Quiet Burn (Discordia University #2)

Witch Doctor

Kit/Kat

S lash has been quiet since he arrived to pick me up, and while that’s not unusual, I get the feeling it’s not because he has nothing to say. He grunted at my condition, giving the guys who were in my class dirty looks as he asked the same question we all had: where the fuck is Jasper?

No one had an answer, even Zav, but when the big shark shifter jerked his head to say it was time to go, I waved and followed. I didn’t see a reason to argue, especially since I’m a bit more wiped than I let on. The fight was extremely physical and while I’m not out of shape , per se, I’m definitely not ready to be sparring some athletic-ass automaton who came for me like I’d offended his ancestors. I’m still unsure how I won—it was like the fight was going on and suddenly, things turned despite my waning stamina.

It’s fucking strange and I’m afraid to mention it lest we end up on another episode of ‘what is Kit, really?’.

“Don’t pay them any attention, little demon.”

I blink, coming back to reality in time to wonder what the fuck Slash is talking about. It only takes a moment or two to figure it out, though. Demons are staring at me like I’m Amelia goddamn Earhart as we stride across campus. While being a famous missing person would be cool as hell, I know that’s not the case. My injuries can’t be the problem; people get hurt in classes all the time, according to the caliphate.

Bucking up my courage, I look up at the huge shifter with an annoyed scowl. “Why the fuck are they staring? I swear, I’m going to figure out how to buy a costume or some shit to get around if this doesn’t stop. Every day, more people start?—”

“Anton kissed you in class. It has spread already.”

My frown deepens and I bark, “What the hell? Is it homophobia? You guys said demons don’t give a shit. If you lied, I’m going to skin someone while they scream because I don’t put up with that shit. Being shitty to someone because of who they are or love is absolute trash and?—”

“Stop.” That one word cuts off my flow, and I wait for him to elaborate. “That is not why, though even demons have… their own extremists to deal with.”

I wait for him to open the door, used to his insistence that he has to make sure the damn lobby is safe before I go in. Fighting him on that quirk seems useless and for some reason, I don’t want to quibble about things that may actually be in my best interest right now. What I really want is to get to the room I share with Salem and sink into the fucking comfiest couch ever and let my sore body have a moment to rest.

But I can’t leave his statement alone, so I wait until we get to the elevator to ask, “Why is that a big deal?”

The big guy looks surprised for a second, then shrugs. “He has been with Xerxes since they were young. They did not… explore other options until now. That makes it very hot gossip.”

That son of a bitch! How did he not realize his method of getting me to snap out of it was going to be the new headline?

Growling softly, I kick the wall of the elevator, then groan as the pain rockets up my leg. “Damnit. It’s bad enough they think I don’t belong because I’m human. Now I’m in your boy band and the dating thing is confirmed, so I’m not going to be able to go anywhere without an audience.”

“Perhaps that is a good thing after this weekend.”

I snort. “Exactly how is it good, Slash?”

He looks thoughtful, then says, “There are many who would like to be in our good graces. Helping to keep you safe by reporting things to our spy would be a good in-road for weaker demons.”

The door dings and we walk into the hallway, my face shocked as I follow him. “Demons will watch me and report to Oriel if I’m in trouble? Really?”

His big hand waves in front of the sensor and our room opens. Once I’m inside, he closes the door behind us, facing me with a smirk. “Oh, not only to keep you out of trouble, little demon. They will also whisper to cause fractures in our group, but they can’t do one without the other. Since they do not know what we have agreed to and what we have not, everything will get reported.”

“Oh.” I place my bag on the counter so Dottie can escape, then kick off my shoes. I have four hours to rest and eat before I have to meet Salem and Zavida at Dark Lit, so I’m going to take full advantage of that big ass break. Dottie wriggles out, scrambling across the island to the mini-feeder Salem set up for her. “I guess that makes sense. It’s going to make me want to stab myself in the eye, but I suppose it could be helpful.”

Slash laughs as he walks over to the refrigerator. “Indeed. However, you need to go rest on the couch as the others suggested. The doctor will arrive soon and I am sure you’d prefer to be ready.”

My eyes widen as I look at him. “I said I wasn’t going to the doctor. They’ll think I’m even weaker, Slash.”

He ignores me, pulling out a few labeled containers and setting them on the counters. The humming sound surprises me, but this guy seems to be full of those. Once he has everything out, he studies the instructions taped to the lids before he starts opening them. “Go rest. Anton spoke to Jasper, and they contacted Dr. D privately. He will come here via internal portaling to conceal his visit. Now, shoo, or I will be forced to carry you.”

Um, no, I don’t want that.

“I will punch you if you try,” I promise as I scoop Dottie up and hobble to the couch. “And I don’t care how much bigger you are—it will hurt.”

