Page 80 of Let Us Prey

“He said… something about a disagreement with their neighbors. They moved to Paris when Notre Dame was built in the 1200s, but then moved again around 1780. I think it was because the humans had that nasty war.” I slip on my iridescent dress, smiling at how gorgeous it is. Cori made it a little short for my taste, but when I balked, she added a matching fluffy petticoat that I absolutely love.

“The humans?” Cori chokes, wiping a bit of her soda off her mouth. “Um… Dolly. Are yousureMattie taught you shifter history?”

I frown, feeling totally clueless once again. “Yes,andhuman history. Lucille insisted I learn things at home because of the role I would play when I got older.”

“There is no way to break this gently, Dolly,” Rufus sighs, turning around to face us. “Girl, they lied to you, and I have no idea why, since you’re supposed to be an heir, and would need to have all the facts. Shifters and other supernatural species used to have treaties. When the Council came along, those treaties were broken, and that’s why we don’t get along with other supes anymore. Rare shifters like your boys hide because their women and children are worth money on the black market, and withoutthe more powerful species, they don’t have the magic needed to cloak their groups out in the open.”

My eyes widen, and I gasp, looking over at Cori for confirmation. She nods, rubbing her arms, almost as if she’s comforting herself. “Brave shifter families teach their kids theactualstories at home—despite the risk of doing so. After the Council took over, shifters became more vicious. All the human wars were shifter territory wars. To limit the casualties, the Council finally made a treaty withhumansthat included partnering with the Khan ambush to send lawbreakers to Bloodstone. It’s why humans pretend we don’t exist now.”

What. In. The. Actual. Fucking. Fuck.

“Are you telling me that Aubrey and Renard won’t talk about their people because they don’t want them to be hunted down and sold? And I blabbed like an idiot?” I shriek.

“Yup,” Rufus says, popping the ‘p’, like the brat he is. “Also, I’m dying to know if your momma passed on that little trick you mentioned—the partial shift. Lucille’s from that part of the world, so maybe someone already has a little gargoyle in them. Hehehehe.”

“Oh my gawd, Rufus! Why can’t you ever behave?” Cori grimaces, putting her hand on her face. “Dolly, don’t listen to him.”

I tilt my head, thinking about it for a moment. It’s a pleasant distraction from my complete lack of knowledge, and I only extended my fangs during my fight with Gold in Shifter Studies. Maybe itissome rare hereditary thing coming from that part of Europe. I don’t know what the hell that would mean, but it feels pretty goddamned amazing to do something those bitches tormenting me can’t. “I can try? But if I do, I can’t guarantee I can… put the bunny away… before we leave. Or at all. I don’t have excellent control over my shift yet.”

Cori’s face lights up as she gives me a sly grin. “Oh, girl. Come here and let me do that makeup, and you can give it a go while I do. If you get stuck, Auntie Coco can fix that costume for you right quick. How about you focus on something small like… your fluffy little tail?”

Rufus’ eyes glitter with mischief, and I feel the exhilarating zing of a challenge rocket through me, encouraging my bunny to come out and play. “Tail it is, then. Talk me through this, guys.”

By the timethe guys arrive at the party, I’m nervous as hell. I thought Cori, Rufus, and I had arrived fashionably late, but they didn’t show until at least ten p.m.

Maybe they had to wait for Aubrey and Renard to get back from dinner?

That’s probably it… not that anyone had to be manhandled into the cheeky costumes I sent, right? My texts with Felix made me feel a little better, but since I have a—ahem—surprise of my own, I’ve been on pins and needles while I wait.

I see them sneaking in as I dance with Rufus and Cori in the middle of the Khan training ring. Apex’s ridiculously extravagant Halloween party is being held outside, but luckily, the weather didn’t throw a wrench into everything. They set the DJ up where the judges for Pred Games would normally be, and tables of food and drink line the path to the circle. They even set up a bar in a roped off announcer section. A bored-looking vulture is pretending to check IDs and Fitz growls at him, howling in amusement when the frightened bird drops his wrist bands all over the ground.

Who the fuck is stupid enough to card a Khan?

Covering my mouth as I snort, I peek at their costumes while the song changes, thrilled that they all humored me. Felix in his huge fairy dress, arm in arm with Fitz in the sexy nurse outfit—they’re both strutting like they own the place, and it makes me shiver. Chess is gesturing animatedly as he talks to Renard, both of them looking unconcerned with their ‘feminine’ attire as well. My gaze lands on the last of my guys, trying not to laugh as I watch Aubrey stomp in, like he’s going to open a crack in the Earth with his feet. Rufus helped me cut the raver girl outfit suit so it would be adorable, but not obscene.

After all, who the hell knows how well-versed a 2000-year-old dragon is about making sure fishnets don’t ride up your ass?

“Dollybear, you got a handful of beautiful guys watching you like a flank steak. You gonna put them out of their misery?”

I’m about to answer when the weasel from my Shifter History class randomly walks up to us. He’s dressed as a zombie from the Walking Dead, and I snort. I’ve definitely seen better blood and gore in person, especially lately. Squinting at him, I cross my arms over my chest, unimpressed. “What do you want?”

He shifts from foot to foot, looking around as if he’s worried someone might see him with me. “I… can we dance? I need to talk to you.”

“Oh, now you want to speak to me? Well, since I haven’t been good enough for you to defend in the past, I don’t think I—” Cori elbows me and I see every one of the guys straighten and pretend they’renotwatching this interaction like a kettle of hawks. My lips curve up as I get a very bratty idea. Maybe Felix is right. I do like to poke the proverbial bear with a tiny stick. Turning back to the weasel, I sniff. “Fine. One dance and if you have nothing interesting to say, it’s going to be a short one.”

“It probably will be, regardless,” Rufus smirks as he glances at my guys again. “C’mon, Coco. Let’s grab a drink while our bunny beards the lion,so to speak.”

When did I start calling themmyguys?

I follow the weasel nervously, a slight flashback to losing my V-card at this exact spot making me falter. When the slower song starts, I groan and let him take my hands as I try to ensure there’s enough space to keep anyone who sees us from yelling ‘slut’ comments. I’m not in the mood, and frankly, Fitz might kill them if I don’t do it first. The small pred tries to lead in some sort of 2-step for a moment, and I sigh. He has no idea what he’s doing, so I take over, leading him as I impatiently wait for him to spill whatever information was so pertinent that he had to approach me at a dance, of all things.

“Thanks for hearing me out. I mean, I know I haven’t…”

I shake my head, in no mood for a false show of support. “Cut to the chase.”

“You’re in danger at Apex!” he says, then ducks his head as if he’s expecting me to hit him. To be honest, I’m ready to hit him with the world’s most sarcastic ‘duh’ when he’s yanked away from me and dangled in the air, like a fish on a hook.

Fitz’s eyes are golden as he snarls at the terrified mammal. “What. In The. Fuck. Do You Think. You’re Doing. Dancing With My Girl?”

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