Page 18 of Quiet Burn

That makes him hunker into his seating, cursing under his breath as he pretends to pay attention to the end of class. I’m not concerned about that as much as making certain Jasper keepshis word. Something about the way Wormwood went from zero to a thousand on the creep scale bothers me. It’s like there’s some sort of… compulsion for bad people to come after him when he stands up to them. I know that’s far too complex to be an effective hex or spell, but there’s something drawing the evil out of people when he’s about.

I need to discuss this with X and Oriel; they’re very good at hidden shit like this.

“Little demon, you need to let the Prince help as Salem allowed you to help. It is what we do.”

He sighs heavily, his lip curling as his rodent comes out of the bag so he can put his books into it. “Fine. But you need to quit logic-ing me out of funks, big guy. People will think I’m soft on you.”

Salem snorts. “People aresupposedto think you’re soft onallof us, man.”

My eyes light up and I wait for him to get his stuff, then grab his small hand again. “It is my turn, then, it seems.”

Anton gives me a wry look. “If you say so, big guy. I think it’s mine, and we have class together next. X and Zav will be waiting.”

Blast, the bird is correct,and Weapons is too far from where Mythology is held to detour.

“Don’t worry, “ Kit says as he squints up at me with a smile. “You can get us lunch again if it makes you happy.”

“Itvery muchdoes, little demon.” I turn to Annie and nod, letting go of his hand. “Anton can escort you to Mythology. Youmust not irritate Darkstar before the Prince has a chance to speak to him about the detention.”

Salem gives me a wry expression. “I’ll be surprised if Annie and Zav can keep him calm, but maybe we should be prepared, just in case.”

I nod, considering his suggestion. “Agreed. Hopefully, the Headmaster will get a TA to cover the class since he is busy with the Games now. That would be the best outcome.”

“Holy shit, that would be fucking amazing,” Kit mutters as he takes Anton’s arm. “It would be the best news I’ve heard all week.”

It’s too bad the annoyance is Lucian; I’d happily make the thorn disappear to get him to look this excited again.

“Okay, we’re heading for Mythology now. Everyone say ‘good-bye’ to Kit so we won’t be late for Professor Dickbag,” Anton says.

Leaning in, I pat the small animal on his shoulder, then Kit’s head as well. “Please do not get yourself in trouble in the next two hours. Running in armor will be difficult.”

“Aw, you do like me!”

I roll my eyes as the others laugh, turning on my heel to leave. They’re still snickering as I walk towards the Arena, leaving Kit to Anton, and my brothers to head for their own classes. I’ve never worried about them quite as much as I do our newest addition, but he’s also much more breakable. Even Zav has the power to zip in and out of places as a kitsune, so I’ve never thought he was too exposed when he’s off in his geek classes.

Kit being alone, however, bothers the fuck out of me and I don’t quite know what to do about it. Obviously, I need more time to strategize so he’s never in danger—the more I plan, the more likely I will be to succeed.This is what I’ve been taught since Jasper and I were small demons.My role in the new court will be to ensure everyone in the kingdom and my Prince are safe. I can keep one unemerged demon hybrid safe, right?

It’s in my blood to protect those I care about, after all.

Flowers

Kit/Kat

Anton is quiet as we head to Mythology. I assume he’s figuring out what he’ll do if I go completely off-script with Headmaster Darkstar. The jerk will probably do something to piss me off, so it’s not a bad plan, but I hate that I’m such a wildcard. Before coming here, I was always worried about my issues causing a scene that I’d have to live down. Now I have to worry about those plus dragging the guys into my bullshit. It’s enough to make me spill the damn lunch Slash insisted I eat, so I twist the spinning ring on my finger anxiously as we approach the door to our lecture.

“It’ll be okay,” Anton says with a crooked smile. It’s not his usual suave-guy expression, and I find myself staring at his handsome features wordlessly.

I swear, Hell has turned me into a hungry bitch and it’s not just for the delicious grub.

Pulling my lower lip through my teeth, I try to re-focus my brain on his words before I answer. “Will it? Coming here and finding out about this world wasa lot, especially for someone with my problems. Somehow, I’ve kept my shit together aboutthat, but now there’s… so much more. Bullies, Prince Asshat, Headmaster Cockrocket, assaults, death games, evil professors…fake dating!”

The gentle grin stretches and his gaze softens as he chucks my chin lightly. “Thatis your biggest hang-up out of the entire list? Very interesting.”

I stomp my foot and roll my eyes to the ceiling in supplication. Given that we’re in Hell, I’m not surewhoI’m asking for help with this dude, but someone has to be spying on us, right? “Anton, there’s a long list of traumas and shit I’ve experienced in my comparably short lifetime, but I only dated one time.” My voice drops at the same time as my gaze and I murmur, “You’ve all figured out how that worked out for me. I don’t have a fuckingcluewhat I’m supposed to be doing here—as a demon, as a dude, or even as a boyfriend.”

Suddenly, I realize what I just said and the panic rushes through me like lava spurting from a volcano.

But whatever deity or demon who was listening took pity on me because Anton doesn’t even flinch. Instead, he chuckles, bopping me on the nose. “Kit Kat, do you think those of us without their heads squarely up their asses haven’t figured that out?”

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