Where Monsters Lie (The Monster Within 2)

Novac gives him a reproachful look but ruins the effect by smiling a little. “Come on, old friend. Let’s get you patched up.”

Helsing still refuses to go to the infirmary, but he agrees to settle down in the headmaster’s office while he patches himself up. True to Helsing’s nature, as stubborn and thick-headed as ever.

Erin and I walk back into the dining hall together, both grinning ear to ear. Luiza’s already gotten us breakfast, but I grab myself some coffee and pour an extra cup for the alp, who I’m hoping may still show up. I settle down between Owen and Sawyer, and Bennett comes over a little later, looking a little disgruntled and amused at the same time.

Piers settles down with us for a moment after delivering his father to the infirmary, but he doesn’t stay long before he darts back out to check on him again.

“So, you met my parents,” Bennett says to me as he catches me playing with the extra coffee cup in front of me at the table.

“They’re really nice,” I tell him. For giant bear-people, I add silently in my own head.

Just then, the alp appears suddenly at the table and climbs up onto it. I wave at him, and he just smiles back while he sticks a straw into the coffee I’ve given him. He’s a curious-looking little creature, standing only a few inches tall, he has a little white beard and a cap the same height as he is.

“Come here often?” I ask him nervously, and his smile grows wider. “Where d’you get that straw?”

“Over there!” he squeaks, pointing at the drink table.

“Oh … you talk,” I say, staring down at him.

Erin turns to look, frowning down at him. “Um … Avery? Who’s your … friend?”

I glance at the alp. “I’m sorry, sir,” I say to him as politely as possible. “I don’t know your name.”

“I go by Dieter,” he says helpfully.

I glance at Erin. “This is the alp who’s been sleeping on my chest.”

Her eyebrows shoot up. “You had an alp sleeping on your chest? For how long?”

“Since the first week in October,” Dieter says, tugging the straw down so that he can put his lips around it. “I know you. You’re the other sleeper, the one across the room.”

Erin and I share a glance. “I’m sorry I didn’t notice,” she says to me. She then glances at Dieter the alp and says hurriedly, “That I didn’t notice you! So sorry! I should have introduced myself!”

Nice save, I mouth at Erin as Dieter turns to focus on his coffee for a moment.

“These grounds couldn’t have been fresh,” Dieter sighs.

“Probably not,” I tell him apologetically. “We’re in a school. Most of the food here is mediocre at best.” Somewhere in the back of my head, I realize how surreal this whole situation is. I’m talking to the creature who’s responsible for my nightmares, who’s been literally sitting on my chest for months—and almost no one is batting an eye.

“A shame.” The little alp sits cross-legged on the table. “Now, I know what you’re going to ask me.”

Erin glances at me, then back at the alp before she turns away to engage Luiza in conversation. I wish I could do the same, but instead I turn to Dieter and lean over the table.

“What’s that?” I ask him.

“You’re going to ask me to leave you alone.”

I cock my head at him. “Well, I mean … that would be ideal, yes.”

“If it’s all the same to you, I’d really rather not,” he says seriously, his brows knitting together.

I smile. “It’s not all the same to me, though. I’ve been having terrible nightmares. I haven’t been able to sleep.”

“Oh, but what I do is so fun! And you’ve been an amazing host, truly.”

I stare at him. He’s clapping his hands together and staring up at me with wide, pleading eyes. He looks so sincere that for a moment, I almost consider it—and then I shake my head.

“I’m sorry, Dieter, but I have to ask you to go. I realize you’ve been having fun sitting on my chest and smothering me in my sleep—”