Page 20 of Their Fierce Little Monster

That’s when movement from the village catches my attention. The Viscount strides our way alongside Baron Lester, who clutches a vial the size of a water jug to his chest with two hands. The liquid inside sloshes about in slow rolls against the glass.

Unease gathers beneath my rib cage, and everything about this portal worries me. Never had I heard the Viscount speak of incantations or magic. Yet, the man travels to the Monster City frequently, exposed to who knows what. Rumors spread about all sorts of creatures and enchantments traded by the Elite families, so why not a Selection spell?

“This way,” the Viscount announces upon his arrival, marching past us and toward a patch of cleared land not far from the extinguished pyre.

We’re migrating after him, and I’m curious to see how a portal is summoned.

The Viscount collects the vial from the Baron, then uncorks it and begins to pour the contents into the earth. The moment the black liquid touches the ground, the soil hisses with steam. Seconds later, the spot turns black.

He walks in a large circle, at least five feet wide, with a steady stream spilling from the glass vial. The whole time, he’s mumbling something under his breath I don’t recognize, but I guess it’s the incantation. Even when he gives sermons to the village, he never speaks a different language.

He closes the circle and recorks the glass container before handing it to the Baron.

But my attention remains on the ground, which instantly begins to move. I feel a tremble under my boots, a hum that dances up my legs, and goose bumps cover my arms. The center of the circle suddenly drops inside, the earth falling in as if pulled into a drain. Soil and short stumps of grass follow, folding inward. That hum still pulses through to my bones, and I feel it all the way to my teeth.

Within moments, there’s a gaping hole in the ground with sharp edges. And inside is nothing but a void.

My mouth drops open as a gush of hot air shoots up from the hole, blowing upward, and I flinch. How in the world is this a portal? It must be a mistake.

“All right,” the Viscount states loudly, and I jump in my skin at the sound of his voice. “In you all go.”

I stare at him. “In where? A hole in the ground?”

“The portal’s open. Now let’s find out whom you really belong to.” He clasps his hands behind his back, glancing at the men on either side of me. “My lords, the path is waiting.”

I’m breathing heavily, stepping back and bumping into someone. I glance over to find it’s Kazak, who gives me a tender smile. “Portals come in all forms.”

But I shake my head, pulling away from him. “Why am I the only one thinking that jumping into a black hole in the ground is insanity?”

Corvin laughs, already marching forward, pausing at the edge, his boots inches from the rim, and he glances back. “Don’t keep me waiting.” He steps in and drops down, vanishing.

I gasp, my hands pressed to my chest, listening, waiting for a scream or something. But nothing comes.

“You heard the lord. Go,” the Viscount demands.

Kazak half turns toward me, offering me his hand. “We can do this together.” His fingers curl, calling me to him, except I can’t get my legs to move. My breaths are wedged in my chest because this goes against basic logic.

But everyone’s glaring at me, so I close the distance between me and the gaping hole, staring down into its mouth. Nothing but darkness.

“All right,” I murmur to myself. “I can do this. How hard can it be?” But my feet are carrying me backward instead. Nope, I can’t do this.

Suddenly, an arm hooks around my back, driving me forward. Terror slams into me as I frantically scramble backward, finding Lian pinned against my side. He’s grinning and I’m screaming, grabbing at his leather jerkin, anything to grasp onto.

“Wait, stop! I’ll go myself⁠—”

“No,” he barks.

We approach the portal too fast. “Put me down. Oh my Gods!”

“Lian! Let her go,” Kazak bellows behind us.

But Lian isn’t slowing down. And suddenly, we’re leaping into the pit, and my stomach drops.

The portal swallows us.

Lian’s hold is iron around my ribs, and I cling to him, hating that I press myself close to this monster.

We’re falling faster, cold air rushing against us. The bastard is laughing, while I see nothing but blackness and my heart is about to break through my rib cage.