Page 82 of Let Us Prey
I’m perfectly aware of the history and background of every single person on this campus. However, if the disgraced Shirdal keeps talking, she’ll spill secrets that aren’t in the files. If I can bear to listen to her ramble, I may glean gossip that will be useful when I need to properly… motivate Delores.
I may also need more alcohol.
A waiter finally walks by with a tray of wine and I pluck a glass off, handing it to the flustered avian with a deceptively friendly smile. “Henrietta, I can read their staff profiles anytime I choose. Are any of those people…exoticshifters? Dragons are a species Delores would never meet if she were attending another institution, and I want to know what other perks you’re hiding.”
She takes the glass cautiously, as if I had time to poison it—or would waste the poison on her. “Yes, having Professor Draconis at Apex to curate our archives has been a great boon, and you are correct, Madame, in assuming he is not our only rarity. Professor Laveaux is a gargoyle—as you know, we rarely see them outside of their clans. He teaches botany and literature, depending on the season.”
My eyes narrow and I give her another fake smile. “Does my daughter take any of his classes?”
“Absolutely! Delores is excelling in most of her classes, Madame. She has high marks in Professor Laveaux’s class and good evaluations from her work study with Professor Draconis. That alone would be quite impressive, but she also did well on exams for Professors Balena, Sarabhai, and Nicodemus in the areas of her arts major.” She pauses for a moment and sips her wine, then holds a finger up. “Even Professor Romulus has been impressed with her progress in Shifter Studies, and he’s a very difficult wolf to please.”
Oh, I’ll bet he’s impressed.
That predilection of his is infamous, and my dumb bunny is the perfect bait. I’ve always wondered how to bring the Romulus to the table more often, and snaring their disgraced heir might be enough leverage to make it happen. The question is, how I’ll achieve all of this without tipping anyone off.
“That’s very interesting, Henrietta. I would think—given her unfortunate handicap—that Delores would be more of a hindrance in shifting studies class than a star student. Good thing you have a Romulus in charge, or the poor thing might get eaten!”
Henrietta sputters into her glasses, nearly choking as she attempts to speak. “Oh, no, Madame! I can assure you we have taken every precaution to ensure the safety of your illustrious heir. I promise—”
If only I’d put my sunglasses back on when Bruiser brought my spare Yves St. Leopard dress after my shift, I could roll my eyes at this imbecile without killing the mood I’m creating. As if I care about our family’s embarrassment getting killed on campus… I wouldn’t have sent the little twat to this school if I was concerned with keeping her alive. “I’m sure you set the correct expectations. However, as we both know from our time at Apex, shifting is where those instinct-fueled ‘accidents’ are most likely to occur.”
“Delores bested Heather Erickson in the ring a few weeks ago, Madame. The girl had to have another nose job to correct the damage. I spent a lot of time smoothing over the incident with Mr. Erickson. Oh, and I believe she sent Todd to the infirmary. Todd… I’m forgetting his family name, as there are so many Todds and Chads and… Either way, you should be proud,” the eagle says as she nervously gulps down another sip, babbling, just as I’d hoped.
Interesting. Delores has grown a spine, has she?
I nod, pretending to look bored as I scan the room again. “That idiot Erickson should stick to his microchips, and his daughter deserves to be taken down a peg. Notice how he didn’t requestmyinput on the situation.”
“No, Madame. He was most insistent that Inotdisturb you with something so trivial. He said he would speak to Mr. Drew at the next Council meeting.”
Of course he did.
Bruno is so gullible that every male in that wretchedly ineffectual group thinks they can influencemeby starting with him. It’s laughable, if not deserving of a decisive slap during our next business negotiation. Perhaps I’ll require a hefty donation of Erickson tablets to the school as an apology.
Yes, I believe that will be a worthy tribute for his insolence.
“Henrietta, I want copies of every assignment my daughter turns in to her professors forwarded to my assistant. We must monitor our heirs to ensure they are representing their families appropriately.” She bobs her head and I turn to look at her. “I also want files on every student who attends classes with her, including their parents’ information from Admissions. I need to know exactly who my daughter is cavorting with at all times.”
As most of the students are not in the one percent of society, all I need to do is dangle the right carrots—either money or power. Eventually, my wayward rabbit will be the key to securing my spot at the top for good.
Carrot. Aren’t I clever?
FORTY-SIX
Good Love
Nicodemus
It’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep my disloyal thoughts at bay. I attempt to sit quietly in my usual spot on Renard’s couch, to remain non-threatening as the three alphas—and unapologetically opinionated beta—passionately discuss Delores Drew. Regardless that I was raised to be more submissive than my long-buried instincts would prefer, I’m still a smaller pred. I still need to defer to the more dominant predators in the room.
Even though it’s killing me.
There’s no denying Lo has fully awakened my dormant fox, and that I’m ill-equipped to deal with it. As the conversation in the room grows more heated, my fox grows more agitated. He’s pacing beneath the surface, itching to be let out and show the othershecan protect our girl just as well as they can.
Fuck, does she even know what she’s doing to us?
“...the more pressing issue here,” Aubrey steers the conversation away from the fact that Lucille Rostoff Drew apparentlyripped someone’s throatout during the emergency parents’ meeting. “Is the emotionaldamagethat’s been inflicted on Delores by her family. The rest of you didn’t see her when her mother, father, and bodyguard were on campus. I did. Our brave girl was hiding in the archives, behaving like terrified…prey.”
“Sheisprey, Aubrey,” Renard smirks, his gaze immediately shifting to Cash, eagerly awaiting my alpha’s response to that loaded statement.
