Monstrous Ends

MONSTROUS ENDS FORGOTTEN CITY: BOOK THREE K.A. KNIGHT Monstrous Ends (Forgotten City Book Three). This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to places, events or real people are entirely coincidental. Copyright © 2023 K.A. Knight, all rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review. Written by K.A. Knight Edited By Jess from Elemental Editing and Proofreading. Proofreading by Norma’s Nook Proofreading LLC. Formatted by Mallory Kent. Cover by TrifBookDesign. CONTENTS Prologue Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Epilogue BONUS CHAPTER About K.A. Knight Also by K.A. Knight Are you ready for the end? PROLOGUE LYRA “Shit, shit, shit, shit,” I mutter as I shove files and folders into my bag as quickly as I can, my head jerking up at every sound. I could be found any minute now. It may be the middle of the night, and I may have bribed a guard with a date to let me up here, claiming I just like exploring skyscrapers—stupid, I know—but soon enough, they will realise who I am and just what I’m doing here. I shove as many files in my bag as I can before leaping from the chair and racing through the empty offices of Nano Industries. I stop, my eyes going to the elevator then back to the chairman’s locked office. Don’t do it, Lyra. I’ve never been able to pass up a story, however, and this one? This one is going to be incredible. I can see the headlines now—Corrupt Scientific Lab Exposed for Its Wrongdoings. I’ll be back on top in no time, not to mention smearing it in Dad’s smug face. Hiking my bag higher on my shoulder, I hurry to the door and drop to my knees, pulling out my trusty kit and picking the lock as swiftly as I can. It’s a skill I learned when I was a kid. It was either that or stay locked in my room all the time. Pushing open the door, I scurry across the luxurious carpet, ignoring the stunning views of Athesa beyond, and plop my ass into his leather chair, wiggling the mouse to bring his computer to life. The lock is easy to bypass if you know how, and I do. Life made sure of it. I learned as much as I could about . . . arts that might further my career—breaking and entering being one. Hey, I never said the job was all clean and squeaky, but it sure is fun. I stick the USB in and start copying emails and folders before one catches my eye. Hovering the mouse over it, I finally relent and click. There are video files inside, and I pick one at random. The screen opens, and my jaw drops at the contents. I stare at the video in shock when I hear footsteps. Quickly downloading it to a flash drive, I lock the computer and run from the office. The footsteps are closer now. Someone’s checking offices. “She has to be here. You idiot, we need to get her out before they realise she’s here.” Oops. I veer from the elevator to the stairs, placing my hand on the door when a light hits me. “There she is. Get her!” “Sorry, got to go!” I call as I push through the door and fling my chubby ass down the stairs. I might have hips, an ass, and a belly to show for my love of food, but damn, can I move. Everyone always thinks the curvy girl is bad at sports, and I love to shove it in their faces that I’m not. I just hit the bottom floor when the guards’ radios crackle. “She’s a fucking reporter! Stop her now, she accessed files!” That’s my cue to get the fuck out of here. I sprint through the reception area and break out into the night air. I don’t slow my steps, not even when I hit the pavement. I keep running, aiming for my bike, but when I skid around the corner, police are surrounding it and talking into their radios. Fucking dirty cops. Spinning around, I spot an alley and head for it, intending to lie low, but the bloody guards call after me, notifying the cops of my presence. This is turning into a really fun night. Let’s hope I don’t end up getting arrested again. I have a feeling not even my father could save me this time. “Hands up! You are under arrest for trespassing and theft!” I turn with my hands in the air, grinning into the bright light of their torches as I start to back away. “Um, I’m kind of busy today. Can we do the whole handcuff thing tomorrow maybe? Not that I’m not into it, I like being tied up as much as the next girl, but tonight really isn’t a good night.” “Stop moving!” the man barks. Glancing over my shoulder, I find I’m almost to the alley and the darkness beyond. “See you later, boys!” I grin as I take off running. Fuck, I have nowhere to go. I can’t go back; they’ll be watching my apartment and my work, which leaves one option—the slums. I really need to stop trusting