Page 69 of Failed State

Rory laughs, tilting his chair back precariously. “I would pay good money to watch you do a supermodel walk, Vicious. It would be the highlight of my month.”

“Good fucking luck with that. Sydney won’t be caught dead strutting around in heels and a ballgown,” Thad retorts. “She’s all bad ass and no frills.”

“That won’t matter if they make us go to some big ass party or dance,” the vampire cuts in. “Then we’llallhave to show our style and flair—or whatever the fuck they say to do. Right, Shoshana?”

The terrified human is sitting at the desk now, her posture rigid as she keeps it between her and us. When no one continues, she finally nods. “Yes, that’s correct. We have been told there will be many scenarios—fighting, formal, sporting, hunting, social, and more. You could very well be put into formal attire for a social event that is televised and incentivized in various ways.”

Incentivized—just fucking peachy.

“I assume that means every single time we’re filmed it’s considered an opportunity to build that relationship, then?”

Rory’s question is on point, but I think we all know the answer by now. He’s making the human say it out loud on purpose, though. We all need to hear her confirm we are expected to sell ourselves at every turn to survive this and win the FHSA, the goodwill world-wide they so desperately need.

“Yes, Mr. Stormbringer. Winning requires a great deal of focus, sacrifice, and humility, but the reward will be worth it.”

Dante makes a disbelieving sound and I grin. Of course, none of us truly believe the dictators who control our lives to keep their fucking promises. We hope, we wish, and we dream—but the truth is that we’re planning the revolution because they cannot be trusted. Supes tried that before the Sweeps and look where we all are now. But humans like Shoshana don’t have any real context for the seething hatred or mistrust we have for them because they don’t think they did anything wrong.

“Just wanted to make certain I understood you correctly.” He looks at me and I jerk my chin up, getting his point. “Because I, too, despise a lack of clarity.”

Gee, guys, why don’t you just hold up a blinking ‘do you get it, now, Sydney?’ sign and be done with it.

“Excellent. Now, before class ends, pull out the tablets so I can go over the program you’ll use to create your portfolios for the next class.” Shoshana waits for everyone to follow her instructions, and I stifle the groan before it eludes me.

YOU GOT PLAYED, PLAYA

THADDEUS

Lunch was a fairlyquick affair because we had to get as much energy generating food into our bodies as possible before our next class. This one is bound to be easier than the last few—for one, the instructors aren’t sniveling humans looking down their noses at us.

The bigger plus is that we get to fight and wield weapons.

I’m not violent by nature, though my bear is certainly protective enough of those I care about to decimate anyone who deserves it. My sleuth leader has always wanted me to embrace the animal side more, stand up to things to help the cubs, and be ready to take his position someday. I’m just not that guy, though. Being the leader wouldn’t be horrible if they didn’t expect me to fend off new alpha bears or fight with other species for shit when needed. I can do it, and I’d probably win, but I simply dislike violence as the solution to problems.

The only exception to that is sitting next to me inhaling her tray of food like they’re going to go back to limiting our rations later in the day. Sydney’s never been girly, though I wouldn’t mind if she was. From the moment we met, I’ve felt this pull to her that makes every cell in my body hum with satisfaction. SoI honestly wouldn’t care if she was covered in pink from head to toe, poured into leather, or wearing a fucking purple dinosaur costume. She’s just the best girl I’ve ever met and I’m happy to be in her orbit, even if she barely realizes I’m a dude.

Which is pretty accurate most days, unfortunately.

“I’m looking forward to fighting with you guys again,” Rory says, as he sucks down a protein smoothie. “The dragon is pretty fucking great at the physical angle. It’s like I actually learned shit.”

Elias grunts, shrugging as he leans back in his chair. He just ate enough meat to feed a small family for two days and didn’t look full in the slightest. “We are trained to battle from the moment we can walk, especially those of us destined for leadership and the defense forces.”

“Imagining a small dragon toddler wielding a sword bigger than him is kind of amusing,” Huck drawls before he belches a smoky puff of air. I have no idea what he was eating or how demons digest, but the weird smoke is interesting. “Is that accurate in the slightest? Please tell me it is, Your Highness.”

A heavy sigh escapes the dragon’s mouth as he gives the playful demon an annoyed look. “They had appropriate gear for younglings. We didn’t look like cartoon characters, Monroe.”

Sydney coughs, covering her mouth as she tries not to choke on her third sandwich. Once she’s got it under control, she grins at the grumpy lizard. “I don’t know, big guy. That image is pretty fun. You sure it’s not right? Like really sure?”

He frowns at her, then shakes his head. “It is not, little rebel. Even if it would please you, I cannot lie about it. If it will suffice, I will instruct you on using a broadsword as I did when I was young.”

Damn. That’s a solid offer and we shouldallstrive to get him to extend it.

“Hmmm. I think I might enjoy that, Elias. Offer accepted.”

Sebastian mutters something under his breath, and I smirk. He knows how to fight with that weapon as well, and the dragon has undercut him. I watch the bloodsucker sip from his innocuous mug carefully, unsure how I feel about his barely contained interest in Sydney. Huck and I aren’t stupid—we know these dudes find her attractive. We also know she’s been intentionally sheltered from dating and sex by her own choice the entire time we’ve lived in Tempest Seven. I’m not sure she gets that they’re gunning for her for real anymore than she understood how obsessed the demon and I have been.

“I’m better with magic, alas, sweet pea. However, I believe the mage and I will be downright indispensable when the time comes.” Huck gives her his best country boy smile, the Stetson tipped back on his forehead as he smiles at her.

That son of a bitch isgoodat making himself look adorable and sweet when he wants to.

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