Page 121 of Let Us Prey

“The missing kids—as well as the dead one—are all smaller preds with lesser family ties. Does that help my angel or hurt her, do you think?”

“That’s a good point, Chess. She’s not defenseless, and I have proven it in public. Her family is the highest ranking at the school, so she’s not from shifters without the means to hunt and destroy a kidnapper. But… Everyone knows she’s been disowned and is prey. I don’t know if it makes her more or less attractive to potential danger.” I frown as I try to run the scenarios in my head, but it’s useless because nothing has appeared to give us motivation for the awful shit on campus.

Without the why, we’re floundering.

“She’s defended herself against other heirs, but that doesn’t mean shit. Most of them are soft and refuse to damage themselves in fights. It may not deter someone looking to cripple the Council.” Aubrey gives me a pointed look before he continues. “You may need to pit her against more formidable foes. Is it time to revive the student games?”

Motherfucker. I ended those when I arrived because they were so pathetic.

The only person who can convince Henrietta to restart them would be me, and it would mean we’ll have to enter competitions with the other schools worldwide again. Apex will have to have a real team or no one will fund it—which also meansa long chat with my ex, Zhenga. The Leonidas pride will have to approve the re-entry to the league and fund the endeavor.

“Z will say ‘yes’, bro. She’ll even help coach the girls’ team. You know that chick is always looking for a way to shove it up her old man’s ass,” Fitz says helpfully. “I suppose I could help coach the boys.”

Something about the way he says that makes me suspicious, but the dragon is right; if we don’t get the princess known for kicking ass publicly, she might remain a target for her entire tenure here. That’s especially true if the Council blocks Sibbie investigations, and they will until they don’t have an option.

“Fine. I’ll chat with Zhenga later this week, then Henny. What else is on our agenda before the princess shows up?” I rake a hand through my hair, considering purchasing a giant fucking whiteboard on wheels to manage all this shit.

There are too many fronts we have to wage war on to lose track.

As if he read my mind, Renard tilts his head and says, “Perhaps we need to track these leads and enemies,mon ami. Chess, you and I can look into finding something we can use, yes?”

“Yes, but we have to talk to Angel about being escorted when she’s out and about. She won’t like it, I know, but I think it’s necessary,” Chess says softly. “Her friends will want to help and I think if we all work together we can make sure her entire schedule is covered.”

“Not it!” Fitz yells as he looks up from his phone. He’s definitely texting with her while she’s in class and I roll my eyes. “I took the hit for the group dating thing; it’s someone else’s turn.”

“I’ll do it,” the broody gargoyle says as he crosses to drop onto his throne. His tail swishes, and I watch as he considers his words. “I want to take her out on the 14th and I can speak with her then. It’s only a week away. We’ll manage until then.”

The book dragon snorts smoke rings as he laughs, looking at our host in amusement. “A date on Valentine’s Day, huh? Should she expect French cuisine? Don’t forget the red roses and beret, Monsieur Laveaux.”

Chess and Fitz snicker and I can’t help joining in. It’s funny as fuck when the stodgy librarian goes after the broody botanist. The two of them rib each other in ways none of us could get away unsinged for.

“Simmer down, Flames. If you’re worried she’ll find me more entertaining than your usual bar-be-queue, you’ll have to think of a better idea for your date.”

Fitz stops texting for a moment to grin at me and I feel my stomach drop. “What about you, bro? Got big plans for our girl? You’re going to have to outdo Chessie and me—we scored big points.”

“I don’t know,” I admit as I pace back to the balcony. “I’m still working through all of this and I can’t decide if I’m just not right for?—”

“Stop it,” Aubrey says in a low, dark voice. “We have all watched you torture yourself since you arrived, Felix. The past is the past, and the snack sized bunny seems to be our future. No one has said it before and it’s time you hear it…Get. Over. Yourself.”

My eyes widen and my tiger leaps inside of me, ready to take the grumpy asshole out for impertinence. I step forward menacingly, only to hear a loud voice echoing off the walls as it approaches.

“Hey, assholes! Which one of you wants to tell me why your dumbasses haven’t explained barbs and knotting to your goddamn girlfriend? You’re all too damned old for this shit!”

Renard narrows his eyes. “Hello, Zhenga. Welcome to my home—uninvited.” He shifts in the throne and mutters about the Captain’s guards, likely deciding to increase their watch on our doors.

Z stalks up to me and stabs me in the chest with her finger. “You are supposed to be a Raj; act like it! If that Council heir had your dick stuck in her for any length of time, there should have been a conversation long before you chickened out and sent her to my remedial classes!”

Damn it, that’s twice today someone has suggested I’m shirking my fucking duties and I’m going to…

“She told you?!” Chess chokes out with wide eyes. “Holy shit…”

Fitz jumps up, wagging his fingers at his lover. “You, too?! What the goddamned hell is in her pussy? I mean, it stopped but…”

Hades, strike me down, here and now. This is humiliating.

Zhenga looks at them, then me, and bursts out laughing. She laughs so hard she doubles over, holding herself up on her knees, and by the time she’s caught her breath, the winged wankers are laughing, too.

Fuck my life.

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