Page 31 of Quiet Burn

“Huh?”

“Slash has a free period with you next. He’ll be here soon and he can follow you to your room. I’ll handle the rest—trust me.”

Hopefully, I can find Jasper quickly enough to make this happen.

Witch Doctor

Kit/Kat

Slash has been quiet since he arrived to pick me up, and while that’s not unusual, I get the feeling it’s not because he has nothing to say. He grunted at my condition, giving the guys who were in my class dirty looks as he asked the same question we all had: where the fuck is Jasper?

No one had an answer, even Zav, but when the big shark shifter jerked his head to say it was time to go, I waved and followed. I didn’t see a reason to argue, especially since I’m a bit more wiped than I let on. The fight was extremely physical and while I’m notout of shape, per se, I’m definitely not ready to be sparring some athletic-ass automaton who came for me like I’d offended his ancestors. I’m still unsure how I won—it was like the fight was going on and suddenly, things turned despite my waning stamina.

It’s fucking strange and I’m afraid to mention it lest we end up on another episode of ‘what is Kit, really?’.

“Don’t pay them any attention, little demon.”

I blink, coming back to reality in time to wonder what the fuck Slash is talking about. It only takes a moment or two to figure it out, though. Demons are staring at me like I’m Amelia goddamn Earhart as we stride across campus. While being a famous missing person would be cool as hell, I know that’s not the case. My injuries can’t be the problem; people get hurt in classes all the time, according to the caliphate.

Bucking up my courage, I look up at the huge shifter with an annoyed scowl. “Why the fuck are they staring? I swear, I’m going to figure out how to buy a costume or some shit to get around if this doesn’t stop. Every day, more people start?—”

“Anton kissed you in class. It has spread already.”

My frown deepens and I bark, “What the hell? Is it homophobia? You guys said demons don’t give a shit. If you lied, I’m going to skin someone while they scream because I don’t put up with that shit. Being shitty to someone because of who they are or love is absolute trash and?—”

“Stop.” That one word cuts off my flow, and I wait for him to elaborate. “That is not why, though even demons have… their own extremists to deal with.”

I wait for him to open the door, used to his insistence that he has to make sure the damn lobby is safe before I go in. Fighting him on that quirk seems useless and for some reason, I don’t want to quibble about things that may actually be in my best interest right now. What I really want is to get to the room I share with Salem and sink into the fucking comfiest couch ever and let my sore body have a moment to rest.

But I can’t leave his statement alone, so I wait until we get to the elevator to ask, “Why is that a big deal?”

The big guy looks surprised for a second, then shrugs. “He has been with Xerxes since they were young. They did not… explore other options until now. That makes it very hot gossip.”

That son of a bitch! How did he not realize his method of getting me to snap out of it was going to be the new headline?

Growling softly, I kick the wall of the elevator, then groan as the pain rockets up my leg. “Damnit. It’s bad enough they think I don’t belong because I’m human. Now I’m in your boy bandandthe dating thing is confirmed, so I’m not going to be able to go anywhere without an audience.”

“Perhaps that is a good thing after this weekend.”

I snort. “Exactly how is it good, Slash?”

He looks thoughtful, then says, “There are many who would like to be in our good graces. Helping to keep you safe by reporting things to our spy would be a good in-road for weaker demons.”

The door dings and we walk into the hallway, my face shocked as I follow him. “Demons will watch me and report to Oriel if I’m in trouble? Really?”

His big hand waves in front of the sensor and our room opens. Once I’m inside, he closes the door behind us, facing me with a smirk. “Oh, not only to keep you out of trouble, little demon. They will also whisper to cause fractures in our group, but they can’t do one without the other. Since they do not know what we have agreed to and what we have not, everything will get reported.”

“Oh.” I place my bag on the counter so Dottie can escape, then kick off my shoes. I have four hours to rest and eat before I have to meet Salem and Zavida at Dark Lit, so I’m going to take fulladvantage of that big ass break. Dottie wriggles out, scrambling across the island to the mini-feeder Salem set up for her. “I guess that makes sense. It’s going to make me want to stab myself in the eye, but I suppose it could be helpful.”

Slash laughs as he walks over to the refrigerator. “Indeed. However, you need to go rest on the couch as the others suggested. The doctor will arrive soon and I am sure you’d prefer to be ready.”

My eyes widen as I look at him. “I said I wasn’t going to the doctor. They’ll think I’m even weaker, Slash.”

He ignores me, pulling out a few labeled containers and setting them on the counters. The humming sound surprises me, but this guy seems to be full of those. Once he has everything out, he studies the instructions taped to the lids before he starts opening them. “Go rest. Anton spoke to Jasper, and they contacted Dr. D privately. He will come here via internal portaling to conceal his visit. Now, shoo, or I will be forced to carry you.”

Um, no, I don’t want that.

“I will punch you if you try,” I promise as I scoop Dottie up and hobble to the couch. “And I don’t care how much bigger you are—it will hurt.”

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