Page 31 of Fatality on the Field

“Dude, I wouldn’t mind a familiar. Would you?”

Looking at Archie, I chuckle. “You know shifters don’t normally get that sort of thing.”

“Yeah, but Rogue’s a Fae/Cubi, and Reb’s Fae. The twins are demons. Someone besides Javi and I could find one. It’d be cool.”

Of course it would. Most shifters love animals, even those that aren’t supernatural like us, and if we’re not focused on babies, then pets are the next best thing. “I assume you’re hoping to adopt a zoo's worth of shit because you grew up in a huge pride, right?”

“Yep, and Wheels doesn’t seem to want kids, which I’m okay with. That’s, like, her decision and her mates shouldn’t question how she wants to use her body, you know? But I would like things to take care of because my mom taught me that with my sibs, and having Javi stuck has made that clearer.”

I think about that for a moment. No siblings in my house, thank fuck, because my parents shouldn’t even have had one kid, much less multiple. I didn’t have pets, either, because Nana and I traveled, plus my parents were… untrustworthy. Keeping everything important locked up tightly with no access is how Nana kept them out, but she would have needed more house staff or sitters for live animals. It would have complicated a lot, and I suppose she didn’t want me to go through something horrific with them.

Probably for the best in the end.

“Maybe? I haven’t had siblings or pets, so I don’t know, actually.”

Archie frowns, looking at me in shock. “No siblings, no pets, and shit parents? Damn, you had similar shit to Wheels and Reb. That sucks hard, bud. Bet people were after your money, too, huh?”

“Always,” I reply with a shrug. “You get used to it.”

The storm dragon sidles over, looking at the two of us with an amused expression. “Neither of you was chosen to be mated with women who were enamored with having children. That could change—though not through any pressure from their clash—but it may also stay the same. Since you are both well-known sports figures, perhaps you could have your representation look into sponsoring a shelter or a zoo? That might help you nurture that inner desire.”

I arch a brow at Kaspar. “And how do you manage, cranky lizard? Dragons are compelled to hoard, and I've not seen a hint of you having one, plus they get super weird about eggs, I’ve heard. So what’s the frequency, Kenneth?”

Morgana and Li come over at my question, laughing. The gargoyle finally says, “Lucas, you are way too young to get that reference. Sometimes, I worry about you.”

“I would like to hear my old friend’s answer, though,” Liam says with twinkling eyes. “Because he doesn’t have either at the house, we were given. I have seen one at home, but it’s been a very long time since we were there. In Faerie time, I mean.”

“How did this become about me?” the dragon grumbles as he runs a hand through his hair in annoyance. “I’d love to know that.”

“You offered us advice, and we talked back. It’s how conversation works,” Archie says. “Don’t be mad that we’re following normal social behavior.”

“I’m not mad, I…” Kaspar growls as he gives all of us a dirty look. “We dislike speaking of hoards, especially with those who are not dragons or mates. And I have never expected to have eggs—at least, not since Angeline. So it’s not a worry.”

Morgana looks at us, her eyes narrowing as she mutters, “I think we have far too much shit going on to even speculate about who wants eggs or babies or anything even in that realm.”

“She’s right, but I think Kas’s idea about getting some sort of endorsement might be a good idea for both of you,” Liam cuts in, saving us all from having to babble apologies. “I can help with that for Lucas. Archie probably has an agent who can, since he’s pro-level, right?”

Archie nods, grinning a bit. “Truth be told, I’m kinda psyched to chat with the asshole about it when we get home. I’d like that a fuck ton more than some of the shit he’s suggested, and it would help with PR since that murder in the rink.”

“Same,” I say with a grimace. “I could use some good publicity as well.”

“You know, this trip has been so helpful that I’m a bit worried about how well it’s gone,” Morgana says as she links her other arm with Li’s.

She should know better than to jinx us like that.

nineteen

MORGANA

When we get back to the dorm, Kat is still cradling the cacodemaroo, but her anxious demon beau has pet its head a couple times. I think that’s progress, and the mood has lifted significantly compared to when we left for the Keeper’s house. The princes are chatting a bit more amicably than before, which might be bad or good depending on what it’s about. Li’s thrown up a mini-barrier, infuriatingly enough, and I haven’t been able to listen in as we walk. Wrinkling my nose as I squeeze Lucas’s hand to get him to let go so we can go inside the imposing building the demons call Canto IV.

“I wonder if the others have cracked the book shit yet,” he says to no one in particular. “That’s been at the back of my mind since we left the invisible zoo.”

“They probably have,” I reply confidently. “That’s a lot of magical know-how in one space. Iggy and Slade certainly know what they’re doing, and I assume the demons do, too.”

Archie coughs as he arches a brow. “If you think Rogue isn’t a badass because she’s bound by some bullshit stuff as a Guardian, you’re wrong. As long as nothing made her unfurl the wings and poison people, she’ll be a lot of help.”

“Gee, I wonder why those tight-assed morons put leashes on their agents,” Kaspar grumbles. “They scoop up all the poorly educated hybrids with insane powers who should be in The Ramble or Blackwater and then send them out on ‘missions’. It’s not a recipe for disaster at all.”