Page 22 of Let Us Prey
I immediately soften. Nico has been in my life since we were pups, when 12-year-old Bash saved the scrawny orphan from becoming Romulus kibble. While I originally resisted the bond—seeing nothing but weakness in the tiny kit—my twin insisted we keep him, and in the decades since, the fox has become more pack to me than most of the wolves I share blood with. Bash is pussy-whipped at the moment, and I’m still alpha of this three-member pack, so it’smyresponsibility to fix this.
“Nico, listen... " I begin, painfully aware of the two muppets eavesdropping inside, waiting to heckle me from the wings. “Sometimes, when a predator sees prey… especially if they’re, um… attractive… ” I grumble in annoyance as a snicker floats out to taunt me.
“Teach him about the birds and the bees and thebunnies!”Renard joyfully calls out, followed by a loud guffaw from Aubrey.
By Thor’s hammer, I am going to make a doorstop out of that fucking gargoyle.
Turning back to Nico, my eyes widen to find him gazing at me with the desperation of a drowning man. “Please tell me what to do, Cash,” he rasps. “I can’tcontrolhow she makes me feel and I… Ineedto make it stop.”
“It’s not going to stop,” I reply, and with a pang, I understand just how much I’ve failed the man cowering before me. Romulus rule by fear, and with Nico having all of his dominating pred instincts beaten out of him at a young age, he’s no more prepared to handle his primal urges than a pup would be. “It’s not gonna stop,” I repeat, grimacing when I realize the same statement holds true for me.
Delores fucking Drew has burrowed her way into this family—and that includes the chuckleheads inside. The only logical thing to do is treat her like any other threat to my pack, and do everything in my power to bring her to her knees.
We’ll see who’s the top predator now.
FOURTEEN
You Don’t Own Me
Delores
My first week at Apex is little more than halfway over, but I’m still meeting obstacles at every turn. Monday I had to deal with the acidic Professor Cassius, the last-minute audition, and my work study with the oddly attractive book dragon. On Tuesday, I attended classes in the Shird with Cori and Rufus, but afterward, I stayed cloistered in my room, snacking on vending machine fare, and memorizing all the secret prey information the infirmary staff shared with us. There are days I won’t be able to depend on my friends to protect me, and I can’t let Bash see me as a weak little girl. He’s already doing far more for me than he should have to.
Yesterday, I had an annoying class before I stumbled into the resident gargoyle’s haven. He’s different from the others, but something about Professor Renard intrigues me. Since I don’t have as many classes today, I have time to find food to squirrel away to take back to my room for tonight—anything to make attempting the cafeteria again unnecessary.
I may have to order some provisions on Animalzon, to be honest, and learn how to cook. The dining hall is beautiful, but with the Heathers and their followers circling it, I don’t know if I’ll ever feel safe going in there alone. It’s too enclosed, and I’m too easy a target when I don’t have backup.
I can’t ask Cori and Rufus to babysit me.
A quick stop at the mirror has me checking my high ponytail, and my gaze drops to the Apex Academy issued black sweatsuit. The email Professor Sarabhai sent Monday evening said we would focus on ballet, jazz, and tap in the first semester. I don’t have the correct shoes yet, but I got them ordered. I can dance barefoot until they arrive if I have to, but I cobbled together tights, booty shorts, and a sports bra to wear. I won’t look fancy, but I’ll survive.
Sighing, I stuff my uniform into my bag on top of my stupid school-issued kitten heels before loosely tying my preferred combat boots. It’s not cold yet, so I can head over to the gym in my dance gear without worrying about freezing my cottontail off. Eventually, I’ll have to get the right attire, but if I play my cards right, I can get Lucille to send it. She’s due to check in with the Headmistress within the next few days—if I know her, and I do—so once she hears that I’m competing against some of her rivals’ kids in dance wearing nothing but booty shorts, the floodgates will open. I just have to play to her obsession with image and a veritable cornucopia of gear will arrive, lickety-split.
If not, I’ll figure it out. Luc paid me well this summer, and I’ve been saving as much as possible to help support myself if my parents ever decide to completely cut me off. So far, I’m only annoying them with my ‘plebeian rebellions,’ but there may come a time when they strike back.
I have to be ready to make it on my own.
Picking up my Preyfar and my bag, I open my phone, looking at the newly-installed map app carefully. If I take the east stairs to the west lobby, and exit from the fire door that’s never armed, I should pop out right by the side door to the Leonidas Gym offices. Bash has his there, and if I text him, he’ll be at the window in a nanosecond to watch me enter the Leo safely. That covers my journey to dance for the morning. All I need to do is remember how Clarice told me to get from the gym to the library, and from there to the Shird to meet Cori and Rufus. After that, I’m home free, except for Shifter History.
That’s a future Dolly problem.
Maybe my friends can advise me on the history professor, to help mitigate the fact absolutely none of my allies will be with me in that course.
Hera, help me. I’m going to need all the advice I can get.
* * *
“I supposeyou can convince me to allow you to continue with this class, Ms. Drew. If you acquire the necessary attire and equipment by next Thursday,” Professor Sarabhai adds, looking over her elegant shoulder at me, as if I’m contaminating her studio with my non-compliant clothing.
This isn’t the hill to die on today, so I simply nod. “Yes, Professor. I’ll make certain I have everything I need next week. Thank you.”
She stalks off, leaving me to finish packing up my bag. I made certain to take as long as possible after class, allowing the older students to head for the locker room before me. Neither Cori nor Rufus are in this section of the class, and it surprised me when I found myself amongst mostly second and third-year students, rather than beginners. That means there isn’t a Heather in sight, so once the rest of the girls are gone, I can try to slink in and change before I head to the Shird.
Bash was teaching a hand-to-hand combat class for third years during this block, so I know he’s here somewhere. Professor Sarabhai had to kick him out of the room when we lined up at the barre to stretch, and even though he wolfed out a little, the cobra didn’t back down. She may not like me very much, but she’s a tough old bitch, and didn’t want someone creeping on her class, regardless of who it was. I have the feeling few people stand up to my erstwhile stalker and live to tell the tale.
Pushing the door to the locker room open, I step inside and head for the benches. I would never be stupid enough to leave my belongings in a space I can’t control, but I do need privacy to strip off my sweaty clothes and freshen up. After a quick sweep around the banks of lockers to make sure I don’t see anyone lurking, I set my bag down and begin.
Keeping my hair in the ponytail so it doesn’t get wet, I peel off my sports bra and booty shorts and head to the showers to rinse off quickly. It might make me late, but since Professor Nicodemus seems to be absent every time I’m in the Shird, I might get lucky and still get to my costuming class with him before he does.
