Page 7 of Quiet Burn

“Okay, Kit Kat. This is where we all split except for the trash compactor,” X says with a smirk.

“NiiiceJawsreference,” I mutter with a small grin. “Good distraction.”

“I try,” they say, preening playfully and even Slash grins a little. “But seriously, you have the chat. If you’re in trouble, what do you say?”

My eyes flutter shut and I growl softly, “I’m going to kill you for this, but ‘cherry pie’ is the code word.”

The dragon laughs darkly, just as he has every single time I’ve had to repeat that since yesterday. “Perfect, pleb.”

“Stop calling me that,”I grit out as I turn to Slash. “Can we get the fuck out of here before I blow this by slugging him in his extremely punchable fucking nose?”

All I get is a nod and the tiniest glint of mischief in his dark eyes, so I let go of Salem’s arm to take the shark’s. I hate that I need the help, but honestly, I’d be moving like a senior citizen if I didn’t hold onto someone and push the pain of moving normally into my feet.

They all wave, heading in various directions as Slash leads me away from the cafeteria and towards the academic building. The distance has never seemed this daunting before, but I also haven’t had to do this when someone healed my bones the day before. The crowds milling about are much more subdued than they were last week; there’s no one jacking around, shooting magic at one another or hanging out on the Gothic architecture of the buildings.

The campus atmosphere is like a damn funeral home now.

“It’s weird, right?” I ask the shark hybrid as we walk toward the building where my class is. “This quiet?”

“Very.” He pauses at the base of the steps in front of our destination when we reach it, studying me. “This will be okay?”

“Dude, you gotta use more syllables,” I grumble. “I know you only say shit when it matters, but that doesn’t mean you have to be damn near mute.”

His smile is bigger this time, and his huge hand lands on top of mine on his bicep. “I find people listen harder when you talk less. They assume what you say is important.”

I frown, tilting my head as I look at him. “X talks all the time and people listen.”

Jerking his head to the steps, he guides me up the first one as he replies, “X is sparkly. Everyone enjoys shiny things.”

The snort that escapes my lips is followed by a giggle, and I slap my free hand over my mouth.Fuck, fuck, fuck.That was incredibly stupid, and it might have blown my cover. When Slash doesn’t comment, I force out a fake cough. “Well, that’s definitely true. But Jasper never shuts the fuck up, either.”

He huffs and I know this time,he’strying to cover a laugh. “Jasper is the Prince.”

“Oh, I know. He makes sureeveryoneknows,” I shoot back grumpily. “I meant that despite the stupid shit he spews, people don’t take him less seriously because he talks a lot. Salem and O are similar, but they’re not assholes like the prince.”

Slash stops in the middle of the steps, turning to look down at me seriously. “You are mistaken.”

“About what?” This seems like something I should listen to regardless of how much he does or doesn’t babble—his expression is very firm.

“Those two were very quiet, though not as much as me, prior to your arrival.”

My mouth drops open and I blink for a second. “Really?”

“Indeed. Oriel in particular often stayed quiet for days unless he was filling Jasper in on assignments. Their behavior is surprising to all of us.” A gentle tug on my arm gets me moving again and as we ascend, he continues, “X and Anton flittered off to their own world a lot. It is very different now, and I believe that is what scares my old friend so much.”

Well, shit. I told him to talk more and I’ll be damned if he didn’t listen.

Licking my lips nervously, I realize that while we’ve been talking, I completely ignored all the whispers and eyes on us. We’re standing at the doors to the academic building, ready to walk in, and I stopped thinking about how much I hurt and who was watching me. I simply felt safe while he was by my side. That hits me like a smelly trout to the face, and I draw in a shuddering breath.

“What’s wrong, little demon?” Slash asks as he pulls the huge door open.

“I… It’s nothing.” I shake my head, barely able to comprehend the situation, much less explain it to anyone. “We should get in there before Lilibet goes bonkers. I think she’s going to be pissed about you hanging around as it is.”

“No, she won’t.”

I frown, giving him a doubtful expression. “How do you know that?”

“Because if she gives you trouble again… I’ll eat her.”

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