Page 58 of Fated to Monsters

“Someone please tell me what’s going on.” I grip the edge of the table.

“If you want answers about Prania,” Walker says. “You’re going to need to talk to Balial.”

Willow cringes at the very mention of his name but I don’t quite understand.

Balial is one of the princes of Hell. What does that have to do with Willow? Why is she so turned off by the idea of speaking to him?

She shakes her head. “No. Not happening.”

“I can do it, you don’t have to,” I suggest. “I wouldn’t want to put you out.”

“I doubt he would willingly give you information, Wren.” Walker adds, “No offense. He’s just not the most communicable person in existence.”

“And what makes you so sure he would for Willow?”

“They have…history.”

Willow grimaces again at that last word. “I’m sorry, Wren. I can’t help you.”

I get one step closer, and another obstacle is thrown in my direction.

“There must be some other way. I’ll go myself and see if he will. How do I get there? I don’t know how to realm travel.” I’ll get down on my knees and beg if that’s what I have to do. If there’s even a slight chance I can learn about Prania enough to free it from the hold Parla has on it, I’ll do anything.

Walker raises a brow. “Then how did you leave Prania to begin with?”

“I, uh.” I shift from putting all my weight on one leg to the other. “I had help.”

“Help?” he presses.

"Before you freak out, I assure you, the situation is contained." My heart pounds so loudly that I swear it's going to leap out of my ears.

“Who helped you?” Walker asks and Willow stares, both waiting for my answer.

“Tremont.” I don’t know which one of them to focus on.

Willow folds her arms over her chest. Walker takes a step back.

“I didn’t know what he was to you,” I insist. “Not until we were already here. Sydney is the one who told me.”

“Sydney knows about this?” Willow tightens the hold she has on her body, her voice growing more frustrated.

“He spelled him to a room in the house. He can’t come out. I swear, he seems harmless, really,” I spit out every bit of the truth I can to convince them.

“No. You don’t know what he’s capable of,” Willow tells me. “He’s a monster.”

But if that’s how she feels about him, there’s no doubt she’ll have the same reaction when she finds out what I’ve done.

Tears well in my eyes, and I blink them away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m not with him. Or on his side. You have every right to be upset. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Walker sighs. “You told the truth, Wren, and that means something in my book.” He reaches toward Willow, his hand lingering in the air between them. “There has to be some reason Sydney didn’t tell us yet. If he thought it were an immediate threat, he would have. We have to trust that he has the situation contained like Wren says he does.” He looks over at me like an idea just struck him. “He’s confined to a room where?”

“Sydney’s estate,” I answer without hesitation.

“That means the barrier spell wore off.” Walker picks up the angelic book and tucks it under his arm. “I should have stayed up on ensuring it was in place. I’ll double-check the wards but it’ll require your help.” He looks to Willow.

She nods. “Yeah, of course. Whatever you need to keep the academy safe.” Willow avoids my wandering gaze. “As far as Balial goes. I’m sorry, but I can’t help you.”

Her declaration is heavier than being crushed under a passed-out scruni.

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