Search Jump: Comments
    Chapter Index
    Back to Story
    Cover of Gods & Monsters
    FantasyRomance NovelYoung Adult

    Gods & Monsters

    by Mahurin, Shelby
    “Gods & Monsters” by Shelby Mahurin is the final installment in the “Serpent & Dove” trilogy, a YA fantasy series blending French-inspired witchcraft, forbidden romance, and political intrigue. Following a devastating loss, protagonist Lou—now possessed by a powerful enemy witch—joins Reid, Beau, and Coco in a quest for vengeance against the dark witch Morgane. Themes of sacrifice, identity, and the blurred lines between good and evil drive the narrative as alliances are tested and divine forces intervene. The novel culminates in a high-stakes battle, resolving the trilogy’s central conflicts while exploring the cost of power and redemption. Its mix of action, mythology, and emotional depth solidifies its place in the YA fantasy genre.
    PreviousNext
    Gods & Monsters

    Death at the Waters

    by Mahurin, Shelby

    The chap­ter “Death at the Waters” fol­lows Nicholi­na, a cap­tive with a sin­is­ter agen­da, as she nav­i­gates her impris­on­ment by a group includ­ing a princess and a hunts­man. Despite being bound with poi­soned ropes, Nicholi­na rev­els in the psy­cho­log­i­cal tor­ment she inflicts, par­tic­u­lar­ly on the princess, whose suf­fer­ing is felt vic­ar­i­ous­ly by the hunts­man. Nicholi­na’s inter­nal mono­logue reveals her dis­dain for her cap­tors and her manip­u­la­tion of gold mag­ic, which she uses to carve cryp­tic mes­sages into her own flesh. The chap­ter estab­lish­es a tense pow­er dynam­ic, with Nicholi­na appear­ing sub­dued but secret­ly plot­ting revenge.

    Beneath the sur­face of Nicholi­na’s defi­ance lies a grow­ing unease about an unknown pres­ence lurk­ing with­in the gold mag­ic. This mys­te­ri­ous force, likened to a coiled snake, unset­tles her—a rare emo­tion for some­one who prides her­self on fear­less­ness. As the group pre­pares to jour­ney to L’Eau Mélan­col­ique, a cursed loca­tion tied to hid­den truths, Nicholi­na remains out­ward­ly com­pli­ant. How­ev­er, she secret­ly com­mu­ni­cates through the gold mag­ic, warn­ing her unseen mis­tress that the group is aware of their plans. The chap­ter hints at Nicholi­na’s frac­tured loy­al­ty and her fear of dis­ap­point­ing her mis­tress.

    Nicholi­na’s inter­nal con­flict esca­lates as she grap­ples with her mis­tress’s orders to spare the princess­es while elim­i­nat­ing the oth­ers. Her fury sim­mers as she resents the restric­tions placed on her vio­lence. Despite her cap­tiv­i­ty, Nicholi­na finds twist­ed plea­sure in the pain and chaos, taunt­ing the princess with prophe­cies of doom. The dia­logue between Nicholi­na and the princess reveals a bat­tle of wills, with the princess attempt­ing to sway Nicholi­na by pre­dict­ing her even­tu­al betray­al by Mor­gane, Nicholi­na’s mis­tress. Nicholi­na dis­miss­es these warn­ings, cling­ing to her loy­al­ty.

    The chap­ter cul­mi­nates in a tense exchange as Nicholi­na and the group tra­verse a storm-warned path near the for­est. Nicholi­na’s eerie laugh­ter and cryp­tic rhymes unset­tle the hunts­man, while the princess con­tin­ues to chal­lenge her psy­cho­log­i­cal­ly. The appear­ance of a three-eyed crow fore­shad­ows impend­ing dan­ger. The princess’s final plea for Nicholi­na to switch alle­giances is met with bit­ter rejec­tion, as Nicholi­na vows to drown the group in L’Eau Mélan­col­ique. The chap­ter ends with a sense of inevitable con­fronta­tion, leav­ing Nicholi­na’s fate—and her loyalty—uncertain.

    Down­load Free PDF

    FAQs

    • 1. What is the significance of the “poisoned ropes” mentioned in the opening paragraph, and how does Nicholina’s reaction to them reveal her character?

      Answer:
      The poisoned ropes symbolize the physical and magical restraints placed on Nicholina by the huntsman and princess (likely Reid and Coco). While these bonds cause raw wounds and pain, Nicholina perversely relishes the friction, viewing it as mutual suffering—particularly emphasizing how the huntsman is tormented by seeing the princess harmed. This reveals her sadistic nature and twisted perception of control: she derives power from others’ distress, even when imprisoned. Her defiance (“we rub until our wrists are raw”) underscores her resilience and refusal to be subdued, traits central to her antagonistic role.

      2. Analyze the dual meanings behind Nicholina’s carved message, “THEY KNOW. DEATH AT THE WATERS.” How does this foreshadow events while also reflecting her internal conflict?

