Page 38 of Monsters in My Bed
I ponder his words, reaching for Torjin. Roxy hands him over with hesitation, but she knows we would never do anything to harm the baby. Asha and Elic come over, placing their sharp claws on my calf, looking up expectantly, and Vizruk picks them up. The three of them touch us, their thoughts flowing into my brother and me.
Shock ripples through me when I realize that the twin babies also are infused with sinqol, but in lesser amounts. Not enough to tint their eyes the same blue as their cousin, but maybe just the right amount to save their mom. At least, that’s their plan. I look to Vizruk, unsure of what to do. There’s certainty in their vision, as if they know their idea will work, but I also know it’s not something anyone else is willing to risk.
What if it costs all their lives?
They dissolve into shadows, jetting over to Alexis and covering her body in wispy tendrils. The black of their smokey limbs curl over every part of my mate, as if hugging her. Roxy cries out, reaching for Torjin, but Rastorj holds her back. This earns a fierce glare from his mate, but the purple-eyed Vasura exercises more trust and patience than most.
Nothing happens at first, but after a moment, Alexis’ body lights up in the familiar blue glow. Roxy gasps, both in wonder and worry, but Rastorj won’t let her go. Xhoshad, Nerazi, Seriq, Mark, Osz, and I all hold our breath. Humans do this funny thing called “praying”, and I send one out to the sinqol, hoping it can hear me.
Please save our mate.
Apparently, this is some ancient human magic based on an emotion most Vasura can’t grasp—faith—but Mark’s mom imprinted so much of herself into my brother and me. I pour as much belief and longing into my prayer as possible, and soon, Osz joins me. But it’s not enough. We look at the rest of our mate’s trium, urging them to pray with us.
Seriq glances in confusion at Nerazi and Xhoshad, but Mark understands. He bows his head, clasping his hands together in earnest, another tenant of this praying from his homeland. It feels weird to do, so instead, I grab Seriq’s hand. The green-eyed Vasura shies away at first, but I just grip him tighter, flowing my thoughts into him.
After a moment, he relaxes and grabs Nerazi’s hand, who in return takes Xhoshad’s. Rastorj eyes our little prayer ring and decides to join, releasing one hand on his mate to take Xhoshad’s hand. Roxy glares as if we’ve all lost our minds, and maybe we have, putting all our hope into three little babies.
But they’re different—special.
As if they can hear my thoughts, the children gurgle in happiness, their shadows growing bigger and darker, nearly obscuring the glow around Alexis. And just as suddenly as they rushed over to her, they release my mate. Alexis still lies there, limp and lifeless, and a fissure of fear cracks through my composure.
Please. Please. PLEASE!
I roar this last bit, willing my mate to life. Perhaps she hears the desperation of my wish, or perhaps it has nothing to do with me at all, but Alexis’ eyes flutter open. We all gasp, dropping each other’s hands as Asha and Elic shift back into human form and crawl over their mom. Torjin flies back to Roxy before changing, a triumphant smile set on his face.
“Wh… what happened?” Alexis asks weakly.
“A miracle,” Mark whispers, and I remember the word for when a prayer comes true.
These children saved my mate. They’re the real miracles. I would praise a human god, or maybe even the babies, but the only temple I want to worship is at the feet of my mate. She is my goddess, my very reason for living, and I love her so much. Something wet touches my cheek, and Osz stares at me in awe.
It’s a tear.
The depth of my feelings for this woman evolved my Vasura into something more human, and I wonder what else my kind is capable of when touched by something so—not formed from these emotions, but advanced from them. Meaning, it won’t mutate my brethren, but change them. It’s an opportunity to grow, to become more.
It’s the miracle of love.
nineteen
ALEXIS
One year later
“Idon’twanttogo to therapy.”
“It’s not therapy.”
Seriq and Mark bicker back and forth. Long ago, Dr. Mark decided we needed once-a-week meetings where we talk through everything ranging from our past to how we’re currently feeling. He calls them “mental health checkups”, which is totally code for therapy, but I would be lying if I said it didn’t help us hash out our problems.
But most importantly, these sessions ensure nothing as trivial as petty miscommunications can tear us apart. Because when you’re in a relationship with six monsters formed from the darkness of human negativity, stuff escalatesfast. Luckily, our bond helps a lot, making it hard to hide how you’re truly feeling—meaning none of us can really lie to one another.
After I recovered, all my boogeymen reclaimed me again, and this time, the marks are permanent without any sinqol to erase them. It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced, knowing my mates at such a deep level, but we also can’t conceal how we’re feeling, either. Sometimes, when one of us just wants space, this makes it difficult, but usually the only thing I try to hide is my insatiable lust. It’s embarrassing how needy I am every day for my mates.
But they love it, indulging my darkest fantasies and bringing them to life. I adore how there’s never any judgment. Xhoshad, Nerazi, Seriq, Vizruk, Osz, and Mark accept me—love me—and it’s the most perfect thing ever except for my bond with my children. Even still, we have our ups and downs.
Hence, Mark’s weekly get-togethers.
“Alright everyone, sit down,” Mark orders, totally in doctor mode. “Seriq, we have to talk about this guilt you’re feeling.”
