Page 147 of Let Us Prey

“Don’t worry, Felix. I had security check on everyone who entered and close the doors for re-entry. We might have a problem if there’s a fire, but otherwise, no creepers should be able to get in,” Chess whispers.

“I still believe it should have been postponed after the body dropped.” My hands tighten around the program as I look around, trying to scout the audience and ignore the caterwauling on stage. “Henrietta caved to those idiot moms, and it puts everyone at risk.”

“Well, not everyone…”

I arch a brow at the cheetah. “How safe are the preds on campus who aren’t here, since all the guards are here?”

“Shhh. You two will get us tossed out and I’ve been waiting to see what my baby girl has spent all her time perfecting,” Fitz growls softly. “If I had to sit through this silicone peep show, I want to see our girl in all her glory.”

He’s not wrong.

“She’s coming up soon,” Chess murmurs. “I’m grading while I watch, so I have to know.”

Letting out a deep breath, I watch the last bit of this never-ending nightmare, practically thanking the gods when it finally ends. There’s a smattering of applause and more than a little laughter as the Heathers prance off-stage with smug smiles. My eyes narrow as I watch the new one who claims to have transferred from Bloodstone. Fitz and I know it’s a lie; miscreants are sent there for life, not to return with a pardon.

This Mc Lachlan chick is yet another mystery I haven’t had time to explore. While her allegiance with the other bullies is annoying, she hasn’t proven dangerous—yet. We’ve got so many enemies and things to figure out on our boards that I’ve tabled her presence for the moment. When I have the patience to contact my father’s assistants, I’ll find out who the fuck she is and why she’s here.

Besides spying on Fitz and I.

The lights dim again and when the spotlight comes up, the curtains pull back on a set made to look like New York City in the mid-1800s. Chess beams when I give him a thumbs up—I’d recognize his work on the sets anywhere. They dressed all the students in costumes that make them look like newsboys, facing away from us in their knickers, suspenders, caps. I’m pretty sure I see the princess, but without her trademark hair giving it away, the lighting makes it hard.

Then the song starts and I scoot forward in my chair.

Holy leapfrogging Hermes!

I think I can pick out the better dancers as they leap, slide, spin, and stomp over the stage to the forceful music. Fuck if I know much about this shit, but I can tell by the look on the badger’s face—they’re doing well. As they get closer to the edge of the stage, I can make out her polar bear friend as well. She definitely seems tocarry some of the harder singing parts and her dancing is pretty damn good.

At least, I thought so until the princess comes striding out into the middle of the stage. She drops a paper and launches into a spin move that lasts so long people shoot out of their seats to applaud. When the noise dies down, the other players crowd around her playfully. My heart stops when they move away and she’s gone.

What the hell, is there a trap…?

“Motherfucker, look at that!” Fitz says, pointing to a corner where our girl is standing cheekily. She winks when we look at her, then does a stupid amount of flips and gymnastics, landing just short of the edge of the stage. The crowd goes nuts again, and she does another run as three other girls join her in the feat. By the end, they’ve all landed in the middle again, dropped into a painful-looking split that makes my balls ache and the song is ending with a shout.

Aubrey is clapping so hard I think he’s going to break his hands and Fitz is literally bouncing on his seat like it’s a diving board. I give Chess a shocked look and he shrugs, mouthing, ‘Told you so’.

He most certainly did not.

The audience continues going fucking banana pants as the group gets up and takes a bow, looking happy and excited for the praise. Dolly is in the middle, holding hands with her bear friend, her face so bright that it makes my chest ache. I wish everyone could see her shining like this, especially her asshole parents, because they’d definitely see the woman my friends fell for.

After a few minutes, the Broadway crew exits the stage and then returns with the other performers. People are still applauding for the musical performance, but at least the others can bask in the clapping as well. The Heather girls are standing on the back half of the stage. They’re glaring daggers at the performers in the newsboy outfits that reveal absolutely nothing, but didn’t need to.Dolly’s group had talent and hard work to prop them up, not nip slips and thongs.

Jerking my head at Fitz and the others, I climb over the seats in front of us, pushing my way through the crowd until I reach the stage. Delores comes running up, her eyes full of pride, and she drops to her knees to greet us.

“How did I do, Sir?”

I have to stifle a groan, making my twin snort, but I hand her the flowers Ren brought with a broad smile. “You were amazing, Princess. You stole the show.”

“Hell yeah, she did! I want you to do all that crazy bendy shit in bed, baby girl. You’ve been holding out on me,” Fitz says, as he growls at her playfully. “No more hiding freaky-deaky shit.”

Her laugh makes me smile even more and I hold my hand out. “Do you have plans for an after-party or would you like to come home and have some takeout with us?”

“That doesn’t count as a date!” Renard sing-songs from behind me.

Asshole.

“I’ve spent weeks with these guys getting this down. Let’s order in and climb into the nest for a movie,” Dolly says with a smile. “Do I get to pick?”

“Absolutely, angel,” Chess says. “You deserve some serious pampering after that.”

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