Summary:
Monsters Hollow #.5
Welcome to Monsters Hollow, where love knows no bounds—even in a town full of monsters!
When Principal Emrys Bogey sets his sights on the new schoolteacher, Jayden Bell, he's determined to win his heart. But as a bogeyman, he knows his unconventional nature and intimidating appearance might be too much for a human to handle. Can Principal Bogey find a way to woo his crush without scaring him away? Maybe there’s more to the sweet Jayden Bell than meets the eye…
Buckle up for the prequel ushering in a new cozy M/M monster romance series by Chloe Archer where the sparks fly and the spice sizzles!
Chapter 1
EMRYS
Seated in the chair in front of my large oak desk, little Billy of the DarkWing gargoyle clan stares up at me with wide, worried eyes. Like most gargoyles, he has gray skin and a more pronounced brow line that juts out slightly. His large, pointed ears angle toward the back of his head below a shock of messy black hair. At the moment, his leathery wings wrap around him protectively.
I frown and he gives a little gasp.
I attempt a smile, but that flashes my fangs and his big, dark eyes widen.
With an internal sigh, I lean back in my chair and retreat deeper into the folds of my cloak. Well, as much as my horns will allow, anyway.
Billy relaxes.
“Do you understand why flying in the classroom is not allowed?” I keep my voice even but stern.
He looks down and hunches his shoulders. “But I have wings. Sometimes I gotta stretch them,” he mumbles.
I arch an eyebrow. “And you need to drop spitballs on your peers in the process?”
Billy shrugs, his body language turning sulky.
Sometimes it’s hard having to be the one to curtail seemingly harmless, childish fun. But I have a school to run, and everyone’s safety is my primary responsibility.
I clear my throat meaningfully and Billy looks up at me again. “Such behavior is unacceptable. If it happens again, you’ll be serving detention with me. In the meantime, you’ll stay after class today and clean up the mess you made. Do you understand?” I may be a bogeyman, but I believe in helping students learn from their mistakes rather than simply punishing them.
He glances up with a relieved smile and nods rapidly. “Yes, Principal Boogey.”
I sigh aloud this time. “It’s Principal Bogey, not Boogey. It’s the surname of all bogeypeople.”
Billy tilts his head, his round-cheeked face instantly full of curiosity. “Isn’t boogeyman the same thing? Whydya have to say it all weird, Principal Boogey?”
Getting into semantics over British versus American English with a nine-year-old is really not worth my time today. Or ever. I encounter similar confusion among the parents of students on a regular basis. We are living in the United States, so I suppose I must make some concessions for their linguistic variations. But it is rather annoying at times.
I clear my throat and get back to the matter at hand. “Since this is your first infraction, I’m going to let you off with a warning today. No need to talk with your parents. In future, I expect you to behave yourself like the upstanding Mystic Hollow Elementary student I know you can be.” I focus on Billy and wave my hand at the open door to my office, the sharp, black claws at my fingertips pointing the way. “You may go back to class, but listen to your teacher and—” I lower my voice to its most serious register, “—behave.”
Billy grins widely and goes flying out the door—literally—his high-pitched words trailing after him in his wake. “Thanks, Principal Boogey! Please don’t hide under my bed!” His cackle of merriment echoes down the hallway.
I sigh yet again. Bogeypeople don’t really hide under beds to scare children.
Well, okay, some do.
Hiding under beds is in our nature, after all. It’s just not for me—I’d much rather help children than scare them in such an old-fashioned way—no matter what my archaic grandfather would no doubt have to say on the matter. He has firm notions on such things.
My godsend of an assistant pops her red-haired head in my office door. “You have a call on line one.”
“Thank you, Agatha.” I give her a warm smile, which doesn’t intimidate her in the slightest.
It also helps that she’s a lamia. She’s used to others misjudging her based on her appearance. The human legends about her people eating children are completely bogus nonsense. Here in Mystic Hollow she’s finally found safety and community, just like so many of the rest of us who have been unfairly labeled “dangerous” or “monstrous” based solely on our appearance.
She smiles back and slithers away on her serpentine lower body.
Clearing my throat, I pick up my phone and carefully select the correct button. Using phones can be tricky when you have claws, and don’t get me started on the challenges of cell phones with stupid scratchable screens and teeny-tiny digital keypads.
“Good afternoon. Principal Bogey speaking.”
