Revealing the Monster (Playing with Monsters #4) - Amelia Hutchins Page 0,125

Alden has a direct line to Vlad, who has one to us,” Synthia informed.

“I also gave him a cellphone that calls out directly to me. He hasn’t used it or answered it, either. I had Bane calling on the hour for the first week and once every five hours after that. Alden never picked up,” Lucian stated.

Synthia’s eyes widened slightly. “Thank you for that. You didn’t have to do that, but I’m thankful you did, Lucian. It’s been a relief knowing that Vlad and Adrian weren’t the only ones monitoring him. Alden told me that you had men on him, but he assumed it was for a more sinister reason.”

“Magdalena is attached to Alden, and therefore I ensured he was never out and about without backup. Not that he needed it. He is very adept and has more survival skills than most immortals nowadays.”

Synthia laughed before an anxious sigh escaped her. “I’m counting on that to get him out of there alive. I’m worried about the amount of time that has passed. We don’t know what we’re going to find down there. He would have called if he could.” Synthia voiced our fears, shoving the truth down our throats. “Alden wouldn’t want us risking our lives for his. If any of you don’t want to do this with us, I understand. I won’t judge you if you back out now.”

“That’s not happening,” I stated firmly. “Alden loved my mother and made her happy. I can never repay him for that. I can, however, fight for him.”

“He’s been there for all of us,” Vlad entered the conversation, shaking his head as he shoved his hands into his pockets. “Alden brought you and Ryder together when he suspected what you would become. He forgave me for turning Adrian because he knew Adrian’s end would be violent. He’d known it because he foresaw it happening through the aid of a seer. Alden got involved when the guild fought to murder innocent fae, and he stood between them and us when Shadowlands was bombed and destroyed by the mages. There’s not one person inside this room he hasn’t helped.” Asher coughed, clearing his throat. “Other than this asshole and his sister, even though I do believe he stepped in to help Elysian when she went in search of a mascot.”

“He told me I couldn’t bang teenage boys because it left an impression.” We all stared at her before she rolled her eyes. “He was nineteen and such a gentleman. Anyway, he showed me how emotions could be tied to humans and that they became clingy when feelings entered into fucking.” The men snorted, but Synthia’s gaze met mine, and we shook our heads at Elysian’s announcement.

“Okay, so no one wants to sit this one out? We have no idea what is waiting inside that place. It could be the Devil, or it could be Unseelie princes,” Syn continued.

“Or princesses,” Elysian pointed out. “They need to balance us, and in order to do so, they’d need to create some girls. You know I’m a whole lot of woman.” She wiggled her hips and then shoulders in an awkward move that looked like she was trying to dance. “Tough crowd. Are we ready, then?” she asked, but the door opening caused us all to turn, staring at the new face that entered.

“I’m coming with you,” Erie announced, skipping across the room until she reached the table. “So, who are we killing?”

“Anything that fucks with us,” I muttered.

She laughed girlishly, clapping her hands loudly. “That sounds like fun! Mount up, Riders of the Storm!”

Everyone stared at the Goddess of War, who wore full armor and weapons gracing almost every inch of her. She was also covered in blood, with bits and pieces of flesh all over her body.

“Erie, who or what is all over you?” I questioned.

“Everything that tried to fuck with me!” she chirped, waggling her brows emphatically.

“Oh boy,” Synthia groaned.

“And girls!”

“Fuck,” Lucian muttered. “I smell human, Erie.”

“One, but he was housing a nasty inside of him. I handled it, and a family lived because of it. I won’t be made to feel bad on that one, Lucian.”

“Agreed,” Synthia and I said at the same time. My eyes met hers, and we smiled as the men snorted. “Let’s do this.” We said together, knowing what the other would say.

It was Alden, after all. The guild elder fought for what was right. The same man who had chosen to die as a mortal because he believed he