Quiet Burn (Discordia University #2)

Shake A Tailfeather

Anton

M y head jerks up and I blink when the surge of emotion slams into me like a wave crashing into the shore. Schooling my features so Slash and the rest of our Supernatural Law lecture don’t know what’s going on, I struggle to assimilate everything flowing into me. Xerxes shifted, and as his first mate, I can feel how excited he is.

Literally.

I grit my teeth to fight off whatever the hell he and Kit Kat are doing, plus the rush of jealousy from knowing I’m not there with them. X and I discussed the strange, softness we’ve developed for the new kid, so I’m not upset that he’s exploring it. But I’d like to be there to join in, not sitting at this fucking desk hoping I don’t smash my dick into the desk by the end.

Leaning in, I murmur to the huge shark shifter, “I’m cutting out. I think X needs me, but you can stay and get the rest of the notes, right?”

Slash eyes me suspiciously, but very few people can read me when I choose to keep my counsel. Finally, he grunts, then nods his head. “Fine. Check on the little demon for me.”

Man, that guy is so far gone and I have no idea if he knows it.

“Will do,” I reply as I gather my shit. Once I get it, I scurry out the back of the classroom before anyone notices. There’s no way I can survive whatever vibes KK is causing in their room in public. I don’t want to be a party crasher, but they’ll have to accept that I can’t stay away.

I frown, wondering if there’s anything quick I can do to soften the intrusion for the delicate guy. Jasper’s edict pissed him the fuck off; maybe I can work with that. If I’m creative, I won’t be defying a caliphate order, but I’ll buy myself some credit. Luckily, this damn class is right where I need to be to make my plan a reality.

Into the stacks I go.

It only took me a few minutes of zipping around the lower levels of the library to find what I was looking for, and I exit the building with a small smile on my lips. I’m not usually a gloomy fuck like Oriel or an angry one like Slash and Jas, but I’m not nearly as smiley as my other half. But I’m pleased with my mental gymnastics, and I think both Kit and X will be happy to see the books I’m bringing.

That is, if I don’t walk in on something more interesting…

As I hurry across the quad toward Canto IV, I look inside myself to see if I’m still feeling that intensity. It’s still pretty hyped up, but maybe not quite as hungry and sharp as before. I don’t know what the hell that means, but I’m going to find out soon. Hopefully, my peace offering will be enough to smooth over the intrusion.

When I jog up the steps of our dorm, I realize I’m moving faster than I normally would outside of an emergency. I’m far more invested in seeing what they’re getting up to than I’ve ever been before. Xerxes and I have discussed inviting people into our bed in the past, but neither of us was ever that into making it reality. Kit is the first dude we solidly desire, both separately and together, and I’m strangely looking forward to figuring it out.

Of course, we’re not the only ones jockeying for his favor—though we’re definitely the ones with the most experience in healthy same sex relationships. I’m fairly sure Zav and Jasper would have never survived their roots if they hadn’t been perfectly matched in the dominant-submissive roles. I have no idea what the hell O and Salem get up to, and Slash has always seemed disinterested in everyone, even when Jasper lined up easy shots.

I’m not saying any of my brothers are inexperienced sexually in general; some are just pretty secretive about the people they take to their boudoirs.

This is not the direction I saw things going when we split off this morning, nor the one I assumed our caliphate would take after the Prince made his stupid decree. When he texted his pissy orders to the rest of us, I figured we’d all spend tonight with Kit and the dragon hissing at one another from their respective corners. Exhausting, but not entirely unexpected lately as they have this deep seated need to bait one another.

Pushing through the crowd in the entry, I head for the elevator and glare until the other demons leave me to the car alone. As I head up to our floor, I wonder when I’ll be able to share one of my forms with the spunky dude and if he’ll think it’s too feminine, like my family. Raking my hand through my rainbow locks, I sigh and shake my head. This isn’t the time for my well hidden insecurities; it’s the time to be supportive, no matter what I find when I open the door to Salem’s lair.

The ding of the elevator reaching our floor pulls me out of my intrusive thoughts, and I step out, trying to keep control of the excitement and worry zinging through me. Salem’s door is closed, so it only takes a moment for me to reach the large door and stare at the keypad. Shaking my head, I punch in the code then turn the knob as if my gut isn’t churning in anticipation. And what I find…

This is not what I expected at all.

