Page 32 of Fatality on the Field

“Kaspar,” I scold him as Liam gets the door at the front of the group and everyone heads inside the dorm. “I’m sure that’s an oversimplification of the process.”

I’m not sure, but I don’t want Archie to think we’re judging Rogue and her missing mate.

“Don’t worry, Morgana. Rogue and Reb are well aware of how dumb their situation is, and how it doesn’t serve the people it says it does. Well, except for the lost ones, I guess. As far as I know, that seems to work out. I have no idea how they pick people, though.”

I frown, considering what the Fae told us about her family situation. “That is a puzzler. I mean, from what she said, Rogue was adopted with a twin as a baby, and then he was ‘sold off’ and Rebel was brought in. So… was the twin a Guardian with her? Is that tied to her, which is why the missing guy is sharing that duty despite not being blood-related?”

The lion blinks at me. “I have no fucking clue, nor do I think any of us have ever asked them that. Man, it really is helpful to talk to people outside the inner circle, isn’t it? I sort of feel like that could be important, you know?”

“Ahem!”

Our small group at the back stops in place as one of the people at the front attempts to get our attention. I roll my eyes when I see it’s the damn demon dragon, sighing heavily as I wait for whatever nonsense he’s going to spew.

“We will gather in Salem’s room again when we get upstairs. Hopefully, the others are back, but if not…”

Oh, for fuck’s sake, he’s just trying to regain control again; this dude is so fucked up that he has to direct everything to feel secure. Kat is going to have her hands full.

But this time, my new friend cuts in as she looks at the prince. “Jasper, you don’t have to be such a stick in the mud. Annie needs to get used to his familiar, and we need to feed Dottie and the bird guy. If the others aren’t back yet and some of you want to head over to see what the hell is going on, that’s fine.”

The dragon frowns, tilting his head as he looks at the girl. “That was unusually calm for you, shrimp.”

Kat shrugs as she pets the baby roo’s head. “I don’t want the bad vibes around the little guy, and also, my friends are leaving soon. I’m not in the mood to argue with you about stupid shit.”

“Good on you, KK,” Salem says as he ruffles her hair fondly. “I love it when we all get along.”

I know how that feels; my own guys are contentious enough to drive me crazy.

Giving the panda demon an encouraging smile, I step forward and head for the elevator to push the button. “You heard Kit. Get a move on, people.”

I breathe a sigh of relief as they all shuffle towards the damn thing without bitching. Fortunately for me, I did not mistakenly say her real name—I caught it before it even made it out of my head. Lucas grabs my hand again, twining our fingers as he leans in to kiss my temple. “You’re such a clingy boy,” I murmur as the doors open and a non-pre-selected group files into the lift.

“Maybe, but your influence is definitely making itself known to that girl. Look how well she handled the pissy prince with nary an ounce of snark. That’s progress.”

I chuckle as Li finally comes over and takes the bear’s other hand, kissing his knuckles before he winks at me. The Fae bobs his brows mischievously as he murmurs, “I have done my good deed for the day, and His Highness was quite willing to share his expertise in areas as well. Who says diplomacy is dead, hmm?”

Lucas blinks, swallowing hard as he looks at our mate. “He… shared… things?”

“Oh, yes, cub. He most certainly did. I’m quite intrigued and thrilled to say that his techie mate is going to make certain we all have very clear private access going both ways from Hell to the surface. It will help their newbie demon communicate with Rogue and Morgana, but also allow for all of us guys to do so as well.”

I wish I thought he was happy about that so Kaspar can teach them how to help my friend, but I have the feeling the princes are more focused on other things.

When Salem opens the door to their suite, there’s a rush of energy that damn near bowls all of us over. I hold on to the guys, shaking my head to clear as the demons move into a seamless formation around Kat. I’m surprised and pleased when Jasper is at the front, blocking her from whatever’s emanating from the room completely.

“Hey!” Kat yells. “What is going on?”

Liam pushes through the crowd, joining the demon prince as they nod and enter simultaneously. I narrow my eyes in irritation, but once Kaspar follows, I know that they’ve let the other men stay to keep us safe. I don’t need that in the slightest, but since they’re protecting Kat, I let it slide. Archie and Lucas shuffle in front of me before I can even see what’s happened in the room, and I pinch the bear so hard he yelps.

“Someone should answer her, and me,” I growl as he turns to me with a wounded expression. “What the fuck was that and what is going on in this supposedly completely secure area?”

“No idea,” the hockey players chorus and I have to bite my tongue before I say something I don’t mean.

Salem rubs his hand over his dual-colored hair as he looks over his shoulder at us. “We can’t see, Morgana. Whatever it is, the dragons and your prince are handling it. I’m sure they’ll tell us when they get it under control.”

I’m not a fan of being relegated to the back of the action, but I’ll deal with it.

Suddenly, there’s a crash, and we all clamor to the entrance, pushing our way into the dorm room without waiting for permission. There’s a crush in the frame, but eventually we all pop free, tumbling into the space in a big jumble of limbs. Salem, Kat, Anton, and the baby roo hit the floor, while Lucas, Archie, and I trip over them like a bunch of circus clowns. Kaspar looks at the pile of people with wide eyes, but Liam and Jasper snicker.

Grabbing the doorframe, I right myself and give the royals and the bodyguard a dirty look. “Okay, someone tell me what the fuck is going on now.”