Monster Whisperer - J.B. Trepagnier Page 0,23

like me to respond with the clapping of my pinchers? Tryphon could splash some water on him or smack him in the face with a tentacle like he did Kimon. I’ll admit, I laughed like a maniac when that went down. It was a wet, messy slap.

“Oh, damn. Sorry. Let me go find River. Dinner is coming soon.”

Hades disappeared, and I was salivating, hoping for something decent to eat. I start sniggering when I heard Hades yelling from my cell.

“Kimon, put some fucking clothes on! She’s not here for that!”

I called it.

Hades came storming out with blue flames flickering in his eyes. He clearly didn’t know if we could all show off naked for River, we totally would be. River was trailing behind him, followed by Kimon wearing nothing but a bedsheet.

“You just couldn’t help it, could you?” Tryphon growled.

“His clothes are being washed, and I don’t have a problem with nudity,” River said.

Duly noted for later.

Cerberus was glaring at Kimon with stinky brown eyes. Cerberus was just a dog and didn’t have a human form. It shocked me he’d left Hades’ side to stay with River, but she generally had that effect on us. Cerberus had never liked me and avoided me. He was fun to scare.

“Is all of this acceptable to you?” Hades said, waving his hand at all the upgrades.

“It’s not for me. Is this okay? Do all of you need anything else?”

“Proper food. Tryphon and I are hungry.”

“I want my naked swim, my pet.”

“My cell is perfect, though. I can make a lovely web in here.”

“Tryphon and Pavlina need something acceptable to eat. Whatever you are feeding them is not appropriate while they are like this.”

“What do they need?”

“A wicked person, my pet.”

“Samesies,” I said.

“They both want an unpleasant person to eat.”

I loved that she didn’t look turned off about that. She wasn’t judging us for our diet. She knew we were predators and ate a certain way. She just got me.

“I think I can manage that.”

“What about two of those people that were betting on the fights and throwing things at Kimon?” River suggested.

I felt this little shiver go through my body. I think I was falling in love with this woman. Not only did she not care what I ate, but she was also handpicking my dinner for me. We could have so much fun later if I ever got this collar off.

Hades' lips split into an evil grin.

“I think I can pick two out of the audience to feed to Pavlina and Tryphon.”

Could this girl get any more perfect? And would she look at me differently once she watched me hunt?

Chapter 16

River

A

s much as I was enjoying Kimon in a sheet, I really needed to talk to Hades. The cell closest to Tryphon’s pool had been turned into a rec room of sorts. When the food came, I asked him to stay so we could talk. I just ignored the fact that after Hades made a few phone calls, two people in chains showed up for Pavlina and Tryphon. I wasn’t upset about it. I was still pissed they threw fruit at Tryphon.

I just ignored the screams and crashes from Pavlina’s cell and the splashes and sounds of ripping flesh from Tryphon’s. I needed to talk to Hades. He elegantly crossed his legs and swung his ankle.

“Ready to run, River?”

“No. I’m ready to fight, to be honest. Talking to animals and monsters is not my only gift.”

“Oh, I’m aware. What gift would you like to tell me about?”

“I’m immune to fire. I think if I can get close to Demeter’s dog, I can save him from her.”

Hades looked totally disappointed.

“I already knew you were immune to fire. I was hoping you would tell me something interesting.”

“What the fuck? I was hoping you would tell me something interesting since you know what I am.”

“You aren’t just immune to fire. You should be able to call it too. As for the rest, I don’t know. You’re half human.”

“Charley knew what I was and didn’t tell me. Did you make her do that?”

“Hardly. Your father made that choice. He decided since you were in the Underworld, you should partake in a quest like the old demigods.”

I crossed my arms and glared at him.

“So, what’s my quest.”

“Defeat a Goddess. He’s trying to get you help. I believe Charley gave you something?”

I was so concerned about objectifying Kimon that I didn’t even look in my pocket. I reached in my pocket and pulled out an ornate necklace.

“What is