Moth (Monstrous, #5)

by Lily Mayne

He shook his head again, sharper this time. “No, but we were… I thought he was interested. But then…”

NOOOO I JUST REALIZED WHATEVER MADE HIM VANISH ON CHARLIE IS PROBABLY WHAT MADE HIM VANISH ON GHOST OMGGGG he must be so upset knowing ghost lost interest in him for something (i'm assuming) he can't control :((((

“He was a lying asshole.” “So? You can’t kill people just because they’re assholes!” I stilled and focused intently on Moth. “Do you kill people just because they’re assholes?” He gave a tiny, noncommittal shrug, like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to admit it or not in case I started yelling. “Jesus, Moth.” I swiped a hand over my head then down my face, pulling at the skin briefly as I stared up at the dark sky. “How many assholes have you killed?” He looked both bewildered and mildly sheepish. “Am I supposed to keep track?”

“I love every part of you,” I told him. “You’re perfect.”

i am feeling SO MANY things

“I just hate everyone.” He was silent for a moment, before he croaked, “I don’t hate you.”

[blank space voice] screaming crying

“They… they run a cult out here,” he said quietly, making me go totally still.

WHOOOOOOOA IS HIS DAD THE HERALD

“My progenitor is the… ruler, but their followers are people. Humans who think my progenitor is a god or prophet or something.

gloam not trusting him makes sense now but also is mildly hypocritical like my dude you're gonna judge moth for who his parent is? look at ur brothers!!! it's not moth's fault!!

I wondered who they wanted him to find.

probably fucking gloam (or mary) which, again, makes me a little angry at gloam rn !

Moth, when I look at you, I don’t sit there picking out things that could be perceived as flaws. Because they’re not flaws. They’re just a part of you. And I love every part of you. You’re beautiful.”

We’ve come all this way—tell us!

alexander i came all this way (she came all this way)

When the Herald had summoned me from the prison, it was to order me to go and find the third aytorin.

I FUCKING CALLEDDDDDDDD ITTTTTTTT

And he did make me happy. He was the only thing I could remember making me truly happy in almost my entire life.

😭😭😭😭😭😭

Everyone treated Moth so badly, even those who had witnessed his abuse. And look at Gloam’s fucking brothers. He was one to talk about not trusting Moth because of who his parent was when his own siblings served as their protectors. If I ever made it back to that camp, I was going to give that fucking monster a piece of my mind.

THATS 👏🏻 WHAT 👏🏻 IM 👏🏻 SAYING 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

As the aytorin tugged me forward, making me stumble, I realised one of the cells was occupied. I locked eyes with the young guy sitting inside. He had pale blond hair, sad brown eyes and a smattering of freckles across his nose and cheekbones.

samson 🥺

“Run away from the humans next time,” I told it flatly. “They’re all shit. Except for one.”

Then it curled up into a ball beside me, its butt pressed against my thigh and tail curling around my shin. I grunted in irritation and slammed my eyes shut, trying to will myself to sleep. My hand slipped off my stomach, and my eyes flew open again when the creature immediately yanked it closer before squishing its cheek into my palm, using my hand as a fucking pillow.

he has a pet 🥺😭🥺😭

“I don’t… I don’t think I was ever actually in love with Ghost,” I croaked to Chuck. “I think I just convinced myself I was because he didn’t seem to care about my monster side. Because he didn’t immediately look at me with disgust. I just clung onto him.”

hell yeah and now you love CHARLIE

“Have you thought about what you’re going to do?” he asked, keeping his eyes on the ground. “After we get back?” “No,” I said quickly. “No plans yet.” Ask me to stay with you.

“I liked your safehouse.” I’d live there with you. Just ask me. Fucking ask me.

I could feel Moth physically restraining himself, before he gave up and ran toward her. She chirped excitedly and scurried up his legs the moment he was in reach, clinging onto his front like a baby spider monkey.

reunited 😭😭😭😭

“She’s clearly already in love with you.” You and me both, girl.

“Both of us are back safe. And you and I are going to have a little talk.”

YES GO OFF

“Don’t make me say it,” he mumbled. “Everyone’s… watching.” I let out a shaky laugh, tugging him closer. “Hell no, slayer, I’m gonna make you say it.” Moth glared at me without heat. “Such a shithead. Fine, I…” He swallowed again, but lifted his chin and stared at me with a determined expression, even as his voice wavered when he said, “I love you.”

SCREEEEEEAMING

Chuck loped along behind us with a chirp, and I glanced back to give her a smile even as I wondered how we could get rid of her for a little while. Lovingly. I wondered it lovingly. But still.

“Danny needs food.” Daisy tutted, not even looking at him as he loomed over the counter with his hood up and his face concealed by impenetrable darkness. “We’ve talked about this, scary man.” His blackened fingers flexed, and he was silent as Daisy ladled stew into two bowls and passed them to me and Charlie. “Please,” he snarled eventually. “Danny needs food please.” She tutted again, grabbing another bowl. “Better.”

would die for daisy

I knew I’d still want to be alone sometimes—I didn’t want to stay at the camp full time—but the difference was… I wanted to be alone with him.