Page 74 of Quiet Burn

X wrinkles their nose. “Not for the reason you think, but yes, he’s going to feel betrayed. Jasper is an odd mix of strategic logic and damaged heart. He’ll knowwhyyou did it, but will struggle with feeling like he’s been made a fool of. It won’t matter that you had very solid reasons for doing this.”

My laugh is dry as I nod. “Yeah, that’s what I figured. But Ican’ttell him when he’s barely tolerating me as a guy; if he changes his tune suddenly, it will become obvious that there’s a reason. I don’t want the rest of these jackasses at Discordia looking too closely at me until my powers emerge or whatever. Dank says that’s for the best.”

And I’m trusting the kindly old demon with my safety, so I hope to shit he’s right.

“It makes a lot more sense now that you’ve sort of befriended him, you know.”

I arch a brow at X as we walk to his door. “Why’s that?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I’ve heard that demons with his skills and experience are asked to forego relationships to ensure they are solely dedicated to the royal family they serve. He probably always wanted a daughter and you’ve… I don’t know… activated that in him?”

“You think? Hell, I’ve never been able to getanyof the stupid fosters to see me like one of their family members. I have no clue how I’d manage getting an ancient skull-head demon to do so.” I duck my head, rubbing my hand on my chest as a fluttery feeling lodges there.

Of course, I doubt any of them could get warm fuzzy feelings about a guy with a fiery skullhead, either, so it was probably my fault we didn’t connect.

“Aw, that’s cute, Kit Kat! You’re happy the crusty old sawbones likes you.” X beams, reaching out to ruffle my hair and I’m surprised when it doesn’t bother me.

Pulling back with a wry look, I scold them. “You can’t do things that will tip anyone off that our relationship has changed suddenly. They’ll notice and ask why. Get it together, man.”

“Ugh, this is going to be so insanely hard,” they grumble as we shut the door behind us. “I won’t spill just because I know, but knowing and having the b-a-r-g-a-i-n will make me feel a kinship I can’t express.” The cobra shifter hisses in annoyance as we approach my dorm, waiting until I push my finger on the scanner to enter.

Somehow, they’re even more adorable when they’re pouting.

My skin heats in response, making me speed up my gait as I head for my room to change. “Wait here with the others, X, and I’ll change for dinner.”

“Kit Kat, wait?—”

Oriel’s voice almost makes me pause, but I know I have to be alone for a minute to calm myself. This was alotof emotion and pent-up panic at once; I might feel okay with the pact now, but the danger it poses will catch up to me. My brain is racing with possibilities and I have to breathe for a few minutes before I can interact with the rest of the guys. Dottie scrambles up to my feet as I go in my room, managing to follow before I shut the door behind me.

Leaning against it, I close my eyes and suck in a long, deep breath then hold it. As my muscles relax one by one, I let it out slowly, using the quiet to gather the roiling emotions inside of me. I hoped to avoid admitting my secret to anyone, but I knew somewhere inside of me that it wasn’t likely to stay hidden forever. I even considered telling O and Salem after they showed me their demons, but I resisted because the longer I’m here without a problem, the harder it will be for anyone to claim I caused a problem. If they can’t say I’m a problem, they can’t ship me off to Miss Mean Girl Demon Prep or whatever simply because I don’t have a dick.

Gender segregated schools are such archaic bullshit, anyway.

“Just breathe, Kit,” I murmur to myself as my heart rate finally starts to fall.

Dottie climbs up my legs, making her way to my shoulder so she can hug my neck tightly. I reach up to pet her head, smiling as the calm washes over me. The little animal is perfect for me and despite the way she fell into my lap, I refuse to question it. I never would have gotten through this first month without her help.

Hopefully, she continues to keep me just sane enough to get my demon side so I can survive even longer.

1 My word is my blood; my blood is my oath, forever.

Smile

Anton

Dinner after the weird Weapons class was surprisingly uneventful, and we all dove into studies along with Kit. Oriel and Salem eagerly helped him quiz ancient history facts and creature types at the end, which seemed to ease the new guy’s anxiety a little with each correct answer. He really built a lot of his self-worth into his academic performance—possibly too much, though I’m hardly one to judge. My family doesn’t approve of my artsy endeavors and the amount of control I need in my efforts and life to make up for it are hardly what Kit’s kind would call ‘healthy coping mechanisms.’

Yes, I’ve been reading up on their psychology shit in my spare time to figure out how best to help him; it’s not a big deal.

While that time was uneventful, the next day also felt like it was fairly calm, too. Admittedly, I don’t have shit with Kit on Monday and Wednesday, so I barely see him until dinner and study time. He’s so serious during that time, helping Salem cook and working on both current assignments and catch-up that it’s hard to get in time for anything else. That is, unless someone likeJasper causes a fucking issue and then we spend an inordinate amount of time untangling his mess.

Today, though, is one of the two week days where I have a chance to get closer to our new member. Despite X playing our hidden secrets games, I’m focused on gleaning whatever moments I can with Kit so he feels comfortable enough to ask to see one of my shifts. My bird and my demon are pretty insistent about it, as I imagine the others’ inner beings are, too. I suspect he’s seen Oriel and Salem’s demons because they have this very smug, settled air about them.

The fuckers aren’t saying anything, though, just like Xerxes isn’t giving me hints about his newest mystery I need to solve.

Sighing as I exit our shared room, I scratch the back of my neck. When I’m restless, my bird likes to bring my feathers just under my skin, making it itch like crazy with little relief. I’ve been sitting on that for days now, white knuckling the irritation under my calm guise. I prefernotto show anger outwardly unless necessary, and that has kept me safe from my mother. She’s the tyrant in my family, and the Aldaric matriarch's rage phases are well known within the royal court. My research project suggests humans would call her bi-polar, and I’m inclined to agree.

“What’s wrong, babe?” X asks as they leave our dorm and join me by the elevator.

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