Page 2 of Fated to Monsters

Wes sets me on the ground, and I pull Bo and Dash in for a group embrace.

“Aw.” Bo pats my head. “You missed us.”

I release him and punch him in the shoulder. “I thought you guys were goners.”

Dash kisses the top of my head. “Going to have to try harder than that.”

I exhale and bask in knowing that all three of these men are safe, but the overwhelming realization that we did the impossible punches me in the gut.

“Wait a minute.” I point toward Wes. “You said we're in Arthlia. How?" I train my focus on the man responsible for our escape. "Is that true?"

Tremont rubs at the spot on his neck where the blade nicked him and pushes up onto his feet, dusting his legs off and glancing around. “Well, like I said, there was a weak spot in the fold.”

“No.” I shake my head. “You…” I desperately try to recall our last moments in Prania. “You said you didn’t need it because…” I shift my gaze to the ground but struggle to recall the memory of the time not too long ago.

“We’re here now,” Jade tells us. “We’re safe. And that’s a win in my book.” She clings to Everest’s arm, and he seems to gravitate toward her with equal force.

“It’s darker than I thought it would be.” Wes cranes his head toward the sky.

“It must be a new moon,” Tremont announces. “See that bright star right there? That’s Polaris, the North Star. We can follow that and head north until we find somewhere to stay.”

“Together?” I ask him.

The older man nods. “I didn’t anticipate stranding you in unfamiliar territory.”

“Why?” I narrow my gaze at him.

“Because that’s not who I am. Not anymore. You’re the reason I’m free of that place. The least I could do is give you some advice before parting ways.”

“Advice?” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Yes, Wren, advice. For starters, humans don’t take kindly to being threatened within an inch of their life.”

“How else am I supposed to get information out of them?”

“Like this. With your words.” He motions between us. “You communicate.”

I sigh and roll my eyes. “Seems ineffective.”

The throbbing in my skull picks up its tempo, my body tilting off balance as I struggle to regain composure.

“Wren.” Dash steadies me with his soft but strong hands.

Wes appears in front of me. “What’s wrong?”

“I’m fine, really.” I swallow down the aching in my head and take a few steps toward Tremont. “This North Star, where is it leading us?”

"Hopefully someplace where we can find food and shelter."

“Are we in danger here?”

He glances over at me like he’s about to spill a secret but decides to keep it to himself. “No. You have nothing to fear from the humans, so long as you don’t give them a reason to cause trouble. They’re rather ignorant and oblivious.”

“But.” I flit my gaze behind me at Wes temporarily. “Humans aren’t the only creatures in this realm, correct?”

Tremont continues his trek forward. "That's right. Many supernatural beings reside on Earth."

Supernaturals can’t even get along amongst themselves, how are they able to with a whole other species?

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