Page 112 of Let Us Prey

What on earth ishehiding?

“Okay,” I agree as I look at them. “How does this work?”

Felix frowns. “How does what work, princess?”

“Um… you know. Do we do it all at the same time or one at a time?” I feel a bit exposed, but my family didn’t exchange presents and now that I think about it, I never once swapped gifts with the Heathers.

I didn’t realize how sheltered I was until I came to Apex.

Fitz nips at my ear, growling low. “Let’s all do it together, hehe.”

My face turns red again, and I pinch his side, making him laugh. “Okay. You guys all go and then I’ll do each of you, one by one.” This statement inspires another round of laughter, and I sigh heavily, although my annoyance is half-hearted.

I can’t seem to avoid verbal pitfalls in this company.

The guys rip into their boxes, throwing paper and ribbon aside with reckless abandon, and I wiggle with excitement. All at once, they pull the specially madeKigurumisuits I had made for them, based on their animals. Felix’s tiger is orange bengal striped, and the head on the hood has fierce fangs. Aubrey and Rennie have stuffed wings that stand up in the back, and Chess’ cheetah has afluffy tail. The white tiger I had made for Fitz has a bit of blood dyed on its fangs and fur, and he picks me up with a hoot of approval, standing with me in his arms like I weigh less than nothing.

“I love it!” Fitz spins me around before setting me back on my feet so he can quickly shimmy into his suit. Holding the hood in place, he throws his head back, letting out a loud roar, making me laugh.

“The quality is amazing,” Rennie murmurs, examining the onyx color. “When did you make these?”

I shake my head. “Oh, no. I’m not this good yet. Not by a long shot. I had some friends from my summer job at the fashion house whip these up.”

Felix strokes his chin, tilting his head as he studies his suit. “It’s perfect, but when do you see us wearing these?”

My eyes dance as I grin at them. “During our future slumber parties.”

That got their attention. Ha!

A hand tugs me back down to the floor, and Chess places a kiss on my jaw. I lean into him, loving the soft growl he emits. “I love mine, angel. Thank you for making my cheetah so sleek and fierce.”

Fitz barrels over to the nest, having zoomed around the room in his for the past five minutes, and puts me back on his lap. I pull the tiger's hood up, and he growls again before he looks over at Aubrey. “Put yours on, you adorable reptile! I want to see!”

I have to cover my mouth as the grumpy dragon glares daggers at him. Taking pity on him, I pick up the smallest gift. “Maybe I should open these first?” He gives me a barely perceptible nod, and I take that as my cue to begin.

Chess’ box contains a stack of songbooks, novels, and a beginner knitting set that makes me feel all squishy inside. He wants to share hobbies with me and it’s so cute I can’t stand it.

Inside the biggest package is a slinky black Ostrich de La Renta dress and matching LaPerla to go underneath. As always, Fitz found exactly the right size.

It’s his superpower.

Renard unveils a gorgeous wild orchid that seems to sparkle in the twinkling lights, and I smile at my botany loving professor, wondering if it will remain perfect like the one he keeps under glass.

With only one package left, I rip into the paper, furrowing my brow at the heavy, flat stone. Felix gives me a grin, allowing a single claw to emerge from his finger before scraping it over the stone, and suddenly, I get it—it’s a whetstone for sharpening my claws.

It’s like each of them gave me a little piece of themselves, except for…

Aubrey rises from the arm of the couch, disappearing from view as he descends the stairs. He must be going to Rennie’s room, but why did he hide his present there? The Khans all look at each other in confusion, but the gargoyle looks like he has a secret. When Aubrey returns, he’s carrying an unwrapped brown box that’s….moving?

“I had to keep this downstairs, or it would have spoiled the surprise,” he explains as he walks over and joins us on the floor. “But a colleague in Morocco found a litter whose mother died, and I thought...”

The lid pops open and a small, golden cat jumps out, looking at us with wide eyes. It has abnormally large ears, stripes, and looks certain we’re going to eat it.

I mean, for some of us, that might be fair.

“Is this a domestic cat?” I ask, reaching out carefully, so I don’t scare it.

The dragon shakes his head. “No, it’s a sand cat. They do best in the wild, but this one has been living with foster families since it was born.”

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