Page 109 of Quiet Burn

I can’t say that, of course, because I don’t talk in this form. Half-shifted, sure, but not in the full monte. Instead, I ruffle my tailfeathers, puffing up as my feet stomp around to warn the familiar off. This is my time and she needs to fuck off before KK gets scared. I like Dottie, but I might strangle the little shit if she messes this up. Guilt fills me and I groan internally. Of course I won’t hurt the damn rodent, but Idowant her to back the fuck off.

X hisses softly, likely sensing my irritation, but they don’t lift their head. It feels like they’re nesting right now and it’s never a good idea to fuck with a nesting cobra, especially a seven foot tall one.

“Annie, can I… touch the feathers?”

There’s no way for me to vocalize just how much I want that, but I bob my head, hoping he gets it. His smile widens as I stop dancing in place to warn Dottie off and just stay within his reach. With Kit sitting, I’m tall enough for my feathers to stick up higher than his head and my beady bird eyes almost roll back into my head when his fingers smooth over the eye of one. His thumb rubs it gently, and a trilling coo of happiness escapes.

That’s when it hits me just how irrevocably fucked X and I are; there’s no going back now.

Talk

Kit/Kat

“Well, what in the fresh Hell is this shit?”

My eyes pop open at the sound of Jasper’s sarcastic drawl. Every part of me is warm and cozy, and when I move slightly, I remember why.

Oh, fuck.

The sound of four men in animal shifter form curled up around me tells me it wasn’t just a nice dream. Nope, it’s absolutely SnakeX, PandaSalem, PeacockAnton, and CrowOriel surrounding me in the little blanket nest in front of my chair. Dottie makes a tiny yawn sound, and I grin, leaning into her small face for a second for strength. Once I feel put together, I look at the three remaining caliphate members in the doorway. Zavida looks like he might want to scurry over and hide in his tails in this pile. Slash is grinning with his chin tucked to his chest, but I can tell he’s… pleased?

But Jasper looks frustrated and his eyes are full of an emotion I can’t decipher. It seems like he’s wrestling with something internally and I’m pretty sure no matter what I answer, it will be wrong. PandaSalem moves his fluffy head where it’s resting next to Dottie, his furry cheek rubbing on me lightly. I think it’s supposed to be encouragement, so I gather my courage and spunk up to reply to the grumpy ass demon prince.

“Salem said it’s like a puppy pile when he came home from Fae class and Oriel agreed.” Sticking my chin out, I run my fingers over the smooth snake skin that’s barely left my side for hours then the feathers of the surprisingly affectionate peacock on my other side. “X was with me resting and I said they could show me their snake. Anton felt them shift and came to check on us. I said it was okay for Annie to show me, too. Do you have a problem with me doing exactly what you assholes said I need to do before the Games start?”

My words must catch the dragon by surprise because he sputters incoherently. That makes Slash and Zav laugh, and they come into the room while Jasper continues to struggle with a response. Slash immediately walks over to ruffle my hair, making me flush, and grabs the tray of drinks off of the table by my chair.

“I will refill these, little demon. You and Xerxes must stay hydrated.”

That small gesture makes my chest flutter—I’ve never had someone worry so much about me.

SnakeXerxes hisses softly, then finally shifts their coils in what I assume is a stretch. That triggers a flurry of feathers and fur to move, and blood flows to my sleepy limbs again. Spikes of sensation tickle my body as they all stretch and wiggle in animalform. I know we need to move, especially because it’s obviously dinner time since the others are back. On Fridays, that’s pretty late, so we’ve been lazing about for a long fucking time. In fact, I’m not sure if I’ll even be able to sleep tonight because our nap was that long.

“It’s good that you and X were able to get so much rest,” Zavida says as he plops down on the floor close to the animal pile. “The doc will be happy, I bet. I’m not sure what will come from these three skipping all their classes, though.”

Unfortunately, that unbreaks Jasper’s speechlessness, and he snarls, “Without telling anyone you’d be gone, I bet. Another mess I’ll have to smooth over, especially if it gets to Darkstar.”

Slash returns with the tray of drinks, bending a bit to let me grab mine. “If you are going to scold them, Prince, they should shift back so they can answer for their behavior. It would be pointless to discuss otherwise.”

I frown at the big guy. We’re comfortable and I’m not eager for a lecture. “Why would you say that? He was quiet for once!”

PandaSalem sits up, his chubby panda body adorable as he yawns and stretches his paws in the air. The birds follow suit, and finally, Xerxes slithers off of me. I frown, feeling the warmth and safety slowly ebb when they’re not surrounding me. I might just get up and kick that fucking shark’s ass. Wrinkling my nose, I glare at Slash, waiting for him to answer as I sit up grumpily.

“Little demon, it is never good to have serious discussions when we are not in higher cognitive function forms. We can hear and process, but the primitive urges make true complex thoughts more difficult. I do not think you want to have the conversation twice, am I correct?”

Damn him. He’s absolutely right and I hate him for it.

“Fine!” I cross my arms over my chest, sighing heavily. “Go ahead and do the thing, guys.”

Jasper’s brow arches as all four of the other demons shift back to their humanoid forms, but he laughs when my hands fly to my eyes. “Forget something, shrimp?”

Fuming internally, I keep my hands glued over my face as I mutter, “Maybe. Someone could have warned me, though. Dickheads.”

“Aw, don’t be sour, Kit Kat,” Salem says in his rough, ‘just woke’ up voice. “Our nap was the highlight of this week. I’m totally ready to cook now.”

“You should have been cooking an hour ago,” Zavida grumbles after his stomach burbles. “But I get why you didn’t. We should probably order out so it’s faster.”

I don’t peek—I swear—as I wait for someone to tell me when the guys are at least covered. But I am glad Zav suggested takeout, so I nod. “I think that’s a good plan. I’m kind of hungry now and I bet you guys who were in class are, too.”

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