Page 16 of Prey It Ain't So

I turn to look at him in horror, my jaw dropping. “FitzgeraldUlysses Castor Khan!That wasrude!”

He grins wickedly, shrugging as he bats his lashes at me. “Pretty fucking rude or not, I’m right. You’ve got your ‘Mega Bitch Mom’ look going on with those sunglasses and that face you’re making. I know you do that when you’re trying to hide how nervous you are, so I distracted you. It worked like a charm.”

Elbowing him in the gut hard, I make a pissy face as I toss my hair. “Bodily functions arenotdiscussion material in public. It’s gross.” I try to keep myself in the haughty posture, but thenFelixsnickers. My jaw drops again, and I huff. “Youare supposed to be more mature than him,Sir!”

He shakes his head, laughing as he tries to respond. It takes him a moment to get control of his amusement and when he does, he just says, “The imagery was priceless, Princess, especially when you got even tenser as you puffed up in affront. I’m sorry, but… it was fucking hysterical.”

I swear to fuck, men never goddamn grow up even when they’re triple your damn age—all it takes is a fart joke to transport them back to middle school.

“So glad to be your amusement for the day,” I grumble as I look at Renard. “You mentioned a lounge now that we have the tickets? I’m suddenly feeling the need for a drink. This is probably how it starts, you know. Penises drive women to drink, and I don’t know if I can even argue about it anymore.”

Aubrey snorts, grabbing my free hand as he knocks Fitz out of the way. “Come, lunchable. Those of us whodidn’tlaugh at your rocket fuel flatulence will show you the way.”

That gets the felines, including Chess this time, to crack up as we walk away from the line. My eyes are narrowed in slits of irritation as I glare at the dragon. “You did that on purpose and if I wasn’t so annoyed with them, I’d kick your scaly butt to the curb, too. Right now,MonsieurBroody Pants is the only one with a good chance of gettinginmy pants anytime soon.”

The grumpy dragon’s lips curve and he opens his mouth as if he’s going to comment. I glare harder, staring him down, and he backs off sheepishly. “Sorry, snack size. I’m just so used to shooting back quickly at Fitz and Rennie. It’s hard to stop once I start.”

“I probably wouldn’t be as touchy if I weren’t so out of my element,” I admit begrudgingly. “Much like the plane trip, I’m both eager and jumpy, especially with being in proximity to a bunch of people we have to hide our strengths around.”

Aubrey smiles softly. “Good on you for admitting that. It’s hard to show vulnerability in the face of difficulty.”

“Especiallywhen so many things are assaulting you with newness,” Rennie adds. “Very mature,ma petite. I was not so collected when I first had to walk amongst thecostumes de viande. My parents were extremely certain that I would shift and get us banned from our duties, or worse.”

“Was it as… violent a punishment as it is now?” I murmur to him. “I’ve heard Lucille ramble on about Council punishments for a lot of shit over the years. I’m definitely not naïve about what much of them entail. It’s gruesome to the point of cruelty and it’s all to prove a point—don’t break their rules or you’ll suffer.”

Renard tilts his head as we walk toward wherever the hell we’re going. “Je ne sais pas?1, Dolly. I assume the punishment was severe; my parents feared very little. Gargoyles have been guardians since they came into existence, and we’re raised to be unafraid of things that go bump in the night.Weare supposed to be the terrors of the starlight when necessary, so the fact that they worried about the Council even then speaks volumes about why the Treaty could occur. It also gives context on why so many families and species groups exile their heirs and children to places like Apex so they do not offend those petty dictators.”

I don’t think I ever considered it that way—that rather than just being assholes who don’t love their kids, exile might be the safest option for preds who don’t fit the mold.

“I doubt the Raj sent Felix away to keep him safe,” I say as I frown. “Lucille sure as fuck didn’t send me to Apex for a safe education. She hoped they’d kill me in the first week.”

“Ah, well. Not all parents are good people, and nothing is ever a monolith,petite lapin. We might discover that Flames’ or my parents were being more noble than we thought—or we mayconfirm that they were kowtowing to the more powerful group so they could stay hidden and off of their radar. I do not expect the former, of course. The decision made about my youthful indiscretion showed me the true nature of those I was raised by… and not just my direct bloodline.”

“Rennie, they were wrong, and it wasn’t an indiscretion. Falling in love isn’t a failing, even if it doesn’t follow some stupid rule someone made up.” I bump his shoulder with mine, catching his eyes. “It was okay to love her, okay to mourn, and yes, even okay to isolate when you were cast out. The only thing you did wrong was to nurse that unnecessary guilt for way too long and not allow the people who care to help you. But you’re doing it now—which is why we’re headed to the mountains.”

“Point of fact, snack size. We’re there for intel, not to sing ‘kumbaya’. If we get anything out of them, I will consider it a success,” Aubrey grunts. “Otherwise, I would not be on board with risking them hurting him again.”

I wink at the dragon, as the pred flashes in my eyes. “I know that, big guy, but like I said… That’s no longer an option for the gargoyles to do without paying the piper. I’d prefer a quiet, fun, restful vacation, but I won’t hesitate to knock someone’s ass to the ground if need be. I’m not playing with these motherfuckers anymore—not after that gas attack that scared a decade off my lifespan.”

Rennie sighs as we approach a big, unmarked door in a hallway that looks like it’s employees only. “I’m quite pleased with both of your bloodthirsty tendencies regarding my well-being, but we should probably cut down the murder chat in here. Everyone can hear everyone in the pred lounges, so it’s not a safe place to discuss anything that matters.”

Felix catches up to us, Fitz and Chess in tow, and gives the three of a stern look. “He told you the walls have ears, right?”

I nod, letting go of their hands to cross my arms over my chest and re-affect my ‘Lucille’ persona. “I’m ready for it,Sir.”

Keep On Lovin’ You

Fitz

They don’t appreciatehow much I’m holding back the kinetic excitement flooding my entire system.

If they did, the Flying Frenchie wouldn’t have suggested we hangout in this stuffed shirt, fancy pants lounge for money-grubbing assholes. Not only do I have to bequiet here, but we can’t feel up my girl or do anything fun at all. The preds in here all look like they’re walking around with their holes sewn shut, and I’d be surprised if they ever did anything but boring shit for their entire lives. I’m ready to stab myself in the eyeball just to make sure I stay awake.

Well, except for the gut deep urge to bounce around like the tiger in the kids’ books.

“Fitzy…”

Whipping my head around to look at her, I smile asnotcrazily as I can. “Yes, Baby Girl?”

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