Page 133 of In Prey We Trust

Delores

This is such utter horseshit.

They packed the antechamber to the gills with students, families, and visiting dignitaries like a poorly planned festival. If someone wanted to attack right now, they’d all be well-dressed fish in a damn barrel. I told the guys to hold back so we could huddle just outside the doors in the shadows—not inside where it smells like the perfume counter at Bergdorf’s. It feels like we’ve been waiting for ages, but luckily, Fitz has been keeping me entertained. People have been passing us by as we stay out of the limelight, and it makes me chuckle that they’ve written us off as unimportant.

Suddenly, speakers above my head play Canon in D by Pachelbel, and I huff. Anyone with a hint of taste wouldn’t bring in their fancy guests to the world’s most overused wedding march. “Handel’s Queen of Sheba or Holst’s Jupiter would have been better,” I grumble as the crowd moves into a line without even being told.

“Agreed, ma petite,” Rennie whispers as we head for the back of the newly formed line. “But, alas, the people making these decisions are not so musically inclined.”

Felix and Fitz take my arms and Chess walks between my winged warriors behind us. Fitz shrugs, giving me a crazy smirk. “With the way tonight’s likely to turn out, I think we should enter to the fucking Ironman theme song.

Of course, he’d think we should rock up to this old world ball backed by AC/DC.

“For once, I don’t even have the urge to smack him in the back of the head, Princess. It’s not a bad idea.”

Turning to Felix, I wrinkle my nose at him, hissing low. “What did I say about this being a Cinderella experience until it isn’t? I will murder you all if you ruin this.”

“Baby Girl, I would never, ever deprive you of your little girl fairy tale ball daydream. The shitheads in hoods might, but we’re gonna Prince Charming the fuck out of you until then. Got it?” My hyper tiger squeezes the hand on my arm, then leans in to put his lips to my ear. “Besides, all fucking five of us are rocking the magic tattoos you accidentally gave us when you scratched big bro’s dick—which I still think was a bad ass move, little bunny.”

“Fitz!” I grind out. “What did Felix say about secrets in public?”

He grins roguishly, avoiding his brother’s glare. “You’ve always known I’m a bad boy, Baby Girl. You’ll just have to continue keeping me in line.”

A muffled snort from behind us makes me chuckle and I nod at the line. “It’s moving. We should stop for the cameras as a group when we enter the ballroom. If they want a spectacle, we’ll give them one.”

“Ooh. Feisty lunchable,” Aubrey says. “Looks we’re in for an interesting evening.”

We sure as hell are.

Everyone shuffles forward and the anticipation of entering a room with all my bullies, my parents, and every crooked asshole in the Northeast claws at my gut. I know I will never measure up to any of their scrutiny, but with my friends just ahead of us and my guys around me, it will be okay. They can stare at me disdainfully all they like; I know better now.

“Angel, you look like you’re getting ready to run.” My sensitive cheetah probably noticed how tense I’m getting as we step forward every time the crier guy inside announces another name. “It’s okay. None of them matter; you know that.”

“I do. But I’d rather some beer swilling jackass in the underground ring be calling my name right now than this. At least those people are honest about wanting to kill me.”

Felix snickers, but whatever he planned on saying is cut off by the loudmouth in the room, saying Cori and Rufus’ names. That means we’re next, so I take a deep breath, straightening my spine and putting on my Lucille face. She’d never be dressed as softly as I am, but using her attitude against her kin has worked for me so far. No use fixing something that isn’t broken.

“The Honorable Delores Diamond Drew, daughter of Lucille Rostoff and Bruno Drew, escorted by…” he pauses for a moment and I snarl under my breath. “... escorted by Prince Felix Khan, Royal Enforcer Fitzgerald Khan, Chester Khan, His Highness Aubrey Draconis, and Le Roi de Laveaux, Renard Laveaux.”

“That’s a fucking mouthful,” Fitz mutters. “I don’t know how our girl does it, honestly.”

I pinch his arm hard as we walk into the room, pausing at the top of the stairs. My eyes skate over the crowd, immediately zeroing in on the gaggle of Council members that include Lucille and Bruno ensconced at a table surrounded by goons. The ghost of a smirk dances across my face as my mother takes me in, surrounded by my men, clad in couture, and sporting a crown straight from a dragon’s hoard. When I feel like we’ve made a big enough statement, I nudge Felix and the twins lead me down the stairs. I’m surprised when Renard and Aubrey deal with the giant pouf of my dress without being asked, but by the time I get to the bottom, I know why. They lived through a time where this kind of shit was normal.

Way to make yourself feel like a kid, Dolly. No more history bullshit tonight.

When we reach the bottom, the music resumes, but I can hear whispers around the room. My hearing has been much better since I emerged, especially when I shift, but this is crazy. It’s like I can hear people across the crowded room despite the small orchestra playing a light waltz in the background. Whispers of all our names assault me and I shake my head slightly, trying to dispel the weird auditory effects.

“You okay, Princess?” Felix rumbles under his breath as we walk past older shifters that have mixed expressions of scorn, fear, and uncertainty.

“My hearing just got markedly better as we walked down into this snake pit. Like… questionably so. I’m having a hard time adjusting,” I murmur, then smile at some sparkling old bat who raises a glass at me.

His brows raise, but the regal smile doesn’t leave his face. “We knew after the… oddity the other night you might have effects. Less than optimal time for one to show up, but concentrate on your bunny. Get her to focus on controlling her strengths.”

“Great. The Universe is having a grand old time with Dolly again, granting me powers I don’t know how to work in a room full of people who’d like to kill me.” I hold on to both of my tigers tightly, praying something I can’t control won’t send this evening spiraling into the abyss.

If it’s my fault, they’ll have a perfect scapegoat—the disgraced mutant ex-heiress.

“You’re not a mutant, Angel.”

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