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Marv mentally rolled his eyes so hard I suffered a second of vertigo. “Really, Freddy? Don’t worry, Bane, I’ve got this one covered. Shut up, dumbass. No one wants to hear your inane commentary.”

I nodded in thanks to Marv, then plucked Huff from my shoulder and set him on the desk. My gaze narrowed on Miko’s fingers as they idly ran over Huff’s head and down his back, fingertips disappearing into his blue fur.

“So, if we're going to stop,” she blew out a breath, “defeat, whatever verb you want to use, the HHC. It requires in depth research, if it’s available, and a well thought out plan.” Her eyes bounced between Little Shit and I. “Huff,” she said, adjusting her glasses with forefinger and thumb. “Would you know if there are any books in the library not listed in the computer system that might help us?”

Huff tapped a tail tip against the desk as he thought, then he pointed a second tail at me. “The Heechus you know of a place.” He grinned at me. “Bane can show you. By the way, you’ll need to translate for her. I look forward to watching you try to teach her our language. I bet she'd be fun to converse with.”

I looked around me, exaggerating my movements. “Me? Why would I know?” I responded in his language. I had an inkling of what the Heechu was talking about, but I'd rather not reveal the best way to get there.

“What did he say?” Miko ground out.

“Well,” I answered casually, grinning as she shivered, pupils dilating, “you might be more familiar with this than you think.” Furthering the nonchalance, I rocked from my heels to toes and slipped my hands into my pockets, dragon talons scratching against the floorboards.

Miko winced, then pressed her palms flat on the desk and leaned over the edge closest to me. “Dammit, you just gouged the hell out of the oak flooring.” She fell back onto her heels, crossing her arms over her chest. “I better not get any shit for that.” A breath puffed from her, lifting the edge of her bangs. “What kind of animal are your feet based on?” Miko stared at me, but something about her expression told me her focus isn’t really on me. I was proven correct a second later when she seemed to be speaking her thoughts aloud. “Most grotesques are based on, or inspired by, human-animal hybrids, demons, fantastical beasts…” she trailed off, twirling the end of her braid around a finger over and over, “but I've never seen any depictions that are anywhere similar to yours.”

Fuuuck. Why is it so hot when she lets her nerd side shine? If she keeps going on like this, I might just come on the spot.

I peered at her, a dirty smirk forming. “Maybe. But you haven't seen me with my pants off yet. Then you'd know all about my lower half.”

She made an awkward choking noise, dropping the braid. Mmm. I imagine that red coloring her face, throat, and chest covers her entire body while she’s being pleasured.

“True,” she sputtered, then cleared her throat. “I already told you that I have interest in finding out.”

Carnal curiosity hooded her eyes, causing me to lick my lips and ghost a hand over her cheek. “Soon, Honeybee. Very soon, but we should probably get back on track, yes?”

Huff released a drawn-out huff, making Miko and I laugh. “I can see why he’s named that. It really is his signature sound.”

“Baney,” my best friend prods, “show her the bookcase entrance. Tell her that the Heechus will keep an eye out for anyone that might come into the library.”

I palmed my face, then loosely gripped the base of my horns, flicking pleading eyes toward Miko and Huff. “Are you sure there isn’t another way you haven’t let me in on? Oh, and don’t push this off on me, you understand and speak English just as well as I do.”

“Just do it. I'm sure you'll find other creative ways to sneak in and watch her sleep.” His eye widened. “She should know about it anyway since it goes into her apartment. And,” he paused, his tails fluffing out in all directions, “it’s way more fun pretending I don’t understand the language. I’ll reveal it… eventually.”

“Some bleedin’ best friend you are,” I muttered, then quickly stood to my full height and waved a wing towards the stairs. “After you, Lass.”

Her lips tilted downward, the glower only endearing her to me further. Although she didn’t verbally respond, she did as I requested. At this point I was fairly certain that Miko didn’t take orders very well or do anything she truly didn't want to.

I stop three stairs below her, freezing mid-step, as Huff winked to the top of her head, a surprised giggle leaving her. My land lifted to rub my chest as more Heechus appear all over her body, lining her shoulders and arms so it looks like she's wearing fuzzy shawl.

Miko keeps climbing the stairs, but lifts her arms out to the sides, probably worried they’ll fall off.

Fuck me, that’s sweet. I pressed the heel of my hand harder against my sternum. She’s so gentle with them. My family. Maybe there really is some truth to this ache pulling me toward her after all.

CHAPTER 15

Secrets

MIKO

My shoulder muscles burned as I crested the landing onto the second floor and followed Bane to the reading nook.

“This is familiar,” I drawled, suppressing a smirk.

Bane winked, blurring to the bookcase faster than I could track. It took a moment to register the disturbing sight causing my scalp to prickle as the grotesque pushed open a door built right into the shelves. I stood there awkwardly, arms trembling and still held out to my sides, Heechus gurgley-growling and gently pushing into each other.

My eyes traced the rectangle revealed something familiar about the darkness beyond. Bane bit his lip, then barked out a laugh, causing me to flinch. “Jesus fuck, Bane,” I hissed. At once all of the Heechus, other than Huff, winked onto shelves and furniture, enabling me to finally lower my arms. “I've always wanted to explore a secret room.”

The grotesque’s eyes brighten. “Good. Now’s your chance,” he offered, hunching and turning to the side before stepping through the doorway.