Page 32 of Centaur Bolt

These riveting confessions connected a few crucial details in my brain. “So—theymadeyou come here?”

“Well, theysuggested. The Queen is a very nice lady. She pointed out that if I caused a fire every time I got mad, they would soon have no palace to live in.”

I glanced to where the Marilyn Monroe Dragon was still refilling her tray. “Is there anyone on this team who actually wants to be here?”

Kiko’s lips twitched. “I’ve had fun so far, with the exception of the runs. Ugh. And I stabbed my boob in weapons class. But there are other benefits—the guys here are mostly gorgeous…” She broke off with a sigh.

Up at the counter, the Dragon shifter heaped her tray with dumplings. No concerns, it seemed, with maintaining her figure. “The dudes are quite riveted by her.”

The Satyr’s eyes gleamed. “If she’s just coming off cycle—I’m surprised she isn’t causing more trouble than me.”

I paused with my final forkful of dumpling, and asked, “Can’t they take something to stop them?”

Kiko frowned. “Yeah, usually. There are herbs. I wonder why she didn’t take them in time? Once the cycle is in full swing, if they don’t mate, their body can turn on itself.” She glanced to the Dragona. “She could have died. I’m betting she got a Watcher’s help to stop it.”

“We could ask her,” I suggested.

Her nose wrinkled. “As you have witnessed, she tends to do more ignoring than talking.” She tilted her head. “Actually, most Dragons are like that. Arrogant as hell.”

“Maybe she just has nothing to say,” I pointed out.

Her brows waggled. “Maybe.”

“As compared to speaking just to hear your own voice,” I added, my lips twitching.

It sailed right over Kiko’s head. Or, more likely, she ignored it.

Vali rejoined us, and Kiko renewed her attempts to form a connection. I left her to it—breaking conversational glaciers was not my thing.

My thoughts returned to the books I’d read. And Prince Barim.

After supper, Kiko announced that we were going to escort Vali to her dorm room. Once up on the fifth floor, we paused outside the one assigned to the Dragona. It appeared to be empty except for a single bag on a bed.

“Is that your admittance package?” Kiko asked.

“I guess so,” Vali replied. “Constance said she’d drop it off. But it doesn’t appear that Lora has moved in.”

“She was supposed to,” Kiko said. “Oh, well. At least you’ll get the place to yourself for a bit.”

Vali hesitated. “I confess I really don’t want to share with her.”

“I would love to know more about the twins,” Kiko mused. “They are full of mysteries.”

Vali arched a brow at her. “Are you saying you want me to spy on Lora?”

Kiko grinned. “Spy, no. But if you managed to get some dirt on her…”

The Dragona seemed to consider. “They are both—odd.”

“Yeah,” Kiko agreed with an unhealthy gleam of anticipated gossip. “They are.”

“We’re all a little odd,” I pointed out.

Kiko grinned. “That is true. Along with this entire place. And I plan to take my unusual and unique Satyr self to bed with my chocolate.” She opened our room and vanished within.

Vali regarded me. Then, to my surprise, she proved that she’d been paying attention to more than just the Hitzu twins by asking, “Why did this Isobel woman want your friend Marcus back so badly?”

I swallowed, my chest suddenly tight. But, whereas I hadn’t wanted to tell Tareal anything, I found myself saying, “We think she’s making him into a soldier.”

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