The line’s silent.
“Hello?”
A deep, gravelly voice comes over the line. “Hello. My name is Dr. Targan Wildethorne. You might have heard of me—”
I sit up straight in my chair, senses on high alert. “Professor Wildethorne! I am quite familiar with your work. Your study of orc history was a scintillating read. I hear you’re currently working on a book about orc folklore?” Do I sound too much like a creepy fan? I take a deep breath and tone it down a bit. Still, I can’t believe I’m talking with such an esteemed historian among my Otherkind brethren.
“Erm, quite right. It’s been a daunting three-year research project, but I’ve collected all my data and am finally starting to pen the book now.”
I try to swallow the excitement bubbling up inside my chest. Dr. Wildethorne is an award-winning orc historian and scholar. Although he specializes in research on his own people, he’s also written some compelling studies of other species like the gargoyle and the minotaur. I secretly hope he’ll write one on my brethren someday. He’s taught at many universities over the years and recently retired right here in Mystic Hollow to focus on writing more books. It was quite the talk of the town when he decided to settle down among us after so many years traveling the globe from one prestigious institution to the next. Sadly, he’s remained something of a recluse ever since arriving, rarely seen about town and preferring instead to spend most of his time in the beautiful three-story Victorian house he bought down by the lake.
There’s an awkward pause and then he continues in a more halting fashion, his voice full of emotion I wasn’t expecting. “Due to some unexpected tragic circumstances, I’ve become the guardian of young orcling twins who lost their mother recently. As a confirmed bachelor, I haven’t the slightest notion how to care for them. I…er…was hoping you might have some suggestions? I didn’t know who else to call.” He gives a nervous, almost desperate laugh. “I thought perhaps the principal of an elementary school might be able to offer some guidance.”
I try not to hyperventilate. Such a famous and renowned scholar is asking for my help? I’m torn between being honored and slightly terrified I could mess this up. Get a grip, Emrys. You’re a professional! I force myself to take deep, even breaths as I think. “How old are these children?”
“Eight.”
My heart instantly aches. So young to lose their mother. Life is too unfair sometimes.
I resolve to do everything in my power to help these children. “First, let me express my deepest condolences for your, and their, loss.”
“Thank you.” The gruffness in Targan’s voice can’t conceal his pain. The wound is obviously still fresh for him too.
“If the children are going to be with you here in Mystic Hollow, they’ll find a wonderful and supportive community,” I assure him in a soft voice. “But they will also need to be registered for school. Have you thought about what you want to do in terms of their education?”
“They’ve been homeschooled for the last year while…uh…while some things were happening,” Targan says mysteriously. “I’ve hired a private tutor to continue that work for the rest of the spring term. After summer break, I intend to have them join Mystic Hollow Elementary. I’m confident that more social interaction with peers their age again will be beneficial.”
“I couldn’t agree more. Sounds like a wise course of action moving forward. I can arrange to have my assistant send you all the necessary paperwork to get them enrolled for fall classes.”
“Excellent. Thank you.” Targan clears his throat and pauses. “The children…they’re grieving the loss of their mother quite hard. I don’t know what to do to help them.”
Once again, my heart aches for these poor younglings. Losing a parent at such a tender age is always traumatizing. “Have you considered lining up some counseling or therapy for them?” I hastily add, “And, if I’m not overstepping, perhaps for you as well?”
“Yes. My dear friend, Vashyk DarkWing, is helping arrange that.”
I brighten. “Ah, I know Mr. DarkWing. He’s one of the school’s primary benefactors.” And the uncle of our loveable little troublemaker, Billy.
“Vash may be a gruff gargoyle on the outside, but he has a heart of gold.” Targan chuckles. “He just refuses to admit it. That tough, no-nonsense exterior sort of comes with his line of work.”
I clear my throat and return to the topic at hand. “While you all might benefit from some individualized therapy, I would strongly encourage family counseling as well.”
“I…hadn’t thought of that,” Targan murmurs.
Poor guy. Even over the phone I’m getting a good sense of how overwhelmed he is. “I know you mentioned this situation being new for you, one you weren’t prepared for. I’d guess you’re struggling a bit with the day-to-day business of parenting, am I right?”
“That’s putting it mildly.” Targan heaves a heavy sigh. “I’ve known the twins since they were born, but I was never anything more than a pseudo-uncle figure they saw every now and then. We aren’t actually blood related. The situation with their mother was…complicated.”
