Page 20 of Quiet Burn

That’s when my brain starts to melt a little.

“I think… maybe I need to leave that topic for much, much later.”

“Gentleman! Since you’re so loquacious today, perhaps one of you can list the five most common mythical creatures found on Earth right now?”

We all freeze as Lucian booms at us and I turn to look at the angry Headmaster with a blank expression. I’ve done so well at avoiding his ire, and now we’re fucked. That’s what I get for letting the woo-woo crap of Discordia distract me. None of us answer, and he glowers so darkly I can almost feel it.

“If you won’t volunteer, I’ll select which one of you owes me a response.” His dark eyes glitter and he pretends to think about it, but I know what he’s going to say. “Mr. Camponella, show me you’ve learned more than how to make a spectacle of yourself in the week you’ve graced our presence in Hell.”

Son of a bitch rat-fucking cocksucker.

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulder as I look down at the demonic despot. “Dragons and wyverns, gargoyles, hellhounds, sirens and mer-folk, and centaurs.”

The shock on his face makes me smirk and I feel X’s hand on my shoulder. Dottie chitters happily and even Zavida looks proud as I continue to return his nasty stare. Finally, the dramatic asshole nods and clicks the screen behind him to advance the presentation. “Correct. It seems with the right teacher, even the challenged individuals at our school can be taught. That said, read the sections on Romans by class Thursday. You are all dismissed.”

Letting out a slow breath of relief, I grin at the guys. “I made it. I knew I could do it.”

Anton winks at me, reaching over to grab my hand and squeeze it. “I did, too. I’m going to leave you with X until Oriel arrives to pick you up. I need to run to Alabaster’s class and I won’t make it if I dawdle.”

“We have him, babe,” X says before they exchange a brief kiss. “Skedaddle off to talk about humans while Kit Kat and I have things to do. Zavida, we’ll see you in Weapons later.”

The kitsune nods, gathering his things before he gives me a hopeful look. “Class was okay?”

I pretend to think about it for a moment, then nod. “Not too bad. Slow and steady wins the race, foxy friend.”

His face lights up and he scurries off with his head down, making me laugh. The dude issofucking submissive it’s almost comical, but it seems to be masking an innate sweetness. Letting him figure out how to shine without Jasper being pissed is definitely the best solution, but I hate to think he’s feeling cowed by my demands.

People are fucking hard and now I get why everyone is always so frustrated on TV.

“You’re being pretty chill with him.”

Picking up my bag, I stuff my things into it and let Dottie scamper up my shoulder. “I think his heart is in the right place, but hiscojoneshaven’t dropped.”

X blinks then bursts out laughing as they lead me to the door. “Damn, you’re savage sometimes, man. Not off-base, but savage as fuck.”

“Sarcasm has always been my closest friend. It helps distance you from some of the bad shit, right?” The look we exchange is fraught with shared knowledge as we walk to the stairs. I like that X is willing to use them instead of trapping me in that shitty metal box. “Well, that, and books.”

They bob their brows as we descend. “Which explains why I knew we’d be spending our free period there. I told Oriel to meet us in the stacks where we were before once he’s free.”

Picking favorites probably isn’t a good idea if I’m supposed to be dating all of them, right?

9 to 5

Zavida

Looking at the row of seats I saved, I fidget a little. This thing with Kit is making my anxiety higher, especially because I know what I need to do to fix it. I could have followed my instincts from the day he walked into our lives, but instead, I let Jasper’s unfounded hatred of the kid lead me. It’s a failing, but I haven’t had to control it before. Usually, the guys let it go and give me shit later on. This time, they’re serious as hell.

That’s without Kit serving me up a steaming hot truth sandwich that made my tails wilt.

“Backbone, Z. You have to show you have backbone and can be trusted,” I mutter to myself as I set up my notes system.

Organizing my desktop with everything I need to feel like I’ll be able to focus on the class helps a lot. I don’t always use every single bit of it—in fact, I often use very little—but the routine of putting each thing out in its place and making my space comfortable helps me immensely. I suppose the humans would say I’ve got ADHD and perhaps, based on their diagnostic criteria, I do. I looked it up once to satisfy my curiosity and it's definitely very familiar. But after years of managing my tics andquirks, I’ve got it down to science much like Kit seems to with his issues.

Not that any of my other brothers have theirs on lock down because demons don’t believe in labeling that shit.

Speaking of barely contained quirks, Salem lumbers up first, yawning as he takes the seat next to me. The bear has been struggling since morning, so I’ll have to make sure the person to his right is on the ball with keeping him awake or Jasper will murder him. Today is lecture day in Arms & Weaponry, something that happens every other week, to familiarize us with the history and creation of the things we’ll use for the classes afterward. The Prince will lose his shit if our brother is nodding off while he talks about whatever he’s discussing today.

“Man, I don’t know what the fuck is with me today. I’m having a bitch of a time with the narco, man.”

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