Page 80 of Quiet Burn

A sigh escapes his partner and Xerxes gives me a look tinged with sympathy. “No one likes to be muzzled, guys—particularly a dragon.”

“I think we have it covered,” Kit says as he stands up. “Whatever happens, I’ll survive. I’m sort of like a cockroach in a nuclear fallout that way.”

“Nonsense,” X says as they pat the shrimp’s head. “You are not a disgusting roach, Kit Kat. Stop knocking yourself.”

The chorus of agreement doesn’t surprise me, but I am a little shocked to see Zavvie reach out to pat Kit’s shoulder lightly. He doesn’t get re-buffed and I canfeelthe little surge of pleasure that goes through my kitsune when he’s included.

This guy has completely entranced my entire caliphate and I have no idea what’s going to happen when fake dating turns to real dating.

Nodding at them, I walk away to check on the other groups. They seem to be dicking around, so I sound the alarm again from my phone. The gnawing in my gut increases as I catch the hungry look in the eyes of the more aggressive demon types in the class. I’m not going to be able to do this without having a better vantage point; I just won’t. I step onto a bench, towering over them as I let my dragon loosejustenough to unfurl myenormous wings. That starts whispering like a wildfire across the sidelines, but I ignore it to push into the air and hover above.

“Get into your groups and stand at the ready. Your weapon should be ready!”

As they all scramble at the sight of my flashing eyes and rumbling snarl, I scan the crowd to locate all of my brothers. They’re standing firm in their sections, even the shrimp. His shoulders are squared and he has his projectiles nestled in his hands as he stares at the demons who will be coming for him.

Here we go…

Head Like A Hole

Kit/Kat

Iknow that the Fae guy and that fuckwit Roquefort are definitely problems. At least that narrows my question marks down to three—not that it will help me if they have secret alliances with any of the random enemies I’ve made or are jealous of my affiliation with my guys. Well, notmyguys, but…

For fuck’s sake, Kat, focus!

That reminder comes a split second before my body moves on its own, ducking under the blast of orange magic that is headed right for my face. I didn’t see who launched it, but they weren’t playing around. If my instincts hadn’t kicked in despite my distraction, I would have been out for the count within seconds. Or, I assume so, since there’s a chorus of chuckles emanating from the demons in my immediate area. I don’t have to wonder if all of my group dislike me now; it’s plainly obvious they all want to see me go down, even if I don’t get up.

“Fucking fabulous,” I mutter low, as I sharpen my focus, dancing around our space on light feet. Avoiding the bad folks in my previous life helps me, but I can’t be certain these fuckers won’t break the rules of engagement and enhance their own bodies,not just their weapons. Demons operate on very specific wording and as far as I can remember, Jasper’s orders didnotinclude a ban on self-enhancement.

I’m sure that was on purpose because that dick knows exactly what he’s saying at all goddamned times.

“Have something to say, dead demon walking?” Roquefort taunts as he watches me with a sinister grin. “I’m sure we can repeat your last words to your little harem when you’re gone.”

Sighing in annoyance, I eyeball one of the unknown demons. Furon will go for Roquefort while he’s distracted. These other three dudes don’t seem to be powerful or connected, because I’ve never seen them with anyone who worries me. That’s a guess, of course, but my time so far at Discordia has suggested that the most imminent threats aren’t satisfied unless they make themselves known.

I could do without the comical villain bragging, though. It’s super cliched, and I want to vomit every time.

“No answer? Not surprise since you’re such a tiny, weak little fuck.”

My temper flares and I whip my head around, eyes boring into the asshole’s as I let a smirk come over my face. “Funny, your mom said just the opposite last night—over and over until her voice gave out.”

A guffaw from the next group makes me grin more, and it only takes a few moments before it spreads. Roquefort’s face goes red like a fucking tomato, and he stomps forward as if he’s going to come for me, but that’s when Furon tackles him from the side. My gambit worked, so I swallow my smug glee to look at the two demons battling on the other side of our circle, frowning when Idon’t see the one I need to fight. A burning sensation hits me in the shoulder and I curse under my breath as it spreads over my entire body.

Way to lose track of the goddamned enemies, Kat.

Gritting my teeth against excruciating pain, I turn around to face the medium-sized dude. I don’t know his name, but he’s wielding what I think is a crossbow that’s surrounded by an emerald green energy. I drop into a fighting stance again, holding my tossers as I mutter the words Anton whispered to me before we split into the groups. Nothing happens, but a dark, angry feeling settles in the pit of my stomach. It makes me want to double over, especially paired with the burning in my back, but I fight it hard.

Years of fighting out-of-control emotions due to my condition take over as the sick sensation tries to wrestle its way to the forefront of my mind. It makes my veins ache and my jaw tight, but I lift my hands again to try to focus on the demon that looks way too pleased with himself. “You won’t beat me this way, asshole. Whatever you did can’t possibly compare with what my brain does to me on its own.”

“Oh, I very much doubt that, chew toy.” The guy doesn’t even flinch at my retort, only stands in place looking relaxed. “Everyone knows you’re useless without your body guards. That’s why you’re fucking them—like in a human prison movie.”

Did this motherfucker just allude to me being their bitch?

Blatant misogyny and homophobia aside,no oneowns me. Fury starts in my feet, working its way up my frame to battle with the ugly magic that wants me to abandon my circle to seek out something other than this fucking guy. I don’t know whathe’s trying to force me to do, but he can suck my nonexistent dick if he thinks I’m going to let him get away with calling me someone’s property. I suck in a deep breath, embracing the anger inside of me like I did in the cafeteria. It builds, pushing upward until it’s slowly drowning out this asshole’s green poison.

Unfortunately, that’s not all it does.Panic sets in when I realize it’s basically coating the inside of me with that dangerous emotion until it settles under my skin like a shield. This is something new and I have no idea how to control it or what to do with it. Not good doesn’t really cover the amount of anxiety that causes, so I let one of the goddamn throwing weapons fly at my opponent before I lose control completely. My jaw drops when everything around me seems to slow and the damn thing turns end over end until it hits a mark I couldn’tpossiblyhave aimed for and accomplished on my own.

Much like a John Woo movie, my projectile moved like liquid through the air to imbed itself right in the snarky cockwaffle’s eyeball—what. the. actual. fuck.

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