Page 39 of Their Fierce Little Monster

I’m a prisoner right now, I know this, and being in the city is my one opportunity to find a way not to end up in Grimvale with Corvin and Lian. Kazak will take care of me, but I’m still deciding what I’m supposed to do with my feelings for him after discovering the truth of who he really is. Along with the fact that I’m not human. With it comes the memory of Kazak and me back in my bedroom, him healing me, and how hungrily I wanted him. My cheeks flare up, and I quickly glance away.

That’s when the train comes to a complete stop, and I lurch in my seat. The three of them are shuffling as they get to their feet.

This is finally happening. Deep breaths.

Kazak collects my packed bag, and I follow him out of our room and down the train hallway. Corvin and Lian are at my heels.

The side doors pull open, and an explosion of noises rushes toward us. Voices, the hiss of the engine, and a bell ringing somewhere in the distance.

Kazak hops out first and drops my bag by his feet before he reaches back toward me, offering me his hand. I take it, as it’s a long drop down without steps, and I leap out, his other arm instantly coiling around my back to steady me. I hit the ground and don’t fall over.

The slick black train shines beneath the sun, more advanced than anything I’ve seen before in my life.

“Thanks,” I whisper and pull away from Kazak, reaching for my bag, but he already grabs it.

Corvin and Lian jump out, landing inches from me as if on purpose, needing to be in my personal space.

I stare farther down the platform where others are spilling out of the train. I recognize them, instantly realizing it’s the Chosen from our village as they huddle closer. Eight of them were selected this year as sacrifices for monsters.

They look terrified, all standing close together and glancing around with huge eyes.

I almost laugh out loud, as my own circumstances aren’t much different.

A girl my age twists around and stares right at me. It’s Sammy, the miller’s daughter, and for a few seconds, we just look at each other, both of us in a situation we can’t control, our fates in someone else’s hands. We’re trapped, but if I remained in the village, I was going to die.

So, of all the horrible options, I have ended up in the best one.

The Viscount emerges from the train near the crowd of the Chosen, ordering them to move and follow one of the guards. The flock hurries away until I lose sight of them. Except for the Viscount, who’s sweeping up the platform toward us.

It’s in that same moment that another man steps out from a gate leading into the platform from the city. He wears a deep-purple coat that flares at his ankles, revealing his white fitted pants and a matching button-up shirt. Silver hair is pulled off his face, and when he reaches the Viscount, his eyes light up. The pair exchange handshakes and words. The stranger glances at us several times as the Viscount continues talking, all while keeping his splinted arm that Corvin broke tucked stiffly against his chest.

“Doubt anything he has to say is good,” Kazak grumbles under his breath.

“Who’s the man?” I ask.

“Gamemaster,” Corvin explains. “The king’s right-hand man. He represents the king and speaks with his authority when he’s unavailable.”

I swallow hard, really disliking how he stares at me, as the Viscount is clearly talking about me.

Both men round on us, suddenly marching closer, with half a dozen guards behind them. The Viscount and the Gamemaster both carry the same arrogant expression, yet all I remember is the Viscount’s order to have me killed. I clench my hands at my sides, not trusting an inch of him.

They stop in front of us. “This is Gamemaster Adous, and I’ve brought him up to speed on the situation of your connection to Dawn, along with Kazak’s traitorous actions.”

“Lian and I are well aware of the Gamemaster,” Corvin interrupts.

Gamemaster Adous acknowledges him with a slight tilt of his head, yet there’s a sneer on his lips. “My lords,” he begins with a husky voice. “I had personally granted you entry to the Moonstone Village for a matter to be dealt with, and instead you brought it into the city?” His attention swings over to me, and there’s no disgust in his gaze, only pure anger, and I stiffen.

Did he just call me “it”? And what exactly does he know about me?

“The situation was out of our hands,” Corvin explains with a deep, commanding voice, clear that he takes shit from no one. “Liaise with your Viscount here on why he insisted we all come into the city to speak with King Slate first.”

“Gamemaster—”

“Enough,” the Gamemaster cuts off the Viscount. “For years, a monster sat in your settlement, ate at your feasts, and aided you, yet it took two visiting Lords to point out to me that a monster had infiltrated your village? Turns out it was two of them, and you still had no fucking clue.” He pauses and inhales sharply, his nostrils flaring.

The Viscount’s face pales, and I do enjoy seeing him being uncomfortable. “Gamemaster, how was I to know?”

“Tsk.” The Gamemaster heaves a deep exhale. “You may leave us, Viscount. Return to your village or whatever else you need to do here, as your part in this situation is finished.”