      Answer:
      The message serves as both a warning to her mistress (Morgane) about the group’s awareness of their plans and a threat to her captors. “Death at the Waters” foreshadows Nicholina’s intent to drown them in L’Eau Mélancolique, a cursed location tied to secrets. However, the carving also exposes her fear of failure (“our mistress will not be pleased”) and her desperation to prove loyalty despite being physically restrained. The gold magic’s reluctant obedience (“it does not trust me”) hints at her unstable control, mirroring her internal struggle between fury and subservience to Morgane.

      3. How does the chapter use contrasting imagery (e.g., mice/snakes, gold magic/“newfound presence”) to build tension?

      Answer:
      The recurring “mouse” metaphor for the princess (Lou) contrasts with Nicholina’s serpentine imagery (“coils like a snake”), emphasizing predator-prey dynamics. This duality heightens tension as Nicholina vacillates between dominance and vulnerability. Similarly, the “gold magic”—a tool Nicholina manipulates—is juxtaposed with an ominous, unnamed presence lurking beneath it, which frightens her. This contrast underscores the chapter’s central conflict: Nicholina’s perceived control versus the unpredictable forces (e.g., Lou’s resistance, the mysterious “gift”) that threaten her plans. The three-eyed crow further amplifies unease, symbolizing supernatural surveillance and impending doom.

      4. Evaluate Nicholina’s assertion that “true pain lies deep within.” How does this philosophy drive her actions in the chapter?

      Answer:
      Nicholina dismisses physical pain (raw wrists, numbness) as insignificant compared to psychological torment, which she inflicts and fears in equal measure. Her cruelty—like taunting Lou about her mother’s betrayal—stems from this belief, targeting emotional wounds over bodily harm. Yet her own “true pain” is revealed through her obsessive need for Morgane’s approval (“we must make our mistress proud”). This drives her reckless actions (e.g., carving messages, planning drownings) despite risks. The philosophy exposes her hypocrisy: she weaponizes others’ inner suffering while being equally enslaved by her own.

      5. What does the dialogue between Nicholina and Lou reveal about their power dynamic, and how might it evolve?

      Answer:
      Their mental exchanges show a shifting balance: Nicholina mocks Lou’s trapped state, but Lou retaliates by undermining her loyalty to Morgane (“she’ll kill you at the first opportunity”). Lou’s insight into Nicholina’s precarious position—and her offer of alliance—hints at potential vulnerability beneath Nicholina’s bravado. The dynamic evolves from pure antagonism to a nuanced battle of wits, with Lou exploiting Nicholina’s fear of betrayal. This sets up future conflict, as Nicholina’s resolve (“we must obey”) clashes with Lou’s attempts to manipulate her distrust of Morgane.

    Quotes

    • 1. “The huntsman and the princess mean to punish me with their poisoned ropes, but we relish the friction. We rub until our wrists are raw. Until her wrists are raw.”

      This opening quote establishes Nicholina’s defiant, almost masochistic perspective as a captive, revealing her twisted pleasure in the suffering of both herself and her captors. It introduces the chapter’s central power struggle.

      2. “They seek L’Eau Mélancolique, but Chateau le Blanc is its sister. Its neighbor. We will not struggle. We will not fight. Though our right hand is numb, they do not know our left has sensation. Has pain. We can move through pain.”

      A crucial moment where Nicholina reveals her hidden advantage and strategic patience. The quote demonstrates her deceptive nature and foreshadows impending violence, while also touching on the theme of pain as a motivator.

      3. “The gold bursts in a delicate spray as the letters carve themselves into our flesh. Into our back. THEY KNOW. And then—DEATH AT THE WATERS.”

      This visceral, magical act serves as both a warning and a turning point in the narrative. The self-inflicted message encapsulates the chapter’s ominous tone and foreshadows the coming confrontation at the waters.

      4. “They know nothing of pain. No, no, no, true pain lies outside the sensation of blood and skin. It lies beyond blisters. It lies deep within.”

      A philosophical statement that reveals Nicholina’s warped worldview and serves as a key to understanding her character. The quote distinguishes physical suffering from deeper emotional torment that drives her actions.

      5. “You’ve chosen the wrong side, Nicholina. You’ve lost. Reid and Coco will never allow us near the Chateau now.”

      This internal dialogue represents the psychological battle between Nicholina and her captive (the princess), highlighting the theme of betrayal and foreshadowing potential shifts in allegiance. It’s a pivotal moment of doubt in Nicholina’s certainty.

    Quotes

    1. “The huntsman and the princess mean to punish me with their poisoned ropes, but we relish the friction. We rub until our wrists are raw. Until her wrists are raw.”

    This opening quote establishes Nicholina’s defiant, almost masochistic perspective as a captive, revealing her twisted pleasure in the suffering of both herself and her captors. It introduces the chapter’s central power struggle.

