Page 19 of Let Us Prey
I snort, seeing everything I need to know about her mental state from the way she’s presenting herself compared to her last visit. This is a girl desperately trying to make people believe she has everything under control, and she’s using that bravado to counter the prey instincts of an animal she doesn’t yet understand. “I am the eldest shifter on campus, yes. That is why I do not suffer fools or games, Miss Drew. There is no need to pretend within these walls.”
Her brow furrows, and she studies me for a moment before defiance flares in her gaze. “Who says I’m playing games? I’m here for my work study, Professor Draconis.”
Renard was right—she’s got a temper—and despite her occasional bouts of insecurity, there’s strength in her.
She’s definitely bright, although judging by the quality of company she kept at prom, she’s spent a lot of time hiding her true self to keep from threatening the insecurities of those around her. The idiot who dragged her away during the vomit incident didn’t look as though he could play Memory with a two card deck, so it’s doubtful she’s accustomed to someone treating her as if she has value besides being arm candy.
That will change during our time together.
“Indeed. While you are a guest in my library, you will drop the act and behave like a student that scored just shy of perfect on her Pred-CTs.” Her jaw drops and I smirk at her in satisfaction. “You are not the only one who can research their coworker, Miss Drew. I could not in good conscience allow an imbecile to assist me with the most valuable artifacts in our possession if you were not up to the task.”
She crosses her arms over her chest, raising her chin as she glares at me. When I don’t respond to her bratty posture, she rolls her eyes and sighs as if I’m the most tiresome shifter she’s ever encountered. “Look, Professor, I have my reasons for being the way I am and I’m not about to explain myself to you. I don’t owe you my story.”
An actual smile ghosts over my lips at her keen observation. I spent many exhausting centuries draining my resources in an attempt to help people understand my past, and it never led to the enlightenment I’d hoped for. Giving curious bystanders weapons to use against you will never make the shame or helplessness fade—it’s a subject my old companion Renard, and I have discussed at length over the years.
If she’s going to survive the gauntlet that is Apex Academy, Delores needs to stop basing her worth on the opinions of shifters unworthy of such a boon. Acceptance of her true self—fluffy cottontail and all—is the only way she’ll be strong enough to rise above the inconsequential judgements of her peers.
“That is true, and I applaud you for saying so,” I reply. “Being different from everyone else is both a blessing and curse, but onlyyouget to decide which one to give weight to. Now, if you’re ready to drop the mask enough to learn something new, we can begin.”
A flash of fear vibrates from her, but she forces her shoulders to relax as she walks over to my table with a guarded expression. “What will I be learning today?”
The myriad of scents clinging to her slam into me, and I have to pause as my delicate olfactory nerves identify them. There’s a hint of oleander, magnolia, and gardenia that tells me she’s been in Renard’s oasis. Earthy wolf scents mixed with expensive cologne mark her as part of both twins’ days today. I don’t smell the reclusive fox, but I can catch hints of her friends, the badger and the polar bear.
Prey… she doesn’t smell solely of her own species, but of several. She’s been in the dining hall and the infirmary. Has someone already tried to harm her? It’s only her third day on campus!
I’ll kill them all…
A low growl rumbles out of my chest, and she gasps, backing away quickly with downcast eyes. Her hands clasp together, wringing, as she cowers against a table. “I’m sorry! Did I do something wrong?”
Fuck. My dragon’s response triggered her godsdamned PredTSD.
“No, no,” I explain, making certain to keep my voice level and my hand gestures small. “I haven’t eaten in a few hours, but not to worry… bunnies aren’t on my menu.”
Her lips quirk for a second, and she tilts her head. “Really? I mean, I never thought about it but, whatdodragons eat? Meat, I’d guess, and maybe… coal? No one ever talks about your people, even in school.”
I arch a brow. “You haven’t earned my story, either, Miss Drew. Suffice to say, I am uninterested in a rabbit sampler platter.”
At least, not for sustenance…
That thought surprises the hell out of me, and I scramble to school my expression so she doesn’t see.
A laugh bubbles out of her before she can stop it, and she covers her mouth. The sound is admittedly delightful, and I reach into my pocket to squeeze the shiny dragon mochi to stave off my typical reaction to something so cute. Delores doesn’t need me to coddle her as others might, nor allow her to wear the false face of confidence she doesn’t feel. Outside of teaching her a fraction of my vast knowledge this semester, I get the sense she needs someone to allow her to simply exist and become comfortable in her own skin.
“They didn’t say you were funny. I mean, they didn’t say you werenotfunny, but humor wasn’t something I expected. The other night you were different... "
I shrug. “Very few people at Apex know me as more than the grumpy librarian who won’t allow them to destroy texts or violate my realm with their childish chatter. You won’t find many who can give you the information you’re looking for on my kind—you’ll have to earn it.”
She narrows her gaze, giving me a suspicious look. “Earn it?”
“Be on time, be yourself, and be eager to learn. That is all I ask.” I stand, towering over her as I raise a brow. “Is that fair?”
She nods, chewing her lip as she considers my words. “I think so. What are we going to do first?”
This time, I do smile. “We’re going to the archives, little one. Keep your hands and arms inside the ride at all times.”
* * *
When the ancientlift system to the archives reaches the lowest level, she turns to look at me with wide eyes. “You neglected to mention the ‘ride’ was a dragon sized boulder with no railings that shoots through a dark cave at warp speed!”
