Monster Whisperer - J.B. Trepagnier Page 0,54

looking at a man with a metal collar around his neck. Kimon was fucking gorgeous. He was still super tall and ripped with muscle. He was also stark naked. He had wild, long brown hair and bright green eyes. Kimon had a strong, straight nose and a full month.

He placed his hand over mine on his chest.

“Hi, baby bird. Maybe we could snuggle now.”

“Hi, Kimon. Maybe.”

More like, Hell yes! I wouldn’t mind diving into those big, muscular arms for a night. Kimon pulled me into an enormous hug. He gave wonderful hugs as a man too. Kimon kissed the top of my head.

“Onto the next.”

I moved to Demos. I had no idea if he was still afraid of me, so I moved slowly. He preened his feathers in irritation.

“Let’s get on with it.”

Demos burned a hole in my trousers in his frustration, but I was able to drop the God magic on his collar. I saw the same shimmer, and Demos appeared lounging on the bed nude. And he was totally showing off like some naked girl being painted on a chaise during specific art periods.

Okay, Demos was gorgeous too. He had flame-red hair that brushed his shoulders and golden eyes. His body was covered in red tattoos that looked like flames when he moved. He just sat there, grinning at me.

“Like what you see?”

Okay, so I guess Demos wasn’t mad at me anymore.

“Are all of you totally gorgeous when you aren’t monsters?” I asked.

There was a series of yes, and I’m prettier throughout the entire jail.

“Well, move on so I can get dressed. You’re staring at my junk like you will jump me.”

Asshole.

I walked to Pavlina’s cell. I had to climb up one of her softer webs, and she had to crouch down for me to get to her collar, but I managed.

Pavlina was undoubtedly impressive looking. She had to be at least six feet tall and slim with muscle. Her black hair fell to her waist, and I could see the red hourglass on her belly was imprinted in her hair. Based on how it looked, it was totally natural. This couldn’t be managed in a salon on Earth, but what did I know about Underworld hairdressers? Her eyes were black with red pupils.

She started strutting around naked and showing off.

“I wouldn’t mind some snuggle time too. I promise I won’t eat you.”

I wouldn’t mind snuggling with Pavlina, either. She was sexy in this dangerous way, especially since she could kill me at any moment.

“Maybe we can all snuggle.”

“I don’t mind sharing,” Pavlina said.

“I do,” Demos growled. “Especially with you.”

Since when was Demos on the snuggle train? I thought he hated me.

“My pet, will you get in the water with me when you free me?”

Oh, why not? He hadn’t been demanding, and it seemed to mean a lot to him I get in there with him.

“Sure, I’ll get in the water with you, Tryphon.”

Hades put his hand on my shoulder.

“Better wait on that. Tryphon is trying to start a Kraken mating ritual with you. Tryphon, you know better.”

“Really, Tryphon?”

“What? I have needs.”

“No naked swimming just yet.”

Tryphon was huge, but he managed to get most of his head out of the water. It was enough for me to get the magic on the collar. Tryphon pulled himself out of the pool, and holy shit, did he look good.

Tryphon was soaking wet, but I could tell his long hair was shades of aqua and green. I couldn’t pinpoint the color of his eyes. They kept changing from blue to green to hazel. He was also covered in swirling tattoos that reminded me of water, but his were silver.

“I still want my naked pool swim, my pet.”

“That’s enough nakedness for now,” Hades said. “We have a very important guest coming as soon as I send a text. Get dressed.”

When I turned around, everyone was hanging on the bars of their cells ass naked. I’d done it. I’d freed them from their monster forms, and I got to meet them face to face. They could tell Hades what they needed. I could technically go home if I wanted to.

I didn’t want to. I squared my shoulders. It was time to meet my father.

Chapter 40

River

H

ades didn’t want us to stay in the jail now that we were meeting my father. He led us all back to the castle I woke up in where we all had rooms. I took a long shower, and there were clothes laid out for me when I got out. Once again, Hades had excellent taste. This was some sort of silk gown that showed off my curves.

Pavlina, Kimon, Tryphon, and Demos were waiting outside my door when I got out. Pavlina was dressed head to toe in black leather. Kimon was dressed in buttery soft leather trousers and a loose tunic. Demos looked like some sort of phoenix James Bond in a tailored suit. Tryphon had painted his nails blue and was dressed in some kind of flowing aqua robe.

“We’re your bodyguards now, baby bird,” Kimon said, offering his arm.

I took Kimon and Tryphon’s arm. Pavlina walked in front of us, and Demos took the rear. We were led to this opulent dining room where wine was already poured. A man was sitting next to Hades, and all I had to do was pull out a mirror to know he was my father.

I’d never looked like my blonde-haired, blue-eyed mother. But this man sipping wine with black hair and a long goatee? Yeah, no one could deny we were related. What now? I was rooted to the spot. I’d long given up on meeting this man.

He stood when he saw me and practically ran to me. He grabbed me and pulled me into a hug.

“River! It’s so nice to meet you finally. How you stayed hidden from me so long is a mystery.”

“You never called my mother after?”

“Ah, River. We aren’t allowed to realm travel often. I was there looking into a demon summoning that had gone wrong. I met your mother on business. We used protection. Normally, when demons mix with humans the child ends up human with no powers.”

“So, I’m half demon?”

“My dear, I’m Barbatos, a Duke of Hell. Not only are you half demon, but you’re also demon royalty.”

Say what now?

Did you love Monster Whisperer? Then you should read Chained and Confused by JB Trepagnier!

Scorchwood Supernatural Penitentiary is Hell. Literally, it's in Hell.

Of all the things to end up in jail for, embezzling wasn't what I thought would bring me down. I've got a pretty healthy arson and murder hobby on my down time. White collar crimes never go to Scorchwood. I should have been given a fee and probation at most. Something is going on. My cell mate, Skoll is an Alpha wolf in for manslaughter. He wants me to meet Roman, a vampire and Amduscias, demon who is really shifty about what his demonic form is.

Something fishy is going down in Scorchwood with the elementals. Skoll's last five cellmates were elementals who were framed for white collar crimes. Amduscias is cellmates with one of the worst elemental women in the entire jail and she is not pleased I've made friends with him.

Something is going on. Someone is framing elementals and sending them to Scorchwood. But they made a mistake framing me. They didn't know about my little hobbies before they sent me here. They didn't know about Fergus, my fire dragon.

There's so much I don't know about why I'm here, but there's so much they don't know about me too. I've made friends in Scorchwood and I don't call myself Elemental Batman in secret for nothing. This should be fun.