Page 53 of A Bond So Deadly

“Whoa. Never tell Satine this, but I think I might like her just a little bit now,” Kenzie whispers.

I turn to my friend. “Has it really been that bad around here?”

Kenzie scrunches her face. “Yeah, the demons have been a pain in the ass. Probably doesn’t help that we’re all still nursing our wounds, or more so, our damaged egos after the games.”

Huh. I feel bad then, because I haven’t really seen it. I’ve been sharing meals with my guys or with Blake and her mates, and I’m guessing the demons have been on their best behavior during classes when Blake and I have been present.

I’m not sure if they can sense my uncertainty about the situation, but Kazer, Arizak, Bonfang, and Rinoc materialize from shadows around me, nudging me and brushing up against my sides.

Nellie dips her head respectfully to the large animali, and I run my hands through the soft fur behind Bonfang’s ears. He stiffens and gives me a look that tells me I’m the only one who could get away with stroking him like that. “What?” I murmur. “I missed you.”

Kazer purrs, nudging Bonfang out of the way and claiming my hand instead.

Arizak nuzzles the back of my shirt, and I laugh under my breath. “I meant that to all of you, of course.”

Rinoc is a little more standoffish, but even he comes for a head rub.

I’m distracted until Satine’s shrill voice captures my attention again, and I turn my gaze back to the conflict.

“Have you guys been watching this?” I whisper to the animali. Of course, no one answers, and I end up wishing I could speak to the animali just like I can talk to the zenali.

Bonfang yawns, looking completely disinterested, but I can’t walk away while this is happening.

“That’s funny, because from where we sit, we can’t see any warriors,” one of the other demon generals calls out, chasing it up with laughter. I gather Satine has still been talking about how the students wish to train. “Don’t worry, princess, the muscle has arrived. There’s no need for you to train now anyway.” The other demons laugh along with him.

Satine’s face reddens, her shadows coiling in agitation around her. “There’s a reason humans were called to be shadow warriors,” she says, not backing down. “Because Lady Fate knows we’re more equipped to fight this war than you are. You’re just the…the backup soldiers.”

“Oh this girl is fun to watch,” Elgen comments.

“Stay hidden,” I hiss at the shadows.

Sebastian narrows his eyes at Satine, and he takes a step forward until they’re close enough that Satine has to crane her neck to look up at him. His tail flicks, and it’s the only sign that shows how much she’s gotten under his skin. I can count on one hand the number of times Sebastian has lost his cool, and I have to admire Satine’s confidence.

“How dare you speak to the demon generals this way,” Sebastian growls. “You humans have no idea who you’re dealing with. You should be grateful we’re willing to fight in your war and clean up your mess.”

“Yeah, you’d better listen to him,” the other demon general from earlier pipes up. I don’t remember his name, but he’s the one who was being mouthy during the demon’s first combat training session with the shadow warriors the other day. “Be grateful we’ve shown restraint while we’re here. One taste of my power, and I could make you strip yourself naked and crawl on your knees for me, love.”

Satine’s cheeks go crimson with anger, and honestly, I’m pissed off now, too. There are many demons that I respect, but there’s a reason Blake is as fierce as she is. I guess Blake can’t stop all the demons from being assholes, no matter how much she might try.

Before Satine can open her mouth again and get herself into even more trouble, I remove the shadow cloak from Kenzie and me and move from the cover of the trees, striding toward the students and demons. Kenzie hisses something at me before rushing to catch up, and the animali stay close. Bonfang takes up a position on my right side, while Kazer moves to my left, and the students gawk as they spot me.

The demon generals look less awed, but they rise to their feet as I approach. Sebastian turns, slamming his hand to his chest and dipping his head as a sign of respect, and the other generals do the same. I might not be the demon queen, but I am Blake’s best friend, and I helped Blake during the demon war. The demons might be prickly around the edges, but once you have their respect, it’s a loyalty that doesn’t fade.

“Miss Shade,” Sebastian rumbles, lifting his head. “I didn’t see you there.”

I wonder then whether he would have noticed us in the trees even without the cloak, because he did seem pretty focused on Satine.

“What’s going on here?” I ask.

“Definitely the beginnings of an orgy,” Elgen says in my mind.

“Or a massacre,” Tarlaz comments.

“That’s not helpful,” I reply.

Before Sebastian can answer my question, Satine takes the opportunity to pipe up first. “These neanderthals are driving us crazy. It doesn’t matter where we go to train, a group of them is always there, hanging around like a bad smell. I swear they’re doing this on purpose!” She looks on the verge of stamping her foot like a toddler, and I have to smother my smile.

I turn my questioning gaze to Sebastian. The academy grounds are huge, and there aren’t that many demon generals. If the situation is as bad as Satine and Kenzie say, then I agree that the demons must be doing this on purpose.