Page 44 of Monstrous Truths


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“And if the humans breach our lands, am I allowed to kill them then?” he mocks.

“Of course. They know the rules,” Akuji replies. “They cross into our lands, and they die.”

“Yet you have two humans with you,” he points out.

“Two innocent humans who came here for sanctuary,” Akuji almost hisses, his eyes narrowed. “If you want to get to them, you will have to go through me.” He pushes Aria to one of his warriors and spreads his arms wide, his head tilted back in challenge. “Come on, Samael, I’m right here. Take me if you can.”

Brilliant, we are nothing better than quarrelling animals.

But it works, and Samael submits…for now. We all know it won’t last.

It’s not in his nature.

“Just what I thought,” Akuji sneers. “Stop fighting with us and focus on our enemies. They want something from our land, maybe to start another war. We need to be united as one—one people, one fighting unit. It’s the only way we will survive. We will not be the bloodthirsty monsters they created and unleashed. We will be warriors protecting our city, our people, and our home. We will not start this, but if they come for us, they will find a fight they cannot win.”

“That’s hot,” Aria remarks. We all look at her, and she grins. “Oops, forgot about your amazing hearing.”

“Fine,” Samael concedes.

“We lie low and play the long game, keep communications open between our people.” Akuji looks to me then for answers.

“We will continue trying to understand the research they wanted to see and what it means. We don’t have nearly enough answers yet,” I reply vaguely, not giving much away.

Akuji nods, happy enough with that. “Good, keep me updated. Samael, let us know when the female talks, and if you cannot handle her, send her to my tribe. Aria will get the truth from her.”

“Girls club.” She holds up her hand and looks around as we frown at her. “Monsters don’t high five? Okay then.” She drops it.

There’s a giggle from behind me, which makes me smile—Talia. The sound is so innocent, so carefree, it has my heart pounding. My fingers itch to pull her close and never let her go.

“Then we all know what must be done. We had better get back to our people and spread the word. I will send weapons to you both,” Akuji declares, unaware that I’m debating stealing my mate and running far away where she will be safe from everyone and everything, but I can’t. I have a duty to my people, all my people, and Talia wouldn’t let me do that anyway.

“We don’t need any,” Samael spits.

“Fine. Cato?”

“We could do with some. I have been training my people. Even though they don’t enjoy killing, they are sufficient, but we do not have enough to go around,” I admit.

“Good, I will send some. If the humans want a war, a war they will get.”

TWENTY-FIVE

TALIA

Idon’t want to let Aria go, not because I’m afraid, but because I will genuinely miss her. I don’t know when we will see each other again, or even if we will. I have hope, but in this world, nothing is certain.

Anything could happen.

I feel it on the horizon, a change…war.

The humans want to start another war.

I hold Aria, the tiger making her pull away with a laugh. After promising to communicate through the messengers, I watch her go with teary eyes. As soon as she’s out of sight, I turn to Cato. He scoops me in his arms and holds me tight, the warmth and safety he offers instantly making me relax.

“Shh, Tally, everything is okay. She will be fine. Akuji loves her, that much is evident. He will do everything he can to protect her, and that’s a lot. I wouldn’t mess with him.”

I laugh, lifting my head to meet his eyes. “How do you always know what to say?” I murmur, searching the black depths of his gaze.

Grinning, he flashes his fangs as he leans down and presses his forehead to mine. “Because we have the same thought process, my little human.” Without looking away from me, he calls orders to the others. “Send the word—extra patrols and wall duty. I want everyone on high alert. I will meet you back at the nest. There is something I need to do first.” Without waiting for his warriors to reply, he takes off with me in his arms at full speed.

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