“Probably going to happen in one of my fucking classes,” I mutter to myself as I speed up when I get close to my destination. “That would be a double lesson, meant to prove that my father has blessed whatever he’s here to do. Fuck.”
I don’t give a shit about random demons at Discordia; the General’s pet commander can do whatever he wants to them. However, after lunch I have the 101 block that Oriel, Xerxes, Anton, Zavida, and Salem are in. The shrimp should be there, too, but luckily, he’s on granted leave because the royal physician favors the little shit. I’ve yet to be glad for that quirk of Fate so far, but now? I’m fuckingchuffedthat the old demon likes Kit so much. That will save him from seeing what I believe will be a seriously terrible display in that class this afternoon.
Of course, it might gain him a buddy in the dorm if people get hurt—which is almost guaranteed if the Major shows.
When I enter the tunnel, the noise coming from the field is noticeably absent, and I groan internally. My first session is a second-level training block, and the returning students are usually chatting as they change. I almost always have to shut them up to start, but the silence echoing in this hall is deafening. Even if I’m right about our guest later today,someonein authority is out there, and I will have to deal with them when I emerge. My tail swishes as I psych myself up, moving from concern about my caliphate to detached royal asshole in seconds.
“Ah, there you are, Prince Jasper! I wondered briefly if you might set a poor example by being late to your own class.” Darkstar’s voice is like claws on a chalkboard, but I don’t let it show as I stride out onto the field.
Arching a brow, I check my phone to see that I’m five minutes early as planned. “Perhaps you need Beccarus to wind your watch, Lucian. The hour has not yet passed, and I am early—admittedly, less than is my normal routine, but not late in the slightest.”
The icy blond is dressed all in black like a fucking pirate with that stupid cape swirling around his ankles in the morning wind. The scent in the air tells me there’s a sandstorm in the Wastes sending the breeze this way, and our headmaster is heartily enjoying the theatrical effect it gives his ridiculous attire. No wonder my father and all the Court leaders scoff at this dumbass—he’s more a cartoon villain than a serious threat.
Or he was until he found a bunch of other losers to latch onto; now he’s dangerous by association, and I hate it.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say that was insolence.” Lucian’s eyes glitter as he shoots a knowing smirk at me. He knows the emissaries from Court could pop in, and I can’t shoot back a retort as safely as I could before they arrived. “However, I choose to believe you did not consume enough coffee in that dreadful cafeteria instead.”
“That cafeteria is run by you,” a voice mutters in the crowd, and Darkstar whips around with murder in his eyes.
“Whosaid that?” No one responds, and he flicks the cape over his shoulders as he strides toward the gathering of second years menacingly. “Come now. If you had the rocks to say it, claim it, gentlemen. Don’t be so weak and predictable.”
A hand raises, and I groan, looking up at the sky. That demon is from one of my father’s favored houses within our line, and though I agree it was brave, the kid doesn’t have the power or skill to go up against the head like this. “I did, sir.”
Before Lucian can open his mouth, I stomp over and roar, “Laps!Now!Being disrespectful to the headmaster of the college is not acceptable in this arena. You'll run until you cannot move or I will find a better punishment, Irascus!” The kid looks at me wide-eyed, but he takes off running toward the circle around the arena as instructed. “That goes double for the rest of you slugs. Now get moving on warm-ups!”
Once my students are occupied, I turn back to Lucian. He’s observing me, like a spider with a fly. It would be funny under most circumstances; his power isn’t remotely close to my own. He’s not a threat—in that way. But he has power and sycophants in other places, and I don’t need to piss him off enough to send one of those ridiculous office demons scuttling after my brothers in my absence.
“Excellent discipline, Eversore. You’ve quite a hold on your students.”
I snort, rolling my eyes as I watch the class warming up. “Good order and respect often breed loyal soldiers—that’s something the General and the Major taught when we grew up at the palace.”
With sharp blades, powerful fists, hot pokers, darkness, captivity, and punishments that haunt me, but fuck if I’m going to tell him that.
Sharks
Kit/Kat
When Anton left me for Weapons class, I only had a few minutes to myself to get changed into something suitable for the gym. The plans made last night regarding who would stay with me had left me panicking, but luckily, X crept back to my dorm after the others left with a large bag full of uniforms and other clothing they’d ordered when we last spoke about my… predicament. It didn’t haveeverythingI needed, but I have five new binders and boxers to wear under the uniforms so I’m not wrapping myself in the gauze I got from Dank.
That shit is hot and painful after a while—I owe Xerxes big time.
However, a session with Slash in the training gym means I’ll probably get near water—he was quite firm in his request to show me his animal, and I believe that his smirk when Jasper gave him the assignment conveyed that it’s time. I’m nervous as fuck—for many reasons, including no experience with killer sea life and because if I get in the water, I may have to admit my secret. I chose dark shorts, boxers, and two tees with my sweatpants, but that may not be enough. Slash is no fool, and he’s quite observant when he’s paying attention; sometimes, he is even when he’snotpaying attention. I won’t be able to keep this from him if I get in the pool.
Truthfully, I’m not sure Iwantto. The big guy had been a quiet supporter for a while and started treating me with respect pretty quickly once he was away from Jasper’s influence. He’s even spoken up in person a few times now, despite the prince’s scowls of disapproval.I think he’ll stay in my corner when I explain how I came here in disguise and why I kept it a secret once I was inducted. Jasper’s insistence that I’m a spy is a big part of that, but the opportunity to get away from my old life being yanked away is the largest portion.
Slash knows my life up there was shit, and I think he’ll get why I couldn’t risk it.
Salem, X, and Oriel have understood; I’m pretty sure Annie will, too. Zav is a toss-up because of his co-dependence on Jasper, but I have faith that he’s working to be stronger. I mean, mostly, and I can’t very well criticize him for waffling when I’m hiding shit, right? I frown as that thought muddies my normal concrete boundaries and expectations. Since I began admitting the truth to the guys and getting to know other sides of them, my hard lines have softened slightly. I may have beentoodemanding of people because of my assault trauma and the behavior of everyone who didn’t support me. Though, to be fair, I had to protect myself when no one else was willing to.
Now I’m here, with enemies abound, and seven guys who are equally damaged. Most of them are exceeding their own trauma-informed boundaries to be respectful, and I have to give them the same courtesy. There are requirements I won’t bend on, of course, but that’s normal. Healing together is what caliphatesshoulddo based on all that ritual and brotherhood shit, right?
“We’re here.”
I blink, looking around to find that Slash is entirely correct—we are at the double doors to the training gym. He had my arm and led me across campus, into a building, in an elevator, and to this very spot while I stayed lost in my goddamn thoughts. I can’t remember the last time I was transported from one place to the next whileconsciouswithout being aware of my surroundings every step of the way. Yet I trusted this huge dude to do so, without my brain screaming in protest even once.
He has to be okay with this or I’m definitely going to freak out.
“I… Did you just walk me here without saying a word so I could just think?” I ask as I look up at the shark demon.
