Page 10 of O Holy Spite

Slicker than greased owl shit, that’s the book loving lizard.

“Aubrey Draconis… where the hell is everyone?” I growl into the speaker. There’s no reply at first and the hackles on the back of my neck rise. “Answer us now or I’m coming down there, you overgrown gecko.”

Finally, an irritated huff sounds out and I grin. “Has no one ever told you that patience is a virtue, Raj? The speaker is on the wall and I was handling a delicate tome. I can’t simply drop it to bend to your whims.”

He’s right, but hell if I’m going to admit it to his cranky ass. “Where’s your mopey mate and the princess? Fitz is getting antsy up here.”

“They’re not back?” He pauses and I guarantee he’s squinting at a clock. The dragon loses time entirely when he’s working. “Shit, it has been a while. Hold on.”

I frown, looking at the other two and they shrug. The signal down there sucks, so I doubt he’s calling Renard. After a few moments, a sigh echoes over the speaker.

“They’re in the Shird next door. Give me a moment and I’ll come up. We can go find them together.”

“How did he know that?” Chess asks quizzically. “Phones don’t work well down there—only stuff on the hard line.”

Fitz rolls his eyes, looking at us both like we’re idiots. “Don’t be dense. Baby Girl and I have been reading up on mating stuff. Mythicals get fancy mental links or some shit. Hey, maybe we will, too? If she mates with them and then us, I mean.”

Blinking, I consider that. Shifter mates have mental connections as well, I just didn’t think about those two being bonded already. The cagey old dragon probably tweaked a cord inside or something to figure out where Ren was. That explains how he always seemed to know how to find him in the past and I smack my forehead as it comes together in my mind.

Sweet Hades, we were so stupid all these years.

“I feel dumb as a post,” I mutter as we wait for our friend. “Those two were probably cackling to themselves from the moment we got here. They love being smarter and sneaking around made it even more fun.”

“We need to get them back with a prank,” Fitz says with a toothy grin. “I’ve been thinking about it since I walked into that room and felt my jaw hit the ground. Not to be mean or anything, just… a little revenge on those smug fuckers.”

Chess taps his fingers against his lips, looking interested. “They did give Fitz and I shit about the library a lot. I’m willing to bet that tryst with Dolly wasn’t the only one to ever occur without us present.”

My eyes dance as the idea takes root in my mind. “I like that plan. Fitz, you’re on point. Find a weak spot and we’ll plan together.”

“Baby Girl will help, you know. She’s wicked good at that stuff and she’ll help once she knows it’s in good fun.” He leans forward and whispers, “She might actually be better than me because she sees the bigger picture.”

I ponder that for a moment, noting that our cheetah is nodding. If he agrees, Fitz is certainly on track. I knew Princess was clever and she’s definitely shown she has leadership skills this year. Perhaps letting her help is a good idea? After all, she’s the bunny in the middle of everything. No one will get mad at her.

Perfect.

“Do it, brother. Talk to her when you’re having reading time or whatever.” My twin bounces on his toes excitedly and for a brief second, I worry he’ll go too far. But Dolly won’t let him, even if she does tend to encourage his feral side. She loves those winged weenies too much to allow Fitz to go overboard.

“Why does Fitzgerald look like he’s going to explode despite burning off energy at the gym?” Aubrey comes out of the hallway that connects the building to his library with a suspicious look on his face. “I thought that was the point of your training time, Raj.”

“It is, “ I reply smoothly. “However, we’re going to find the princess and you know how he gets about her. He’s like a kid in a toy store.”

The dragon tilts his head, then nods. “Fair enough. I only hope she’s ready for it. Spending all this time with Rennie should have made her relaxed as hell. It’s one of his many gifts—being totally chaotic or calming as hell with not much in between.”

“You don’t say?” Chess snickers as he turns towards the door. “Come on. I’m curious about what they’ve been doing over there for hours.”

His expression says he’s not curious at all, but he’s keeping it under wraps for some reason.

“Care to share, Chester?” I eye his smile and he shakes his head. Obstinate little shit is going to make us wait, I see.

Gritting my jaw as I watch the formerly regimented group of shifters exit our current home, I try not to be irritated at my complete inability to manage them now. Control always makes me feel secure, but since our girl, she’s the one holding the reins. I’m learning to accept it, but sometimes, it makes me panic that someone so young and inexperienced is at the helm.

Then she rounds us all up and lays everything out like a damn general.

“Definitely the perfect mate for you,” I mutter to myself as we trudge across the lawn again.

“What was that, bro?” Fitz calls over his shoulder as he kicks the dusting in the air.

I snort. Hell no, I’m not repeating that. “Nothing, Fitz. Let’s get out of the cold.”

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