“All the more reason family counseling could be so beneficial for all of you. It can further assist you in coming to terms with your shared loss, but also help you learn how to work together and function moving forward. If you’d like, I can recommend a counselor in town who’s worked with some of the families I know.” I can’t keep the passion out of my voice. I know how much they’ll need this.
Targan indicates his interest and I share the counselor’s name and contact information, but he seems reluctant to hang up. Clearly there’s more on his mind.
I decide to ask some gently probing questions. “How are the children adjusting? How are you adapting?”
That opens the floodgates, and for the next five minutes, Targan Wildethorne dumps all his trials and tribulations on me. Fortunately, I have a lot of experience helping stressed-out parents and I listen attentively throughout. When he finally winds down, sounding utterly lost and alone, I ask, “Have you considered hiring a professional live-in nanny? Someone who could help care for the children and show you the ropes, as they say?”
“A…nanny?” Targan says almost wonderingly and then inhales sharply. “That’s…a brilliant idea.” He pauses. “I don’t know about live-in help though. I guard my privacy and personal space quite fervently.”
I can’t hold back a grin. Being able to help families is a huge part of why I became an educator. “Of course. That’s an understandable concern. But a professional will be discreet. You can easily negotiate a contract that suits your needs. We have several lawyers in town who could assist.”
He hums in thought. “I have my own attorney. I’ll reach out to her today.”
“Excellent.”
He hesitates. “May I ask, how would I go about finding a professional nanny, especially for two orclings? I have no experience in this realm. Never thought I’d ever have children under my roof—for more than a short visit, anyway.”
I glance at the business card I still have on my desk in a special spot. After all, it changed my life. “Are you familiar with ASSES?”
Targan coughs. “Excuse me?”
I chuckle. “The company’s acronym is memorable, if a bit unfortunate. I’m referring to the All-Species Specialized Employment Services.”
Targan grunts thoughtfully. “I may have heard the name before but I’ve never used their services.”
“I highly recommend them. We often use them for hiring exceptional teachers and staff. Why, even our most recent hire, Mr. Jayden Bell, was recruited through them.” My mind immediately conjures a vision of the amazing human teacher I’ve had an all-consuming crush on for the last six months.
“Ah, yes. I believe I heard about that. It was the prime topic of gossip all over town for a while—the first ever human teacher at Mystic Hollow Elementary, right?”
I feel my cheeks warm just at the thought of Jayden, er…I mean, Mr. Bell. “That’s correct. All-Species Specialized Employment Services doesn’t discriminate when it comes to identity. They recommend the best individuals for the job based on your specifications. I’ll admit I was initially a little hesitant about hiring Mr. Bell. Not because I didn’t think he could do the job or because he’s human, but I was worried that he might not fit in and would end up leaving. Then we’d be right back at square one. But I’m glad I trusted ASSES to know their business. Mr. Bell is one of our most beloved teachers already, and he fits right in with our staff.”
“Good to know. I appreciate the tip. I’ll be sure to investigate this agency and see if they can help me find someone suitable. Right now, I’m on a deadline for my book and I need all the assistance I can get.”
“Well, I do hope it all works out. Don’t hesitate to contact me again if you have any more questions. I’d also be happy to give you and the children a tour of the school any time. Like I mentioned earlier, I’ll have my assistant mail you the necessary paperwork, and we can get the children registered for fall classes.”
He agrees with obvious relief and shares his mailing information with me, offering his thanks once again before we end the call.
I lean back in my chair and smile, pleased that I could help and delighted at the prospect of having new children join our school. I have every confidence our students and staff will help these two young orclings find community and friends to support them as they adjust to their new life after such a sad loss.
Mystic Hollow has healed the hearts of many who’ve come here over the years. Situated in upstate New York, our quaint town was long ago declared a Sanctuary Haven for Otherkind who wish to live in safety and harmony. Similar towns exist on all continents, each with the same purpose. They’re all protected by magic, ensuring that no one may enter who wishes harm to those within the secure parameters of a town’s boundaries.
In general, there haven’t been many humans who’ve wanted to reside in Mystic Hollow. Even though humanity has known about Otherkind for hundreds of years, people still fear differences they don’t—and often aren’t willing to—understand. To be fair, many of the beings who reside in Mystic Hollow definitely give proof to the town’s local nickname of “Monsters Hollow” among humans. Most of the residents here are essentially the “monsters” from human myth and folklore—and far more real than humanity’s ancestors ever imagined. However, most of those stories are woefully inaccurate and infused with fear-mongering nonsense.
