Page 105 of Let Us Prey

I’ll bet you do.

My father taught me to read people at the auctions when I was very young, and I’m well aware Matilda is simply telling me what I want to hear. However, as long as she continues to show me the respect I deserve on the surface, I don’t care what’s going on in her little birdbrain. Forcing others to cower under your gaze is one of the most powerful tools a leader can possess, and I’ve got mine honed to perfection. Any shifter interested in survival knows if they don’t properly cower under the weight of my stare, they face the wrath of my leopard.

Killing a few people here and there helps reinforce a healthy level of fear.

“Bring me my phone. I believe it’s time to check in with my rebellious rabbit.”

My assistant’s brow furrows in concern, but she walks to the desk and hands me my DiePhone. “It’s after dinner, Madame. She may be out with her friends since exams are over.”

Eyes narrowing, I grab the phone, my tone dark as I snap, “Are you presuming to criticize when I contact my child? Or suggesting I’m unaware of what goes on at that school? I know better thanyou,as I have ordered you to no longer be in communication with Delores.”

“No, no, no! I was attempting to make certain you had all the information you required for your phone call. Of course, I’m only making educated guesses based on my limited understanding of campus life.” The hawk shifter backs away slightly, swallowing hard as she cautiously watches me.

Fool. As if she could outrun me if I went for her throat.

“If I require your help, I will demand it, you overgrown chicken. Until then, fetch me two slices of raw pheasant and keep your beak shut.”

Turning my back to her, I swipe the screen and locate Delores’ contact information. The brat had better answer my call, no matter what she’s doing, or so help me… I’ll send Bruiser to remind her who owns her. Nothing like a mild threat to herd the sheep where you need them.

Once Matilda rushes off to the kitchen, I call my daughter. The phone rings several times, and by the time she answers, I have to calm my leopard down. If I want the bunny to give me information, I have to at leastpretendto give a fig over what she’s babbling on about.

“Delores, it’s your mother. No, I’m not calling to—” I roll my eyes in disgust as she begins a lengthy diatribe about why she didn’t answer sooner—as if I care what sorry excuses she has, since none will be sufficient. Already annoyed, I interrupt. “Stop. Talking. Thank you. I simply called to inquire about yourexams.”

That inspires another rapid-fire marathon of insipid drivel, so I lean back in my chair and sip my drink to calm my ire. My patience for dealing with useless twits is usually stretched thin by mid-morning, and we are well past that deadline. However, if I tear into her too quickly, she’ll curl up like the pathetic rabbit she turned out to be, so I have to tread carefully.

Pretending to care is exhausting.

“Yes, it sounds like you may not have humiliated us this semester. Well done. If your assumptions about your grades are accurate, I won’t need to send Bruiser to remind you how I feel about failure.” When she asks about our holiday plans, I hear the careful tone in her voice. I’ve already informed her she was no longer welcome in my house during breaks, but this almost sounds like she doesn’twantto come home—like she’s hoping Iwon’tforce her to.

Very interesting.

“Your father and I are headed to Ibiza for the winter holiday, so you’ll be staying at Apex over break, as discussed,” I reply, listening for the telltale exhale of relief, smugly pleased when my suspicions are proven correct.

My bumbling bunny has plans for Yule. Who in Hera’s name invited her anywhere?

I pause while she pretends to be disappointed, trying not to laugh at her pathetic attempt at lying. This behavior is why it’s a fucking miracle she’s my offspring; Delores doesn’t have a deceitful bone in her body. No Rostoff is this ridiculously inept at subterfuge.

When she finally takes a goddamn breath, I cut in. “Delores, dear, do you haveanyoneto spend the holiday with? I’d feel so much better knowing you’re taken care of while your father and I are abroad, as we will be completely unreachable in case of an emergency.”

I’m sure she doesn’t realize I don’t mean a single syllable of that sentence? Per usual.

My brow raises when she gets cagey—at least for her—and describes a meal in the cafeteria followed by a present swap with her friends. Intel from Henrietta confirmed that her gang-banger badger and the les-bear from the fishing family were both leaving campus for the entire break. That means Delores must have plans with one of the professors she’s been seen in the company of—a revelation that is most fortuitous for my plans for gathering information from influential families.

But how do I get her to open up about her dating?

“I’m pleased you will havefriendsto keep you busy.” I let my sentence hang for a moment, relishing in the fear I can almost taste over the phone line. “I should mention your father is seeking eligible suitors since your… handicap… lowered your betrothal value. Perhaps we could line up dates for you around your spring holiday to introduce you to some prospects?”

Silence. Oh, that’s very good.

Her voice is wobbling when she protests, so I know the bulbs in her dim mind are flashing in panic. “Delores, if you can’t locate a reasonable replacement for the hyena, it’s our responsibility to see you’re provided for.” I wait again, my lips curving up as I sip the martini. “I encourage you to open a dialogue with whomever has piqued your interest, because if you have not announced a courtship by the end of the school year, we will do it for you.”

Matilda walks in, and I know my machinations have ended. Even though I’ve cut off their communication, I know better than to trust anyone in overhearing my plans.

The walls have ears, as they say.

“Delores, stop babbling. I’m tired of this conversation, and you’ve heard my decree. Remember to beautify yourself before you go tobed; your looks don’t have too long of a shelf-life, and on that note, I suggest you entice someone soon, or we’re marrying you to the highest bidder.”

Ending the call, I glare at my assistant, annoyed that she interrupted my threats, just as I was getting on a roll. “Bring that tray over immediately and freshen my drink while you’re at it. Talking with my daughter dehydrates my fur.”

---