Page 33 of Failed State

Sebastian rolls his eyes, waving the fear demon off as if he’s a gnat. “Supes have a theory vampires and dhampirs can regrow shit like our cousins the Cubi. It’s an old Cloven Hooves tale in Hell.”

The dragon grins, his eyes dancing with wicked merriment. “I could help test it. My cage has been less than comfortable over the past four years. I’d be happy to consider it the first installment on repayment for my troubles.”

“Guys…” I say, pressing my lips together as I try to think of something to say to mediate this mess. The whole ‘alpha possessive’ thing does it for me, so does the psycho, and Sydney is just oozing a confidence I can’t help but find sexy. But now my natural instincts and my trauma are colliding, so I taper off as I cover my arm and do my aversion therapy.

I’m saved by the bell—literally—as a weird alarm sounds at the door. Everyone jumps up, looking ready to rumble, and I have to bite back a chuckle when the formation surrounds the spunky girl we all seem to have a pull towards. She snarls and pushes her way through the crowd, stomping to the door as she mutters about protecting herself.

She’s going to be a handful when we’re actually in danger.

We watch as she yanks open the door to find a fuckingrobotstanding in front of it with a stack of pizza boxes on a tray. The thing looks like something out of that oldLost in Spaceshow, which says a lot about how little innovation the humans have managed since they segregated us. I would have expected something more… twenty-first century, at least, if they’re using automatons. I’ve been in a lot of human residences due to my ‘bargains’ and never once saw something like this. Looking at the vampire curiously, I’m relieved to note he seems puzzled, too.

“Are they scared to deliver us food or just too damn lazy?” Sydney mutters as she grabs the boxes and ignores whatever the thing is saying in its tinny voice. “Whatever.”

With that, she slams the door in its face and stalks back over to the living room. Thad looks amused, rising to his feet to head toward the kitchen. “Syd, we need napkins at the least. They sure as fuck didn’t include any.”

“I wonder how we get that little fridge stocked,” Huck drawls. “Thad’s a pretty decent cook if we can actually acquire supplies.”

“Who says it isn’t stocked now?” the bear asks as he starts opening cabinets, drawers, and finally the refrigerator. “Oh, I guess, I do. There are housewares, and some travel stuff, but not a drop of food or drink.”

We all swivel our heads to look at the vampire and he shrugs, “It was on the menu; don’t be ridiculous.”

“It would be a great way to fuck up teams before they even start,” Sydney mutters. “Trap us with an unfed bloodsucker and see if we survive it.”

This time, I shake my head. “As long as we stay nourished, one or a couple of us could feed him. They don’t need to kill to eat. In fact…” I pretend to smirk, hoping to draw attention away from how I know. “…they often enjoy feeding while they get off. Necrophilia just isn’t sexy.”

My statement earns me a dark glare from both Sydney and the dragon, which surprises me. I can’t imagine Elias being held in a spring meadow, so why would he be so judgy about a little blood play? It’s fucking weird and I need to figure out what his deal is so I know how to keep on his good side.

“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it,” Huck says as he winks. Thad looks at him and the demon wags a finger at him. “Look, vanilla bear, demons are kinky as fuck. In fact, many supe species are. Just because some of the shifter clans keep y’all sheltered doesn’t meanwe’rethe odd ones.”

My eyes close and I pinch the bridge of my nose, completely unable to balance the war inside of me as he chides Thad. If they all get comfortable talking like this, I’m going to needa lotmore bands to keep myself in line.

And where the hell will I get those? Hell if I know.

“We should eat and talk about the schedule taped to the outside of this box,” Elias says as he looks at the pile Sydney put on the low table. “Tomorrow is going to be another grueling day, but we will have to project confidence at every turn so no one considers us weak.”

The dragon might not be so bad after all… at least he doesn’t get caught up in all the emotions constantly.

THE EARLY BIRD GETS EATEN BY THE SNAKE

SYDNEY

The discussionof the schedule went later than anyone expected, but when you throw a bunch of people used to taking charge into one room, it leads to constant fights for dominance. Even Thad and Huck—who normally let me have the reins—threw their hats in the ring a few times. It took forever to agree on how we were going to handle the events, and who would take control in what situation. I’m not sure anyone will even honor it; I know I won’t if I think they’re fucking everything up.

And men always, without fail, fuck shit up when left to their own devices.

My eyes scan the tight crown of braids I have my hair tucked into, then the black shirt and pants with the F.E.A.R. Academy logo on it. They told us to wear our normal uniforms today for the first orientation, physical consultation, equipment distribution, and lunch meeting. Afterward, we’re supposed to change into the athletic gear for an afternoon of physical evaluations. It didn’t say whether any of these ‘intro sessions’ are just our team or groups of them, so I tuck my contraband weapons in their hidden spots carefully.

“Get moving, Vicious. The rest of these idiots are getting restless,” the annoying mage yells from outside my door.

I could give a fuck less, but this time, they’re probably right. We want to be early to the first session to get the lay of the land. “I’m coming.”

“Oh, not at the moment, dangerous lady, but I could help with that later.”

My eyes widen and I open my mouth to shoot back a retort, but the sound of his footsteps moving away from my door stops me. I frown at my reflection, my skin feeling tight and uncomfortable suddenly. “Stupid flirty asshole. Why do men never understand timing?”

Not that there’s ever a right time for a guy to flirt with me, but it’s definitely not now.

After a final check, I press my hands to my hot cheeks and head out the door to meet them in the living area. Thad smiles, rising from his seat immediately to hand me a to-go mug of coffee. Huck winks at me and tosses one of the nutrition supplement bars sector supes survive on. Catching it with my free hand, I look at the others warily. They all look well-rested and ready to go—even to the point of being clean-shaven. I guess I should be thankful they’re taking this seriously, but fuck me if it doesn’t increase their hotness factor by a thousand.

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