Page 43 of Her Tortured Beasts

Maybe it’s the old blood on my body? As if I was going to stop to shower! We havenotime for showering. Their shock could also be due to the Dabu pack sauntering in behind me. The three hyena animas have a reputation, even out of prison.

I zone in on the person I want.

“Yoohoo, Raquel?” I call. “Get over here.”

Raquel, who’s sitting next to Minnie, drops their fork in shock, but stares at me, all wide-eyed and nervous. Sighing dramatically, I continue forward, while Lyle goes to speak with Theresa, standing at the buffet. Scythe steps aside to speak with the Forklift Twins who man the front door. This was his idea after all, but I’m the one who’s gonna execute it.

Students stare at me as I pass, nostrils flaring as they scent the death that follows me at all times now.

I gesture at Raquel, waving for them to come to me. “Come, come, Raquel. I need to talk to you.”

But it’s Minnie who gets to her feet. Yeti and Marduk remain sitting on either side of her, their faces wary.

“Savage, this is in no way, shape or form, hygienic.”

My brows shoot up. “I’m not worried about hygiene, Minnie.”

“That much is obvious.”

There’s a spare plate of pancakes on the table. I grab a fistful and shove it in my mouth. Carbs are always good at a time like this.

“Hey, that was mine,” Connor grumbles.

“Sorry, not sorry,” I say thickly. “Anyway, Raquel?” I jerk my head at the door. “I am in need of your services.”

Minnie narrows her eyes. “What for?”

“What, are you their lawyer now?”

“That’s exactly what I am.”

I roll my eyes. “I’m not going to hurt Raquel! And they’re sworn to us anyway.”

“I-It’s alright, Min,” Raquel says, getting to their feet. “I’m coming, Mr Fengari.”

I nod enthusiastically, leading the way back out. To my surprise and annoyance, multiple chairs scrape back and my ears tell me the entire table is now following, Connor and Stacey as well. I roll my eyes at Scythe.

Raquel’s eyes light up when they see the Dabu pack have come with us. The pack greets our wolf anim like they’re old friends. I suppose they got along really well during our mission to the Naga House to rescue my regina’s mum.

We all head out to our hidden suite, and once everyone is seated, Scythe explains his idea.

“Raquel,” he says, “you are the strongest broadcaster we know.”

“After me,” I clarify, tearing into another pancake.

“After Savage,” Scythe confirms. “But Aurelia has blocked us out of her mind. She does…not want us to be in contact with her.”

Minnie bites her lip as if this upsets her. It upsets me too. More than I can even put into words. I need to do something with my hands, but I have no pancakes left. I stare at my palms, my fingernails crusted with dark red and black.

“Here,” a small voice says by my elbow. It’s Stacey, and the little lioness is pushing a colouring book and pencils into my hand.

I take them with a grunt, almost ripping the book as I open it and choose the black pencil. I begin frantically colouring the butterfly on the page. Black. All black.

Scythe clears his throat. “Aurelia may have blocked us out, but she may be open to others.”

“But the distance!” Minnie exclaims. “Drakos Estate ishoursaway by car, isn’t it?”

“I c-can probably reach,” Raquel says quietly. “It’s w-worth giving it a go.”

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