Rejected (Shadow Beast Shifters #1) - Jaymin Eve Page 0,43
Gaster said, his smile still firmly in place. “But today, there’s no need to worry about this new life you’ve discovered. Let’s first find you some human comforts.”
I nodded, following him as he picked up the pace. His legs might have been half the size of mine, but the dude moved like an Olympic sprinter. I commented on that, jokingly huffing like I was out of breath. “We’re strong and fast,” he said, looking me over like he was seriously concerned for my health. “Don’t try to keep up. Goblins are able to move at top speed over long distances, and it’s best to remember that my assets are yours to use when you need support in whatever you undertake.”
I tilted my head, once again confused at the way I was being made to feel “at home” here. “Does Shadow know you’re, uh, looking after me like this?” I asked.
Gaster nodded. “Oh, yes. He knows everything. Don’t worry. This is all planned.”
Wonderful. I felt a lot better about being part of Shadow’s plan… not.
Gaster continued on his mission, and I stayed close by, trying to ignore the many curious lookie-loos around the room. I might have been side-eyeing all the new lands and their inhabitants in the library, but many of them appeared to be just as interested in me. I wondered if it was due to Inky on my tail, or was “shifter” a new race to cross their path?
As we closed in on the beginning of the library with its own shimmery portal that connected to the long, white hall, Gaster stopped. “This is the room of need,” he said, gesturing to a plain white door. He stepped forward and knocked twice before it swung open.
“Six daems,” a disembodied, near-robotic voice chimed.
Gaster pulled some shimmery gold nuggets from his tiny pocket.
“Make sure you get everything you need while inside,” he told me before the surprisingly strong goblin shoved me into a completely empty white room, the coins tinkling after me, vanishing into the seamless, shiny floor. “Wait!” I shouted as the door slammed in my face.
“Please stand still,” the voice said, distracting me.
I froze as a blast of frosty air washed over me, trailing down my body before it vanished just as quickly.
“You need a complete wardrobe, toiletries, and other essentials.”
I couldn’t tell if it was a question or not, but I answered anyway. “Yes. I have nothing other than this shirt.” I gestured to the rag I wore.
A moment’s pause. “Your belongings are being sent to the master’s chambers. Please proceed there for cleaning and robing. Good day.”
And just like that, the door opened, and that same icy wind ushered me right out of the room.
19
Gaster didn’t appear to have moved an inch, standing exactly where I’d left him, smile in place. “Wow, that hour passed in a blink.”
I was the one doing some fucking blinking at that point. “It couldn’t have been more than one minute.”
Gaster laughed like I’d told the funniest joke, but he didn’t comment again, instead taking the lead back through the library, only stopping when he reached Shadow’s darkness spattered veil. “I’m not permitted beyond here,” he said, “but your clothes and other items will be in your chamber.” His eyes flashed to the smoke blob. “Just follow Inky.”
By this point, I’d figured out that “Inky” was something more than just a random mass of darkness seeped from Shadow. Gaster was too deferential toward it, even going as far as speaking directly to it.
Maybe being Shadow’s minion garnered respect? Or maybe I’d just underestimated its intelligence, thinking of it as something without substance. I’d have to stop assuming shit in this world, because all of the rules were different.
When I stepped back through the veil—which apparently could keep people out if Gaster’s statement was any indication—I almost ran smack-bang into a mountain of a beast. Shadow stood still and silent in the darkness, head tilted as he watched me closely. Fuck this guy and his intensity. If he kept this up, I was either going to blush or have a spontaneous combustion, a.k.a. instant orgasm.
I mean, if I didn’t die of fright first.
“You have two choices.”
And there he went, with that shining personality of his.
“Go on,” I replied with the fakest smile I could produce.
“I kill you now and contain the threat.” It was his turn to smile, and as always, that dark curl of his lips was terrifying. “This is my personal favorite.”