Page 93 of Hellfire

Fuck this guy. “She’s not your asset, she’s a person.”

“Thank you for your time, Miss Prince and Mr. Mathieson.” Vartros moved away then stopped, glancing back at us. “Do not pursue her appeal. I won’t approve it.”

Double fuck him. I wouldn’t leave my friend in a dangerous environment to do dirty secret missions to apprehend Guild criminals.

Cole caught my shoulder to stop me from collapsing on the floor. “We’ll get her out any way we can. In the meantime, I’ll find out what I can from my mom and ask her to watch out for Astra.”

I sank into the comfort of his arms and chest to stop myself from screaming down the auditorium for justice for my friend.

Talon found us backstage, stroking my shoulder. “What happened?”

Cole filled him in because I didn’t have words… well, none that weren’t angry and loud.

Talon put his hand under my chin to lift my gaze to his. “She’s safe for now and that’s all that matters.”

“Is she?” I asked. “She’s in with dangerous inmates.”

Talon chuckled despite the seriousness of the situation. “Something tells me that’s up Astra’s alley.”

I glared at him for a second until his meaning sank in. “She does love bad boys in her romances.” I pictured her finding her dark, sexy harem in the place where she least expected it.

“See what I mean?” His thumb wiped soothing motions across my cheek.

Okay, so he had a point. I chose to think that my friend was safe, well, and surrounded by her harem than the alternative, since it hurt too much to think she was in this situation because she tried to help me.

Blaze hadn’t stopped apologizing since the news broke. It wasn’t his fault. My grandfather used him as a puppet, taking control of him with his snake tattoo. Now that the elementalerased the marking, Blaze would never be subjugated to another’s will.

Talon’s arm curled around my shoulder. “Come on, we have a party to attend.”

I groaned. “It’s not with those high-ranking, elitist snobs is it?” I rubbed my cheeks. “My face is aching from all the fake smiles and platitudes.”

“No, this is private.” Talon fit me into his side. “Just you and me. We’re cooler than the rest of those losers.”

I laughed and sniffed, getting that Talon joked to cheer me up.

Cole punched his arm for that. “Speak for yourself, Superman Pants.”

Talon patted his cock through his uniform. “I don’t have that problem anymore, thanks to the snakey.”

“Come here and I’ll punch you in the snakey.” Cole squared off with him and play-boxed him.

“You’re jealous my snakey is bigger and shoots lava cum.”

I lost it at that one and laughed so hard it caught the attention of the elitist snobs dwelling in the auditorium.

Gable swaggered up to us. “We’re out of here, Princess. Drinks at my place and some Dark Queen bedroom play afterward. I’ve got this hot new outfit for you to wear.”

“Excellent orders of business,” I said. “Especially the last one.”

CHAPTER 32 - LUNA

Three months on, and life was back to normal, as they say. Assignments to be written and submitted. Tests to be studied for. Book contents to memorize for end-of-semester exams. Dates to be had with my men. Lots of weekend getaways, shopping trips, nights out to movies, bars, hiking, and other endeavors now that we were threat free. Talon unsurprisingly had loads more spare time without the Brotherhood minions creating havoc for his team.

Sadly, lunches weren’t the same without Astra, but my men picked up the slack, Talon, Cole, and Blaze substituting for her when their schedules permitted. Other times, I left the Academy to have a lunch break with Gable when I had a spare period off on Fridays. Life was ninety-eight percent good. Having my bestie back would increase the odds to one hundred and five percent good.

I refused to comply with Vartros’ request and submitted email after email to any Guild official who would listen to get her out. Every one was denied.

“Hit me, Hotshot.” Gable set a card down and flicked his finger at Blaze to deal him another card.

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