium filled with green plants.
“You know what Diablos loves?”
I shake my head.
“This spot right here. He hadn’t seen green plants before he came to Earth. He is absolutely dedicated to protecting this world because he fell in love with it. My Di doesn’t want to see the other worlds come here and trample it. That’s why he fights so hard and puts together impossible teams.”
I exhale roughly. “It’s hard to grasp just how big the world is out there.”
“It really is.”
“Have you been to any of them?”
“Me? No, but he’s told me about them.”
I wave past a huge sunflower and reach out to touch the petals.
“This is so pretty. But, surely, there are things just as pretty on those worlds?”
“Maybe. I don’t know.”
“Don’t you want to go and have a look?”
“Not really.”
I snort a laugh. “You and Diablos are like the ultimate old couple.”
“I’ll take it. I just want my demon, my slippers, my coffee, and my bed.”
Frost appears behind Hartley, who hasn’t noticed him yet. I watch the Fae prince stand in the shadows of the foliage and become almost invisible, but, to me, I can’t miss him.
“RULES!” Diablos booms. “This is work. You proposed training them, then you will. Eight hours a day minimum, and I expect a report at the end of it.”
Puppy appears beside me, rattling scales I can’t see.
“You will work and learn, and you only get two weeks. That’s all I can spare you for. I will be stopping in every now and then to give you a pop quiz.” He rubs his hands together with far too much glee.
I raise an unamused eyebrow and watch the prowling demon.
“You will sleep in one room.”
“All five of us?” I ask, surprised.
“Yes, because I want you to be safe, and four Shadow kin and Fae watching over you are better than none.”
He nods to himself, pleased but then turns and points a finger at my chest.
“No happy endings.”
