Page 20 of Fatality on the Field

Kat just laughs as Anton makes a face as if Lucas admitted to enjoying rolling in pig shit. The house is immaculately clean, and while I don’t want to sit on the ground here, it’s not because I’m afraid it’s unclean. The smaller demon grins as she looks at my bear. “Anton is particular about things. He’s actually being nice, though it doesn’t seem like it.”

Snorting, the dragon demon arches a brow. “Polite is more like it, shrimp. Far be it for anyone to say we made them sit like lower school children at a meeting with The Keeper and the Prince of Hell.”

“Holy shit, the Prince of Hell is here? Why didn’t anyone tell me?”

Kat’s exclamation makes giggles burst free from my mouth, and I clamp my hand over it in mortification. Not the image I’d prefer to project amongst all these fucking dudes, but I couldn’t help myself. Her exaggerated shock and expression are hysterical, as is the response from Jasper’s own caliphate members. They’re laughing and coughing into their hands, just as amused by the timely response to the prince’s constant mention of his role in the realm. I look at my new friend with a small smirk, and she shrugs, her eyes dancing with merriment.

This little side quest is going to be one for the books, I think, and now I can’t wait to see that bitchy royal put in his place.

twelve

IGNATIUS

After the group going to the Wastes left, the rest of us were left to our own devices regarding how to approach the damn book. Xerxes insisted that we needed to take it downstairs to one of the magical ‘practice’ rooms to ensure proper shielding, and though most of the others didn’t think it necessary, I agreed with them.

We found so many various layers of different magics on the safe holding the thing that I didn’t feel like explaining to the others how we blew up the entire goddamn dorm.

“So, you guys had to strip layers of stuff off this thing, huh?”

I look over at Rogue, tucked into a hoodie with her bright hair tied back to help us journey down to the protected space without being noticed. She’s also clothed in a much bigger set of sweats now as well, since the shark demon pointed out that unlike Kat, Rogue is quite obviously female and we have to make certain she’s not revealed. “Yes. The theory is that because there are so many unique assholes contributing to that panel of idiots—based on your family’s reports—things that might be important to their cause are getting the special treatment.”

Zavida tilts his head, obviously considering my words carefully before he speaks. “I wonder if one of my apps could decipher which magics there are and how many. It’s something I can work on code for that X could contribute some magic to. That’s definitely a project I can start on after the break… as long as we’re not consumed by the Games immediately. Damon could help, I’m sure.”

Funnily enough, the Prince of Hell has very collaborative members in his caliphate despite his deep-seated suspicions of anyone not in it. I nod at the Kitsuné, my expression serious. “If that works and is installed on all of our phones like QR readers, it would definitely assist in not getting body parts blown off when we’re all hunting down shit.”

Snorting, the younger Gemini shakes his head. “Given how brash some of my family members are, I’d be all in for developing something like that. Reb has always been balls out if he gets mad, and Sparkles, you’re no better when you’re emotional. It’s just a fact.”

Rogue pretends to sock him hard in the arm, though I can tell it was more gentle than it appeared. “Angelo’s no better. You, Arch, and Javi are the calmest of the bunch. And I bet the other groups have ‘damn the torpedoes' members, too.”

The elder Gemini grumbles, but doesn’t respond as Slash grins toothily. “The little demon is quite bold and very often does not think before rushing in if she believes it will save someone she cares about. Also, Oriel and the prince are quite full of the energy some would call ‘big dick’, yes?”

His deadpan statement cracks the crow demon up and he puts his hand on my shoulder as he laughs until he almost wheezes. When he finally speaks, he chokes out, “What I would not give to have someone recording for that gem. KK will never believe it that the big guy put her in with BDE and no one else will believe he said it. Fuck. Me. Dead.”

Sniggering along, the prettiest demon tosses their hair as they sigh. “I really wish we had it on tape; it’s true. I mean, KK is damn near the smallest demon in this dump. She’d be baffled at the statement.”

“Everyone has secrets, Xerxes,” the shark says with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. “Kat will surprise us all at some point; I am certain of it.”

“I like him!” Rogue beams as she points at the general of the caliphate. “You’re in, buddy. My new bestie gets a stamp of approval on you, and I’ll tell her so.”

Damon frowns as he looks at his mate. “You’ve been keeping score on how… appropriate we all are, somehow? Not making your guidelines clear in regard to that is not a good basis for true recommendations.”

I chuckle at the hacker demon. “She’s not doing a research project, man. Our women are making private assessments on each of us and sharing it with one another. It’s what happens when they form a pack, you know.”

Rogue points a finger at me and a trail of magic leaps forward to flick me hard on the nose. “Don’t be a hater, Prof. That shit is why you were on the outside and you’re doing an okay job of climbing in the window for now. I’d hate to see you backslide into asshole territory.”

Oh, for the days back at State U without an entire cadre of people judging every statement. Sigh.

“I didn’t really mean it as a knock… just… It’s what women do in groups, in my experience. You have every right to do it, but I’m warning the guy that it’s not based on analysis he’d consider accurate.” X snickers and Rogue turns her glare on them, so I continue. “From what I’ve heard, Damon is very precise about how he crunches data.”

There’s a pause as the Fae twists her lips and thinks about what I’m saying. Once she’s decided, she nods. “Okay, that’s fair. I’d argue that Morgana is pretty logical as well, but how we approve of people is not wholly based in measurable, scientific fact. That much is true, you just said it like a dick. So I forgive you, but watch your mouth, eh?”

Slash arches a brow as he asks, “If we’re done rating for now, the elevator stopped at least two minutes ago and I have been holding it via the emergency stop button. Are we ready to exit now?”

Damn, that guy is almost unflappable unless he’s angry—Kaspar could learn a thing or two from him.

The room the demons escort us to isn’t fancy; in fact, it looks sort of cave-like, but I assume that’s drawing shields from the bedrock of Hell. Many protection spells on the surface draw from things of the Earth, and it can’t be very different in demonic lore. There are sigils all over the walls that make my skin tingle and the hairs on my body stand up—another thing that must be Hell-specific. I look at Rogue and Slade to see if they are having the same reaction only to see them brushing at their arms like they’re being bitten.

Good, it’s not just me. Whew.