Free Finding Monsters by Liss Thomas Page A

objective co m panion. Not to worry, Ala s taire is going with her, he’ll be able to help and coach her through the quest without interfering,” Atian said.
    Charlie sulked around the room as he contemplated his next question and the real reason for his agitation. Moving to the wi n dow, he looked out and spotted Missy in full training mode with Vrag. The D e vil stood several feet taller, but Missy had agility on her side. She moved with swift and fluid moves against him. Alastaire stood on the sidelines shouting instru c tions as the duo practiced.
    “Charlie, what is really bothering you?” Atian asked, breaking his son from the distraction. Charlie glanced back down once more then turned to face his father. He dropped his eyes as his thoughts caused his face to flush. Atian grimaced at his son’s obvious nervousness.
    “I see,” Atian began. “You want to take Missy as your m a te before her next quest, is that it?”
    Charlie nodded but didn’t meet his father’s gaze. “How is it you know my thoughts so well? Charlie asked.
    “It is not hard, son. You look at her the way I look at your mother. It is not hard to guess, but you are too young, Charlie. And she’s even younger. It’s not as simple as going through the ceremony. You don’t know what you want yet.”
    “I know exactly what I want, father.” Charlie’s fierceness charged his words with unnecessary venom. Atian whirled on his son, lips pulled back and snarling.
    “Have you mated with her?” he spat.
    “No!” Charlie shouted back.
    “Then why your impatience to wait? You are barely seve n teen by human years and she’s not even sixteen yet. Perhaps in four more years you may join.”
    “Father, please, I don’t want to wait.” He held up his hands to stifle his father’s interrupting questions, “and it’s not about the mating part,” he finished.
    “Then what, Charlie?” Atian’s hard voice showed no signs of letting up, but then his gaze clouded a few seconds before he snapped back. He refocused his eyes, now softer, and rolled them.
    “My mother agrees with me,” Charlie hedged.
    “She wants me to listen with a more open mind,” Atian scowled.
    “I want that . The silent communication you and mother have. I want to know if Mi s sy’s upset, or hurt, or disappointed. When she tells me she’s fine, I want to know she means it. And when she’s on this quest—” Charlie stopped, a catch in his voice betra y ing a depth of emotions he couldn’t hide from his father. His father moved closer and placed a hand on his shou l der.
    “She’ll be fine, Charlie.”
    “We don’t know that. She could get seriously hurt, or worse,” he croaked.
    “Charlie,” Atian started, “we won’t let anything happen to her. Sir Alastaire will protect her. Vrag and I will be ready to come to her aid in case anything should happen.”
    “How will you know when she’s in trouble?”
    Atian sighed and shook his head. “Well, if you join with her you will know, won’t you? But would you still want her if she fails in her quests?” Atian asked.
    “Yes, father, I would still want her. There is no one else. Is there any other reason why I should wait? Just to see if she passed the quests and becomes a monster like me? I never wanted her to change for me. I envisioned myself as a human like her. I would change for her in a heartbeat if it meant we could be together forever and she wouldn’t have to face an y more danger. Even in a weakened state, I would be happy. She is all I want now, father.” Charlie watched his father’s face. He didn’t fear his father would reject his request now, but would Missy? She proved to be strong for a human, even when he’d know her in her world, sickly and b e dridden, she had been a fighter. He didn’t see her backing down from her quests just because of his fear of her getting hurt.
    “I have no doubt that Missy will join with you now, but I doubt she will leave off her quests afte r