I stand there in shock becausemonsters don’t typically reveal themselves to humans. Why now? Is it because I’m Evangeline’s best friend?
“Why don’t you come over here and let us explain everything,” Xander says, his voice cool and calming.
I slowly move to the couch, holding on to this scared act.
I’m not scared. I'mfascinated.
Growing up, Evangeline and I used to read fantasy books about magical lands and monsters. We’d make up scenarios where we were rescued by strange creatures and fall in love with them. Maybe that’s why she’s buying my not-screaming-my-head-off-freaking-out reaction.
I sit down while Evangeline and Xander stand in front of me as if they’re on a stage, telling me about how they met on a strange dating app that magically showed up on their phones. And while I already knew Evangeline’s mother was a witch, I didn't know that the reason she’s no longer in the psychiatric hospital is because they broke her out last year. They did it so she could help Xander save Evangeline’s life after her ex, Branden, stabbed her in the heart.
I was shocked when Evangeline explained that Xander killed Branden, but I’m also relieved because that man was an abusive piece of shit. Branden was under a witch’s spell that allowed him to be controlled by Xander’s brother,who was trying to steal control over New York City from the gargoyle king.
While I knew Evangeline had newly emerged magical abilities, I didn’t knowwhatkind of magical abilities they were. She explained that she can calm someone with just her touch—a power that emerged when she met Xander, who is her fated mate. Hunters knew fated mates amongst monsters existed, but my family could never uncover the details of how it all worked.
Evangeline also showed me the mark her mother gave her—one she’s kept hidden from me since getting it. It’s a symbol on her palm that resembles a daisy with a burst of light behind it that apparently holds the power of the sun, which she used on Xander’s brother to permanently turn him to stone.
Xander explained that as gargoyle king, he’s tasked with keeping New York City, and the humans who reside here, safe from evil. Everything from soul-eating demons and rogue angels to otherworldly creatures who slip through the cracks between dimensions.
Xander said he’s also tethered to New York City—a rule for royals, so the city and humans they protect are never left vulnerable to evil entities. Which explains why Evangeline and Xander weren’t able to travel for their honeymoon.
They went on to tell me about all the monsters that exist in the world. Most I’ve always known about, but a few I didn’t, like a dragon who’s believed to be the only one living on the East Coast.
And when I asked, ‘Why now? Why tell me about monsters now?’ They said it’s because there’s a plan in the works to unveil the supernatural world to humans and they need human allies.
I’m honored they chose me.
They trust me, but they shouldn’t. Because I’m hiding a secret. I should tell them who I am, who my family is. But I can’t. I need more information.
How much do they know about the hunters in the city? How close are they to catching them? If I tell them, would they kill me? Would they lock me up and force me to give them intel? Intel that I don’t have?
I’m conflicted because I want to help. I want to protect my best friend and her mate. But would it mean losing the only blood relatives I have left?
I have to decide if I’m done saving a space in my heart for a family who cast me aside when I refused to be a part of their hateful mission.
Chapter 5 – Locheran
It’s been about two months since the International Supernatural Conference was postponed after hunters paid a griffin to kidnap Vara, a sphinx who is my friend Thorne’s mate.
Even though we’re trying to reduce deaths amongst hunters, several were killed in the fight, and the leader managed to get away. We spent weeks trying to track them down with no luck. The only thing we found was one of their hideouts, but it was empty when I got there with my team of gargoyle soldiers. There were remnants of spells, which confirms what we’ve suspected: They have a witch helping them, either willingly or one who’s been kidnapped and forced to help. Supernatural CrimeInvestigators are now scouring through, and following up on, kidnapped witch cases.
We also have a name.
The O’Herns: a family that comes from a long line of hunters.
The O’Hern name is one I’m familiar with. I’ve come face to face with a few in my thousand years of living. I’ve also lost a few friends to the O’Hern family.
It’s unusual for them to target supes in such a large city. Either they’re desperate for money—the idiots believe gargoyle horns are good luck and sell them for hundreds of thousands of dollars—or they’ve built their hunting team enough that they’re confident they could take on an army of supernatural beings.
They’re no match for us unless they have tens of thousands of humans to fight.
Things have been quiet for the past few weeks, so the International Supernatural Conference is set to resume tonight.
It’s a big night. I’ve been part of a team of supes, led by the vampire queen, Layla, who is also Thorne’s mate because he was blessed with two, to come up with a plan to unveil our world to humans. One that could mean war if humans don’t accept us, which is why I've been working on security and war plans if it comes to that.
A big part of making this work is aligning with humans. Ones who’ve known about our existence. Or ones who didn’t know but recently learned and didn't freak out. Half of the attendees tonight will be human allies. There will be speeches from them about their experiences with monsters. Those speeches will be recorded and shown to the world as part of the reveal in hopes to convince skeptics that we’re no danger to mortals. At least, not like the urban legends have led them to believe.
There will always be bad monsters just like there are bad humans. Which is why laws have been constructed. The planning committee has been working with human politicians to make sure both of our kind are protected.
