Page 77 of In Prey We Trust

Waving at Bowser as he heads off, I take Fitz’s hand and tug him towards the creepy building. “I actually hope she’s not. We’ll have better luck rummaging through her shit if she’s not.”

“I love a good room toss. Lead the way,” Fitz says as we head inside. His eyes cut around the outer room as we walk in and I feel his disdain.

Like last time, there were students curled in chairs by the fireplace despite the heat outside. Today, there are even more people curled in random spots with books. I haven’t been in the other dorms, but the people in the Reptile house seem pretty studious. No one looks up as I tug Fitz to the elevator and we get in. I’d say it surprises me, but honestly, this school is so damn weird that very little shocks me now.

“This thing is older than all three of us Khans put together,” Fitz grumbles. “Yet another reason I’m glad you’re not actually living here. It feels like it’s going to shake apart.”

“Of all the things trying to kill me here, I don’t think the elevator is our biggest enemy.” I lean into his arms, letting him surround me with his warmth. “Promise me you’ll behave if this chick is in here? We don’t know enough about her to knock her off the board yet.”

“If she was part of the poisoning at Apex, I won’t get the chance, Baby Girl. The Habeñero Hothead is gonna smash her into bits. He was so pissed about ruining his suit and having to slog through all the vomit.” Fitz smirks as his fingers trail over my arms. “But he’ll probably let you watch if it makes you feel better.”

I think about that for a moment, then shrug. “That would be an acceptable outcome.”

Fitz growls and squeezes me, grinding against my ass. “I love the vicious streak in you, Baby Girl. Don’t let anyone make you feel bad for it because it’s hot as fuck.”

“It doesn’t make me… like her?” I ask quietly. I don’t think I’ve ever voiced that before, but it’s been on my mind. There’s so much about our world that’s shitty and unfair—most of it based on the ability to kill weaker beings.

“Absolutely not.” He snorts and kisses my ear. “You aren’t cruel or manipulative like your mother. You don’t abuse people like your ex-friends. The empathy you show others, even the prey animals and shit, is what makes you better than them. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be formidable and fearsome.”

The door opens and I sigh. “Thanks, baby. I needed to hear that.”

“Anytime, Baby Girl. Now let's toss this place so I can get you home for dinner.”

Horns

Fitz

This creepy place makes me extremely glad we convinced our girl to stay in the MojoDojo. All those weird kids making vacant doll eyes at us as we walked to the elevator and then the death trap? Not a ringing endorsement for her safety. Plus, it’s on the fourth floor and the middle is never a good strategic position. Following her down the hall to her actual room, I roll my eyes at the dim lighting and décor; this place is some sort of weird homage to haunted houses or something. She swipes the Cappie card to get in and we walk into the pitch black dorm.

“I’d say she’s not here, Baby Girl,” I drawl as I let my eyes adjust. “Unless she’s sleeping at four p.m.”

Dolly flicks the lights on and I’m about to make another snide remark when she puts a hand on my chest. “Oh, shit. I think she’s got a friend sleeping—oh my fucking Goddess, Fitz!”

A growl rumbles out of my chest at the tone in her voice and I step in front of her, my body poised to strike at whatever has her scared. “What? What?”

She trembles as she shrugs me off, walking around my defensive post to get closer to the bed. “That’s—that’s… it’s not… That person isn’t sleeping, Fitz.”

What? Is she saying they’re dead?

I sniff the air, confused when I don’t smell blood or decay. The eyes are closed and the girl’s skin isn’t turning gray. How does she know? I stalk over to where she’s pointing, intent on keeping her from panicking more. She might be fine with death, dismemberment, and bodies, but it’s completely different when you find them lying in a bed that should be yours. They have traumatized our girl enough as it is; she doesn’t need this.

The nerdy looking girl is lying peacefully in the floral sheets as if she’s sleeping. Once I pull back the sheets, I can tell they did not kill here her. The slice on her neck is deep, and she likely bled out recently, but there’s not a drop of gore anywhere in this place. It’s like she was killed, cleaned, and moved here purposefully to send a message—which is likely right on the nose. The body hasn’t been long, so whoever did this doesn’t know my baby girl isn’t living in this room.

“Stay back. I know you can handle shit, but you don’t need to see this,” I say as I whip out my phone and start texting. I’m not saying anything out loud; we haven’t swept this room for bugs and who the fuck knows if this is a setup. I put my finger to my lips, and she nods, her face pale as she complies without a word.

TigerWoody: At Baby Girl’s dorm. Code Black. Again. Need a crew and Henny now.

EmoBatMan: On it.

TigerKing: Again?

CSpot: Is my angel okay? Are you okay?

TigerWoody: Everyone calm down. And someone stop the Lizard Lothario before he comes stomping over. We don’t want to draw more attention to this.

EmoBatMan: Good call. Felix?

TigerKing: On it.

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