Dancing With Monsters by M.M. Gavillet

at a moment’s notice and arrange a
picnic at your whim.”
    Ben raised his eyebrows and cleared
his throat. “Well, to answer your first question, I mainly travel
to three: earth, Iethia, and here in Avalon. I can go to about any
realm, but you have to be cautious as to where you travel—just like
anywhere. And as far as the hospitalities I enjoy,” he smirked. “I
have several connections that I’ve acquired throughout my travels
and as far as being a celebrity, that depends on how you define
it.” Ben pulled out a plate that had cheese and grapes on it. “Ah,
perfect. You must try this, it’s the best Avalon has to
offer.”
    I took the slice of marbled cheese
that Ben handed me. Its tangy flavor and the sweetness of the
grapes were a perfect match that I had never tasted
before.
    “ That’s really good,” I
said as Ben poured me some more wine.
    I took a sip knowing my head was
already starting to spin and I wasn’t sure if I could get up
without tumbling over.
    “ I’m glad you like it,
because you deserve it, and so much more.” He gazed at me for a
moment with a distant look in his eyes. “But I didn’t bring you
here to just let you visit another realm and sample the best wine
and cheese it has to offer.” He reached into his pocket and pulled
out a small, blue velvet box.
    I held my breath, because was
he…?
    “ April Snow, we hardly
know each other, but I know you are right for me, and I’ve searched
many places throughout my travels to find a companion.” He held the
box in front of me, and with grinning eyes he opened it. “I want
you to be my mate for as long as we live.”
    Staring back at me was a square stone
that flickered with shades of blue and white.
    “ What…you mean like
marry?” I lifted my eyes from the ring as my mouth felt like cotton
balls had been shoved in it.
    Ben chuckled. “Yes, April Snow, will
you marry me?” He took the ring out as it sparkled violently,
almost like it was on fire with blue flames. “Be my wife, my
companion, and as monsters call it, my mate for all of our time.”
His voice was sincere as he held the ring for me to
take.
    I gazed at it. Marriage—that’s
something you do when you’re older, not seventeen. But I wasn’t a
normal girl, I was a monster, and I belonged to a different
culture, a different race, and there was no place for me in this
world anymore. Ben, I saw it clearly in his eyes, he cared for me
and longed for someone to care for him.
    I held out my left hand and smiled.
“Yes, Benjamin Marsh, I will be your mate.”
     
    Seth
     
    “ What sort of disturbance
have you been alerted to?” I asked Ayil as we sped down the
road.
    “ One concerning our serum
chef,” Ayil said with her eyes steadily on the road. “The head of
this district was alerted to demon activity in Brumbriar at the
address,” she picked up her phone and quickly scrolled through her
messages. “345 White Street.” She shoved her phone back into her
pocket.
    “ Demons,” Ezra said,
sitting between Ayil and me. “They can be powerful.” Even through
the darkness, Ezra’s eyes were filled with worry. I squeezed her
hand.
    “ How powerful are the
demons causing the disturbance? And more importantly, will we have
anyone helping us?” Malachi asked leaning forward.
    “ No, no one will be
assisting us as I said,” Ayil glanced back at him. “This is a
sleeper area district. Disturbances aren’t supposed to happen, but
they are.” She set her eyes back on the road. “As far as the
strength of the demons, all I can do is guess, and if they are in
Brumbriar and have set off the alarms, I’m going to guess very
strong.”
    “ That could mean there is
more than one,” Nessa said, leaning forward beside
Malachi.
    “ Or just one big, ugly
demon rather than a whole party of them,” Malachi said. “Then we
don’t have to chase them around like spoiled children.” His tone
was passive, and I knew out of all of us, Malachi had encounters
with demons