Page 33 of Monsters Within (The Creatures We Crave 1)
Alexandra
Ithought it was the warmth from the gate we passed through that was licking at my skin, or maybe it was the way Lucien lit my body on fire, but as we approached a large building looming to our right in front of the base of a massive mountain, I realized it was actually the air here.
It wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was a massive difference from the seemingly neutral climate of the pavilion area. And even if it had been uncomfortable, it would have been worth it for the beauty that was behind this gate.
Between the mountains behind the buildings and the sprawling forest that surrounded us, I was in love. Vibrant flowers bloomed alongside the trees, and I desperately wanted to go smell them.
Knowing Lucien, he had needed to hold me to feel grounded in my safety, and while I had given in for his peace of mind, I wanted to explore this new world.
Wiggling in Lucien’s arms, I growled, “Put me down. Clearly no one else is here with us. It has to be safe.”
We hadn’t come across another damn soul so far, and it was hard to picture that in just a couple days, that this place would be teeming with supernatural creatures. My body trembled in excitement at meeting the people I had researched and dreamed about my whole life.
Never before had I looked forward to meeting others. It wasn’t in my nature, but a piece of my heart held out hope that this would be different than back home. That I would find friends in these classes while we discovered what we were. It was incredible to have my monsters here with me, but there was just something about having a few close girlfriends that I yearned for.
I’d seen it among humans. It was like the bonds of found family—sisters, if you will—and I wanted it desperately. It was the only reason I had given Hannah a chance, against my better judgment and gut feeling.
As soon as my feet hit the ground, I took off, giggling as Lucien barked out behind me, “Alexandra!”
He was being protective and sweet, but I wasn’t a fragile piece of glass, and I also didn’t want Elwin or Kylo to feel like my time was being monopolized. Squeezing between the two monsters who walked shoulder to shoulder, I beamed up at them and gripped their hands.
“You’re looking chipper, darling,” Kylo mused as he glanced down and squeezed my hand as his dimples deepened in a charming smile.
It was true. Ever since the initial shock and uncertainty of being at Dark Imaginarium Academy wore off, and Lucien’s words about how I was treating their existence had been like a bucket of ice water, snapping me out of my insecurities, I felt…lighter? A sense of freedom and a newfound excitement for life coursed through me.
It had been the kick in the ass that I needed, honestly. The three of them were so important to me, and just the thought of making them feel inadequate or insecure was the last thing I’d ever want to do. Looking back on my actions and words since they’d appeared, I could absolutely see how I had done that–unknowingly–due to my utter confusion at the situation we’d found ourselves in.
I was letting go of the need to control my life and accept that I didn’t understand everything, and that I didn’t need the answers right now. Previously, every time I had attempted to relinquish that anxiety, it was a half-assed attempt that didn’t last long. It was a reflexive part of my brain that would need to be trained to relax.
This was the start of a new life, a chance to be the person I’d always wanted to be with the monsters I wanted by my side.
Everything I wanted was at my fingertips—I just needed to be strong enough to reach out and take it.
“Happiness looks beautiful on you, love,” Elwin murmured as he stroked his thumb against my hand.
Ugh, my heart was going to permanently be a puddle in my chest with these sweet, protective, doting monsters living with me.
A bunch of scattered black wood houses came into view, some more hidden than others by large oak trees. I could see small decks attached to the sides of them and small chimneys with dark bricks on top. Large windows on the front of each ran the length of the wall from roof to floor, and warm light glowed from within. Squinting to try to see inside, I saw beige couches and dark furniture scattered throughout the room.
“Who lives there?” I asked, glancing at Victoria's back in front of me.
Calling over her shoulder, she answered, “This is the newest addition to our Academy. All demons from Hell that qualify to attend here live in this sector. We transformed it from the guest and general studies area into their sector. There wasn’t enough room on our lands to join the other side where the rest of the sectors lie.”
From the peace that flowed through me in this territory, I hoped we would be able to stay here after tomorrow. “Are all of these houses new? How many students fit in them?”
They had to be new, or else they had a groundskeeper that did an impeccable job, in my opinion. They also screamed modern contemporary, so I couldn’t imagine them being as old as this school was—however old that may be.
And by the size of them, I’d guess four students to a house.
“Yes, brand new, and they hold two students each!” she chirped back.
My jaw dropped at her answer. Two students per house?
Holy shit, this place was luxurious and clearly cared about their students’ comfort while living here.
Wait, did we have to pay to attend here? Why hadn’t I thought to ask Estrid that before?
Victoria’s voice pulled me from my thoughts. “I’m taking you to the newly renovated guest house that used to be the only lodging outside of the student’s dwellings for the Academy. We renovated it to match these new dorm houses for the students. The only thing that remains untouched over here is our library.”
