Page 129 of Quiet Burn

“Well, I definitely understand why he’d askthat,” Xerxes says as they come up to us. Salem is carrying a pack full of crap on his back that must be the demon’s purchases and for a moment, I worry about what currency X used to get that much shit.

“Kit Kat, I wouldn’t give you something that was dangerous, now would I?” O says with a grin. “I’m glad you thought about it,though. That means all the damn lectures about this place sunk in.”

Xerxes snatches the collar, inspecting it curiously. “In this case, I’d like Annie to concur, but I believe your rough-hewn tradesman removed all traces of his magic from it. Though, he’s a fool if he thinks we’ll believe it’s a replica.”

My eyes widen. “What?! Are you saying this is some black market lost treasure and Oriel wants me to put it on? Have you guys evenheardof the Hope Diamond? No way, man.”

“Who do you think worked the bargain that allowed that thing to remain cursed for this long?” Anton shrugs as he walks over with Zavida and another bag full of… whatever. “Demons, of course. The original curse was from a deity, but they bore easily and don’t often personally maintain their decrees. Throughout most of history, the heavy lifting of keeping curses, hexes, and the like from gods or goddesses has been farmed out to demons. We enjoy it far more and gain power from being cut in.”

My head is going to explode; I need to get somewhere semi-normal for a few minutes or I might lose it.

“You are overwhelming the little demon.”

Slash’s words make my breath whoosh out in relief and I walk over to him, looking up at the shark demon gratefully. “You are one hundred percent right about that, big guy.”

“We should continue moving through here until we reach the other end, then leave.” Jasper looks around as he approaches, then sighs. “I do not think it is wise to approach the courts at this time. But I do agree with Oriel—you should wear the damn thing unless Anton disagrees with X’s opinion. It is not a coincidencethat you and O happened on it, nor that it is a real artifact masquerading as a copy.”

“You guys are fucking crazy,” I mutter as Anton takes the collar from Xerxes. “There’s just no way that damn thing appeared here because I happened to choose Fae territory at an event we happened to get wind of on a weekend we happened—oh.”

Salem reaches out and ruffles my hair fondly, making my face turn red. “KK, that’s just too much ‘happened to’ not to be some sort of Fate chicanery. Even demons know not to mess with those bitches; if they wanted you to have this, we should follow the outline, dude.”

“Next thing I know you’ll be telling me watery tarts distributing swords are a basis for government,” I grumble under my breath. “I don’t like this one bit.”

Anton sighs as he gives me an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, Kit Kat. It feels like the dwarf’s magic is gone and whatever’s in this thing… is keyed to you already. They’re probably right.”

Just fucking great. A bunch of old bats who can’t keep track of their eyeball are dictating my fashion choices.

Who Are You?

Kit/Kat

“Here, KK. I’ll put it on you since Oriel was gallant enough to buy it for you.”

Despite my deep desire to refuse, I turn around for the panda. Except for Jasper, I don’t think any of the guys would want me to be hurt, so if they truly believe this is meant for me, I have to suspend my disbelief for them. Trust goes two ways and I’m holding out on something big; I don’t think I’m in a place where I can be judgy about this kind of shit. “Okay, but if my skin starts peeling off, someone get the damn thing off me stat. Understand?”

That gets a round of chuckles from most of them, and Salem reaches around me to slide the collar around my neck gently. There’s a soft sound as it clicks closed and I wait for the universe to implode, but it doesn’t. My roommate’s big hands land on my shoulders and he leans in to murmur, “See? No big deal, Kit Kat. You’re safe.”

I want to say I don’t even know what that feels like and haven't for a long time.

But instead, I nod and swallow back the anxiety trying to wriggle out of me. “Does it look stupid? I can’t see it.”

Jasper grunts, waving his hand. “It looks fine. Don’t be dramatic, shrimp.”

“Okay, now that I’ve satisfied you guys, can we get the fuck out of fairy land and find some other species to freak me out?” I force a small smile as I gesture around us. “This place is cool, but if we were supposed to come here to find this thing, I think our quest is over.”

Slash grins at me then looks around. “I think the little demon is correct, Jasper. We should head south and wrap our path around by the far court tents, then make our way back to the entrance. Moving too quickly might tip someone off that we have something to hide.”

The dragon hauls his bag onto his shoulder, nodding. “That seems like a good plan. Salem, stay beside him while Slash and I lead the group. Oriel, follow with Zav, and then X and Anton.”

Everyone falls into place quickly, and I go along with it because I’m much too distracted by my new jewelry to fight with the Prince on principle. The various Fae and creatures mill around us as we pass the booths full of things I wish I could examine more thoroughly. Things in this territory are delicate and ephemeral, but also bold and dangerous looking, which I guess is because there are four very different courts in residence. I’d love to know more about that, too, but now isn’t the time. I have no idea how many ears are listening as we stroll through the bazaar nonchalantly.

When we finally get to the end of the market, I feel a strong pulse beating in the stone of my collar. My hand tightens onSalem’s as the panic rises in my body along with the swirling colors of power within me. Blackness and deep red prickle along the inside of my skin as if trying to get out—a sure sign that my supposed magic is trying to tell me something.

The damn necklace is too, it seems.

“Stop,” I murmur to the panda demon as I tug on our joined hands. “We have to stop, Salem.”

He frowns, doing as I say immediately then clearing his throat loudly to get the Prince’s attention. “What’s going on, Kit Kat?”

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