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“Monsters,” he says, keeping it vague. He’s obviously not going to drop names. “The thing about rumors is they spread like wildfire. There’s no sure way of knowing where they start, or when they will end.”
“Or if they’re even accurate.” Elio’s words are sharp. I nudge him with my foot beneath the table, and he quickly picks up his fork. “I just mean that it’s a very bold claim. We all know humans can’t pass through the portal.”
“That we know of,” Ross says and reaches for his drink. “But that doesn’t mean they won’t start trying.”
I pause and meet Ross’s gaze across the table. “What are you saying?”
He waits while our waitress stops by the table with a pitcher to refill his drink and only continues when she’s out of earshot.
“I’m saying that people are intrigued. Do you know how many monsters would kill to take their human pets home with them if they could survive the trip?” Ross points his fork at me, his gaze intense. “Loads of them. It would change everything.”
I shift uncomfortably in my seat and imagine Devyn. If other monsters already know a human made it through the portal, how long can we keep her completely hidden? How long until monsters start to put more pieces of the puzzle together?
Would they come after her?
Would the Malevolents?
Suddenly I’ve lost my appetite.
“Some people are even saying they think the human killed the Malev,” Ross goes on. “And that he’s still in the monster realm somewhere. Hiding.”
“If he is, he won’t last long,” I assure him. “If there was blood, that means he’s injured, which will only attract more Malevs.”
“Naturally.”
“Why are you telling us all this?” Elio asks. “Surely you didn’t bring us here just to gossip.”
“No, I didn’t. I wanted to warn you.”
My brows knit together, and I stare at him across the table. He set up a meeting with us and bought us breakfast towarnus.
Seems a bit much in my opinion.
Then again, Ross clearly enjoys theatrics.
“Warn us?” After holding my tongue all morning, I’m finding it harder and harder to keep quiet, but Elio doesn’t make any effort to shut me up. I guess I’m in the right this time.
Ross nods. “If the monsters know about it, I guarantee you the Malevs do. They’re stupid, yes, but also ruthless when it comes to something they want. The blood wasn’t found far from Rafe’s. If the human went into the woods, it’s only a matter of time before the Malevs come looking.”
Anxiety hits me, making my chest seize. It’s hard to breathe. Normally I wouldn’t worry about Malevolents trekking too close to the mansion, but Devyn being there has me on high alert.
The footprints Elio found in the woods suddenly make sense.
A Malev was more than likely tracking her scent.
“We appreciate your concern, Mr. Ross.” Elio tosses his napkin on his plate and pushes it away. “If you hear anything else about these rumors, please keep us informed. We’ll be on the lookout as well for any signs of a human.”
“Anytime.” Ross grins, looking thoroughly pleased with himself. “What are allies for?”
The waitress brings the check in a little black book, standing it up on the end of the table. Elio shifts to get out of the booth, but Ross catches our attention one more time.
“Could you pass along a message to Rafe for me?” he asks but doesn’t wait for us to respond before presenting his request. “Can you let him know I would pay an exceptional amount for a human that could survive getting in and out of the monster realm? In case he runs across the one that killed the Malev.”
Fire flares behind my eyes and I open my mouth, not quite set on what I’m going to say, but Elio grips my arm.
“Of course,” he says, dipping his head before climbing out of the booth and dragging me with him. “We’ll pass the word along.”
I wave a hasty goodbye over my shoulder and follow Elio, nearly running him over as I try to get to the door. With everything we’ve just learned, I’m more eager than ever to get back to the mansion. If the Malevs—or monsters—are hunting Devyn, I need to be there to protect her.
