Page 13 of The Monster's Desire

I glance back at him and toward the house. I need a good night’s sleep. Everything will make more sense after a twelve-hour nap.

* * *

Last night was a cluster of a mess I don’t even want to think about.

Emerson was turned into...something. Nan briefly explained she thinks Emerson might be a vampire, but she’s also pregnant. Which means the birth control spell I gave her epically failed.

My magic, in general, has been acting weird lately, but I have bigger fish to fry.

Something is also extremely off with Kash.

The last time I saw him as a client, I explained I wouldn’t be seeing him again. However, I woke up to the weirdest text from him.

I ignore it initially, but when my phone rings and his number pops up, my mind races. He’s with the council, and he can make Emerson’s new undead existence hell if he wants to.

“What?” I snap, hoping that sleazy fucker will get a clue and leave me the hell alone.

“Little witch, not a morning person?”

“Why are you calling me, Kash?”

“I need a favor.” His voice sounds weird. “Do I happen to have any pets?”

I pull the phone away from my ear and actually frown at it. It’s his number.

“Do you have any pets?” I repeat.

“Yeah, I think I do, and I’m going to be unavailable for the next...while.” He snorts. “I’m not about leaving helpless beings to starve to death.”

“Are you high? Did you get drunk on witch’s brew?”

“Gods, I wish,” he mutters. “Listen, an emergency came up, and you’re the only person I know in town who might save poor Jimmy or little Sally from certain death.”

“I-I...” I don’t even know what to say. I blink at the phone in pure confusion.

“Thanks. Just let yourself in and, you know, re-home them if you can. Got to go.” The phone disconnects, but I’m still completely freaking flabbergasted.

I look from the phone to the ceiling, wondering what the hell that was about. Maybe the warlock has finally gone off the deep end?

It seems like a real possibility.

Pushing myself out of bed with a groan, I aim for the bathroom.

* * *

Goose bumps pebble over my skin as I step into the cool air of my room. I’m in the process of drying my hair when my phone rings. It reminds me I need to call and check on Emerson. At the very least, see if there’s anything I can do and let her know I’m here if she needs me.

I’m not expecting to field a call from Octavia. She runs the town council, ensuring all the citizens of Haven are safe under the sanctuary laws. The fact that I greatly respect her vision and execution of protecting every monster in town is the only reason I agree to her request.

Being a fertility witch is such a pain in the ass sometimes. Apparently, I’m taking a trip to help ensure some human woman delivers her half-elf babies without complication and possibly renew their sanctuary ward while I’m in town.

* * *

Nan stands across the kitchen in her gauzy, ankle-length dress. She’s in her early seventies, but you can’t tell from looking at her. Her long, straight dark hair shines with health and vitality.

I hope I age half as gracefully as she has.

She blinks, tilting her head, and I grow more uncomfortable. It would be really convenient if her eyes went white or something when having a vision, because sometimes it’s impossible to tell. Is she just staring me down because my tits are hanging out? Or is she having some type of life-altering prophetic vision?

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