Where Monsters Lie (The Monster Within 2)

Aunt Trish sighs heavily and sets the dagger on the table. “Avery, you’re not supposed to be hunting yet, are you? Isn’t it illegal?”

I didn’t know she knew that. I cock my head to the side.

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

What’s 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.

“You’re not in trouble. That’s not why I’m 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. Couldn’t she have brought this up at literally any other moment this summer? “You’re saying you’re really …”

“Okay with it?” she finishes for me. “Not yet. It’s dangerous and scary, and I don’t like the thought of you … ending up like your mother.” She looks meaningfully at me, and I know what she’s saying. My parents died hunting a monster. A monster I’ve met, actually, but Aunt Trish doesn’t 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 don’t know if I want to forgive him.

But I don’t 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 mean—I’m not sure I’ll want to see him again, so I doubt he’ll 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 can’t trust him anymore. People like me, once they’ve crossed you … I don’t know if I can forgive him.”

All at once, my aunt’s eyes harden. “I see.” She reaches up to scratch at her chin. “Then I suppose I’ll 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, it’s easier to see the family resemblance between her and my mother. I’m surprised Aunt Trish

never tried to be a hunter. She certainly has the balls for it.

When Aunt Trish emerges from the kitchen again, she’s bearing some toast on a napkin. “I know you like to go to the airport by yourself, but take some breakfast, won’t 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 I’ll 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.

I’ve never been very sentimental. I guess that’s what makes us so different. I guess that’s the reason she never followed in her sister’s footsteps and became a hunter too.

This life isn’t for everyone.

I know I’m lucky, but I’ll need more than that if I’m going to make it through this year. If I thought last year was tough, I know I’ve got another thing coming.