I turn to Everett and Crypt. "What was First Placement like when you were here before?"
"Hellish," Everett grumbles. "Unmatched legacies fought to the death. But the quintets had a different test, so I have no idea what it'll be like today. Even the faculty hasn't been let in on the Immortal Quintet's plans for today, only their hirelings."
"I skipped mine," Crypt shrugged. "Seemed boring."
Silas squints. "Now that you mention it...did you ever officially graduate Everbound?"
"I attended very few classes and spent my time tormenting instructors," the Nightmare Prince grins. "They gave me official legacy documentation anyway because the Legacy Council didn't want their bounty hunters chasing someone they knew would be a perpetual drain on their resources."
Why am I not surprised?
The more I learn about Crypt's past, the clearer it becomes that he's never given a fuck about anything. Since he's alreadysharing, I decide to ask something I've wondered about ever since hearing all the rumors about him.
"All right. I'm finally going to ask," I say, setting down my spoon. "Why the fuck is your name Crypt?"
"Don't!" Baelfire's exclamation startles me, and he shakes his head in warning, his golden eyes comedically wide. "Do yourself a favor and don't fucking ask that, Boo."
I can scowl at him over that nickname, but Crypt tips his head. "If you don't like it, I'll change it, darling. We wouldn't want you cringing every time you cry my name in pleasure, now would we?"
Silas snorts, and Everett rolls his eyes so hard I'm sure it hurts.
I take another bite of oatmeal. "It was a simple question."
"I was named after where I was conceived."
Oh. Shit.
"Not this again," Baelfire grimaces. He turns to me. "I asked him this question when I was five.Five. And five-year-olds don't need to fucking hear this kind of story, but he didn't leave outanydetails."
"It's not my fault they were explicit when they told me about it. I merely passed it on the way I heard it," the Nightmare Prince shrugs nonchalantly. "Anyway, Somnus?—"
Baelfire holds up a hand. "Shut up before I puke. Here's thehighlyedited short version, Hellion. Crypt's jackass father has a thing for not-very-alive people, okay? He thought this one succubus chick was dead in a crypt when, really, she was just super passed out from crying over her newly deceased husband. She woke up later, andbam, preggers—and nine months later, Somnus got in hot water when a really fucked up stork dropped Crypt into the Immortal Quintet's lap and everyone found out he was running around doing…that. Big scandal. Extremely gross and not at all PG-rated. Got it?"
The story isn't funny, but the way Baelfire looks at me like he's silently begging me not to ask any follow-up questions makes me laugh. Crypt grins at my amusement and winks at me.
A moment later, faculty members knock on our door and drop off the official combat uniforms Everett mentioned. They look similar to soldier's uniforms, only since we're in a quintet, they're color coded. Everett's uniform is light gray, Baelfire's is a burnt orange, Silas's is a forest green, and Crypt's is maroon. Each uniform has its House emblem embroidered on one shoulder, underneath a number I'm sure will appear under the Legacy Council's records reflecting our names.
My uniform is green, too. Keepers aren't specially marked in combat to avoid drawing attention to them. But when I walk out in my uniform and combat boots, all four of my matches stare at me.
"Don't take this the wrong way, but it's honestly kind of…weird to see you in a color," Everett ventures.
I couldn't agree more.
"But you're hot as fuck in that," Baelfire adds with a smile. "You look ready to kick ass."
Probably because I am. I made the bronzeblend potion one day ago using the rest of my magic reserves. It's now tucked securely into one of my pockets in case I get a chance to get Somnus DeLune alone today. Pierce is concealed in one of my boots, so I'm prepared even if they don't allow us other weapons today.
During First Placement, I'll certainly have to kill to defend my quintet. Which means I'll have plenty of fuel to slowly pick off the rest of the Immortal Quintet.
"Kenzie was right," I muse, studying the four of them. "Men are sexy in uniforms."
Silas's scarlet gaze grows sinful, and he steps up to kiss my temple, whispering, "Don't tempt me right now,sangfluir. Iknow Baelfire got to play with you in the shower, and I'm trying to behave so you'll let me have my turn next."
Crypt uses Limbo to appear suddenly at my back, hands on my hips as he tuts softly. "Weren't you paying attention to her dream last night, Crane? She doesn't want turns. She wants to take all of us at once."
Gods. I almost forgot about that dream. Baelfire underneath me, Silas behind me, Everett down my throat while I stroked Crypt's cock and toyed with his piercings until he came all over me…
My thighs clench. Damn it. Who cares about being sore when they're all so fucking attractive?
