Page 102 of Let Us Prey

My feet move again before I can think too hard about it, carrying me along the edge of the lake towards the Shird. The Captain and his crew are out in the middle, tossing things into the water—it must be aquatic shifter food. When I squint past them to the garden behind the Tower, it’s empty, so I know Rennie has finished his last class of the day.

I miss spending my nights with them, and thinking about my guys makes my heart squeeze. After I celebrate with my friends tonight, I plan to plant myself in their space and dig my claws in, so I don’t have to leave for a while.

As if they could hear my thoughts, my phone buzzes again, and I swipe it open to find new messages in the group chat.

TigerWoody: Baby Girl, I have one more exam for you.

LustyLibrarian: Don’t say it, Fitz.

TigerWoody: … you should exam-ine my balls!

TigerKing: Why the fuck do I need to be in this chat again?

EmoBatMan: Perhaps we could ask Dolly how her actual exams went?

CSpot: How did your exams go, angel?

LustyLibrarian: Yes, tell us, bite size.

Smilingto myself as I walk around the arts building, I consider how to respond. I could definitely tease the guys about their own classes, but I don’t want them flying off the handle at any of my other professors if I complain—especially with my suspicions about Shifter History. It won’t make me any friends, and since I don’t know yet what my classes will be next semester, I have to tread lightly.

BabyGirl: I’m pretty sure I did okay in Shifter Basics: :wink emoji:

TigerWoody: Bro, didn’t give you a D? A big D?

TigerKing: Fitz, fuck off.

TigerKing: You did great, princess.

BabyGirl: My solo and dance went well—at least that’s what Cori said.

TigerWoody: Chess should have watched! You’re going to like when he watches.

CSpot: Fitz…

LustyLibrarian: Do we get to see you perform at some point?

TigerWoody: …

EmoBatMan: Keep it to yourself, Fitz.

TigerWoody: Baby Girl, tell them to stop picking on me!

I pause for a moment in the space between the Shird and the Honeywell Admissions building. To be honest, I like Fitz’s teasing even when it makes me blush—like now—but I also love the way they jump in to save me. I’m not used to so many people completely focused on me in a good way, and I’m not sure how to handle it.

What would Rufus say?

He’d tell me to give it to them good. I ponder for a moment and take a deep breath, feeling braver with the distance messaging offers.

BabyGirl: Fitz, you’re begging to be spanked. Don’t cry to me.

The dots float on the screen for a few heart-stopping moments and I almost lose my nerve. But then I see typing, and I bite my lip as I wait for the response.

LustyLibrarian: The lunchable has you pegged, Fitzgerald.

EmoBatMan: Agreed.

TigerWoody: Baby Girl, you’re a traitor. :pout: Chess, tell them.

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