There’s a knock on my open door. I look up, and it’s as if my earlier comments conjured him. Jayden Bell walks in—and it’s just like the first time I saw him. My heart starts hammering wildly and my horns tingle. Worse yet, I can’t stop myself from openly staring at the man. He’s a vision. With his sparkling blue eyes, his floppy light brown hair streaked with copper and gold, and his constant happy smile, he seems to possess a personal aura that’s almost too bright for me to look at. But he’s so entrancing that I can’t avert my eyes.
While his beauty is captivating, it’s his kind-hearted nature and his love for his students that has truly won me over. Jayden is a rarity among humans. He has never shown fear toward me, or any other being in town. He accepts everyone as they are. It’s no wonder his students all adore him. I feel much the same.
Jayden smiles at me sunnily and I find myself smiling back, inadvertently revealing my fangs. I instinctively reach up to cover my mouth, but he doesn’t even flinch. I should know better than to hide, but I grew up in an integrated school among humans who were not always as accepting as Jayden is. Certain habits learned out of fear die hard, and not showing my fangs to humans is one of my most ingrained ones.
Clearing my throat, I remove my hand from my mouth and place it awkwardly on the desk, not quite knowing what to do with it.
Is it hot in here all of a sudden? My palm seems to be sweating. And maybe my forehead.
Gathering what little composure I can, I say, “Mr. Bell. How can I help you?”
Good. That sounded appropriate and professional. I am the principal of this school, after all.
Jayden takes a seat and gives me a warm, inviting smile that turns me to mush inside. “How are you today? You look happy.”
I probably do. I’m still riding that high of helping others in need. “I suppose I am. Not too long ago I had a call from Targan Wildethorne. Have you heard of him?”
Jayden blinks those big blue eyes at me. “No, I’m afraid I haven’t.”
I quickly explain who he is and why he reached out to me, adding, “I’m only telling you this because, given their age, the children will be in your class next fall. But please keep what I told you private as this is a delicate subject.”
Jayden’s eyes are brimming with tears and he wipes at them with a sniff. “Those poor babies! Of course, I’ll keep this information to myself, and I’ll do everything I can to help them adjust to school and make new friends in my class. You can count on me.”
Butterflies take flight in my stomach. “I have no doubt.”
Unexpectedly, Jayden straightens in his chair and a look of determination crosses his face. “I know this might seem a bit unexpected, but I came here with a purpose today.”
I swallow worriedly. My greatest fear echoes in my mind. Please don’t be quitting!
His next words obliterate my anxious thoughts. “I want to ask you out. On a date. With me.”
My heart skips a beat and then starts racing. Jayden Bell is asking me out? What is happening right now?
I covertly pinch myself and jolt from the pain. “Uh…” I manage after an awkward moment.
Jayden’s cheeks flush but he boldly holds his ground. “I like you,” he blurts out. “And I think you might like me too.” He gulps, his Adam’s Apple bobbing in his throat in a way that makes me suddenly want to lick it. “What do you say to dinner?”
This is a dream come true. If I hadn’t pinched myself, I’d think I was dreaming. But my fantasies quickly come crashing down and an unpleasant ache settles in my chest. “I would love to go with you—”
His face brightens.
“—but I’m technically your boss.” Jayden’s face falls and I somehow manage to grit out the rest. “Some might view it as an abuse of my power, or you trying to curry special favor with me. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize your job or your standing among the other teachers.”
Once again, Jayden’s expression softens. “I understand your concerns. I’ve had them too. That’s what’s held me back for so long. But I’ve come up with a plan to solve our problem.”
I blink at him, mystified but with a faint spark of hope igniting deep down inside. “What do you mean?”
He puffs out his chest with pride. “I spoke with Vice Principal Ironfist. She’s agreed to put through a special request with the school board to make her my direct supervisor if we want to date. That way we can ensure there aren’t any issues.”
For the first time in months, optimism surges in my chest. Could such a simple answer solve the problem that has been holding me back from pursuing Jayden for the last six months?
Also, I’m still having trouble believing he likes me. Likes me enough to go to Griselda Ironfist and ask for a solution to date me. My horns vibrate with hope.
