Page 34 of Monsters Within (The Creatures We Crave 1)
My heart began to beat wildly in my chest at the idea of being so close to a library full of books, all of my concerns about payment for the school evaporating. I wanted to smell the scent of paperbacks filling a room and wafting as I turned their delicate pages. It would sound crazy to non-book lovers, but those who understood, would totally agree with me.
“What are the hours for the library?” I inquired, hoping that maybe I’d get a chance to peek in today.
“Every building within the sector is open twenty-four hours. We took a right after passing through the gate to come here, but if you want to go there, take a left and you won’t be able to miss it.”
A twenty-four hour library?
I let out a groan of satisfaction. “I’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“Divinus,” Victoria cheekily corrected, making me laugh. It was such a common phrase with humans, that I’d never thought to make it accurate. I was finding myself more and more relaxed around Victoria the longer we were with her.
She’d exuded professionalism around Estrid, but perhaps she was able to be a bit more relaxed to bond with students. It would make sense, if she needed them to trust her enough to open up. It was definitely working.
After passing the row of thirteen dorm houses, a massive home came into view, slightly elevated by dark stones. The exterior was a lighter wood, accented by black metal framing the large windows in the front and along the side, with steps leading up to the door.
“Here is where you’ll be staying until we figure out what sectors you belong in,” Victoria announced, stopping at the end of a stone path leading up to it.
“Wow,” I breathed out in awe. This was the nicest home I’d ever stayed in, by far. I could hardly believe it, but it brought back my fear of how expensive tuition was, and I couldn’t ignore the panic clawing at my stomach at the idea of being kicked out if we couldn’t pay.
Letting go of Kylo and Elwin’s hands, I took a few steps toward Victoria, twining my hands in front of me as I grimaced. “Uh, Victoria. How much is the tuition to attend this school?”
Bile churned from my stomach, and I winced, knowing the number was going to be steep and out of our price range.
“None,” she answered. “Every student that is admitted here receives free boarding, food, and all the supplies they need.”
My jaw dropped as I shook my head in disbelief, causing her to crack a smile in response.
I let out a small screech. “Seriously?! Are you fucking with me?”
Perhaps I should have watched my use of vulgar language with a member of the staff, but my shock was making that a little hard, and it flew out before I could contain it.
A steady, calming energy radiated at my back, signaling that my monsters were all there and waiting on us.
“I’m serious, Alexandra,” she responded and gestured up to the house. “Please, make yourselves at home, and we will have clothes and food delivered. There are some supplies in there already that we keep stocked—that should get you started for now.”
With that, she walked past us, heading back to the pavilion, I assumed. Glancing back at my monsters, I asked, “Shall we?”
“We fucking shall,” Lucien agreed, making a move to grab me. I squealed, running up the steps towards the door. The wind blew through my hair as it floated around me, laughter sounding from everyone as I reached the front door, intending to find a place to hide from Lucien.
His large hand slammed into the door, preventing it from opening as I felt his hot breath at the shell of my ear. “I caught you, angel. What’s my prize?”
Turning around slowly, I batted my eyelashes at him. “First dibs on a bedroom?”
“Done,” he agreed easily, shocking me. I thought he was going to ask for something sexual… But I should have known he wasn’t done yet. Running his hand up my shoulder and to the hair at the base of my neck, he pulled gently, causing my head to fall back and look up at him fully. “I have dibs on whatever room you are in.”
“You can’t hog all of her time,” Kylo grumbled as they joined us at the door.
Giving him my best stern look, I agreed. “You have to share me.”
Dropping a soft peck to my lips, Lucien relented with a dramatic sigh. “Fine, fine. There is an easy solution anyways. We all share a bed like we did last night.”
It was honestly so adorable how possessive Lucien was of me, but when it came to his brothers, he rolled over the moment they voiced a concern. Perhaps it wouldn’t be as hard as I thought to make sure they all received equal attention.
As his hand fell off the door, I opened it and walked inside, eyes wide as I soaked in the lavish room that screamed ‘home’. It was so warm and inviting. Behind me, Elwin joked, “We didn’t exactly fit on the bed last night. Only two of us were able to sleep that way.”
“I was comfortable,” Lucien whined. “Why can’t we do that again?”
“Just because you can curl up like a house cat doesn’t mean the rest of us can,” Kylo griped, to which I heard a hiss in response.