Kit is curled up in his usual chair with Dottie sitting above his left shoulder. There’s a drink beside him and… a huge fucking cobra coiled at his feet with it’s head resting in his lap. He’s gently running his fingers over the wide hood as the TV plays one of the human movies he loves. The scene is so surreal that I almost can’t even comprehend it as I slip inside and close the door behind me.

“Anton,” the dark haired dude says softly, his eyes surprised as he meets my gaze. His fingers don’t stop petting the smooth reptile skin and a lazy hiss fills the silence as I watch. “Is something wrong?”

My mouth feels dry as I shake my head wordlessly. I’m having trouble processing this—not because I’m angry or upset, but because I’m amazed . Xerxes drips self-confidence and swagger most of the time, but they’ve always been sensitive about their animal. As much as my family thinks my shift is too feminine, especially because of my sexuality, theirs was furious at the manifestation of the snake.

I suppose it proves that our parents don’t even conform to the most rudimentary level of loyalty to their families or spouses. Demons aren’t really picky about monogamy except when it comes to lineage and heirs—my bird and their snake puts our ascension to heads of our houses in question, should anyone want to challenge it. They probably will eventually, but the lifespan of demons being nearly as immortal as the Fae has kept that intrigue off our doorsteps.

It won’t hold forever, though, and our shitty ass parents know it.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Kit’s murmur brings me back to reality and I lick my lips, trying to form words with my scattered thoughts. “I… X has never been comfortable with being fully shifted. I’ve tried… But…”

Another hiss escapes the languid reptile and Kit’s lips curve into a surprisingly soft smile. “Acceptance makes hard things easier.”

I nod, finally forcing myself to move closer to the pair. “I’ve always accepted them. Always.”

“Ah, but that’s because you grew up together and fell in love. I’m no one—an alien from another world with no knowledge of your pasts or heritage or any of the things everyone else brings to the equation. I don’t have to accept them because of the rules, yet I do.”

Makes perfect sense, but I don’t understand what happened to make him trust my love.

“That’s a very simple answer for a complex situation,” I say as I finally get within range of X’s huge coils, noting the small shivers of pleasure in their tail. “You’re calmer than I would have expected, especially since…”

His face turns bright red and it confirms what I suspected—something definitely happened beyond just the full shift. “You mean for someone confronted with not one but two very interestingly pierced, giant cocks on accident?”

A bark of laughter escapes; I can’t help it. This guy waffles between spitfire, anxious penguin, and filthy mouthed little shit so much that it gives me whiplash. “Yeah… that. I felt them shift and I was worried, but then I realized it wasn’t bad—but I had to find out for myself anyway.”

“I’m not sure why I’m so calm, honestly.” His cheeks flush more and I note the color spreading down his neck. “Seeing O and Salem change didn’t involve… that… so I wasn’t ready for it. But, um, I guess I’m handling this well. I don’t feel trapped without air.”

You look as comfortable as someone who’s always been here.

I don’t say that, though, because I don’t want to trigger an attack if that truth hits too close to home. Instead, I walk around X’s thick body, facing Kit from the other side. Swallowing an uncertainty I rarely feel, I tilt my head as I ask, “Would you want me to… you know. I can, too.”

Kit doesn’t comment on my sudden journey to awkward penguin-land. His brows pinch for a moment like he’s thinking about it and my breath catches as I wait for his response. With his hand smoothing over X’s huge triangular head, the small dude looks even smaller than normal. I know it’s because my mate is in their largest animal form on purpose and most humans would look tiny in comparison. If they raised up on their coils, they’d be over seven feet tall and their body easily could fit KK inside it.

Yet he’s petting Xerxes like a stray cat he just took in without an ounce of anxiety to be found. It’s fucking astounding, and I keep waiting for something to ruin the picture. Kit finally pushes his hair out of his eyes and looks me right in the eyes. His expression is serious and I have to push the insecurity down to my toes as he sighs.

“Yes, I would. I mean, yes, I would like to see your animal, Anton.” I wait for the flush to happen, but it doesn’t, making my stomach twist in a knot.

Do I not affect him like X does? Like it’s obvious Jasper does and he doesn’t want to admit it? Am I not… enough?

