Page 83 of Quiet Burn

This level of insanity is what Jasper takes off to burn away and none of us have ever been privy to his rage flights.

“We have to get down there,” Anton yells over the dragon’s snarls. “Slash can deal with him. Whatever is down there caused the pulse and they probably have Kit Kat.”

I frown darkly, my crow and my demon in agreement about how that makes us feel. “Let’s go. I don’t care what Darkstar threatens us with—if they’ve hurt one of us, especially him, I will let the shadows rip their minds to shreds, Anton.”

His beautiful, bird-like features turn dark in a way no one would imagine they could. “Agreed. Their deaths will be slow, painful, and show everyone on the campus what it means to defy the royal caliphate.”

Grinning, I turn my body and angle my wings to dive into the misty scarlet-colored blob on the ground.

Someone is going to die on this hill, but it won’t be me.

Any Other Way

Kit/Kat

Idon’t know what the unholyHellis going on right now, and it’s freaking me out. Unlike normal, that doesn’t have me paralyzed on the ground in a panic attack. Instead, allowing the dark spot in the pit in my gut that’s always been lurking to energize my body in a way I’ve never felt before. I’m moving like someone who knows what the shit they’re doing, flinging my throwing doodads with an accuracy that’s inhuman.

When they hit… I don’t know what that is, but they seem to invigorate me more, giving me energy while our foes fall to the grass in agony.

“I wish I knew what is going on,” I mutter to myself as I spin on my heel, finding a new target rushing towards me. Every time there’s another demon headed my way, something inside me pushes and I face it without a shred of concern for my safety. It’s sort of freeing not to be worried, not to fear for my life, but I also know that’s not normal.

“No wonder those idiots picked a puny little shit for their concubine,” the giant fully shifted demon sneers. I think he’s a chaos demon because everything in his path is going crazy as hestalks toward me. Fighters trip, the ground moves, and people curse as their weapons miss the mark and hit someone else nearby. “You’ve been keeping your power hidden so we won’t come for you.”

I arch a brow. If only this dipshit knew that I have no idea what I am, much less how to control it. “I haven’t been hiding anything, and that’s not why. Get fucked.”

My insult bounces off of him like the bodies and magic in his wake, his laughter dark and ominous. This dude isnotgoing to hold to the rules of engagement, and I need to be ready for whatever he throws at me. I have no ideahow, but my gut is screaming that I have to focus on him above all else going on around us.

I don’t even know who he is in this form; he could be anyone because his demon is simply ugly as fuck.

“I’ve been waiting to get my claws on you, especially since it will fuck with yourboyfriends. That is just the cherry on the sundae for me, and when I’m done, I’ll be heartily rewarded.”

Gripping my weapons in my palms, I realize not only does this idiot want to kill me, but he’s using me for some fucking agenda against the guys. That makes the darkness spreading through me angrier and it pushes at my skin hard, making me cry out. Ugly Ass Demon Guy laughs again, stopping just within stabbing distance as his tail whips and he tosses his head like his horns are hair he wants to flip.

“You’re already crying in fear—it’sdelicious.”

Before I can process it mentally, I’ve whipped one of the throwing dagger-things at him and it embeds in the meat of his shoulder. He opens his mouth to say something stupid then Isee it—the panic in his black eyes as whatever these are being infused with starts to sink into his body. A wordless scream forms on his lips and I feel the darkness’ satisfaction grow inside me. It likes his pain; in fact, it hungers for it because the more contorted this Ugly Demon looks, the better I feel.

I’m not sure I like the joy that’s rocketing through me at his suffering, but I’ll take whatever help I can get.

“Not so smug now, are you, fuckface?” I call out as I pull another one of the weapons off the belt they’re stored in. “Something got your tongue? No snarky comment?”

His visage is still twisted and he’s fighting to stay up; I can tell by the tiny sway to his wide stance. Much like the others, the spot where my blade is lodged is turning black and spreading over his frame slowly. “You can’t stop me. Iwillend you, scum.”

Typical villain speech, but he’s wrong based on what’s happened to the other guys. I stand ready to launch another, my feet firm as I block the bench behind me. I won’t let him get past me—that’s where X is slumped, nursing a wound in their side. They’d rushed to rescue me, but instead, ended up being jumped from behind when the darkness escaped.

“You can try, asshole.” I growl at the injured dude. He lets out a roar of pain, and I think for just a moment, I may have won.

But then a crowd of other demons storm to his aid and I swallow hard. They’re either in full demon form or various shifts, all wielding magic as they stare me down.

I may have underestimated how much the Headmaster hates me.

“Fine. You want some, too? You can?—”

My words are cut off by the sound of a fierce ‘caw’ and two flying bodies hitting the ground hard enough to shake it. Panic tries to claw its way past the darkness in my veins, but it pushes back, and I’m able to look at the intruders without fear.

It’s Oriel and… Anton? I think? Fuck he’s even more gorgeous in this guise; I almost can’t even look at him. The golden haze and rainbow sparkles surrounding him are so bright that it makes him appear similar to what I’ve always been told angels look like.

Well, okay, maybe a pride angel, but six of one, right?

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