34. Bad to the Bone
Bad to the Bone
Delores
I make it as far as the front doors of the Shirdal building before my left foot mutinies to remind me I’ve been up since five am, and pirouetting like an idiot for a teacher who thinks grace and masochism are synonyms since six.
I limp down the marble steps, but force myself upright when I spot the elder Khan leaning against the cold rail just outside.
Felix looks like a calendar ad for runners, if the target audience is women who enjoy predatory competence and the sweat that means he’s run ten miles before breakfast.
At times like this, I really have to admit how goddamn lucky I am to have found men who are kind, love me for who I am, and are so hot I still feel my breath catch when I see them.
He’s still in his running gear, black and clinging, with his hair up.
His temples are wet, and the wrap on his wrist is as clearly damp as the grass on the lawn.
He smells of heat and expensive soap with a bite of spice that is all predator pheromones.
When he sees me, his grin spreads wide and his eyes dance as his nostrils flare.
My brain briefly loses the ability to parse words as I stare at that smile and try not to drool.
For three solid seconds, I forget I’m supposed to be moving on to my next obligation as he wipes his face with the hem of his tank, exposing his abs.
Much like I know how to distract my mates, they’re no slouches at doing it to me, and that was planned.
It scrambles my higher functions and makes my chest feel like I might vibrate out of my skin. I try to play it cool, but I fail.
“Someone’s already showing off, and it’s not even nine am yet,” I say as I pull the gym bag higher on my shoulder. “Determined to keep my mind off the impending doom, hmm?”
Felix makes a face like he’s insulted I would ever question his motives. “Princess, I can’t imagine why you would think that. I’m sweaty from a nice, long run that made my muscles ache. Why else would I need to wipe my face off? We are in public, you know.”
Oh, that son of a bitch knows that doesn’t matter to any of them.
I snort. “I’ll remember that new rule the next time one of you wants to be frisky in a locker room, or the forest, or in the sky… And be sure to tell everyone that Felix said we can’t be naughty in public places.”
The tiger steps forward, intercepting me mid-wobble when my foot cramps, and grabs my bag off my arm without asking.
“Let’s walk you to the admin building, while you threaten me with a good time.
I love sparring with my brother, and you love when we’re all grumpy and taking potshots at one another.
Besides, by your delicious scent, your bunny is about to jump out and start gnawing through the red tape you’ve imagined me putting up. ”
Chuckling, I fall in step beside him as he offers his free arm, and work the cramp out by slowly making our way forward from the Shird.
The quad is full of half-awake students, most of them walking around looking dazed on their first day back.
Some are new, and they look terrified, which I remember feeling in my first year at Apex.
Of course, everyone was threatening to kill and eat me, so my fear was different, but it seems like it was so long ago now.
Honestly, stupid rich people cults and Fae attackers aside, I’m ready to be done with the whole academic experience.
Pred schools have ruined the na?ve belief that this would be a joyous journey of discovery that would change my life as I entered adulthood.
My feet make a wet sound every time I land, and I tell myself it’s not a metaphor for the swampy atmosphere I’ve found at all the supposed institutions of higher learning.
Even if it is, I know that facing the realities of becoming an adult isn’t supposed to be easy, nor is it ever fair.
That irks me, especially with my past, but I’ve grown wise enough to know that I have the power to affect that.
Finding my mates, standing up to my mother, and gathering all my friends are proof of that.
Lucille was convinced I’d have none of that, and almost certainly plotted to sell me off and control me via some financially beneficial agreement with one of her cronies.
I didn’t let that happen, and I’m living my life my way; that’s a victory if I’ve ever heard of one.
Felix gives me a concerned look, and I realize I’ve been much quieter than usual, so I push my hair behind my ears and give him a crooked smile.
“Besides my nightmare fuel with Rockland, I have three—count them, three—classes in three different buildings, on opposite ends of campus, all before lunch. First period at Shird, then the little dystopian joy at Dupree, and then I get to cross the whole fucking campus again for Voice. I’m pretty sure they did it on purpose, so I’d have shin splints by Halloween. ”
My mate makes a sympathetic noise, but his lips are already twitching.
