Page 22 of Their Fierce Little Monster

I blink at him. “Wait, what? Why would you say that? What’s coming for us?” I’m scouring the land now, that sensation that my heart is trying to escape rushing back through me.

“And this is why you don’t tell her the truth,” Lian says.

“Yes, you should tell me, but explain yourself. Don’t give me cryptic responses. Kazak, what’s going to happen, please?” I resist the urge to do exactly what he said not to, while the hairs on my arms lift.

“Deep breaths,” Corvin interjects. “You’ll be fine.”

I nod, hugging myself. “Great advice. Today I was set on fire, then met monsters for the first time, and now I’m in a hole in the ground, so excuse me for not being calm. I think the day hates me.”

Lian snorts. “Any more advice, Kazak?”

I turn away as they continue to argue, their voices growing, and drift to the other side of the tree on my own. All my bravery in the world vanishes as I realize how alone I am with these men who hate each other. So I stroll through the low and thick evergreens near the beautiful glowing tree.

Something glints from the corner of my eye, and I edge closer for a better look, considering no one’s paying me any attention.

A golden fruit sits cradled in the greenery, reminding me of a plum. It’s smooth and beautiful. I should call Kazak over to inspect it, but something suddenly sticks in my chest, a pull toward the fruit that makes me reach for it.

The moment I pick it up, that tug in my chest sinks farther. And I’m smiling at how it feels soft against my touch when I squeeze it lightly as though it’s ripe. It gleams under the blue glow of the tree, seeming to warm my hand. But beneath it, there’s a faint hum it releases that spreads across to my fingers and up my arm.

I tell myself to put it back. After all, Kazak explained that this tree releases poison into the air, but I can’t stop staring at the pretty, golden plum.

My insides clench, and I suck in a long breath, but the feeling that this belongs to me strengthens. I curl my fingers around it, and the warm hum spreads through me, so comforting that I never want to release it.

Whatever this fruit is, I shouldn’t want it as much as I do. But the idea of dropping it back to the ground leaves an awful ache in my heart, and I hold it tighter.

Footsteps sound behind me, and I flinch.

“Dawn?” Corvin asks.

I leap to my feet, my fist disappearing into the pocket of my pants, pushing it deep inside. That hum continues softly, but it’s there. When I twist around to face him, I draw out my hand free and tug my shirt down to cover my pocket.

“What’s going on?” I ask, feeling as if hiding the fruit is the best decision I’ve ever made.

“Seeing what you were doing.” He studies the evergreen near my feet.

“This place is so different from home, lush and almost alive. Is this what it’s like in your world?” I ask, needing something to distract him.

“A lot more beautiful,” he answers. “Mountains cover the land, ranges that turn to gold at dusk, a violet moon that calls to the seas. But the summers are brutal, winters worse. It’s the only place I want to call home.” He grins as though imagining himself back there. While I study his face, I’m curious about what his monster form is like. Does he have horns, or scales down his back? What about a tail?

They’re stupid thoughts crossing my mind, considering he’s here to take me back to where my real family was murdered. And that right there is a huge red flag. Nothing good will come of it.

“Sounds dangerous,” I say truthfully when he notices me staring. “Why are you on this mission, then? Go home and be done.”

He tilts his head to the side, and I scan his rugged face because damn him for being so handsome. “For weeks before I came here, I had dreams of death chasing me, of darkness surrounding me at every turn. It was a warning that I had to come here and find you.”

“Or a warning to stay away.” I shrug just as Lian strolls our way with a cocky look behind his eyes. “Besides, why would I ever agree to return with you? I have no desire to die.”

“She’s right,” Kazak interrupts, and I glance around to where he stands several feet away, hand pressed against the tree, his fingers tapping the wood.

“Not correct,” Corvin answers. “We have no idea who really attacked your family, and we’re hoping you’ll help us uncover the truth.”

“Her memories are gone,” Kazak blurts out. “They weren’t masked but taken from her. I watched her father remove them, so you’re wasting your time.”

I swallow the thickness in my throat, grimacing at the fact that my father wouldn’t even give me the opportunity to recover my actual memories. Why would he rip that chance from me? I blink against the glowing blue leaves, trying my hardest to not feel as though everything around me is ruined.

Lian snorts an exhale. “Sounds convenient, says the Ash Clan heir who could have easily orchestrated the attack. Your family lost land and so many of your people to her father’s army.”

“Or,” Kazak snaps, shoulders curling forward, “your two families were in it together.”