Eden Beck [Beck - Where Monsters Lie: An Academy Bully Romance (The Monster Within Book 2)

Hawthorne Holy Trinity

Dirty Liars

Dirty Fraud

Dirty Revenge

The Monster Within

Where Monsters Hide

Where Monsters Lie

They say time heals all wounds.

Sometimes, the opposite is true. For me, after last year, this is certainly the case.

Avery Black, Year Two, Saint Marcellus Academy for Monster Hunters. There it ismy name and information printed neatly at the top of the page in black and white. In a few days, school will start. Soon, it will be the day I walk back into the school for monster hunters with my head held high.

After months of poring over my parents journals, of training with their weapons in the woods, of hunting monsters around their cabin, Ill walk in stronger, more focused, more capable.

But today, I have to get to the damn airport.

I fold the entry letter up and tuck it into my back pocket before grabbing my suitcase and hurrying downstairs. Its early. The sun hasnt even risen yet. I try to be as quiet as I can, knowing Aunt Trish is asleep.

Ive tried to keep her out of my new world as much as possible. I know shes curious, sometimes, but its best this way. Shes already been hurt by this world before, and the more she gets involved in it, the more inevitable that hurt becomes again.

Theres a reason this profession is not for the faint of heart.

I quietly wrestle my suitcase to the foot of the stairs and head into the kitchen for a snack, but I freeze. There, at the kitchen table in her robe and slippers, is Aunt Trish.

And shes holding a dagger.

I stare at her, flabbergasted, but she just gazes calmly back. My eyes flick to the dagger. I realize its the one I used to slay a small monster last night in the woodsand its blood still stains the blade.

Aunt Trish? I say carefully.

She waves the dagger at me like its a toy, and not a razor-sharp weapon made for slaying creatures of the shadows. You left this on the counter last night.

I blink. Different emotions flow through me in waves: relief that my aunt hasnt suddenly gone crazy and decided to kill me, amusement that she clearly has no idea how to hold a dagger properly, embarrassment that I so carelessly left a huge knife lying around, and finally panic. Ive been so careful, all summer, so that she wouldnt know about my secret monster-hunting outside of school.

So much for that, now.

Um, I say eloquently.

She wastes no time cutting to the chase. Youve been hunting in the woods, havent you?

I run through a few possible different answers in my head and decide that simply not replying would be the best course of action. I stare at her for a few seconds; long enough that the silence begins to feel uncomfortable.

Aunt Trish sighs heavily and sets the dagger on the table. Avery, youre not supposed to be hunting yet, are you? Isnt it illegal?

I didnt know she knew that. I cock my head to the side.

Well I trail off, feeling especially well-spoken today.

Whats the matter with me? I must have spent a little too much time hunting these last few months, and not enough time interacting with other humans.

Youre not in trouble. Thats not why Im waiting for you. She smiles that bright smile that crinkles up the corners of her eyes, and I breathe a sigh of relief as she stands up from the table. I think I might actually coming to terms with all this.

You are? I ask incredulously. This is a hell of a time to have a serious conversation about this. I need to leave for the airport soon. Couldnt she have brought this up at literally any other moment this summer? Youre saying youre really

Okay with it? she finishes for me. Not yet. Its dangerous and scary, and I dont like the thought of you ending up like your mother. She looks meaningfully at me, and I know what shes saying. My parents died hunting a monster. A monster Ive met, actually, but Aunt Trish doesnt know about that, and I want to keep it that way.

Aunt Trish glances down at my suitcase, and then says, I wanted to ask you something. I nod, and then immediately regret it as soon as the next words come out of her mouth. Do you remember that boy who came with you last Christmas? She gives me a knowing smile. Am I going to be seeing more of him this year?

Immediately, my face crumples into an expression somewhere between sorrow and rage. I know she sees it. A look of surprise flashes onto her face.

She means Sawyer. Sawyer Alman.

Sawyer helped me find my parents cabin in the woods over Christmas break. I let him into my home, into my life, even, I think, into my heart. I let him distract me, and that was a mistake. Sawyer betrayed me shortly thereafter, and I haven been able to forgive him.

I dont know if I want to forgive him.

But I dont know how to tell Aunt Trish this. I struggle with the words for a moment.

You mean Sawyer, I say, buying myself time.

Sawyer, she repeats. That was his name. Aunt Trish gives me a knowing look, raising her eyebrows. Did something happen between you two?

Yes, I reply immediately. I mean, no. I meanIm not sure Ill want to see him again, so I doubt hell be back here.

Aunt Trish nods. I see. Want to tell me about it?

Not really, I admit, and I shuffle my feet. He just, I cant trust him anymore. People like me, once theyve crossed you I dont know if I can forgive him.

All at once, my aunts eyes harden. I see. She reaches up to scratch at her chin. Then I suppose Ill be setting the Christmas table for two this year. She heads toward the kitchen, and I hear her mumble under her breath, Thinks he can hurt my niece and get away with it.

I smile. When she says things like that, its easier to see the family resemblance between her and my mother. Im surprised Aunt Trish never tried to be a hunter. She certainly has the balls for it.

When Aunt Trish emerges from the kitchen again, shes bearing some toast on a napkin. I know you like to go to the airport by yourself, but take some breakfast, wont you? And be careful at school.

I will, I tell her, gratefully accepting the toast.

She hugs me, pulling me close. She smells a little bit like peppermint and my childhood. I close my eyes and allow myself to seep into the hug. This might be the last bit of kindness I get before I head off to school.

I love you, Avery Black, she whispers in my ear. Be safe.

She releases me, and I grab my suitcase. See you at Christmas, she tells me. Call me when you can, okay?

Okay. I smile and turn to head for the door. Maybe next year Ill let her drive me to the airport. I glance over my shoulder before I leave, and Aunt Trish smiles at me, little tears gathering in the corners of her eyes. Bye, I say, slipping out the front door before she can try to make even more of a scene.

Ive never been very sentimental. I guess thats what makes us so different. I guess thats the reason she never followed in her sisters footsteps and became a hunter too.