“You realize they did this to keep you occupied and not cause trouble, right? Nobody gives normie students a schedule like that, unless they’re secretly hoping to catch them on the quad for a ‘random’ disciplinary check.
Midori even got flustered when I mentioned it seemed like your schedule was specifically built to overload you, and demanded to see any other student with something similar. ”
“I’m aware,” I grumble as we pass a trio of freshman girls in matching leggings, all giggling at the sight of a six-foot-tall, stone-carved sex god walking through their quad.
“I’m pretty sure the nasty people in that stupid office are running a pool on how many times I can cross the main square in a day without being harassed.
There’s not even a way to use the fucking prey tunnels to do this shit, Felix. ”
His eyes are bright with amusement as he sighs.
“I know, and if I could have fixed it, I would have. But the witch said your mother approved the damn thing, and I decided that calling that bluff would entail dealing with both her and my father. It seemed like asking for trouble, and we’ve got enough of that as it is. ”
Always so damn good at seeing the bigger picture, and of course, he’s right.
I try to look annoyed, but it’s impossible. “Yeah, that was bad enough once, and I shudder to imagine what the conversation you had with your father was like. I’m scarred enough by his non-consensual teeny package video antics as it is.”
He snorts loud enough to draw glances from the breakfast crowd slumped near the lake as we pass it. “Zeus’ crispy boxers, Princess… don’t say shit like that in public. The last thing we need is it getting back to that sadist. I’ve seen what happens to people who insult… that area.”
Giving him a pointed look, I drawl, “Your gross dad doesn’t scare me, Felix Khan.
Pairing up with Lucille says a lot about how desperate they both are, and I’m never going to be put in a position where he finds out what happens when someone threatens my bunny.
I may not have known how to defend myself yet with Todd, but I promise that since I killed Abel, I’ve learned enough to make a motherfucker regret that type of behavior. ”
“I’m sure my twin had something to do with that,” he says with a tiny grin. “And I shudder to imagine what psycho shit he’s helped you plot out for such an occurrence.”
I arch a brow. “Did you know you can peel a dick like a banana with something sharp like claws or even my hidden knife? It’s really fascinating how fragile they are. After practicing, I think I’ve got the hang of it, even though I’m flooded with adrenaline and fear.”
Fitz made sure of that, and he worked on a lot of other terrifying scenarios as well, even though he hated every second of trying to frighten me.
The elder tiger swallows hard and looks a little green. “It's good of him to work on anatomy lessons, I suppose.”
My foot twinges as we continue, and I wince just enough for him to notice.
He doesn’t call me on it, but he shifts the bag to his other shoulder so his free hand can hover near my elbow in case I trip again.
I hold on reluctantly, not liking that outsiders might see me hobble, but apparently, I need some bananas for something other than making my mate want to vomit.
I’ll deal with that after this stupid appointment.
The closer we get to the Dupree Admin building, the more my playful attitude shifts.
I pop a mint, hoping to make my mouth less dry.
This damn reaction is making me mad; the vulture yelled at me and disrespected me, but I know she can’t beat me, even one-on-one.
I’d win every time, even without a magic leak.
But I’m all aflutter anyway, and it’s really fucking inconvenient.
Felix slows as we approach the wide stairs, and he looks at me seriously. “Do you want to talk about her so you get it out before we go inside?” he asks, not needing to specify who.
I hesitate briefly and then shake my head. “I’m good,” I say, but my voice betrays a tremor. “I just want to get it over with.”
He nods. “I’ll walk you in and stay with you until we get to her office. There will be someone else who picks you up to go to Voice. We will not leave you alone to deal with the trauma of coming back after she attacked you.”
Words are such a small thing, and yet his support feels like armor.
I want to lean into his side and hide, but I match his stride instead, tightening my hands into fists until I can’t feel anything but the pressure.
We hit the steps, and he stops at the bottom, putting the bag down and turning to face me directly.
There are other students going in, but none close enough to eavesdrop.
Brushing my jaw with his knuckles, he tilts my head so I have to look him in the eye. I force a smile, but I know it doesn’t reach my eyes.