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Fuck.

I adjust myself as she slides her hands over her curves.

Thank God I still have cock. I was too scared to look earlier.

Toto continues, oblivious to the attention she’s gaining from all three of us. "Whatever you are now, I don't think it's accidental, and it might help us end Vera once and for all."

I don't think I could fall any more in love with this woman. "Glass half full, right, gorgeous?"

She grins, and her cheeks flush as she turns back to Leo and Nick. "Let's go into town and start asking questions."

"We can't walk around like this," Nick says incredulously.

Toto shrugs. "It's Screaming Woods. Half the town is monsters." She looks us up and down, a glint of desire in her eyes as she bites her lip. "You'll fit right in."

Oh, she likes what she sees.

I puff out my chest and almost fall over. I lift my hand, trying to get Leo and Nick's attention as they debate the plan. "I agree with Toto, but I’m going to need help walking."

Leo rolls his eyes, clearly not excited about the plan, but knowing it's the best option. "Fine. Look for some rocks."

"Rocks?" Nick asks.

Leo nods. "We need to weigh him down." He looks at me, then holds up his hand, rolling the sharp talons that have replaced his fingernails. "At least you two got to keep your clothes."

I might agree, except for the way Toto watches him as he prowls off.

I wouldn't be against a clothes-optional policy from now on, as long as it includes Toto.

Chapter nine

Leo

It doesn't take long to realize Toto is right about blending in.

Our first stop is the Lucky Bean coffee shop where Toto strikes up a conversation with a porcupine girl named Melinda. She doesn't even bat an eye when a scarecrow, a vampire, and a winged lion beast walk up to the bar like a bad joke. Instead, she takes one look at my makeshift kilt and directs us across the town square to a woman named Mags who owns the apothecary shop.

Mags finds me a pair of gray sweatpants, but they do little to brighten my mood. She insists Dr. Emmett Karloff is the person we need to speak with, but he won't be home until the afternoon, so Granger suggests we get pizza.

Like we aren't on the run from Vera and trying to figure out how to keep Toto safe, but sure, let's eat at The Howling Crust.

The food is delicious, and I find myself watching Toto eat despite my best efforts to continue pretending she doesn't exist. Now, I'm focused on every breath she takes. My eyes track every dart of her tongue as she licks tomato sauce off her fingers. I clench my jaw tightly as I watch her swallow, wishing I could put something else in her mouth.

I was in love with her before, but the need to make her mine has become almost feral since my transformation. I'm relieved that no one else seems to trigger this reaction in me—we've passed several women who haven't turned my head in the least. But the sweatpants do little to hide my obvious attraction to Toto—it's like trying to ignore a log in my lap.

By the time we make it to Dr. Karloff's laboratory, I'm a basket case.

"Come in, please." Dr. Emmett Karloff ushers us inside his home. "Mags said you would stop by."

It’s simultaneously refreshing and unnerving how easily the people of this town accept monsters popping in unannounced. Dr. Karloff listens to our story with rapt attention, nodding and occasionally raising his eyebrows.

"...and we know Vera’s magic won't work in Screaming Woods, but we need to figure out how to stop her for good," Toto concludes, looking at Karloff hopefully.

"Fascinating, simply fascinating," the professor mumbles as he paces the small room.

Dr. Karloff's cottage reminds me of my workshop. He has knickknacks on every single surface, but I guarantee he knows where everything is.

I tuck in my wings carefully, still not used to the amount of space I need, not wanting to disturb his organized mess.