Page 120 of Let Us Prey

Sighing, I fold the paper and tuck it into my bag. “I don’t know, Rufus, but it sure as hell makes me feel like I’m in danger. Maybe that’s all it was supposed to accomplish—to throw me off my game.”

My friends and I exchange worried looks as I pack my things to head to the Tower.

Maybe I should call one of the guys before I leave…

Sucker for Pain

Felix

As I listento Aubrey read the latest email from the administration, I marvel at their incompetence. Another five students are missing since they left their homes to return to Apex for the spring semester. It took a week for professors to raise the alarm because the entitled shits who attend school here frequently show up late, especially in the upper classes. The five are all fourth and fifth years, so no one spoke up until now—likely to keep from incurring the wrath of rich parents.

Fitz is sitting on the couch sipping a beer as I pace the floor in the middle of our circle. He’s not showing it outwardly, but I know this disappearing act is making him worry for Delores. I can tell by the fury flooding our ambush bond as he idly runs his fingers through Chess’ hair.

If he knew who was responsible, I know he’d tear them limb from limb to ensure her safety.

“Felix, when Henrietta told me we were at a missing count of ten, I requested to be part of the investigation. She’s too worried about appearances and donors to push the various parties to solve thisshit. We still don’t know who tried to poison the heirs last spring or what they used. A student died on Halloween, and now we have people falling off the face of the planet; they need to call in the Sibbies.”

Renard looks up from his book, squinting at Aubrey as if he just started paying attention. “The Supernatural Investigation Bureau? That witch leading the Council will never allow them inside Apex—not anymore than your father would Bloodstone, tiger.”

“The Council may not have an option if too many more kids get snatched, Ren.” I scratch my chin, pondering how irritating that turn of events would be. “None of the major families have lost anyone, but the second they do, it’s going to be like an unpleasant episode of that dance parent show.”

“Hey, good one, bro!” Fitz says, holding his hand out for a fist bump. “I’m going to pull you asshats into the modern era even if it kills me.”

I roll my eyes at him, but I walk over and give him what he wants. He beams at me and in that moment, it hits me how carefree my twin is since the princess entered our lives. He’s not out boozing and drugging it up every night. He pays attention to shit, and he’s even less hyper unless he’s really excited.

Score another goal for the cheeky rainbow bunny; she’s made Fitz almost normal.

“Have we considered maybe the poison isn’t poison, but magic?”

The abrupt change in topic catches me off guard, but my tiger isn’t having it. “I don’t care what the hell it is if we don’t know who’s doing it. They could use fucking phoenix shit and it wouldn’t matter if we don’t know where to find them!”

Chess blinks, looking thoughtful. “Either idea is about as likely as Aubrey joining the cheer squad, Raj. But I see your point.”

“Magic is more prevalent in this world than the Council leads the supes they control to believe,” Renard murmurs as he turns to pinus with a serious expression. “It may only thrive in rural areas of this country, but overseas, the people who wield it are simply keeping themselves hidden from the assholes governing us.”

Aubrey frowns, taking his glasses off to clean them as he often does when he’s perturbed. “That sounds plausible, old friend, but would any of them work with the people you claim they hate? Even for a promise of money or power?”

The gargoyle shakes his head. “No. Even rogues know better because the previous versions of the Council sought to exterminate them. Anyone caught doing so would be on their own, as the magical community would turn on them as a whole. But they might work for powerful magic users with less than honorable intentions—especially if there are factions working towards overturning the rule of our dictators.”

“Aw, man,” Fitz sighs as he leans against the cheetah. “Now I’d feel bad for fighting against them. Those fuckers need to be taken down and have for a long time, just like dear old dad. But killing our kids isn’t the way to go about it. Fucking Catch-22.”

“How do you even know that phrase?” Aubrey asks incredulously.

I agree; my brother isn’t known for his literary prowess.

“Baby Girl is reading it for a project for that dickhead,” my twin says as he hooks his thumb at Ren. “We like to read aloud. I can focus when it's auditory—I wish I’d known that years ago. Would have made school a hell of a lot easier.”

Giving him a curious look, I can’t help but ask, “Delores figured that out?”

“Yep. Our girl is a smart cookie and I love her creamy center,” he says with a sigh that’s almost dreamy.

“Fitz!” Chess admonishes him with a chuckle. “Can you behave for five minutes? While I’m a bit stunned that you’re listening to classics and actually retaining the information, we’re getting off topic again.”

I nod, looking at the librarian and our host. “He’s right. Ren, you may need to do some poking around in the magical world since you’re the only one who believes it exists. Aubrey can help with the old texts that may refer to it.”

“Thanks for your permission, Raj,” the dragon grumbles as he shifts in the chair. I can tell his dragon is pushing at him as much as the animal in me is sliding through me.

They don’t like the idea of our girl in danger, even if she shouldn’t be our girl.

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