Page 99 of Quiet Burn

“Yes,” Jasper grits out as he turns back to the mirror. “But he keeps getting hurt, which defies coincidence. He’s not being cautious enough and that has to change.”

“Kit is right here, and he doesnotlike being talked about as if he isn’t.” I cross my arms over my chest as I finally find my voice. “I’m doing the best I can with shall we say…limited resources… in comparison to the people threatening me. You guys keep coming up with plans, but then Lucian or whoever the fuck, does something to put me right back in the hot seat. Stop blaming me for shit outside of my control.”

Xerxes gives me a thumbs up, and I dip my chin, oddly pleased that they agree with me. “It’s true. We havegotto find out what the hell that dick is up to. It probably has something to do with his journey to the surface before the ball.”

Everyone is quiet for a moment as his statement sinks in, then the Prince nods. He spins to face us, his expression one of grim determination. “Xerxes is correct. However, it will take sometime to arrange for an expedition to look into it. I’ll send word to my father that I require passes today.”

Passes? What the hell for?

My heart rate speeds a bit at the knowledge that the King will know anything about our efforts. I’m definitely not his favorite person now, and the guys—including his son—don’t seem to be in his favor often, either. Maybe this isn’t a good idea. Licking my lips, I raise my hand and Oriel chuckles until I yank it down. “Are we sure bringing him into our business is a good plan?”

“Absolutely not,” Jasper says with a smirk. “But I’ve spent most of my life finding ways to induce my father to grant his permission for things without telling him the real reason I’m doing them. I will make sure he doesn’t suspect our true aims.”

Slash nods. “That is accurate.”

“I hate to mention it, but our first class this morning is Arms,” Anton cuts in. “While Zavida may be okay to participate, I don’t think X or Kit should go. We need a reason to keep them out and someone to escort them, just in case.”

“We can go for a check-up with Dank,” I offer, eager to get Xerxes alone so I can talk to him about things I don’t want the others to know about.

“Mythology is useless to me. I am all too aware of the history of Hell,” Slash replies. “My free time is afterward, so I will take them to visit the doctor.”

Perfect. Slash will keep his distance if I ask, so I can talk to Xerxes on the way.

Jasper scratches his chin, then nods. “Acceptable. You will keep everyone but the doc away from them, then take X to HumanHistory, where Oriel can take over. Kit will stay with you until we meet for lunch in the Triclinium.”

The shark shifter grins broadly and I breathe a sigh of relief. He, Salem, and Oriel are the easiest to be with when there’s no classes involved. I’m getting there with Xerxes and Anton, but I’m still nervous as hell with Zav. Jasper is a whole different enchilada and I don’t want to stay with him solo until I feel more secure in his support.

“Okay,” I murmur. “I can deal with that.”

“You lookedlike you wanted to run like a rabbit in there,” X says as we walk down the hall to the elevator on our floor.

We all finished dressing and got our shit together, the rest of them leaving for the arena before they ended up being late for class. Breakfast was a round of packable treats from Salem, and I swallow the bite of my special granola bar before I answer the cobra shifter. “I get… nervous in there. It’s not an atmosphere I’m used to,obviously.”

They grin a bit, tilting their head as they study me. Slash is standing a few feet back, giving us the distance X asked him for. “I’ll bet it’s not. Lots of pretty guys running around half-naked is definitely out of your wheelhouse.”

I roll my eyes at them. “As if I care about that. You know I have issues. It was just very combative in there this morning.”

“Bullshit.” X shakes their head, their eyes knowing. “My gifts are in this arena, Kit Kat. You can’t fool me, even if you’re trying to fool yourself.”

Sucking in a deep breath, I shake my head, not looking at them. “I don’t have the ability to analyze that statement, X. It’s… I’m not there, and I honestly don’t understand the things you’re referring to well enough to respond. Plus, with all the weird shit happening to me with this… demon thing? Hell if I know what’s what.”

They pause as the door to the elevator opens, following me in then holding the door for Slash. “Fair enough. You had a huge fucking burst in the arena and none of us really know what it means. Even Jasper is puzzled by the mix of powers your demon presented. It’s not… directly representative of anything common.”

“I do not believe that is the extent.” We both look at Slash, who just arches a brow. “you are holding back, little demon. There is something you did not reveal.”

Xerxes looks at me curiously. “Is he right, KK? If so, you can tell us now and we won’t rat you out to Prince Prickface.”

“I don’t know…”

The shark shifter grunts, then eyes me. “Your secrets are not mine to tell.”

I might be stupid, but I actually believe him.

“C’mon, Kit Kat. What did you leave out last night?”

The door dings and Slash holds it open for us, then falls in line on my other side as we slowly walk out of the building. Once we’re in the open air, I feel safer, though I’m not sure why. “Ithink I had an incident… before this. But I’m not sure because no one’s ever mentioned this sort of thing so far, and I don’t know enough about all this shit to be sure.”

Xerxes bumps my good shoulder with theirs. “Tell us, Kit Kat. We might not know, either, but it will help us try to figure out what you are. Or I think it will, but I won’t know until you tell us.”

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