Page 19 of Prey It Ain't So

Snorting, I roll my eyes at his broad back. “I wasn’t thinking thatbefore,but I’m not fucking going anywherenearthe baggage car and if I so much as see one speck of dirt on the carpet, I’m going to start whittling furniture legs.”

Chessie laughs, moving up to flank my other side. “Except for the ones Ren thinks are still active nearl’Academie, we don’t even know that they aren’t extinct, Angel.”

“He and the Captain’s crew didn’t even find any live vamps on campus, so let’s hope they’ve all had very bad luck and tripped onto fence posts. Or if not, they do by the time we get back.” I heft my bag up on my shoulder higher, trying not to look as uncomfortable as I am about a species I’ve never seen or read about.

“I haven’t been to this part of the world for a very long time,” Rennie says, changing the subject. “I doubt Flames has, either.”

“You know I haven’t,” the dragon grumbles as we hit the platform. “I haven’t left the area around Apex much since it was built. I take occasional trips to the hoard locations, but otherwise… you’re well aware that I’ve been sedentary, love.”

I grin wider, chirping, “That’s why this vacation-slash-work trip was thebestidea. Sure, we could have people hunting us all along the route,butwe also get to stretch our metaphorical wings as a family. You guys haven’t been here in forever, I have been nowhere, and the Khans get to go somewhere they aren’t expected to kill someone. It’s perfect.”

Felix stops and we all pump our brakes so we don’t run into his back. “Pay attention.”

“Yeah, well, a littlewarningwould be nice, bro,” Fitz shoots back. “Baby Girl was telling us how much fun we’re going to haveducking assassins and spies. I agree with her personally, but that’s because it’s been a while since I ripped a throat out.”

Our beleaguered leader looks like he’s going to clap his brother on the back of the head, so I move between them carefully. “Gimme my ticket,Sir. I want to hand it to the guy myself. I’m excited about the little things, even if it’s silly.”

“It’s not silly,” Chessie chides as Felix gives us the tickets. “You’re adorable when you’re eager, and it shows us regular things in a new light. Go ahead, Angel. Get your cute butt on the train and lead us to these fancy rooms Felix booked.”

I grin again, snatching my ticket and striding over to the man at the doors to our car.

Even if I’m a little nerdy, this is still the best summer ever, and I’m going to savor every second.

“Isit normal to have a guy who takes us to the rooms?” I whisper to Fitz as we follow the bear shifter. “They don’t show this in movies except maybe like old timey set ones.”

Aubrey turns his head to give me a reproving look and I smile sheepishly. He huffs as we walk towards a set of doors to an adjoining car. “Watch it, snack size. The two of us were definitely alive when trains were conceived and our parts work just fine when you want to play.”

Making the big guy huffy is becoming one of my favorite sports, and that’s probably Fitz’s fault.

“You and Rennie are not old… just aged finely for maximum enjoyment,” I reply as I bat my lashes prettily. “Experienced and skilled, too.”

“Niiiiice ego stroking,” Chessie says playfully. “That should do it.”

He’s right because both of the ancients preen a little and give the others a smug look before they return their focus to our journey. Renard is looking around as we move, doing that weird ‘sensing’ thing he’s been on since the vampire nests atl’Academie. My gargoyle is convinced they're walking among us, not just a small leftover of a forgotten time at that old ass school. I’m not sure what I believe because no one hasseenany; he’s felt them and the crew witnessed what they believed to be an active living area. It could be something created to distract us, or even a tiny, inconsequential trace of the past.

I’m hoping for the second, but my luckdoes notlean toward that direction.

“So, again, is this normal?”

“Not really,” Rennie says. “This is because we’re rich assholes who booked expensive rooms.”

I war with my need to grumble and my desire to have a comfortable sleeping space until the latter wins. “As much as I hate to say it, thank you for that, especially since we’re doubling up. I like a nice pile to sleep in, but I don’t want to be canned tuna or anything.”

Aubrey snorts as he tosses a glance over his shoulder. “You’re telling me, bite size. The poet and I together are more likely to be crammed than all four of you. Kitties are very bendy, they say.”

Fitz pumps his fist with a sound of victory. “Fuck, yeah, I am. Baby Girl has me doingadvancedyoga posesandharder acrobatics. I’m going to make you cheese balls look stiff and creaky soon.”

“I could make you burnt and crispy instead,” the dragon mutters. “Watch your back, Fitzgerald.”

Our guide looks a bit concerned at their sniping, so I interject cheerily. “They’re just playing. Our familyliveson snark and insults. It’s very Gen X, as the humans say. I suppose that’s because the cats sit right at the top end of that, hmm? Not me, though.”

“Yes, ma’am,” he says, but I definitely think he’s still worried. “We’re almost at your accommodations.”

I nod, grateful for the update. This is an extensive train and even the pred section is pretty extensive. I don’t know if this is actually how most of them are or not—but I’m assuming no. Rennie alluded to this being super swank, and I bet that extends to theentirevehicle rather than solely our rooms. Even though I dislike being too showy, I bet this atmosphere will be calmer and easier to monitor because of the cost. That means it’s not only comfortable, but likelysaferthan a regular train.

The guys absolutely consider every angle and that’s why I trust them to arrange stuff without feeling too anxious to let go.

When the bear finally stops, he’s in front of two sets of doors that are at opposite ends of a car with no other compartments. This must literally beonlyour space because of the size of the two rooms. That makes everything fluttering in my gut feel much less active, and I let out a long sigh of relief. We’lldefinitelyknow if someone is nearby, and I think I saw him wave a card at the connector doors to the car.

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