Page 28 of Quiet Burn

A loud snort from the kitchen gets everyone’s attention and when we look at the panda demon, he shrugs. “I’m not stupid. That sarcasm practically dripped on our pristine floor.”

The Prince fixes his gaze on me, his eyes flashing with the dragon. “What are you irrationally angry about now, shrimp?”

What the hell? Irrationally angry? That motherfucker… he promised!

“I am not irrational. Every complaint I’ve lodged so far has been in direct response tosomeonetreating me like shit and not respecting my boundaries. I’ve been exceedingly willing to compromise despite repeated dickish behavior, if you ask me.”

Zavida looks up from his spot on the floor next to Jasper, pushing his glasses up as his fingers cease flying over the keys of his laptop. “I think that’s true.”

“Oh, for fuck’s sake…” Jasper grumbles as he shifts in the chair with an eye roll and a dissatisfied expression. “He knows you’resorry, Zav. Don’t kiss his ass just because you want him to forgive you.”

I blink. He thinksthatwas kissing my ass? “Jasper, someone admitting you’re wrong is not sucking up to the other person. It’s just agreeing with the facts.”

X winks at me from their perch on one of the barstools. “To the crown prince of Hell, that’sexactlywhat kissing ass is.”

“Can we move this along?” Oriel says as Salem brings a tray of drinks over. “I’m hungry as hell and the second the big man gets here, he’s going to have a tantrum when he finds out Kit Kat hasn’t eaten.”

Now it’s my turn to roll my eyes and look sullen. Jasper isn’t alone.

“You’re right,” my roommate says as he hands me a glass of oddly sparkly liquid. “But this should help.”

“Huh?” They all laugh as I look at the rocks glass, studying the contents. “How does it do that?”

Oriel scratches his chin, looking thoughtful before he speaks. “It’s hard to explain what Sparkling Styx Tonic does because it affects us all differently. It’s definitely good for our health in small doses like this, but when mixed with various demon alcohol it’s euphoric.”

“So it’s both a medicineanda party juice?” I arch a brow as I look at each of them carefully, searching for signs of deceit. I’m not drinking anything they can quantify if I’m not certain their motives are pure.

Zav smiles shyly, then takes a sip of his to encourage me. “It is, Kit. I’m surprised Dr. D didn’t give you some after he treated you.”

“He didn’t, but it seems like Salem has some on-hand so I should be okay.” I watch them all drink theirs before I put my glass to my lips. It tastesamazingthoughI couldn’t describe what the flavor is like if someone asked. All I know is that it feels like my entire body is humming with energy and light in a really good way.

Damn. If this affects humans the same way, someone could be making a fortune putting Big Pharma out of business.

“Better now?” X tilts their head and I nod. “Fabulous. Jasper, get it rolling. I have stitches to do.”

The dragon waits until we’re all looking at him and clears his throat. “The staff wasn’t fully briefed earlier, except for the changes to our curricula. I don’t know if that’s because I was present—though I wouldn’t discount that possibility—or if they’re determined to hide as much as possible until the moment we need to know.”

“That means nothing has changed,” I say with a frown. “Which, in turn, means we can eat and get to our damn homework.”

“Hold your horses, Kit Kat. There has to be more,” Oriel murmurs. “He’s being a dramatic asshole.”

Zavida snorts, then looks up from his screen to address the group. “I’m scanning a fuck ton of history to find Games lore and info. Once I have it all together, I’ll email each of you a section to scour through and report back on.”

“More homework? I’m going to die,” I groan. “I’ll never catch up at this rate.”

“Now who’s being dramatic?” Prince Asshat smirks and I have to resist the urge to fling my glass of happy juice at him in retaliation.

The door opens and Slash stomps in with Anton in tow. The shark shifter gives the smug royal a dirty look, then ignores the group to head for the kitchen. Anton drops his bag and makes a beeline for X, curling up with them as usual before he smiles at me. Together, their gaze on me is intense and I almost miss the big hand shoving a small plate of the cubed cheese and meat from the appetizer tray under my nose.

“Eat.” I make a face at him, but I pick up a piece of cheese to nibble on and he grins toothily.

“You owe me fifty bucks,” Oriel says to X. “Iknewhe’d do it, just like I knew Kit Kat would give in. Pay up, sucker.”

“Get fucked,” I mutter at them before chewing on one of the pieces of meat. “If I say I’m going to do something, I do it.”

“Oh, good. That promise makes this partmucheasier,” Jasper says with a pleased expression.

I take a sip of my drink, not wanting him to see how that ominous declaration affects me. “And what the hell is that supposed to mean?”

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