Page 55 of Let Us Prey
She stomps over and pokes me in the chest, frowning at the hard obsidian her finger meets. “Listen, you. Sebastian is not my keeper. My enemies could kill me every time I step out of my room, but I can’t live my life in fear! I’m eighteen… I should be able to run around after curfew and let my newly-dyed hair down occasionally. It’s not fair that I have to stay locked up like Rapunzel.”
A flare of overprotectiveness from my gargoyle replaces the dull ache—after all, watching over those we care about is in our nature. Despite my inclination to chastise her for being reckless, I also understand what she’s feeling. When I was her age, my desire to break free from the shackles of responsibility was just as strong. Unfortunately, the consequences were dire.
I don’t want her to suffer like I did.
“Dolly, I don’t believe anyone wants to lock you up.” She gives me a wry look and I grimace. “Okay, maybeBashdoes, but that’s because it probably terrifies him to think someone might hurt you. Sure, he’s been tasked with protecting his alpha, but Cash is more than capable of handling himself. And with Nico, well… I would guess Bash thinks his job endedtherethe moment he claimed the fox. ”
Her long lashes flutter as she looks away, expression serious as she considers my words. When she looks up again, she places a small hand on my chest. “You’re not as aloof as you’d like everyone to believe, are you, Renard?”
I swallow hard, pretending I don’t like how astute she is, or the way my name rolls off of her tongue. Her skin is warm on mine, and she’s standing far too close, but I don’t know what to say that won’t betray the effect she has on me.
I hope the feeling is mutual.
Everything seems sofamiliar,but as much as I’d love to immerse myself in those memories, Dolly isn’therand I’m not the gargoyle I used to be. It wouldn’t be fair to either of us to indulge in nostalgia. Although, a waltz in the moonlight might soothe the irritable git inside of me while I wait for my companion to arrive for dinner.
My mouth opens before my brain catches up, and I blurt out, “Would you like to dance?”
Okay, not the smoothest line in the world, but Delores is making me nervous with her moonlight fairy singing and smart and sassy mouth.
“I suppose I could allow you to lead, Monsieur Renard, if you promise not to step on my toes. I have a dance midterm in two weeks and I can’t be hobbling around,” she teases, her lips curving into an adorably mischievous grin.
She takes my hand, letting me lead her into a two-step waltz to the sounds of Beethoven wafting from my room. Once we make a few circuits around the grass, I arch a brow at her playfully. “Am I leading satisfactorily, or do you have a critique,il prima?”
She chokes back a laugh, shaking her head. “I am far from aprima. However, you’ll do as a partner.”
My eyes widen, and she gasps when she realizes how her words could be misinterpreted. Her face flushes that rosy color again, and I spin her around, dipping her backwards to dispel the awkward moment. I know what she meant, but the ingenue blushes and natural shyness are making my chest tight. I don’t know how to handle her intriguing combination of charming innocence and worldly sarcasm. It makes every nerve in my body fire at the same time, which only riles up my gargoyle.
Must. Keep. Animal. Brain. Quiet.
“Good to know, as I don’t make a habit of waltzing with people in the moonlight.” The gentle tease makes her giggle again, and I see exactly why Sebastian has been running around like a lovesick cartoon character for months.
Delores Drew’s appeal lies in her depth, not just in her surface-level pouty lips or soft curves. The women we meet at this school are usually hardened by their exile, or lacking any personality outside of the persona their families have molded for them. This girl is unapologetically discovering herownidentity, and watching her fumble and fire back is endearing as hell.
“You don’t? I mean, there’s enough room out here for Bash to teach you to grind or for Nico to waltz with you… ” She throws her head back and laughs when my eyes narrow. Once her giggles are under control again, she raises a sassy brow and continues. “Maybe Cash then? He seems like a foot stomper, though, and putting you and Aubrey together in this tight space might be a squeeze. One of his grumpy belches might toast you, but I bet he’s lighter on his feet than he looks.”
I snort, the imagery finally getting to me. She’s not afraid of anything, it seems. Most of the shifters she just poked fun at would kill someone on the spot if they heard these musings, but I know none of them would harm a hair on her cotton candy head. I lift my hand and let her twirl again, watching the moonlight hit the voluminous gown as she spins a few times. It’s been such a long time since I had this much fun with someone who is not my ancient companion, and she paints the prettiest picture, inside and out. When she stops spinning, she rewards me with a brilliant smile that hits me in the chest like a cannonball.
Romance will not be enough with this girl.
“Renard, are you okay?” she asks worriedly. “Your necklace thing is…glowing.”
Nodding, I rub my chest again and send her a reassuring look. I’m about to give her my go-to explanation of the talisman, but before I can, the very book dragon she mentioned before lands in front of us. He’s half-shifted as usual, and a knowing smirk is playing over his lips as he eyes the two of us.
“I looked for you on the balcony, but imagine my surprise when I heard you down here instead,” Aubrey drawls, his eyes dancing with mischief.
He can smell how this is affecting me—and he’d better keep his damn mouth shut about it.
Delores’ eyes light up. “We were dancing, you old fuddy duddy. Don’t be grouchy just because I made him late for whatever the hell you two get up to when no one is looking.”
I blink, rushing to stop her from asking too many questions. “I was worried because she was down here alone and defenseless, Aubrey. Plus, you were late and didn’t even send a text. Again.”
“Oooh. Five points to the rock man,” Dolly whispers, tilting her head at the scaly librarian as she awaits his response.
His eyes narrow for a moment before his lips curve into a grin that means nothing but trouble. I’ve been his friend long enough to know he’s decided to return the favor of causing chaos. “Well, lunchable, I suppose if you’re here... " My eyes widen and I shake my head, knowing where this is going. It’s like watching a train wreck about to happen. “...perhaps you should come with us. We both require a hunt.”
Holy Bridget in the bathwater, is he fucking serious? We never take anyone with us.
“Oooooooh, can I?!!” Her nightgown bounces as she jumps up and down, clapping her hands like a little kid. Compared to us, I suppose she is, but the analogy is damned near perfect.
