Page 38 of The Hive Queen

“Okay, so most likely female.” I adjust the brightness but can’t make out anything else. “And a monster that collects phalli.”

I rack my brain for something that fits the profile, demon or otherwise, but pull up a blank, which is unusual.

With how long I’ve lived, I’ve encountered every form of demon in existence, and quite a few monsters created by humans. There are a number who kill after mating, and quite a few who consume body parts in the process, but the decimation left of the entire pelvis is new.

Or very, very old. A monster that predates my many lives?

Something fae? Or something celestial?

With the Fox god’s return, anything is possible, and the thought terrifies me. I drop my hand to the top of Anny’s head. We had barely escaped with our lives the last time.

I consider myself to be a powerful witch, and it had been terrifyingly easy for the Fox god to subdue me. And I’m not stupid enough not to realize the Fox god was barely strong enough to step into the human plane.

What would a being be like who’s been here longer and had time to build power?

Amalia’s gaze shifts to my familiar. “What’s with the fox? You weren’t a pet person the last time we met.”

“She’s my familiar.” I scratch Anny’s ears, and she settles her head on my lap. “It’s a recent development.”

“Hot damn. The old world really is coming back.” Amalia scoops up her folder and returns to her chair. “If I get one, I hope it’s a raven. That would make surveillance so much easier.”

“You have to feed familiars, you know.” I give her appearance a pointed once-over. “And care for them the same as you would a pet.”

“Pass.” She kicks her foot up onto her knee. “So, soul witch, what do you think of working this bounty?”

I gasp and press a hand to my chest. “The great Amalia Wolf wants to work with other people? What happened to the lone wolf?”

“This one might be bigger than I can handle alone,” she admits. “And it’s not a team-up, so don’t get excited about me joining one of your groups. This is strictly business. I’d be hiring you.”

I bark out a laugh. “You already told me you drained your savings account to take this bounty. What are you planning to pay me with?”

She taps the folder. “Thirty coins upon completion.”

“Ten percent for a monster of unknown origin that’s already killed at least five people?” I shake my head. “Pass.”

“Ten percent plus proof you guys aren’t going soft.” She smirks at me. “Rumors are spreading. Big monster takedown would go a long way toward fixing that.”

“Meh. Reputations come and go.” I stroke Anny’s head. “I like where my focus is right now with the Conservatory.”

Her lips part on a quick breath, and for the first time in a while, vulnerability fills her eyes. “Are you seriously not going to help me? This is a really bad monster, Flint.”

“I know, kid. You wouldn’t be here if you thought you could handle it on your own.” Her expression plucks all of my heartstrings, taking me back to when she was an actual kid, afraid and alone.

But she cut her ties with us long ago.

“Even if I wanted to take this job offer, I can’t.” I fold my hands on top of the desk. “We’re already running it with the JTFPI.”

Her expression hardens once more. “So you’re competing with me, then.”

“It doesn’t have to be a competition.” Watching her close off sends a pang through me. “Let me buy the job from you. If we can’t crack it in two weeks, we’ll finance another two weeks to keep it under your name.”

She thrusts up from the chair. “You want to buy me off?”

“Use the money to take a vacation and get some rest.” I take in the way her clothes sag around her narrow frame. “You look like you need it. You’re already run ragged over this. Let us do this for you.”

“Screw you.” Amalia stomps to the door and wrenches it open to find a startled Meredith on the other side. She snatches the mocha from our secretary and throws it in the trash. “And screw your pity coffee. This is my monster, so you better stay out of my way.”

Meredith takes a quick step to the side as Amalia storms out of the office.

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