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Still, he carries me down the path at a fast pace, the wall grinding shut behind us, and I’m jiggling in his arms. It’s impossible not to rub myself up against him as he quickens his stride through the curved trail in the garden. Or the heat coiling deeply in my stomach, and shifting south fast.

Finally, we reach a small gate, which he kicks open, and we’re outside on a road, where he sets me down. I practically leap out of his arms, pushing myself away, needing distance from him and that scent that now fills every part of my body.

“Appreciate it. Wasn’t necessary, though.”

“This way, quickly, so we leave the compound behind,” he explains without a glance my way, and he’s already walking away.

Around the bend in the street, we reach the city, and I gasp aloud.

Homes rise like towers into the sky, many of them linked by lit bridges higher up. From the street level, it resembles dozens of strings of lights filling the skyline.

Corvin grabs my elbow to keep me moving, as we pass shop fronts lit from within and selling all kinds of items, from clothes to pots and herbs. Others on the street sell freshly made food and drinks, and it reminds me so much of the markets back in the village.

“The city seems to grow every time I return,” Corvin explains as he slows his pace so we can walk side by side. Then he suddenly pulls me over to a vendor on the curb, and he orders me a white bag of what looks like cinnamon donuts, the smell absolutely heavenly.

“Thanks. I love these.” I’m already eating the small round balls with holes in the centers, and I offer the bag to Corvin, but he shakes his head as we keep strolling.

“No, thanks. Not a fan of human food.”

“I’ve known nothing else.” I take another bite, remembering that Old Pell made these for us once a month when we had extra sugar to spare. I lick the cinnamon sugar off my fingers, and Corvin watches me from his side-glancing.

“I want to show you Monster Town. It’s where most monsters on Elite Mountain reside. A melting pot of all the different realms coexisting.”

We stroll through the crowds, which seem to be expanding, and I notice there aren’t any vehicles. Everyone uses the middle of the streets.

“Why are you being so nice to me?” I ask.

“I have no reason to treat you any other way. And we should make the most of our stay here before we finally see the king and return to Grimvale.”

He speaks so casually, except my life has been upended and nothing will ever be the same again. Except, it’s not exactly his fault, because if he hadn’t shown up when he did, the Viscount and his stupid Barons might have found another way to attempt to kill me. A sick dread passes over me at the memory.

But on the bright side, I survived, and I was taken from the chaos of the village.

I’m only faintly aware of us turning down various streets until we come upon a lofty arch at the entrance to another street. The entryway is carved out of black wood and engraved with all kinds of symbols I don’t recognize. Beyond it is an explosion of people and monsters who mingle together.

The sun has completely vanished behind the mountains, so shadows have darkened the city.

“Is this Monster Town?” I ask.

Corvin leans into me, slowing his pace even more, which I’m grateful for, seeing as I’m gasping for air. “In many of the Elite Cities around your world, monsters are hidden because it terrifies humans, but King Slate makes it clear up front that no one hides who they are. He encourages us to walk around in our true forms. Yet, many of the monsters in this city still gravitate to this quarter for residence, the best food, and entertainment.”

“Does it remind you of your home?” I ask.

“Not in the slightest, but it’s got several great eateries.” He slides his hand down into mine, our fingers interlacing. “Stay close, as it can get crowded in there.”

We walk through the arch, and the houses and stores we pass are blazing with golden light from their windows. The buildings are all black otherwise. Everywhere I look, monsters come in all kinds of forms, and I don’t know what to focus on. Someone’s covered in feathers, another towers over everyone, the floor shaking when he strolls past us. The masses around us thicken, and I keep bumping into Corvin’s side.

Suddenly, something slides past my leg, and I flinch, only to glance down and find it’s a man with the bottom of his body as a dirty-blue serpent. When he catches me staring, he hisses, a split tongue flicking out of his mouth.

Close to screaming, I nudge Corvin accidentally, who sweeps an arm around my back and draws me to his other side.

The crowd presses in more, and a sense of suffocation flares over me, not to mention the heavy scents of perspiration and strange foods that fill the air. The chatter grows louder, making talking nearly impossible, but Corvin seems to be on a mission to get us moving.

“This way,” he calls out over a fast beat of music pouring out of a shop front selling jewelry. We turn down another road, passing dark alleys filled with monsters in the shadows. I hear someone screaming, then laughter, and I’m unsure if this is a safe place for someone like me.

Finally, we approach a dome-like building the color of stars in the night sky. A line of people curves down the sidewalk, waiting to head inside, and I tip my head back to the blazing pink sign above the door.

Glimhall.