Page 48 of Monstrous Truths


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Isleep hard, and when I wake up, I know it’s been a long time since I fell asleep. Cato isn’t next to me, and for a moment, sadness engulfs me before I realise it’s probably for the best. I shouldn’t have even let him kiss me last night, not when he’s saving himself for another, but I was weak, so very weak, and part of me wanted to be his first kiss, even when I know he will never go further.

It’s selfish and stupid, so instead of thinking on it or the fact that his scent covers my skin in that addictive way I’ve come to love, I stumble to the shower. After taking care of business, I find some clothes neatly folded on our nest and blink. My own were getting ragged, but these are the ones I saw last night. I hold them close, tears welling in my eyes as I realise he either went back and got them for me or sent someone. I didn’t even say anything, he just noticed I liked them and bought them.

Just like that.

Cato isn’t in the other room after I get dressed, so I head downstairs, more comfortable here now. Don’t get me wrong, some people are still afraid of me or hate me, but when I wave and greet those I know, I don’t feel as scared. I’m bombarded by kids almost immediately, and I laugh and play with them before excusing myself to find my patient and check in. If he was on patrol, he has to be okay, but I need to see for myself. I can barely believe how quickly they can heal. It’s incredible, and it also makes me wonder what the humans did to create such quick healing in their genes. Was it a random side effect or something they mixed into their DNA when creating them? As usual, the questions fill my head as I wander the corridors. I ask a few people about my patient’s location, and they eventually direct me to the third floor. I take the stairs they indicated and find myself on a floor I haven’t been on before.

This has to be one of the living floors. Some of the doors are missing to what looks like old offices and lecture rooms, with beds and cute little houses made within. I spot drawings on some of the walls from the kids, clothes hung up to dry, and weapons piled neatly on the side next to plates and pots. It’s domestic, and I find myself smiling as I wander down the tiled corridor. There are notice boards that are still standing, and I stop before one to peer at the home-made posters. There is one for a nest get-together, another for a hunt, and a third for a book group. Looking at that, I can hardly believe these are the monsters we are raised to hate and fear.

They are just like us.

Just then, a loud cranking noise reaches my ears. Turning, I look to the closest room and notice what I thought were boarded up windows at the back are actually shades. The metal shutters are rising, which must mean the sun has set. I guess I’m getting used to this nocturnal lifestyle, which isn’t a surprise since I spent most of my time at the lab at night to avoid as many people as possible.

I watch the shades rise and wonder how they did it. Is it based on the time or lack of sunlight?

That’s something to ask Cato, because I spot the monster I need leaning into his door farther down. Hurrying closer, I smile at him when he sees me. He smiles back, flashing fang, and the monster he’s talking to narrows his gaze on me. That makes me miss a step, but I continue forward.

“Hey, I just wanted to see how you’re feeling,” I call when I stop nearby, but not too close since the other monster is throwing me dirty looks. It takes all my excitement away, and I find my shoulders rounding like I’m back at school being bullied.

“Great, thanks to you,” my patient replies happily, and then he glances at his friend, stepping before me with a growl. “Don’t look at her like that, she saved my life.”

“She did nothing,” he hisses. “She’s a human, or have you forgotten?”

“No, I haven’t, but maybe you’ve forgotten the fact that she never hurt us. In fact, she went out of her way to help me. She reads to your kids so you can spend time with your mate, and she’s even trying to help us figure out what the humans want at our walls. Stop being an ass and living in the past, times are changing. Not all humans are our enemies.”

“We’ll see,” is all the male mutters before turning on his heel and storming off.

“I’m sorry!” we say at the same time, making us laugh.

“I really did come to see if you’re okay.”

“Come in.” He jerks his head behind him, and I step in to see a huge lecture hall filled with beds. “Sorry it’s busy, it’s where most of the single patrols and warriors sleep.”

“Don’t worry about it. I shared a dorm at school with three other girls, it was crazy,” I tease. “Come and sit.” I point at an abandoned desk in the corner with two chairs. He takes one, and I take the other. He has no shirt on, none of them ever do, so it’s easy to see the completely healed wound.

I just stare.

“If I didn’t know better, I would think you were checking me out,” he teases, making my head jerk up, and a laugh bubbles out of me, even as I turn red.

“Sorry, it’s just I’ve never seen such excellent healing before,” I tell him.

“I’ll pretend you were talking about my muscles for my vanity’s sake,” he flirts, flexing his muscles to make me grin. He’s funny, harmless too, and I find myself relaxing. I don’t have to worry about what he’s thinking, if he hates me, or if he wants to kill me. It’s nice.

He also stood up to his friend, which means a lot.

“You know, humans aren’t bad-looking. They could even be attractive if you can get past the lack of natural defences.”

“Don’t be so sure. I can knee you in the balls faster than you can claw me,” I tease, making him laugh.

“Are all humans as funny and smart as you?” he muses out loud, watching me. Grinning, I lean in like I’m going to tell him a secret.

“No, sorry, I’m one of a kind.” I wink, teasing again, and he grins.

“I see why Cato is so eager to keep you.” He lifts his head. “Isn’t that right, Reigner?”

I turn in surprise. I hadn’t even heard Cato sneak up on us, but there he is, leaning against the door with an amused expression. “Stop flirting with her,” he admonishes, but it’s soft and caring. “How are you feeling? I came to check, but I see Tally has already beat me to it.”

“She did. Sorry, Doc.” He winks at me. “So, Tally, do you—”

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