“My release?What is going on?I thought I was arrested for magic use?”
“You were.And you are wearing cuffs that prevent you from using magic or making careless wishes—it can be hard for sorcerers to forget that their whims become reality here.”
Right, so the floor might have eaten me if not for the cuffs.Sweat formed in my armpits as the danger of using magic became very apparent.It was not something I should have been trusted with.
“You will be released on the condition that you assist with repairs.”
“I don’t know how to repair.What if I make it worse?”How could I fix a world when my own life was a mess?
“You will be taught.You aren’t the only one here, though some are not here willingly.”
“Is that like a threat, that I need to behave or I’ll be forced to help?”How did that work?I wasn’t sure I wanted to know.
Beak’s eyes narrowed as they studied me.“I don’t think you need threats to behave.You have a partner, and a career onScream and Steam.”
Beak was overstating both of those things.I had a monster hookup who posted videos of me.Something must have shown on my face because Beak tapped the tablet a few times and showed me the screen.I assumed it was Farrow’s channel, given that there was a pic of me naked and fake sleeping in bed.I remembered filming that.
Everything else on the screen was written in their language.“I can’t read it.”
“Oh, apologies, I’m used to dealing with sorcerers who have been formally taught magic.”
“And that includes the monster alphabet?”
“It does.The channel has seen a sudden surge in popularity over the last day.”That meant Farrow was making more money.Good for him…good for me?“When people learn that you’re also a repairer, it will probably see another surge.”
“What does that mean…how popular isScream and Steam?
“It’s the only look into the human world, so it's one of the top three entertainment channels.”
“Top three… Porn is in your top three channels?”
“Porn?”Beak tilted their head.
“Watching people fuck?”
Beak shrugged.“Humans fuck, monsters fuck, everyone enjoys.Those who like scares watch theScreamside.”They tapped the screen.“This is your contract and the implications if you break it.Take your time to read through and ask any questions.I’m here to answer them.”
So far, all Beak had done was give me more questions.
I scrolled through the document, which didn’t take long as it was only three pages long.
Removal of the cuffs was bad—something I agreed with, given how easily wishes seemed to roll around my head.
Using magic for personal gain was bad.
Damaging the monster world in any way, attempting to flee into the human world…
All things I didn’t want to do, anyway.
I’d be subject to the laws, provided with necessary training, and given a stipend for my assistance in maintaining the integrity of the world.
“It all seems too good to be true.What’s the catch?”There had to be a catch.People like me didn’t get swept out of their ordinary life and into a magical world to become a monster porn celebrity.
I swallowed as I realized that loads of monsters had seen me naked on their version of the internet.They’d seen me stuffed full of dildo.I couldn’t go out there.What if they recognized me?
I almost thought about wanting the floor to swallow me, again.
I should not be trusted with any kind of magic.This all seemed like a very bad idea.But refusing was also a bad idea, as I’d be lumped with the unwilling, the ones who had done bad things and deserved to be stopped.
