Page 139 of Let Us Prey
Sighing, I turn off the shower and step out into my steamy bathroom. I’m supposed to meet my ‘escort’ in only a few minutes, so I have to quickly get dressed for tonight’s super-secret prowling activities. Somehow, I doubt the rest of my guys will be taking this as seriously as Bash intoned, but I’m going to humor him, especially since he almost sounded like his playful self again.
The atmosphere in our group settings is becoming more tenuous, and I may have to intercede if it keeps up—even if that means setting up a drunken slumber party to grease the wheels a bit. I’m worried about how withdrawn and snarky everyone has become, on all sides. We’re supposed to be a team, but lately, I’ve had to choose who to spend time with, usually one-on-one, because we don’t all gather in the Tower like we used to.
Pushing aside my worries for another day, I walk to my closet. The black leather catsuit Rufus helped me pick out fits like a glove, and I lace up the matching thigh-high combat boots with a smile of satisfaction, knowing the glowing collar Rennie gave me will keep this from getting destroyed when I shift. I head to the mirror to pull my rainbow waves into a high ponytail, add some smoky, bunny-burglar eye makeup, and tuck my phone into the hidden pocket on my hip.
What else will I need? I hate to be unprepared.
Frowning, I reach into my top drawer and pull out the Preyace, clipping it inside my bra. It’s well hidden by my boobalicious cleavage in the half-zipped suit, so just in case I can’t shift quickly enough to escape, I’ll have an extra edge, along with the fighting skills Cash has taught me.
Now I’m ready for anything.
A sharp knock at my door startles me, but a quick sniff tells me it’s my gargoyle patiently waiting like a shadow in the bright hallway. Even if he had a keycard like Bash, I bet Renard would never just barge into my room, even if it doesn’t bother me at all when the wolf does it. His odd mix of courtly manners and hungry desire are such a contrast, and I can’t help but feel my stomach tingling as I think about it.
“Coming!” I call as I tuck my keycard away, secretly hoping I won’t need it after our group outing this evening. I’ve really been missing my guys, and am looking forward to reconnecting with all of them, perhaps starting in the Tower tonight. Renard’s low chuckle makes my core ache, and I grin as I throw the door open. “Ready to solve a mystery, big guy?”
He snorts, taking his eyes over the skin tight suit as his tail flicks up one of my legs slowly. “Someone’s channeling Emma Peel tonight.”
My lips curve as I do a little twirl, summoning the bunny tail I know they all love. “I look super stealthy, right?”
“Indeed,ma petite.”His smirk deepens as his tail slides up my tummy. “What else is hiding under there?”
“Wouldn’t you love to know?” I push up on my toes and kiss his lips lightly before giving his ass a light smack. His eyes widen and I giggle, feeling confident under his hungry gaze. “Let’s go find the others before we get distracted.”
Winking, I turn on my heel, putting a little sashay into my steps as I head down the hall to the elevator. I can feel his eyes on my ass, and a tremble of excitement races through me at the thought of finally getting some answers so I can focus on luring the rest of my guys into admitting how they feel.
It’s time for me to show these men who’s really in charge.
* * *
Once we’re gatheredin the tunnels, I can feel the tension that just won’t seem to go away. Cash is standing off to the side, his jaw twitching every once in a while as Renard explains his plans, and Bash is pacing frenetically in front of the alpha, as if poised to defend him. I look over at my silent dragon, noting that his stance is more tense than casual as he leans against the wall. And Nico… Nico shifted to his fox and dove through the hole in the wall the moment he arrived.
Hera help us if we actually have to do anything involving teamwork because we’re fucked.
“The Captain and his crew should be ready any moment,ma petite,”Rennie murmurs as leans in close.
I nod, swallowing hard as my eyes sweep over the room again. Remembering the camaraderie at Christmas, I close my eyes as a feeling of helplessness washes over me. I can’t focus on it now, though, because we have a mystery to solve.
Recentering myself, I focus on shifting into my bunny. It’s getting easier every time, so when it happens, I’m less discombobulated than I have been in the past. My nose twitches as I hop over to the small opening and squeeze into the antechamber to meet Nico.
This is it, Dolly—the moment of truth.
Another shift glides over me, and I give the naked fox a half-smile. “Are we ready to find out what this all means?”
Nico nods, reaching out to take my hand and squeeze it briefly. “Absolutely, Lo. Let’s solve this puzzle, so we can move on.”
Dropping my hand, he walks over to the pedestal and slides the glass panel we left here into its slot, projecting the fuzzy shape on the wall. Again, nothing happens, and I frown. This can’t be—everything Aubrey and I found indicated we simply needed to try again on the Blood Moon, and here we are.
Yet not a damn thing is happening….
“What the fuck?” I mutter as I walk over to the pedestal and glare at it. “Work, you stupid ritual bullshit!”
“I’m not sure that’s going to help,” Nico says with a fond smile. “It’s not like Aubrey when his Smackbook annoys him.”
A disappointed expression crosses his face, and my anger bubbles to the surface, threatening to overflow. All of this research and frustration has been for nothing—and everything else is messy as fuck, too. When a deep growl of irritation escapes my throat, even my fox looks surprised, but I stomp over to the opening without explanation.
“Tell them to let it rip, Rennie!” I snarl, once Nico and I are back on the other side. “It’s time for Plan B.” The others give me a curious look, but obediently follow us out of the tunnels again.
Within seconds, a loud boom shakes the ground of the clearing, sending dirt and rocks cascading shooting from the concealed doorway in the tree trunk. Once the dust settles, we venture back inside the tunnels to find a bunch of dancing racoons in pirate hats pumping their tiny fists in front of a blasted out archway, leading to the antechamber. I can’t help smiling at the picture they make, even though fury is still pumping through my veins like lava.
