Page 43 of Let Us Prey
I can’t decide if that’s a good thing.
“A-dog! Fuck am I glad you’re here! Cherry is off studying and Nico is working on some glass thing. I’m bored. Let’s play Super Smash Preds.”
As usual, Bash’s entrance is a cacophony of disturbance in my precious thinking time. I glare at him over my glasses, hoping to wordlessly convey my wish to focus on the task at hand. When he doesn’t take the hint, I snap the Smackbook closed, watching him fire up the Slaystation with annoyance. If he’d amuse himself, I wouldn’t mind his presence, but Bash is like a hopped up rave kid 24/7 because of his Prey-DHD.
“Sebastian, I’m reviewing the files and results from the prom disaster. I fear it’s nowhere near being resolved and we all agreed this was bigger than an attempt on Council heirs.”
The wolf tilts his head to the side, tapping his fingers on his legs as if he’s itching to wrap his hands around either a Slaystation controller or someone’s neck. “Is Delores in danger? Who do I need to kill? I dealt with that little shit who broke her heart already, and I have ideas for when I find out who trashed her room. Hint: it involves hooks.”
Someone trashed Delores’ room?
Pinching the bridge of my nose to push away thoughts of roasted preds, I breathe deeply. Of course, Bash’s concern is limited to the immediate people he gives a shit about. He’s not one for looking at the big picture and he revels in punishing the people who violate his rather interesting moral code. “I don’t know yet, Sebastian. The Council labs couldn’t ID the toxin in any of their vast databases, and that points to a more skilled opponent than a lackey or an idiotic teenager.”
“Ok, so what the fuck are we all gonna do about that?” he asks, fiddling with his controller in agitation, surprising me with his ability to hold the thread of our conversation.
“Again, the course of action is still unclear. At the moment, it’s a single incident with too many variables and not enough hard evidence to point in a specific direction.” I arch a brow, watching him fidget. “You seem more concerned with this than you normally would be.”
“Hell yes, I am! And the same goes for you too, you spicy lizard. The rest of you assholes might think you’re immune, but I see more than you know, dude.” He drops the controller, leaning back against the couch and clasping his hands behind his head with a smirk.
I fucking highly doubt that.
Snorting smoke, I shift in my throne, putting my work aside as I huff. “What are you hinting at, Sebastian?”
“Cherry. Duh.” His grin widens as he watches me shift in my seat. “Big bro announced D is under Romulus’ protection. Nico is all in with the bunny joining us in the bedroom. You’re spending time on technology—which youhate—researching something that’s been over for months. Fuck, even the rock man is brooding more than normal. You all need to get with the program.”
What in the seven wonders of the world is he babbling about?
I’m simply doing due diligence in investigating a threat that might affect our home and our group. Unfortunately, tech is a necessary component of that search. There’s no hidden meaning behind it.
“Miss Drew is a student, and she’s quite intriguing, but I’m not working on this because of her. Apex is the only home I’ve known for many years, Bash, and if there’s some jackass out there trying to harm students, we could lose our jobs and our residence,” I protest. My frustration escalates as I talk, causing puffs of smoke to escape as the fire burns inside.
Dragons are not good liars for reasons that should be obvious.
“Yeah, yeah. Keep tragically lying to yourself, Smoky. I don’t know why I’m the only one in this crew who sees it, but Delores Drew is the best thing to hit this place sinceIarrived.'' He winks and shrugs, his eyes dancing. “And I’m pretty sure she’d be down with giving usalla little lovin’.”
Having Sebastian Romulus read my thoughts was not on my to do list. This has to stop.
My eyes widen and I sputter, unable to form coherent thoughts as his implication sinks in. I’m not one to share the intimate details of my people with others, so Bash can’t know dragons are some of the few shifters that live in polyamorous communities. The strength of our people lies within the bonds of the mated groups, but I didn’t expect to find something like that after being exiled. In fact, for more years than I can count, I believed I’d spend the rest of my life alone.
That may have changed, but it doesn’t mean Bash’s vision of the five of us sharing a Council heir is coming to fruition, either.
Not that I have any desire to—the girl is young, traumatized, and so sheltered that she barely recognizes her own desires, much less those of men exponentially older than her. My horndog friend is biting off more than he can chew with his horny train of thought, and I don’t know how he expects me to react.
We’re an island of broken toys, and she’s badly damaged—what possible good could come from entertaining his little fantasy?
“Dude, chill. You look like your brain is going to explode. I’m not saying the puppy pile needs to happen tomorrow. Cherry isn’t ready for a dragon-sized dick… or your teeny weenie, either.”
Narrowing my eyes, I rise from the chair and stalk over to the chuckling wolf. “You don’t know shit, Sebastian Romulus—not what I’m thinking or what a dragon dick looks like. Give me the other controller so I can kick your furry ass.”
TWENTY-SIX
I Ship It
Delores
“Ifeel like I’ve got half the teachers in this stupid school giving me suspicious or dirty looks. Maybe I really am cursed,” I mutter. The books in front of us on the stage are full of musicals we can license for this year, and the professors left us to our own devices while we looked. I’m sure they’ve fucked off to a teacher’s lounge or in Professor Sarabhai’s case, smoking one of those weird clove pipe things she likes.
Rufus snorts, shaking his head. “Girl, you’ve got it twisted. Yes, that snively bitch in Shifter History probably hates you, but it’s probably because you’re an heir he can’t suck up to, so he’s siding with the Heathers. Prof Short Dick has been schmoozing heirs foryears; you’re not special.”