“Sure it will.” He sounds even more amused as I lower myself to the cushions with a whimper of pain and put my feet up on the big ottoman. “Thank fuck Salem is so compulsive about his kitchen. I’m not a cook, but I can read.”

I don’t answer him; it’s his own fault for being an ass about me punching him. If he needs to figure shit out in there, he’ll have to do it on his own. It’s petulant, but I’m not feeling very generous at the moment. I should have been able to celebrate my victory, but instead, I’m stuck waiting for Dank while Slash snarks at me. His bullshit isn’t nearly as sharp as Prince Prickface, but I’m not going to ask him to back off and let me calm down.

Fuck that noise; I’m no swooning damsel .

“You realize that I am not babying you for a reason, yes?”

“Are you a fucking mind reader?” I stroke my fingers over Dottie’s head, pouting at my pet. “I didn’t even say that out loud.”

He snorts, shaking his head as he puts dishes in the microwave. “No, little demon. I am not a mind reader, but you are not disguising your emotions well right now. Your face is an open book.”

Dammit.

“I’m usually very good at that,” I grumble as I close my eyes. “But it’s harder here, and somehow harder with you dipshits in general. Is that a thing?”

“Caliphate-wise?” I hear the fridge open again and glasses clink, then steps approaching. When I pry my lids open again, the shark shifter is standing in front of me with a tray that has a glass of fruity smelling liquid and two small pills on it. “Somewhat, I believe. It’s been a long time since I was inducted, so my memory of the first few months where effects might be multiplied is vague. Take your medicine; I saw the reminder you left yourself.”

My eyes narrow, but I take the pills and what I think is juice from him. “I don’t need you to wait on me hand and foot. I’m fully capable of doing things for myself.”

The knock at the door keeps him from replying, but I can tell by the look on the big guy’s face that it wasn’t going to make me happy. He sets the tray on a table, then stomps over to the entry to my room, pressing his face against it to see who is there. Once he’s satisfied, Slash pushes the button on the panel, and Dank floats in, plague mask and all.

“Master Kit,” he says as he moves across the room to get to me. “I am displeased to hear you have been injured again so soon after your last visit.”

Dottie chitters at the weird demon, dancing a bit on my lap, and I give him a helpless shrug. “Arms class got a bit out of hand. It wasn’t anyone's fault, but the members of my caliphate insisted that I be seen—despite my protests.”

The demon pulls his mask off, setting it on the table before he joins me on the couch. “They are right to ensure your health, Master Kit. After your attack, and knowing your physiology is quite fragile in this stage… you could do more harm than you think by ignoring minor injuries.”

“Fragile physiology? What the hell does that mean?” I ask as he prods my bruises, making me wince.

Slash comes back to the sitting area with the tray of food he heated up, placing it aside while the doctor examines me. “He means that your demon side—and whatever else you may possess, if anything—is in transition. It is why Discordia’s seers could sense you in order to send the invitation. During this time, things are in flux, I believe.”

Nodding as he continues looking over my limbs, Dank hisses a soft sound. “Yes. It is certain Master Kit’s transition began very slowly and that called to those with the sight. However, I cannot say how long it will take to fully emerge and power to manifest. I also cannot say what will manifest since your young computer whiz has been unable to trace him.”

I frown, looking between them with an exasperated expression. “That’s why Zav was prying into me? To find out what I’d become?”

“That and because Jasper’s a paranoid asshole,” the shark says with a grin. “But yes, he was hoping to figure out who, where, and how you were left to fend for yourself for so many years above. It’s uncommon for demons, unlike supes.”

“That motherfucker knows I’m not human, but he’s been torturing me about it?!”

The doctor taps my arm gently, pulling my gaze back to him. “The Prince may be protecting you without disclosing it, Master Kit. There are many demons with mind gifts in the staff and student body. The less you know that could engender fear or jealousy, the more likely you will make it through your transition period without being targeted.”

Fuming, I cross my arms over my chest. “I’m not stupid. I can be trusted with shit. I mean, I’ve handled the whole ‘you live in Hell now’ thing pretty well, considering.”

“You have, little demon, but this isn’t about you. It’s about the rest of this world. Even our gambit in public to protect you didn’t keep you from being pummeled in class.” His brow furrows and he tilts his head. “I do not get why the Prince allowed you to be paired with an opponent who would harm you, even if he is being recalcitrant.”

Dank makes a weird noise, then mumbles a bunch of weird sounding words as his gloved hands run over my limbs slowly. I grit my teeth as a burning sensation spreads through my body, keeping the pained sounds from escaping in my own act of defiance. When it finally stops, I cut my gaze to the big guy and shrug.

“The others seemed to think he didn’t have a choice. It may have been arranged before class began.”

“If that’s true… this is only the beginning, Master Kit.” Dank’s voice is soft as he continues working, not looking at me as he adds, “It means you have bigger enemies than jealous students and you are in more danger than you realize.”

Well, isn’t that just peachy news to get on a Friday morning?