Jogging to my gifted Hummer — thank you, Antonio — I stumbled, slipping a bit in the December snow, since I was actually wearing heels. Black. In fact, my whole outfit was black, as per usual now, dark like my soul. I had matched the pair of heels with a little black cocktail dress, strapless, the material hugging my chest, but feathered below so it appeared like scarves. A long leather jacket completed my ensemble.
The Prodigy ring Dominic had worn dangled around my neck on a short platinum chain. I hadn’t wanted to fit it down to my finger size — it was still his — so I wore it around my neck, close to where my mate mark used to be. When a mate dies, the magic that allowed the scar in the first place disappears, and my skin had healed, unblemished. The ring was one of the only items I kept of his. It was too hard otherwise. I had even switched bedrooms, and so had Antonio, following me like a shadow.
Strapping on her seatbelt, Pearl asked from the backseat, “Can we stop at school first? I need to see Gideon.”
“Sure.” I didn’t ask why she needed to see him. I understood. Turning the heater on low to warm it up and yanking my own seatbelt on, I shivered while waiting for the bodyguards following us to get into their cars. Two cars would drive in front of us, two behind. The new normal, with the threat level as it was. Honestly, it would probably happen from here on out. “You’ll need to call the front car to let the guards know.”
She nodded, retrieving her cell from her purse, and informed them.
My teeth chattered as I watched the black armored SUV in front of mine, waiting.
Ezra, sitting shotgun, reached over to me, his hand hovering above my exposed thigh. “May I?”
“Do your worst,” I muttered, shivers tormenting my body, my breaths visible in bitty puffs.
He rested his heated palm on my bare leg, his eyes flashing once as he ignited his power, a flare of spring green, and peace suffused my entire being.
Though I knew the effect was just mental, I didn’t care; I was not about to fight against his power. I felt tranquil instead of glacial, his gifted power not too overriding, soft and gentle, allowing me to feel my emotions, but still removing my immediate discomfort. I groaned, “Thank you.”
He nodded, not commenting, and knocked Jack’s arm away with his free hand when he tried reaching for the radio from the backseat. Hence, why Jack sat in the back. I had made the mistake of allowing him to sit shotgun the first day the other Prodigies rode with me, and we had all been irritable when we finally arrived at school that day.
The line of cars eventually started moving, and I pulled out with them. I swear it took longer to get the procession started than it did to actually drive to King Hall. Turning onto the road, I tested the vents.
Ezra asked, “Enough?”
“No.” I shook my head, still only feeling cold air. “Keep it going.”
He squeezed my thigh in acquiescence, turning on the radio with his other hand.
We listened to music on our short drive, entering school grounds through the gated entry. Pulling to a stop in front of the main front doors, we saw Gideon, who was there waiting. Pearl quickly got out with a sigh of relief, seeing him. We watched as they embraced, and I gritted my teeth at their connection, unable to watch for too long; their bond, their constant peace, was too much.
Only to be staggered when Jack cursed profusely, diving down onto the backseat.
Ezra and I scanned the parking lot, snickering simultaneously when we saw an air Elemental staring hard at my Hummer. Everyone knew we rode together now. Jack was hiding from another one of his flings.
Ezra’s snigger abruptly cut off, quickly fumbling for the passenger seat controls while wearing an instant expression of irritability, his seat gradually reclining until fully laid back.
My eyes scanning once more, I saw a Vampire woman staring steadfast in our direction and I bit my lip, chuckling deeply, my whole body shaking with it.
“It’s not funny!” Jack hissed from his hiding spot. “How many other ways do we have to say it’s only a one-off?”
Choking on incredulous hilarity, I asked, “Please tell me you don’t actually say that?”
They were both silent, and I really laughed.
Ezra grumbled, “That’s not exactly what I say, but it’s close.” He tilted his head to where Jack hid, grumbling, “You need to work on your tack, man. I’m surprised anyone even stays for the main event after that line.”
Jack chuckled cockily. “Oh, they want to stay.” I was still snickering when Jack muttered, “Keep laughing it up, Lily. When you get back on the saddle, you’ll be dealing with this, too.”
My laughter died directly, and I choked a little, an unbidden blush rising to my cheeks.
“Really?” Ezra drawled, watching closely from his hiding spot. “When did this happen?”
“What?” Jack asked, not seeing me. “What happened?”
“It appears Lily’s already climbed back on the saddle.”
“Oh,” Jack breathed swiftly, banging against my seat as he almost rose, but quickly ducked once more. “Who was it?”