“I do not think that would be wise,” Sariel said. “They are both extremely powerful creatures.”
“But I willeatthem. Just like I will eat Mr. Heiss.”
Sariel smiled, but it seemed tired. Maybe sad.
“Maybe next time, lil’ girl.” Seymour smiled. “The last few monsters you ate upset your tummy, remember?”
Day pouted. “Fine.”
“Rest now.” Sariel took his hand from Seymour to pet the top of her head. “All will be well. We can handle entertaining the king.” His expression seemed tense, and he looked out the window, his brow pinching even as he continued to scratch behind her ears.
“Hey, it’s okay,” Seymour said, his tone teasing. “I’m sure we can give him some crayons or maybe let him poof away some more vital organs. It’ll be fine.”
Sariel flashed a small smile and nodded, but then he looked right back out the window.
Seymour frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“I am sorry.” Sariel shook his head. “I am troubled.”
“What kind of trouble?” Day mumbled drowsily. “I’ll eat them for dessert.”
“Not the kind that can be eaten away, I am afraid. But I appreciate the offer.”
There were many options to what might have been upsetting Sariel.
It could be he was worried about being a monster in a city where the other monsters were planning to do very bad things. Maybe he was thinking about Marsha’s stupid card prediction that said Seymour was going to die and was worried about him.
But then Seymour thought back to how Sariel had just reacted when Day mentioned Mr. Heiss and all the nasty shit Mr. Heiss had said back at the garage.
Yeah, so, probably that.
“Is it the kind of trouble you wanna maybe talk about?” Seymour asked gently. “Like, maybe Day eatin’ your bag of moldy dicks boss?”
Sariel pressed his lips together in a thin line. “Perhaps later.” He glanced past Seymour and then sighed heavily. “The king approaches.”
Seymour turned to see Zolrya strutting toward them with a tray piled high with food. It was nearly as much as Day had eaten. He immediately scooted over to make room. “Oh, uh, hey.”
“Hello!” Zolrya smiled sweetly as he sat down. “Oh, this is fun! I hardly ever get to share a mortal meal with anyone.”
“Talos isn’t a fan of Mickey D’s?”
“Mmm, only sometimes.” Zolrya placed a napkin in his lap. “He would have come today, but I think I exhausted him. Poor dear.”
“Sounds like a good time to me.” Seymour smiled politely, his gaze flicking to Sariel.
“Yes, a very good time,” Sariel echoed.
Day narrowed her eyes. “You’re all talking about sex again.”
Zolrya unwrapped a cheeseburger so he could take a dainty bite. He hummed happily and stomped his feet, heels clicking away. “Oh! Mmm! Perfect! You know, I can make this all day long myself, but it’s never the same.”
“Nothin’ like the real deal, I reckon.” Seymour’s palms were sweating. Trying to make small talk with someone who could turn him into a bouquet was stressful. “Maybe it’s those lil’ onions.”
“Mm. Could be!”
Seymour noted a lack of fries on Zolrya’s tray and offered his own. “You want some fries with that?”
“Ah, thank you!” Zolrya jabbed a few fries with a fork.
