Page 16 of Becoming Monsterous

"Other houses?"

I vaguely remember a very brief, very confusing lecture from Lise about the other houses, including Greymark House, the shifters who showed up here and tried to kill me. At the time that she gave the lecture, I was overwhelmed with my new powers and desperate to somehow get rid of them and move on with my human life. I didn't think the information would ever be relevant to me, so I didn't bother to memorize any of it.

Something about giants, and what I think were spirits or zombies or something... I really should've paid more attention. I was probably too busy fantasizing about what I imagined Angus's naked body to be, or brooding about Aleron's, well, broodiness. Clearly I'm going to need a refresher.

Morpheus, of course, is the one to launch into an explanation. "Magna House is the house of giants. They're physically larger than the other monsters, but more than that, they're a separate subspecies. I'm not sure if you saw any in the Shadow World since their numbers are so few. They will have sent one, maybe two representatives... they must have called a quorum while we were out. That's—"

"A quorum is just a meeting," Aleron cuts in brusquely. "The Greymark House are the shapeshifters, who you already met. Osseus House is the house of the undead—rotters, skeletons, and summoner-created monsters. Brute House is all the monsters that are unable to interact with humans or pass for human. And Anima House is the spirits, like the Shade we fought in the Shadow World. They have no physical form."

Peeved, Morpheus says, "I was going to explain all of that to her."

"You're always explaining things," Aleron shoots back, "and you take forever to do it. My way is faster. Besides, if we're going to have some kind of shared relationship, we have to get used to taking turns. Unless you think she can fit three cocks in her at once, one of them belonging to Angus?"

Heat splashes my cheeks, and I'm thankful for my divine form. Hopefully the glimmer of being a gorgon will cover up my embarrassment.

I can feel Medusa's humor rumbling in my chest at Aleron's comment. She rose to the surface when we detected a threat, and now she's just enjoying the entertainment I suppose.

When the shame passes, I realize something about what Aleron just said. "So youdowant a relationship? The three of you with me—the four of us figuring this out?"

He scowls at me, and I'm afraid he's about to say no, but instead he grumbles out a belligerent, "Yes, I do want arelationship.Though just saying that feels so human that I think I should probably fly out the window and let my darkness consume me. I swear to god, if you call me your boyfriend, I'll eat a golden retriever. I won't even enjoy it, I'll just do it."

I have to bite my lower lip to hold in my laughter. This is the best day ever—the best day in alongtime. We defeated Aphrodite (most of the way), I'm a divine goddess now, and Aleronactuallyadmitted that he likes me.

What's next, a thousand orgasms, an entire ice cream cake, and my own pony? I might as well lay down and die, my life has reached such a pinnacle.

My excitement is short lived. Stalking down the hallway, a man stops, notices us, and changes course to approach. He's a pale man in all black formalwear, with shiny brunette hair, a perfect nose, and striking blue eyes. Something about him is vaguely unsettling, even as his perfection approaches and he flashes perfect white teeth at us.

"You must come to the quorum," he says, staring me down very directly. "All members are strongly advised to consider attending, unless of course they are out on contract work. Myself, Madame Renoire, and Jean Kincaide have called the meeting, with all the houses in attendance."

All the houses in attendance.

All the housesin attendance.

I'm about to ask what that means, as well as who this man is, when Angus speaks up before I can say anything. "We'll be there in a moment, Dorian. The four of us have just returned from the Shadow World, and we have a few things to discuss."

"Ah. Yes, I'd heard news of your recent sojourn there." He winks in Angus's direction. "Had a few difficulties, didn't you? Don't worry, you're not the only one who's had your balls in a bind recently."

Anger erupts in my chest, and the desire to make thisDorianpay for insulting Angus is overwhelming. Morpheus grabs my arm and stops me before I can lunge at him though.

"The quorum is being held in the alternate plane, yes?"

"As is to be expected."

"Then we'll be there ASAP. Wouldn't miss it for the world, in fact." Morpheus is using his most charming tone of voice, and it seems to placate the man. "You should go check the dining hall—I think there were a few stragglers in there."

"Oh, that was my next errand, Morpheus." The man nods at him, then at Aleron, his eyes skimming the latter's lithe frame. "I always wonder where those giant wings of yours go when you're not using them. Maybe sometime you can show me."

Aleron stiffens very slightly at the words, but says nothing until Dorian has turned down the hallway and is well out of earshot. "I fucking hate that creepy old fuck. No one should live that long—I don't care if he's no longer technically mortal, it's clearly fucked him up."

"Wait." It's only at Aleron's words that I realize what I've been missing. "Was thattheDorian Grey? The one from the painting?"

"Yes, though that's only his most recent name," Morpheus tells me. "Dorian is... an interesting phenomenon. We should listen to his request and go to the quorum—the last thing we want is to miss out on what's being discussed. They could make important decisions without our input if we're not careful."

"Agreed. But before we head that way, someone needs to do something about Ellie's clothes." He shoots a cross look at Angus. "Noteveryoneenjoys losing their pants when they go full monster, after all. I'll take her to the mortal realm for another shopping trip."

"Shopping trip?"

"So you can find shirts that cover your breasts and pants that reach your calves at least. Don't worry—we can be there and back in the blink of an eye, thanks to my wings."

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