Biting my lip, I clench my fists, feeling the warring parts of me in a way that is usually reserved for the disapproval of people at my court. I’m frozen in place, unable to do anything but feel all the emotions rioting inside of me. Xerxes and I are much less internal than any of the others, so we frequently have surges that overwhelm us. It’s one of the first things we bonded over as kids; while Jasper’s fury externalizes as ‘demon acceptable’ fits of rage, our outbursts are less threatening. And unlike Zavida, we can’t hide behind our cloud of tails when it’s out of control.

“I mean, that is… Unless you don’t want to anymore. I know X is your, uh… and I’m touching… Maybe I shouldn’t be, but they said it was okay,” Kit stammers and I feel his sudden rush of blue vibes in his aura. His colors are changing on a dime and it’s because I’m too fucking dumbstruck to speak.

“Wait!” I blurt when his hand stops stroking X and an irritated hiss rattles from the cobra in his lap. “That’s not it. Give me a moment.”

The guy frowns, looking confused as fuck. I don’t blame him. He’s seeing more of me than anyone outside of Xerxes ever does. “But you’re freaking out. It’s like I can smell it.” He sniffs delicately, looking even more puzzled afterward. “And X-snake smells super pissy now. Emotion-wise, not actual piss-wise because that’s… definitely a line for me, which I didn’t know until right now.”

His jumbled nonsense makes me laugh, breaking the tension in my body as I laugh. “Okay. Good to know, but no one in our caliphate has that particular kink, in case you were wondering.”

“I should make a list,” he mumbles. “Lists are good. Lists make brain happy.”

Uh-oh. I broke him.

“Hey,” I say, snapping my fingers in front of his face. “Come back, man. I don’t want you to miss this. I’m told it’s quite spectacular.”

His eyes widen as he looks up at me, then smirks. “Now you’ve done it. The anticipation is killing me. I don’t know how you’re going to live up to the hype.”

The easy banter makes everything calmer and I note his aura mellowing out. Sighing in relief, I back up slightly, giving myself room to do this without riling up my mate. I’m pretty sure Kit saw enough of his hemis for today and my shift might get their snake antsy. “I never disappoint.”

“Less talk, more bird,” he says with a sly grin. “Stop edging me.”

Who the fuck taught him that word? I’m going to punch Oriel Bloodstone, for sure.

“Dirty mouth.” I don’t wait for him to respond as I reach inside, allowing the peacock within to spread its wings. He’s eager, champing at the bit to burst from my skin for this guy and the only other person who got that reaction is languishing in coils on the floor. My eyes close as the wave of emotions, colors, and metallic tang fill my frame until feathers sprout.

It takes mere seconds for the rainbow to cover my humanoid frame, and in a blink, my shape reforms into the largest size of my bird possible. The plumes shake on my head as clawed feet walk forward, my bird eyes narrowing in on the ultraviolet color spectrum I can see in the form. Kit and X’s auras are even more vibrant, emanating emotions like miniature explosions as I stop centimeters from them. My vision darts to the happily shaking tail of my mate, transfixed by the movement, then dart back to the dude I’m shifted for.

As soon as our gazes lock, my tail pops open, fanning out as my head bobs. A soft call escapes my beak and I almost lose control of myself when I feel my feathers shaking. Kit grins a little, shaking off the shocked look on his delicate features. His free hand gestures for me to come even closer, and without questioning it, I do. Chittering makes me jerk my head up, glaring at the kinkajou as she hops around on the cushion above Kit’s head.

No. Stay away, monkey rat.

I can’t say that, of course, because I don’t talk in this form. Half-shifted, sure, but not in the full monte. Instead, I ruffle my tailfeathers, puffing up as my feet stomp around to warn the familiar off. This is my time and she needs to fuck off before KK gets scared. I like Dottie, but I might strangle the little shit if she messes this up. Guilt fills me and I groan internally. Of course I won’t hurt the damn rodent, but I do want her to back the fuck off.

X hisses softly, likely sensing my irritation, but they don’t lift their head. It feels like they’re nesting right now and it’s never a good idea to fuck with a nesting cobra, especially a seven foot tall one.

“Annie, can I… touch the feathers?”

There’s no way for me to vocalize just how much I want that, but I bob my head, hoping he gets it. His smile widens as I stop dancing in place to warn Dottie off and just stay within his reach. With Kit sitting, I’m tall enough for my feathers to stick up higher than his head and my beady bird eyes almost roll back into my head when his fingers smooth over the eye of one. His thumb rubs it gently, and a trilling coo of happiness escapes.

That’s when it hits me just how irrevocably fucked X and I are; there’s no going back now.