Here There Be Monsters: A Gothic Monster Romance (Republica Helvetorum Book 1) by EC Garrett

Author:EC Garrett [Garrett, EC]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Midnight Pages LLC
Published: 2024-07-21T23:00:00+00:00

18

the truth

“Daphne?” Trystan asks. “That was the girl you were friends with who was murdered, and then you seduced and killed her husband?”

I blink, but Uri nods.

“What about her?” Trystan’s question is innocent enough but I stiffen and look down.

“That is… true. You told them part of the truth, at least. But Elsie…” Uri pauses. “You know that isn’t even close to the whole story.”

“Why does this matter?” Aleksander says, sounding bored and frustrated.

Uri grinds their teeth, looking back at him. “Because, you lumbering oaf, she thinks you ate Daphne.”

Nerethus makes a choking sound and Trystan’s jaw drops.

Aleksander however, takes a step back, confused and alarmed.

“I’m sorry, what?” Death looks at me. “You think we ate your friend? Why the fuck would you think that, Elsing?”

Now it’s my turn to be confused.

“Mhm, see? This is exactly why we need to talk,” Uri says.

“You killed her,” I tell them, my anger and pain bubbling over. “I found her remains afterwards too. Piles of skin and chewed on bones. That’s all that was left. And for that, you all deserve to die.”

Aleksander cocks his head, his brow furrowing. But it’s Nerethus who steps forward, joining Uriel on the floor in front of me. He kneels and I struggle against the chains holding me down, unable to handle his close proximity and the comfort it brings.

“Elsing,” the Dragon says slowly. I already hate where this is going. “We didn’t kill her. You’re the first woman—Hell, the first person that we’ve seen in centuries.”

The world stops turning and time halts.

Something new and cold invades my body, freezing my blood and turning my bones to ice.

Fear.

Fear because even though I don’t want to believe him, I can feel the truth within his magic.

And that—fuck.

I don’t like what that means. If that’s true… then I do deserve to die.

“But you… You demanded sacrifices,” I breathe. “To keep you out of our towns, the Mountain Gods demanded we sacrifice someone every solstice, letting you eat them alive in exchange for not attacking us.”

Trystan’s eyes go wide as he stands behind Uri and Nerethus. Aleksander sits down, the anger draining away from him and sadness taking its place.

“Fuck,” Death runs his hand through his hair, looking equal parts frustrated and defeated.

Dread and fear begin to drown me. I choke on it, because I’m afraid. I’m so, so afraid that I know what they’re about to say.

“Sweetheart,” Trystan says and I flinch at such a kind nickname. So different from his usual brazen flirting. “We’ve never demanded a sacrifice.”

“Ever,” Nerethus agrees, his ruby eyes pleading with me to understand. “Human meat doesn’t even taste good. It’s all stringy and flavorless.”

The other Gods nod in agreement.

“You—” I choke off, the lump in my throat too big to speak.

“Elsie, the sacrifices were never meant for them,” Uriel says carefully. “They didn’t kill Daphne.”

“Then who did?” I ask, my voice trembling, and a single tear falls down my cheek. Nerethus reaches forward and brushes it away, his own eyes full of pain.

Uriel takes a deep breath.

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