Page 32 of Slay Me

“What is he?” I question, lowering my voice. Though I’m not sure what good that’ll do if he’s a shifter. They all have crazy good hearing.

“I heard he’s a shapeshifter but his magic doesn’t work like it’s supposed to,” Thomas offers.

“A shapeshifter?” Brad shakes his head, the fae clearly annoyed. “I’ve seen those creatures before. They’ve no face, and their bodies might as well be shadows.”

“I’m only saying what I heard,” Thomas retorts sharply.

Can’t really blame him for the attitude, though. The only two pure fae here, Brad and Kleo typically keep to themselves because no one here can stand the arrogant bastards. “I’m sure the Ringmaster will fill us in this afternoon.”

Jenny leans in, eyes glittering with mischief. “And how about the Ringmaster?”

I stiffen in my seat, alarm bells ringing in my head. “What about him?”

“He almost killed Apollo! Over you! Please tell us; is there something going on between you two?”

“You crave a love story so fucking much you’re willing to throw Liv to the wolves, huh?” Fiona demands.

I swallow hard. Dangerous territory we’re approaching here.

Jenny holds her hands up in mock surrender. “I firmly believe the man is simply misunderstood.”

“Misunderstood?” Silva gapes at her. “Have you lost your damned mind? We’re all trapped here because of him!”

“If I’m not mistaken, you were about to be beheaded when he found and rescued you.”

Silva shakes his head. “Yeah, well, I might have preferred the beheading.”

“You don’t mean that,” Jenny replies with a shake of her head. Her orange hair swings slowly in her ponytail. “Besides, contract will be up for you in what—fifteen years? That’s not too bad.”

The basilisk looks to Thomas. “How do you deal with such optimism all the time?”

Thomas beams at Jenny. “She’s my ray of sunshine.”

“Eww,” Fiona groans, and I laugh.

“You guys are all ridiculous.” I polish off the rest of my fruit but palm my granola bar for later. “I guess I need to find Apollo and make sure he survived the night.”

“I actually saw him in the gym earlier. Might check there.”

“Will do, thanks.”

After dumping my tray in with the dishes, I head down the hall, back toward the stairs. I’m just reaching for the door handle when it swings open and catches me right in the forehead. Pain explodes behind my eyes. “Son of a bitch!” I fall backward, right onto my ass.

“Shit, Liv. Are you okay?”

The Ringmaster’s voice washes over me, setting my nerves on fire. Head feeling like—well—I just got pummeled by a metal door, I look up at him. He’s kneeling in front of me, copper eyes full of concern.

“Fine. Thanks.” I try to stand but sway on my feet. The Ringmaster steps forward, but I manage to steady myself with a hand on the wall. With my other hand, I touch a finger to my forehead and wince. My fingers come back with crimson on them. “Well, that’s just perfect.”

“What the fuck were you doing?”

“Seriously, though.” I wince, ignoring his question. “Don’t you have good hearing or something?”

His gaze narrows at me as though I’ve just spilled his secret. Which, of course, I haven’t. Plenty of supernaturals have great hearing. It’s not that difficult to assume he would, too. “Come with me.” The arrogant bastard doesn’t even give me the opportunity to deny his order before he’s turning on his heel and marching back up the stairs.

Granted, with the massive migraine prepping to split my head in two, I wouldn’t have put up much of a fight anyway. I follow, keeping one hand on the baluster as I follow him all the way to the top.

By the time we reach his door, I’m so winded I can barely stand, and my head has begun pulsating with a mind of its own.

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