    2. “They seek L’Eau Mélancolique, but Chateau le Blanc is its sister. Its neighbor. We will not struggle. We will not fight. Though our right hand is numb, they do not know our left has sensation. Has pain. We can move through pain.”

    A crucial moment where Nicholina reveals her hidden advantage and strategic patience. The quote demonstrates her deceptive nature and foreshadows impending violence, while also touching on the theme of pain as a motivator.

    3. “The gold bursts in a delicate spray as the letters carve themselves into our flesh. Into our back. THEY KNOW. And then—DEATH AT THE WATERS.”

    This visceral, magical act serves as both a warning and a turning point in the narrative. The self-inflicted message encapsulates the chapter’s ominous tone and foreshadows the coming confrontation at the waters.

    4. “They know nothing of pain. No, no, no, true pain lies outside the sensation of blood and skin. It lies beyond blisters. It lies deep within.”

    A philosophical statement that reveals Nicholina’s warped worldview and serves as a key to understanding her character. The quote distinguishes physical suffering from deeper emotional torment that drives her actions.

    5. “You’ve chosen the wrong side, Nicholina. You’ve lost. Reid and Coco will never allow us near the Chateau now.”

    This internal dialogue represents the psychological battle between Nicholina and her captive (the princess), highlighting the theme of betrayal and foreshadowing potential shifts in allegiance. It’s a pivotal moment of doubt in Nicholina’s certainty.

    FAQs

    1. What is the significance of the “poisoned ropes” mentioned in the opening paragraph, and how does Nicholina’s reaction to them reveal her character?

    Answer:
    The poisoned ropes symbolize the physical and magical restraints placed on Nicholina by the huntsman and princess (likely Reid and Coco). While these bonds cause raw wounds and pain, Nicholina perversely relishes the friction, viewing it as mutual suffering—particularly emphasizing how the huntsman is tormented by seeing the princess harmed. This reveals her sadistic nature and twisted perception of control: she derives power from others’ distress, even when imprisoned. Her defiance (“we rub until our wrists are raw”) underscores her resilience and refusal to be subdued, traits central to her antagonistic role.

    2. Analyze the dual meanings behind Nicholina’s carved message, “THEY KNOW. DEATH AT THE WATERS.” How does this foreshadow events while also reflecting her internal conflict?

    Answer:
    The message serves as both a warning to her mistress (Morgane) about the group’s awareness of their plans and a threat to her captors. “Death at the Waters” foreshadows Nicholina’s intent to drown them in L’Eau Mélancolique, a cursed location tied to secrets. However, the carving also exposes her fear of failure (“our mistress will not be pleased”) and her desperation to prove loyalty despite being physically restrained. The gold magic’s reluctant obedience (“it does not trust me”) hints at her unstable control, mirroring her internal struggle between fury and subservience to Morgane.

    3. How does the chapter use contrasting imagery (e.g., mice/snakes, gold magic/“newfound presence”) to build tension?

    Answer:
    The recurring “mouse” metaphor for the princess (Lou) contrasts with Nicholina’s serpentine imagery (“coils like a snake”), emphasizing predator-prey dynamics. This duality heightens tension as Nicholina vacillates between dominance and vulnerability. Similarly, the “gold magic”—a tool Nicholina manipulates—is juxtaposed with an ominous, unnamed presence lurking beneath it, which frightens her. This contrast underscores the chapter’s central conflict: Nicholina’s perceived control versus the unpredictable forces (e.g., Lou’s resistance, the mysterious “gift”) that threaten her plans. The three-eyed crow further amplifies unease, symbolizing supernatural surveillance and impending doom.

    4. Evaluate Nicholina’s assertion that “true pain lies deep within.” How does this philosophy drive her actions in the chapter?

    Answer:
    Nicholina dismisses physical pain (raw wrists, numbness) as insignificant compared to psychological torment, which she inflicts and fears in equal measure. Her cruelty—like taunting Lou about her mother’s betrayal—stems from this belief, targeting emotional wounds over bodily harm. Yet her own “true pain” is revealed through her obsessive need for Morgane’s approval (“we must make our mistress proud”). This drives her reckless actions (e.g., carving messages, planning drownings) despite risks. The philosophy exposes her hypocrisy: she weaponizes others’ inner suffering while being equally enslaved by her own.

    5. What does the dialogue between Nicholina and Lou reveal about their power dynamic, and how might it evolve?

    Answer:
    Their mental exchanges show a shifting balance: Nicholina mocks Lou’s trapped state, but Lou retaliates by undermining her loyalty to Morgane (“she’ll kill you at the first opportunity”). Lou’s insight into Nicholina’s precarious position—and her offer of alliance—hints at potential vulnerability beneath Nicholina’s bravado. The dynamic evolves from pure antagonism to a nuanced battle of wits, with Lou exploiting Nicholina’s fear of betrayal. This sets up future conflict, as Nicholina’s resolve (“we must obey”) clashes with Lou’s attempts to manipulate her distrust of Morgane.

    Note