Page 142 of Let Us Prey

As if stopping my brain is an option.

“If you say so,” I mutter, and head back into the room. Pulling my phone out, I realize I need to go down and meet our girl. Her friends are dropping her off at the Admin building on their way to work on sets for the talent show. The way Delores lit up when she talked about the piece she’s performing was enough to make my heart squeeze. If nothing else, seeing her so happy is gratifying. Before break, she seemed ready to toss in the towel.

“Catch!”

I barely get my hand up in time to snatch the car keys as they come flying towards my face. The gargoyle grins at me, his expression full of faux innocence, and I roll my eyes at him. “Hilarious. I’m headed out now.”

Trudging down the steps of the Tower, I consider how much things have changed since Christmas break.

The tone on campus is hushed—as if everyone is waiting for the next student to disappear without a trace. Henny asked the professors to load students up with work to keep them indoors studying, rather than sneaking around for parties and hook-ups. The meeting we had with her after the first day back revealed six more missing students, though none from families influential enough to cause a fuss. Much like the body that appeared on our balcony, despite security measures, not a trace remained of those who didn’t return from their homes.

If someone can sneak into Renard’s sanctuary to drop a body, is anywhere safe?

I doubt it. Rennie’s aversion to technology doesn’t stretch to our home. The Tower has a fully equipped alarm system with motion sensors we activate when we’re out. After all, the two of us have more valuable artifacts than anyone else at Apex, and neither ofus appreciates invasion of privacy. But this motherfucker didn’t trip our system—they either climbed the sides or came from above.

Magic may not be the answer, as my lover thinks, but winged shifters could.

Dragons don’t take kindly to people invading their homes, especially ones who aim to hurt their treasures.

And Dolly is my treasure, without a doubt.

Shaking my head, I push all of that away as I arrive at the Admin building. Renard’s stupidly sleek Aston Martin parked in front—proving he really has the prey staff wrapped around his clawed little finger. I would have preferred we switch this roller skate out for one of his larger vehicles, but he stubbornly refused. That mischievous streak of his is going to be the death of me, especially if he ever gets Dolly to play along.

“Aubrey!”

Turning my head, I see the bunny in question waving as she walks up to me with the badger and polar bear. Her friends look like Sid Vicious and Nicki Minaj as they stroll up with my beaming date. They wear their eccentricity like a badge of honor, which I believe has given Dolly permission to be herself without judgment. I’d thank them, but the punky one is giving me a suspicious glare.

What in the name of Osiris did I do to him?

“Listen up, Prof,” he says as they reach the car. “We brought Dollybear here for your little jaunt to town, but she’d better come back unscathed.”

The polar bear bobs her curly head, rainbow hair flying as she points an accusatory finger. “Even when it’s consensual, you’re too old not to know how to take care of our girl. Don’t make us hunt you down.”

Dolly is turning as pink as the proverbial bunny’s nose, and I’m left to gape at the two furious looking students escorting her. Notonly are they threatening a professor, but they’re serious as a heart attack, and I don’t have a clue what they’re talking about. I walk around the side of the car and open the door, so the girl in question can get in.

“I applaud your fierce defense of your friend, but I have absolutely no idea what the fuck you’re talking about.” I pause, letting my dragon slip into my gaze for a moment. The suggestion that we would hurt Delores woke him up, and I have to squeeze the squishy kitty in my pocket to help calm his irritation. “I would never allow harm to come to the nibblet, nor would I let her suffer any ills. Your staunch concern is misplaced, I fear.”

Good job, Aubrey. You didn’t even roast them alive for their insolence—nice.

Rennie would be proud of my measured, pragmatic approach. I wait for the badger to nod and then look at the colorful bear for her agreement. Once they both give their approval, I round the car and squeeze myself in. It’s ridiculously small, and I’m not, so Dolly immediately dissolves into giggles. I scowl at her, even though I’m secretly enjoying the adorable sound of her joy, and peel out of the lot.

The quicker we arrive, the less time I have to spend crammed into this clown car.

“Aubrey! You drive like a maniac,” she chides, giving me a stern look.

I arch a brow at her. “Buckle up, bite size. This is going to be a bumpy ride.”

“You’re telling me...,” she mumbles sarcastically.

I don’t respond until she complies. “If you’re worried about my driving that much, we’ll fly next time.”

“It’s a date.”

Which is how I asked her on a second date as our first began.

“Holy shit,I forgot—it’s Easter!” Dolly exclaims as we park in the oddly packed lot.

I blink, looking around in shock. They filled the town square with decorations, vendor booths, and a myriad of activities that spill over onto Main Street. Scents waft on the breeze from food trucks, and a vast staging area fills the center of the park, its line extending the length of the path I’d hoped to privately stroll along.

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