Page 93 of Centaur Bolt

The moment I sat down, the Satyr leaned across to me. “Are you okay? When you weren’t at the run, I asked why. Eli said you’d been excused from morning activities.”

I was hyperaware of Tareal and Lora’s bright gazes upon me. “I’m fine. I just had a tough abilities class. Jumping takes a lot out of me.”

I saw the questions flitting across Kiko’s face, but she thankfully bit her lip rather than ask them.

Vali said, “I’m exempt from special abilities class until I get cleared for it. We could have hung together in the library.”

I glanced at her. “I would’ve liked that.” It was true. I would have. But I’d been too busy dream-fucking Marcus until his beast busted loose.

My heart twisted. Was he okay? I had no way to know.

“There are better things to do in the library than read books.” Kiko eyed me. “Are we still visiting Richin after classes today?”

I saw Tareal’s fork hesitate on the way to his mouth. “You guys are going off campus?”

I was instantly on guard, and scolded myself. I needed to stop being so prickly around the Hitzu twins. But I was cautious with my answer. “Kiko needs to refuel and got permission to visit the market. We’re going along with her to keep her safe.”

Lora’s brows rose. “Do either of you know how to defend yourselves if you are attacked?”

I shrugged. “I can always Jump us out if there is trouble.” I had no idea if I could, really, but her tone had prompted an immediate defensive reaction from me.

“It’s better she feeds away from here,” Tareal told his twin. “She already has half the males here panting after her.” His gaze shifted to Kiko. “Of course, if you ever decided to shop closer to home…”

“I have no need to go shopping,” the Satyr snarled.

Lora speared a dumpling. “The librarian is cute, but limited.”

Kiko stiffened and glared at her. “He is not limited,” she snarled.

Tareal shot her a leer. “No tail. He is, therefore, limited.”

Did I want to know the details?No.I was better off putting my efforts into heading off a fight. “I’m sure the market will provide plenty of dudes for her.” The twins might be annoying, but they were our teammates.

The Satyr tore her gaze away from Tareal with an obvious effort. “Yes. I have had good success there in the past,” she agreed.

We fell silent as we concentrated on lunch. How had Lora known the Satyr had been with the librarian? Kiko was hardly discreet, but had the Hitzu seen them together? Or had she used other means to discover it? Lora had a talent for pushing buttons—and one of the best ways to get information, was to do exactly that.

She read minds. And needling people got them to think of things…

The students filed slowly toward the coliseum, and the afternoon class on realm politics. I couldn’t help but note a distinct lack of enthusiasm.

In everyone, except, surprisingly, Vali. “I’m interested to hear what the council considers current,” she said as we made our way to our seats. “The underworld is vast, and has its fingers in everything now.”

To my surprise, the instructor was Jacques.

“Makes sense,” Kiko stated when I expressed it. “He’s an informant.”

“A—what?” I stared at her.

“He gathers information across the realms and sells it. But the work he has done for the Watchers and council as of late has cut into his business. I’ve heard rumors that those in the underworld don’t trust him anymore.”

I struggled with the concept. No wonder Sparkle was so useful to him—she must help connect him with his clients.

Kiko leaned closer. “Satyrs are very good at gathering intel.” Her voice was a throaty purr. “People will give their deepest secrets away when in the throes of passion.”

I supposed it made sense. Jacques might be a good informant and a well-meaning instructor, but he wasn’t much of a professor. He looked nervous as he addressed the students. There was much whispering among them.

“Never show fear,” Kiko whispered to me. “They’ll be hard on him, unless he keeps them in check.”

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