“Call her,” he urges with a smug smile that makes me want to laugh. He looks far too proud of himself and utterly adorable.
With a slight shake of my hand, I grab the phone receiver and dial my vice principal’s extension.
“Hello?” she answers in a gruff, irritated voice.
“Griselda—” I start to say.
“I’ve told you a thousand times, Emrys. Call me Griz. No one calls me by my full first name if they want to keep all their limbs attached.” The menace in her words comes through loud and clear. Even I know better than to mess with a troll when she means business.
I clear my throat. “Deepest apologies…erm, Griz.”
She gives a loud snort of amusement. “Let me guess, that precious human teacher has finally gotten up the nerve to ask you out. Good for him. I like his gumption. Light knows, you weren’t going to be the one to make the first move.”
I feel my cheeks warm at her words. “I’m his boss! It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to ask him out.” I flash Jayden a quick glance. “I would never want him to feel pressured to accept an overture from me simply because I’m his supervisor.”
The glow of affection in Jayden’s eyes makes me wish for things I don’t even know are possible.
“Well, worry no more,” Griselda—Griz—says jovially. “He and I have worked things out. I can put through a special request to be his direct supervisor with the school board today. You probably don’t realize it since you’ve only been here for three years, but we have a rather long history of folks falling in love at the school. Given how small our town is, and the special circumstances we find ourselves in as a Sanctuary Haven for all beings, the town government has a fairly open-minded attitude toward workplace relationships. It shouldn’t be a problem.”
I want to weep tears of joy and frustration in equal measure. Why hadn’t I known about this? I’ve been tying myself up in knots over my interest in Jayden while being firmly convinced I could never transgress my professional boundaries with him.
My eyes focus on the sweet man in front of me, his visage clear, open, and honest. By some unfathomable miracle, he really does seem to want to be with me. He even figured out how to make it feasible for both of us while we continue to work together. I owe him the same kind of courage he’s shown me.
I straighten in my chair. “Please submit the paperwork. Today.”
Jayden’s grin goes super nova bright.
“Sure thing,” Griz says. “They should get back to us in a day or two, if you can wait until then.”
I’ve waited six long months. A few days more won’t matter. “Of course.”
“Good. I’ll let you know as soon as I hear.”
“Thanks, Griz. I appreciate your help and support.”
She scoffs. “No need for thanks. You should have come to me ages ago. I could have explained this all to you. I thought you were holding back because he’s human.”
I can’t blame her for that assumption. Interspecies dating can be challenging, especially when it comes to dating a human. While I do have some concerns, my feelings for Jayden long ago overrode most of them. “No, I was primarily concerned about the integrity of our professional relationship being maintained. I’m relieved to know there are viable options for us.”
“Good luck, Emrys. Jayden Bell’s one of the good ones. Don’t fuck this up.”
Her words give me strength. “I don’t intend to.”
We say our goodbyes and hang up. A slow grin spreads over my face as I regard Jayden. “She’s putting in the request today and we should hear back in the next day or two.”
He wriggles in his seat with obvious excitement. “How about we tentatively plan on dinner Friday night? We should have heard back by then.”
“That sounds perfect.” I square my shoulders and tell him what I’ve dreamed of saying for months. “I like you too, and I very much want to get to know you better.”
The shrill ring of the school bell resounds throughout the building, and Jayden gives me a regretful smile. “My free period is over, so I’ve got to get going. Let me handle the dinner arrangements, okay?”
“Sure. I can’t wait.”
He hurries out of my office, and I spend the rest of the day with a huge smile on my face, fangs out and all.
Chloe Archer writes queer sci-fi and paranormal rom coms with laugh out loud humor because she’s all about bringing the funny-sexy back. Oh, yeah!
She currently call Minnesota home, but has lived abroad in places like Montreal, Edinburgh, and Tokyo. She’s hoping to relocate to Scotland permanently in the next few years if the stars align.
Chloe is a fur mama to two adorable Yorkies, Jasper and Teddy, and she loves them in a crazy dog mama kind of way. When she isn’t busy writing, she enjoys visiting friends and family, traveling, reading, binge watching movies and TV shows, and practicing her karaoke skills. She does a mean cover of Pat Benatar and Cher, or so she’s been told.
The Bogeyman and the Schoolteacher #.5
Monsters Hollow Series
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