Page 99 of In Prey We Trust

Before he can unleash another set of signs for me to puzzle through, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and work screen lock crap Fitz put on it, only to find an email from the evil counselor witch. Despite it being mid-term week and our schedules being jumbled like a fucking jigsaw, she still expects me to put my obligatory hours in. Just like that, the decent day I was having slides downhill and I kick a rock across the path.

Turning to Holliday, I sign ‘sorry,’ before I talk. “Change of plans. I have to go to the Admin building for this stupid appointment. Can you come?”

The armadillo nods and I follow him to the airlock, texting the guys as we go.

BabyGirl: Change of plans. Rockland emailed that I still have my appointments this week.

CSpot: That nasty witch needs to go.

TigerWoody: None of you will let me kill her, so it’s not my fault.

EmoBatman: You have to go, ma petite. She will cause trouble if not.

BabyGirl: No shit. I know she’s just waiting for me to give her something she can use to get me in trouble. Since Farley sent the Postman, she’s been more subdued but compliant.

TigerKing: You’re sending him everything, right? You’ll need it to ensure you have proof of the crap she’s putting you through.

BabyGirl: I am. Every tiny detail goes to him so he can keep it in his files. He said one day we’ll have enough to take her to court.

LustyLibrarian: And when you do, we’ll make sure she regrets it. But for now, stay alert. We still don’t know if she’s playing only for herself or at the behest of others.

TigerWoody: Baby Girl, tell that cowboy armadillo I’m picking you up. I don’t care if I have to sit in the waiting room the whole time. You’re not seeing that woman without backup.

Baby Girl: Okay, Fitzy. I’ll see you all soon.

CSpot: Don’t get worked up, angel. I’m making tomahawks and cheesy potatoes tonight.

EmoBatman: Cheese is the only actual competition we have for our girl, Chester.

Smiling at the screen, I watch them banter as Holliday and I head down the long tube to the main part of the campus. I know they want to protect me, but Rockland is one of the few people their threats haven’t deterred. The only thing that makes sense about her dismissal is that she’s backed by someone powerful enough to keep her safe, but I don’t know who that would be. A credited book would infuriate my mother, despite it detailing my high society connections. Lucille only likes publicity she’s orchestrated and I don’t believe she’d use a loose cannon like my fake ass counselor.

No, someone else is pulling Rockland’s strings, but the question is who? What does humiliating me get them?

When we arrive at the building, Holliday opens the door and follows me inside. The crew doesn’t normally do so, so I give him a questioning look as we get in the elevator. Signing the letter ‘y’ at him, I wait as the carriage heads up to Rockland’s floor. He looks thoughtful for a moment, then shakes his head and shows me the screen on his phone instead of trying to sign his answer.

There’s a message from the Captain telling him to stick with me no matter where I go and I turn red. The armadillo can’t hear, but he’ll read Rockland’s lips and then he’ll know what kind of shit she puts me through. I was hoping to keep that information secret so none of my guys goes off the rails and tries to murder her. Farley is the only person I’m giving all the info to, and I wanted to keep it that way. Biting my lip, I gesture at his phone, hoping he’ll let me type on it. He nods and I type out ‘Session info secret. Please do not repeat what she says to me. Someone will die and it will make everything worse.’

His eyes widen and he gives me an uncertain look before signing ‘okay.’ I let out a breath, relief filling me as the doors open. At least he’s willing to play along for now. I stride down the hall with the armadillo on my heels, determined to get through this so I can go home in a mood conducive to studying. I have my dance final nailed, but I also have Music Theory and Diplomacy tomorrow. I’m sure Rakoto will throw me curveballs to be a bitch and I want Rennie to quiz me while we eat Chessie’s dinner and veg out. I can’t be teetering on the edge right now.

The door to Rockland’s office opens, revealing the vulture herself. She frowns when she sees Holliday, but allows us to walk into the waiting area. “I’m afraid your little friend will have to wait out here. Sessions are confidential.”

Sure they are, you story stealing corpse licker.

Smiling innocently, I shake my head, making sure I’m not looking at him when I answer. I won’t be able to keep my face straight if I do. “No can do, ma’am. Holliday has been assigned to escort me by my mother, and Lucille gets very upset when her edicts are ignored. Besides, he’s deaf, so confidentiality isn’t a worry.”

“Oh!” she says with a plastered-on smile. “Then it will be fine. Your privacy won’t be compromised if he can’t hear. How silly of me.”

I blink for a second, letting her idiotic lack of knowledge about deaf shifters sink in. As usual, I cannot believe anyone lets this dumbass chick handle students with genuine issues. She’s about as sensitive as a cactus shoved up your ass. Turning to my companion, I have to stifle a chuckle when he shrugs. I suppose he’s used to people being morons, even if I’m not.

“Come, come!” Rockland calls from her office. “No time to waste. Deadlines and all.”

Holding in a snarl at her comment, I head into the room and throw myself into the armchair farthest from her desk. This is a game we play every time, because I don’t like to give her the upper hand. This time, however, she settles in her chair and doesn’t comment on my seating choice. Holliday meanders over to the chaise on the back wall, giving himself a clear view of her face without looking interested.

The Captain’s crew are very smart and very loyal prey.

“Now, where were we?” Rockland pretends to shuffle some papers around, then bends to look in a drawer. She does this often and I’ve wondered if she’s got the remote to whatever she uses to record me down there. “Ah, yes. Last we spoke, we were discussing the merits of having more than one lover. I’d asked about feeling excluded when a bonded pair is intimate without you.”

I don’t even have to look at Holliday to know he’s probably trying not to gape at her. Her intrusive bullshit is well over the line and I don’t have a choice but to indulge her until we have enough evidence. “And I told you my relationships are none of your business. I have no concerns in that area.”

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