Page 45 of Monsters in Love

“If we have to shift, you need to hide,” Andrew said, giving her a hard look.

She started to protest, but he cut her off.

“Daphne, we’re monsters. I can’t guarantee that we will sense that it’s you. I don’t want to hurt you. I would never forgive myself.”

She fell silent, scowling. “What do we have to do to get out of here?”

“Defeat the dragon,” Andrew answered.

“By defeat, what do you mean….”

“Kill him if we must,” I answered softly. “At the very least, make sure he can’t stop us. Once we get to the end of the labyrinth, which is where he will be waiting, the exit will be right there. Once we tell you, you will make a run for it. We will make sure that you aren’t eaten.”

She shivered but nodded, her expression hardening. “What about the two of you?”

Andrew and I exchanged wary glances. “We will follow you when we can.”

“And then after, we can go get a drink at one of the pubs,” she mumbled, her cheeks flushing.

She wasn’t happy with this plan, and quite frankly, neither was I.

What if she was hurt? What if one of us were? What if the three of us got separated?

Andrew’s heavy hand settled on my shoulder, and he gave me a light squeeze. “All will be good, mate. The three of us will make it out of here.”

We stared at each other for a beat, and then I nodded, giving Daphne a soft smile. “And then we’ll go get that drink, love.”

“Adam is going to carry you, and I’m going to lead the way. We’ll get to the end of the maze, and then you’ll hide while we confront the dragon… Okay?” Andrew asked her, cocking his head.

She nodded. “Okay. Let’s do this. I’m ready to be out of this place, although I do wish I could explore it more.”

I understood what she meant. This library was a treasure, after all, and there were many books I would miss.

But it would be worth it to be free again.

“Alright, come here,” I said, reaching for her.

Daphne let me scoop her up, drawing a little chuckle from me. She was already starting to grow comfortable with us carrying her, which made me happy.

Andrew came up to the two of us, cupping both of our faces. She let out a whimper, her body melting against me. He leaned in and kissed her, and then me.

Fuck.

He knelt his forehead to mine for a moment, breathing in our scents. “I can’t wait to start our new life,” he whispered.

I swallowed hard and looked up at Daphne. Her eyes glistened, her cheeks flushed.

“Let’s go slay the dragon.”

Daphne

Iwould have never found my way to the end of the maze.

Without Adam and Andrew, I would have surely been lost. I watched the last of the shelves approach us, and my stomach twisted as they both slowed.

This was it.

We were almost there, almost free.

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