I sat down and opened a new notebook.
It was time to start a new research project.
slater
. . .
“These phones are so much easierto talk on than a tablet,” I said to Bram, scratching under Snakey’s chin. His smooth, chaos-spiked scales were cool beneath my fingers, and he gave a pleased hiss as he coiled tighter around my neck.
Bram chuckled through the receiver. “I know. We have them too. New tech. Council-designed, actually. It’s streamlined for magical conductivity and encrypted messaging.”
“Dude, who even are you?Streamlined for magical conductivity and encrypted messaging,”I repeated mockingly. “You’re such a councilman.”
“I mean, Iama councilman. Chaos demon representative at your service,” he said cheekily. “Seriously, though, I’m just repeating the shit I was told.”
I pouted dramatically, even though he couldn’t see it. “Bram. I’m your brother. How could you keep something this cool from me?”
There was muffled background noise of Skel, his brother-mate, shouting about a cat trying to attack their other brother-mate’s axolotl again.
It sounded like the axolotl was going to win.
Bram sighed. “Skel, just go get Reed. He’ll handle it. Give me the kitten.”
“Hisnameis Eclipse, and he’s Nebs’ rival right now,” Skel grumbled grumpily. “Clearly he and Gumdrop are working together to take him out.”
My heart swelled.
Ever since he met his mate, Bram had come alive. He’d stopped drowning himself in alcohol and guilt. I liked to think it was me and our brotherly bond that got through to him, but I knew it was Pandora that had.
I was so fucking proud of my baby brother.
“Ooooh, Bram! Rune’s on her way back to the house now,” I said, glee threading through my voice as I finally managed to tap into the surveillance feed.
The academy’s wards and magical firewalls were complex. It took me an entire day and a half to get in. That was a long time for me.
Rune appeared on my tablet screen from one of the spires of the academy, stunning as ever. She walked across the bridge with purposeful strides, her shoulders squared, chin lifted. Her eyes glinted like cut gold that I wanted to lose myself in. Plus, the academy-issued suit was fucking hot. Her breasts bounced ever-so-slightly with every step. It was a slight movement because the suit had serious support, but it was enough to make my heart burst in my chest.
She wasmagnificent.
Bram made a concerned noise. “How do you know that?”
“I might’ve hacked the academy’s surveillance network to keep an eye on my mate,” I admitted, sheepish only in tone.
I had no regrets.
There was a pause.
“That’s…unhinged, Slater. What the fuck?”
“Brother, she’s my mate. I feel it in my chaos-infested bones. Even Snakey likes her!” I cooed, giving Snakey another rub. He flicked his tongue in agreement. “Besides, one of your brother-mates literally stalks your fated mate from the shadows.”
“True, Dex does do that.” Bram sighed. “My chaos manifestation hates everyone, you know. He was hesitant about Pandora at first, but he never hated her…” he trailed off. “Even before the bond snapped.”
“See?” I said triumphantly. “I told you! Snakey is the same! I’m his one true love, but now, Rune is, too.”
“I believe you. But maybe don’t go around claiming mate until the bond snaps?”
“I’ll tell you the second it happens,” I promised, watching Rune walk closer and disappear into the first-year house. “Grandfather was right. I’ve found her. Tell Pandora and Nebs I said hi. She’s here,bye!”
