“Ready for this?” I hadn’t meant to say the words out loud, but my Phoenix chirped in agreement. She was excited to get out again, to feel the air the way I was feeling it. Breathing deeply, I gave over control, allowing her heat to transfer across my own. There was a slight burn, like an overworked muscle, and then I was seeing through her eyes. She chirped, ruffling her feathers, flapping her wings. She had not yet had a chance to fly and wanted to desperately.
“Steady, sweetheart,” Damien called. “You still have some say, even when she’s shifted. I don’t want you flying yet. You’re new to all of this, and that’s a lesson for another time. For now just get to know each other.” With the bond open, I could feel his concern that my Phoenix or I would be injured if we flew without practice. My Phoenix hissed at him, ruffling her feathers in disgust, as if to say, “I would never let us get injured.” I couldn’t help but snicker. I wondered if some of my sass came directly from her, or if we just shared the same type of personality. Our eyes tracked across the clearing and landed on Killian who was watching us with his arms crossed, his eyes alight. He was interesting,to both my Phoenix and me. The two were polar opposites and yet seemed to be completely bonded, despite the differences.
“Good girl. Ask her to let you switch back. Push yourself forward. Share your intent.” Hiro’s voice was warm and admiring. My Phoenix preened, enjoying the fact that he liked her. She didn't want to change back, especially when he spoke to her in that sweet tone. I pushed more assertively, assuring her that I would not wait as long before we shifted again. I wanted to see the others, though. Slowly, she complied and, with another slight burn, I was back in my own skin. I breathed deeply through the slight sense of vertigo.
“It’s the size change,” Killian called. “You’ll get used to it, and it won’t seem disconcerting anymore.”
“Kill, your turn.” Hiro’s voice was commanding. I was sure that he was trying to avoid Killian claiming we had been at this for too long.
Killian grumbled slightly, and Damien pushed his thoughts at me, “She’s going to think I’m weak. I’ll lose her before I have a chance to have her.”
I rolled my eyes. My words wouldn’t mean anything—I had tried them again and again. Just as I had to see that none of them would leave when I disclosed my broken pieces, he would have to see that seeing his alternate form wouldn’t have any effect on how I felt about him. Turning my head, I heard him remove his robe and take a deep breath before the energy of his shift danced across the clearing—as playful and light as his Puca. I tried not to twist where I stood, afraid that the robe would fall open. When the sparks began to clear, I felt movement near me. My Phoenix made a sound that was a combination of a purr and a coo. Wow, I hadn’t known she could make that noise.
I looked down at my feet, and my mouth dropped open. At about two feet long, a small, black, fuzzy bunny with emerald eyes stood at my feet, his ears up, his paws batting for my attention. Without thought, I let out a small squeal and scooped him from the ground into my arms. Holding him in front of my face I couldn’t help the ridiculously sweet speech. “Oh my God you are so cute! So fluffy! My fluffy!” I was grinning like crazy. I had always wanted a bunny when I was growing up. Of course, I was never allowed to have pets. This was a dream in the same way that seeing Ryder’s Ceraptor was. His Puca’s nose twitched, and small lights flickered around him first yellow, then orange, then back to yellow again. I laughed. Apparently, the Puca was a good communicator. I didn’t even need Damien in our mental link to tell me that the Puca was happy and Killian was embarrassed by my babying him. “You’re mine now, Bugs.” After a quick glance at my borrowed robe, I considered. The Puca was small, only about four pounds. I nodded and, quick as a bunny, slipped him into the front pocket of the robe.
“Did she just—” Ryder trailed off, before beginning to howl with laughter. I continued to pet and stroke the velvet ears and silken fur as I watched the others. Ryder was on the ground now, pounding it furiously in his usual dramatics. Theo had raised his eyebrows at me, cocking his head in confusion. Hiro wasn’t even trying to hide his grin, and Damien merely shook his head.
“I always wanted a bunny,” I explained. “He’s so cute! Most people would think he’s stuffed, anyhow. He can ride with me. Oh, I can get him a ribbon!” I scratched behind his ears as the Puca turned in to my hand. Lights again flickered around us, every color of the rainbow. “Oh, hush you. He’d like a pretty ribbon, wouldn’t you? Mean old Kill being ashamed of such a sweet, pretty little bunny like you. What do you say? You can ride in my hoodie.” I cajoled the Puca.
Even Theo had lost the battle at this point and let out a deep laugh of amusement at his brother’s plight. I felt the air begin to crackle and shook my finger in warning. “Don’t you dare. If you shift now, you’re going to tear my clothes right off. What kind of friend would that make you? Besides, you never let him out to play.” I turned, continuing to stroke the bunny, and headed back to the house. From the increasingly raucous laughter, I assumed that lessons were done for the day. That was fine with me. I had a brand new pet to pamper.
Twenty-Eight
Nix
By the time Friday night rolled around I was in desperate need of girl time! Luckily, Rini felt the same way and had set up a girls night. While we were able to see each other in between classes throughout the week and talked on the phone, it wasn’t the same as living together, and I missed my best friend dearly.
“To best friends!” Rini held her neon pink shot glass in the air to slap it against my own. Her grin was slightly wavy, and I couldn’t help but snicker.
“Thanks for the girls night.” My voice quavered a little, and I fought back the sentimental tears. “You’re such an awesome friend.” When Rini had suggested an outing for us, both sets of men had put their foot—feet, ha!—down. My guys had understood that I desperately needed to go somewhere that was fun. Between school and the Council, I needed to just let things go. So, after much debate, we had decided that I would go out for a night of just girl fun—without my guys in tow. To keep us safe, however, we would be hanging out at the triplets’ house where they could be far enough away to ensure some privacy but close enough in the event of an emergency. When Rini had stated—in an insanely serious and peppy voice—that we were going to do a girls’ night, I had expected romance movies, chocolate, and maybe some nail polish. Apparently, we had very different ideas—or had seen very different movies.
Rini’s version of girls night, however, involved high proof liquor, shot glasses, pizza, and movies with hot actors. She proudly stated that if men were allowed to watch something just for a woman’s body, then we could do the exact same thing. So, with Magic Mike playing in the background we began to slam shot after shot of tequila—compliments of the triplets’ liquor collection. With my head currently spinning as I watched multiple copies of Channing Tatum grind on stage, I shot Rini a watery grin. “This is totally awesome.”
“Alright, girly. We’ve both got a buzz. It’s time to spill.” Rini nodded, trying to keep her expression sober but dissolved into giggles after a moment.
“I don’t want to spill! This shit is good!” I tossed back another shot, giggling all the while. Rini snorted so hard that she fell over backward, landing on the pile of pillows surrounding her.
“So? You like them. I know you like them. Theo’s nuts for you—anyone who knows him can see it.”
The grin I shot her was wide and warm. “You think so?” That made me feel very proud that they could tell he was into me. Hearing it from someone else made it feel more real, and I felt special.