Page 108 of Fated to Monsters

Setting my cup next to hers, I join the two of them under the glistening magical forcefield. “What is that thing?”

“It’s an opening to a realm very near to ours where students do a lot of their supernatural training. It’s one of the ways we’re able to conduct magical classes without the other students having any knowledge of it. It’s only visible to the supernatural eye. But, if not maintained, it can grant direct access to anyone trying to enter our dimension. Good or bad,” Walker explains.

“Wouldn’t want that to happen.” I study the hazy purple as it floats near the corner of the ceiling. “What do you need me to do?”

“Take my hand, like we did back in Prania.” Willow steps toward me.

Without question, I slide my palm in line with hers. I haven’t known her long, but I’m not sure there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. She’s not just family, she’s a damn good person. She didn’t have to come to Prania and fight a battle that wasn’t hers, but she did it anyway, and for that, I will be forever grateful.

If it weren’t for her, I may not have made it out of there alive. Willow might be the very reasonanyof us lived to see another day.

And surprisingly enough, Tremont sacrificed himself to make that happen, too. He gave his life to prove that he had changed. And I’ll spend the rest of mine doing that same thing.

“Now take your other hand and hold it up like this.” She points her palm to the ceiling, her magic already dancing along her flawless skin. Soft purple mixed with a faint pink flutter on her hand, and for a second, I’m completely mesmerized by how beautiful it is.

I do as she says, hoping that the movements are similar enough to hers to do whatever it is that needs to be done.

“Good.” Walker opens a small leather-bound book and traces his finger along the text. He mumbles a few of the words but I can’t quite make out what they are.

I focus my attention on my arm and grow amazed when a reddish hue appears in the same way the pinkish purple did for Willow.

Expecting discomfort, I wait for whatever Walker is saying to do what it’s supposed to do. But instead of pain or distress, he simply snaps the book shut and says, “All done.”

I blink a few times and hesitantly lower my arm. “That’s it?” I rub at where the magic was only moments prior.

“That was easier than I thought it was going to be,” Willow chimes in.

"I'm not surprised." Walker leans his butt against the nearby desk. "Willow, you alone made this tedious task tremendously simple, but add the both of you, it's a cakewalk."

“Speaking of cake. I’m kind of hungry.” I ate a banana before leaving the house, but I find myself suddenly famished.

“That’s normal,” Willow tells me with a kind smile. “Doing any kind of magic will typically leave you feeling a bit ravenous.” She pats my shoulder. “You’ll learn what to expect the more you practice. Some spells will take more out of you than others. That’s why I have to be careful about where I spend my energy.”

“Well, now that we know I can be of assistance, maybe I could pick up some of that slack.” If I’m going to be living in her husband’s house and eating their food, the least I could do is help. She’s already done so much for me.

"Yeah." She nods and glances over to Walker. "That would be nice."

After saying our goodbyes to Walker, Willow and I exit the academy and make our way to her car. It’s a bit nicer than Sydney’s, with sleek edges and more comfortable seats.

I buckle in and wait for the death mobile to roar to life.

“Thank you,” I say. “For trusting me with today.”

Willow pushes a button that turns the car on, unlike Sydney’s where you must insert a key. Does this one not require such things? I would ask but it seems too silly to bring up.

She pivots her body toward me. “It’s what family does.”

I breathe in her words, grateful for how welcoming she and her men have been. They could have easily dismissed us and thrown us aside. Instead, they've been more gracious than I probably deserve.

“I know you didn’t want to get involved with the Prania thing. But I hope you know how grateful I am for that. For the talk with Balial, for coming to my rescue. I…I couldn’t have done it without you.” It’s strange to admit that for once in my life, I couldn’t handle things just on my own.

Freeing Prania was a group effort. It took everyone coming together as one to defeat that evil bitch. Me. Dash. Bo. Wes. Everest. Willow. Sydney. Tremont. Pippa. The wendigo. Heck, even Gary. And finally, the remaining demons and hunters that had enough of her tyranny.

“I’m grateful it had a happy ending. Not all stories have one of those.” Willow stares past me like she’s recalling a memory of a time when things didn’t go well.

“And I’m sorry if I uncovered any old trauma from being with Tremont.” I can’t imagine how Willow must have felt when she found out he was shacking up in Sydney’s house.

Willow sighs. “Our relationship was complicated. But it’s been long enough that I’ve healed, at least partially, from what he had done. And if I’m being honest, I forgave him a while ago. I just didn’t want him to know that.”

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