Page 178 of Tempt

My mind goes to a dozen places. Like the anti-monster groups. The portals. Other angry Vyastil.

But it’s not like I’m a detective. I’m just some semi-scientist debating whether I’ll ever get into grad school or not, working at a little coffee shop with one monster who doesn’t mind me, and one who probably wishes I’d disappear into the night.

My frustration ratchets up, and I take a deep breath. “I should go start my run. I have to be at the shop in an hour.”

Quilliyn nods, and Luca signs a quick, ‘Have fun,’ and I wander off, doing my best to shove Hepyn and Zinni out of my head. It won’t last, but for this little bit, I’ll get a few moments’ peace.

My dad used to tell me that the only thing I’d ever be good for was slinging burgers on a fry top, that my biology degree was a pointless waste of money.

Joke’s on him. I’ve been working at a coffee shop for the last fifteen months slinging coffee, and I’m starting to think it’s my calling.

Not because I’m great at making coffee. My two bosses don’t usually put me on as barista because I can’t seem to make a decent espresso shot, and the last time I tried to steam milk, more of it ended up sprayed all over the walls than in the little metal pitcher.

But I can handle people, even if I don’t like them. And I’m decent with money, which is one thing my bosses have never been able to get the hang of. I don’t blame them. They’re monsters. They came through the portal, well…fuck knows when. I never asked.

I liked their little shop because while humans came in to order coffee and pastries, they didn’t like to stay. Even people who had been in town as long as the monsters had were still kind of uneasy with them owning businesses and property.

That meant before I graduated, I almost always had a quiet place to study, and the only thing that bothered me was the voice of my father in my head telling me what a waste of space I was because the world didn’t need another entomologist.

Well, fuck you, Dad. The world probably doesn’t need me in the field of entomology, but as soon as I save enough money to pay for grad school—and figure out, you know, how to pay rent and everything while I’m doing that—I’ll walk the stage again, and then…

I don’t know. Go research insects in Costa Rica, where there are still plenty of undiscovered species.

Or maybe I’ll go to Erethar and categorize their insects.

In the meantime, I’m going to use my freaky math skills to keep these well-meaning but disastrous monsters from losing their shop to the IRS.

Though, I don’t actually know if the IRS taxes monsters. It’s hard to tell what’s happening now that the portals have all closed and everything is in limbo.

I’d gotten an email about six months ago letting me know that my service to the clinic was suspended indefinitely. When I showed it to Zinni, he looked like he was going to cry—which was weird because why would he give a shit? He was kind—much kinder to me than Hepyn, who seems to hate every fiber of my being, but he’s also different from the Vyastil.

He’s not even a Vyastil—something they forget I know, and I swear to god it feels like they think humans can’t hear even when we’re in the same room. Or they forget they’re speaking English.

Either way, they have secrets, and I have mine, and I’m happy to play this little game of pretending we don’t know we’re all in this shit together.

“Why are you staring at the wall?”

The sound of Hepyn’s voice irritates me. It’s a nice voice—a little different than Zinni’s melodic hum, which seems to embrace each English word he speaks. Hepyn is different—harsh, cold, like he’s never experienced an ounce of joy, comfort, or peace.

I glance over at him to see he’s not wearing the coffee shop T-shirt, but a robe thingy. It kind of reminds me of the cloaks my nerdy friends used to wear when they’d RPG Vampire Masquerade in the park every weekend during our sophomore year.

They’re all probably shitting themselves in excitement now that monsters are actually here and interacting with humans. Though, there’s still no such thing as vampires…I think.

“I’m bored.”

Hepyn scoffs. “There are many tasks you can busy yourself with.”

Turning, I hitch my hip against the counter and stare at him. He’s seemed a bit…down lately. His voice is still sharp, but it’s not as powerful as it used to be, and he’s taking more days off, which is entirely unlike him.

Something is going on. Zinni also seems to know it. He’s been treating Hepyn with more delicacy than usual. It’s pissing the taller monster off, though he hasn’t said anything in my presence. I think it has something to do with what Eissa told me months and months ago, and that makes me feel antsy all over.

Hepyn could be dying. Or close to it. He needs a human, but I don’t know how, and before Eissa could explain, I was cut off.

“Why don’t you go home and take a nap, grumpy?” I snark back. “Or…I don’t know. Go make an appointment at the clinic and see if a little cum will perk you up.”

His ears do that funny twitching thing they always do when he’s annoyed. His are shorter than Zinni’s and not as versatile at displaying emotion. But it seems to fit with his personality.

“I do not partake in human cum.”