“Took you long enough,” Pearl griped, her irritability showing. I didn’t hold it against her. The longer you went without your mate — while they were living — the crabbier you became. After that stage came depression. Gideon wouldn’t be gone long enough for that to hit Pearl, but she was still becoming prickly. She tossed her phone down, crossing her arms. “You were supposed to be here a half-hour ago.” Yeah, we had decided to be there by midnight.
“You know she’s always late,” Jack grumbled, stretching like a contented kitten, his eyes roving over me. I wasn’t going to argue with his statement, but I did have it in mind to work on my tardiness. He murmured, “Besides, she’s got a nice, healthy, flushed face.” His smile was lazy. “Enjoy your time, Lily?”
Said flush burned brighter, but I realized something. “Why is it warm in here?” It was like a freezer outside, but in the tent it was almost balmy. Ezra and Jack were only wearing pajama bottoms and Pearl just wore an oversized t-shirt, which I thought was Jack’s.
“You didn’t answer my question. Don’t think you’re getting away from it,” Jack grinned, “but I had a fire Elemental do a little magic on the tent.” Lying on his back, he spread his hands wide. “And then, there was heat.”
I snorted, maneuvering through the three Prodigies. The tent was just big enough for the four of us to lie down with our bags around the edges. “The same fire Elemental I saw you sneaking off with?” My brows rose as I took my jacket off. I was starting to sweat.
“Ah, Selene…” Jack murmured, sighing in content and confirming my assumption.
Glaring down at my snowsuit, I sighed, unsnapping the bulky thing. I mean, I had just put it back on. “How was your time, Ezra?”
Ezra nodded, lying on top of his sleeping bag and resting back on his elbows. “Enjoyable.” His head cocked, watching me. “Although, from the look of it, not as enjoyable as yours.”
Sitting, I pulled the snowsuit over my feet, ignoring the comment.
Pearl grumbled, “All I did was sit in this damn tent, waiting for you guys.”
Jack tugged on her golden hair lightly. “Now you know how it is when we have to wait for you and Gideon to pull away from each other.” Wasn’t that the truth?
She huffed, but a small smile lifted her lips as I dug through my bag, trying to find light pajamas to wear, but I was pretty sure I hadn’t packed anything like that for going into the glacial wilderness. Pearl scanned the tent and, from the corner of my eye, I saw her eyes glow golden, and I felt for a second a rush of her power, spells and time. I stilled, glancing at the tent. There was a golden glow shimmering on our tent’s fabric. Her hand fluttered as she said mildly, “We can talk without being overheard now.”
Instant privacy. “That’s handy.” I stared at the golden sparkles against the blue fabric.
“We’ll have to remember you can do that in the future,” Ezra muttered, eyeing it.
Jack nodded, eyes scrutinizing the magic. “We could definitely use this.” A glance to Ezra, then back to the tent. “You know Vamps and their hearing. This could be really useful.”
Pearl shrugged, but I could tell she was pleased.
“Can I borrow a t-shirt from someone?” I asked, zipping up my bag. There was nothing in there for this heat. “I didn’t bring anything thin.”
“You’re a Shifter.” Jack blinked, his blue brows puckered. “Just take your clothes off.”
Ah. They didn’t know I wasn’t all about getting naked in front of everyone. Only some of the Shifters knew. Those Shifters seemed embarrassed by it, so they kept quiet about my modesty.
“I wouldn’t give you the satisfaction,” I retorted sweetly. I wasn’t baring all in front of them unless I had to. They were my closest friends, not bed partners. Even if I would, essentially, be sharing a sleeping space with them. “Really, does anyone have a spare shirt?”
All three blinked when they realized I was serious.
I merely waited.
As they eyeballed me peculiarly — I didn’t blame them, knowing how often Shifters stripped — Ezra cleared his throat, rumbling, “I think I’ve got an extra shirt.” Twisting to dig in his bag, he tossed one to me.
“Thanks.” I caught it, and turned my back to them before pulling my sweater over my head. I had a bra on underneath, so it wasn’t a big deal since they had seen me in my training attire. I hesitated with my jeans, and decided to put on Ezra’s shirt before removing them, instead of standing there in my bra and panties.
Behind me, Jack whistled low as I started putting my arms through the armholes of Ezra’s shirt. “Get a little rough tonight?”
Arms raised, I stilled. Ah, shit. I had forgotten about the bruises, and scrapes, that had to be nearly healed by now on my back. Felix hadn’t held much back. Not to mention, he had a few on his own body, undoubtedly, which would still be fading. Coming out of my frozen state, I mumbled, “Strong Shifter, remember?”
“Is that a bite mark on her shoulder?” Ezra asked, sounding curious.
Quickly, I yanked his shirt over my head, blushing furiously.