Page 10 of Quiet Burn

That’s probably a dumb suggestion, but I enjoy chaos and my dick’s hard…. sue me.

Nerd Rage

Kit/Kat

Everyone acted really fuckingweirdat lunch after I devoured my dessert, so I backed off my blunt assessment of their critical thinking skills. Dottie kept sniffing around and giving me looks I couldn’t interpret; I have no idea what got into her. The entire thing was so damn bizarre, and it didn’t get any better after Anton arrived. He looked at everyone, then at me, and dropped his tray with a clatter that even made O jump a little.

Satan help me with a pack full of fucking dudes, man.

I blink when I realize they’ve got me switching my colloquialisms already. If only the snot ball people at my old school—including the stinky twins—could see me now… No one would believe it; Kat Camponella being social, eating, and not slinking around trying to be invisible would be too far-fetched. Still, I don’t feel like anything is changing for the worse, so it’s okay. Everyone has to grow up at some point, and this is my new era.

“Keep telling yourself that, Kit,” I mumble to myself as Zavida walks beside me. The kitsune was assigned to walk me toAncient Demon Lineage—another class I have on my own—and he’s been quiet as a mouse.

“What did you say?”

My head turns and I feel heat crawling up my neck when he catches me talking to myself. “Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

He frowns, scratching his chin. “You can talk to me, you know. I know I have shit to make up for, and I will, but I’m not going to do anything bad.”

Oh, we’re going there, huh?

“Zavida, I appreciate that sentiment, but trust has to be earned. You’re in the negative in that column because of your dumb shit, so it’s going to take time.” I see him wince and sigh, feeling a pang of pity for the guy. “That doesn’t mean you won’t get there. Just… start thinking for yourself and stop letting that fuckwad lead you around by the dick.”

This timeheturns red and my eyes widen when I realize I’ve probably hit on something very private. He coughs, then finally nods. “I know what you meant. It’s not an excuse, more of a reason, but Jasper has been a big support system. He’s rough in public, but he’s… not the same when we’re alone. That makes it hard to separate, but I’m determined to do it.”

We come to the doors for the academic building and I grab one before he can get to it. He frowns, trying to communicate something to me with his eyebrows that I don’t get. I roll my eyes at him and point to the open space. “Dude, just go in. I got it.”

The huff he lets out is puzzling, and I follow him to the elevator with a puzzled expression. Sometimes, I think males ofeveryspecies are so damn odd that no one should be expected to figurewhat the hell is up their ass. They’re so fucking sensitive about the weirdest shit that it’s impossible to know what the right move is. He fidgets as we wait for the car, then we pile in with a group of other students. The bulk of them get off on the second floor, so we’re alone after they exit.

That’s when the small fox shifter pushes the button, jerking the elevator to a stop abruptly.

What the fuck?

“I’m going to be late,” I grit out. “The professors are not exactly forgiving with me like they might be with you dipshits.”

Zavida walks closer to me, looking at me seriously. “You have to let me do things.”

“Huh?”

He rakes his hand through his rusty locks, looking frustrated. “I know you don’t know how all of this works, so I’m trying to be patient. But… people already see me as weak.”

I frown, making a confused face at him. “So? Who the fuck cares? Random people’s opinions don’t mean shit. The only people you should worry about are your family and friends, Zav.”

My words seem to agitate him more, and he throws his hands up in the air. “That’s not how this world works, Kit. Appearances, reactions, and emotions are how you’re measured, especially now that the Games are in play. Notice how Lucian was supposed to make some big announcement and thendidn’t?”

Damn, he’s right. The guys were being so strange that I forgot about it.

“He did that to get everyone’s attention. Failing to follow through means it could come atany time, which will put him and his power on every demon in Discordia's mind all day. He’s toying with our perceptions and emotions, especially the fear some of the lower level guys are feeling.”

“Ohhhhh…” I say as it hits me. “Fuck, that asshole is smarter than I gave him credit for.”

“Pit demonsalwaysare, Kit. They were created to torture and extract things from demons for the King. Lucian is ancient as hell and he knows how to do his job extremely well. This won’t be the last time he manipulates the entire student body for his own entertainment or gain.”

I scratch my forehead, muddling through his words carefully. “I badly need to catch up on demon types. Like, I have to learn their powers, their strengths, their weaknesses…. everything. I’ll be a hindrance if I don’t know how to think around these idiots.”

Zavida smiles and I see the hint of color surrounding him perk up. “I could help with that. Studying is one of my less unsavory skills. Maybe I could make some flashcards?”

The excitement on his face is kind of cute, so I lick my lips, considering his offer. After a moment, I nod slowly. “Okay. You make some stuff up and maybe some of you can quiz me? I think Salem and Oriel would help if you make them a set.”

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