“Lily, get out.” A bit of bite had entered his tone.
“Shit. Okay. Sorry,” I mumbled quickly, my gaze nowhere near them while I fumbled with the door handle until the lock clicked over. “There you go.” Sliding outside, I quickly slammed the door behind me.
Well…that hadn’t been awkward or anything.
Squaring my shoulders, I inhaled deeply and finished making my way to the restroom.
At least I had gotten to see the room. It was smaller than I remembered, but still pretty much the same except for the different couple occupying it. I suppressed a shiver knowing that I would have my ass handed to me on Monday. Mr. Bertrand thought it was hilarious keeping Ezra and I together as partners, though neither one of us shared his opinion. I always got my butt kicked, and Ezra never really got to spar, only teach. One month had turned into two, and two had turned into no end in sight until his graduation.
Done using the facilities, I wound my way back through the crowded, hot masses and eyed Jack standing next to the bar. He drank a mixed concoction of red and blue liquid with his head ducked down. I glanced toward the last location I had glimpsed Dominic and saw him, still content and dancing with the Shifters, so I veered toward the bar, tapping Jack’s shoulder. “Who you hiding from?” It had to be a woman. They had been all over him, just like they had Ezra, since the Prodigies had entered King Hall.
He grinned. Guilty. His blue hair dangling rakishly over one eye, Jack gestured to the right with his drink, not saying a word.
I squinted through the darkness.
Ah. Two Elementals. I wasn’t really surprised by this fact, but what did startle me was that one was a woman and the other a man. It was attention-grabbing and an interesting twist to the water Prodigy Elemental, but not entirely in my comfort zone of topics as I was definitely a more straight-laced woman. Some might call my delicate sensibilities prudish. They would probably be right.
I cleared my throat, peering away from the Elementals scouring the crowd. “You wanna dance? Get lost in the masses?” The easiest place to hide.
He downed his drink. “As long as Dominic doesn’t get mad.”
I snorted, taking his hand and yanking him onto the dance floor, maneuvering us through the crush. “Dominic trusts me just like I do him.” I pointed with my free hand to where Dominic was dancing with two Shifter women who were plastered all over him. “It’s a Shifter thing.”
He chuckled, watching. “Must be nice.”
“It’s not like that and you know it,” I retorted, turning to face him. The Shifters needed their alpha; touch was essential to the distraught. Jack still just stood there. “We gonna dance? Or watch everyone else have fun?”
Wary eyes flicked to Dominic. “You’re mated.”
“Yes, but that doesn’t mean I can’t dance and save your butt at the same time.” I made him dance with me. For half a song he moved stiffly, but finally got with it and loosened up when Dominic nodded to us. Trust. We had it.
At first, I thought Jack’s dancing style was…odd. That was putting it nicely. I blamed it on our cultural differences, a bopping skill I wasn’t accustomed to, but I quickly realized he kept ducking because the two Elementals hadn’t given up their chase. I laughed, breathless, four songs down, as I watched him duck for, like, the thirtieth time. “You’re a love ‘em, and leave ‘em, kind of guy, huh?”
He shrugged, moving his hips with mine. “I don’t want anything serious right now. I’m enjoying myself without attachments.” He ducked again, rolling his eyes. “Everyone I get involved with knows it, but some take it better than others.” He glanced over my head, tilting his chin up in greeting. “Hey, Ezra. Enjoy your time with Lana?” He grinned. “I’ve heard she has her talents.”
I felt heat against my back, and smelled a hint of what was possibly cigarette smoke, right before I was sandwiched between Jack and Ezra. I stiffened at first, but within a few moments’ time, the three of us were moving together to the hypnotic beat. Jack’s hands were still on my hips, and Ezra slid his around my waist to my stomach, holding me casually as he said, “Lana’s cool.” He paused. “Too talkative, though.”
I chuckled quietly. “Don’t say bad things about the woman you just screwed.” I tilted my head to the side, looking up at him. “It’s not polite.” I paused. “You should wait at least a few weeks, and never to anyone who would blab. Too many ears around here.”
His lips curved. “And here I thought it would be impolite to list her talents around you.”
I shook my head and looked back down. He was different.
The three of us grooved on the dance floor for another two songs, and soon we were surrounded by Elementals and Vampires, their heated bodies pressed against ours, vying to dance with the Prodigy hotties. I stayed in the masses, not feeling at all nervous or uncomfortable, but actually enjoying myself. It was probably my hybrid nature, but I didn’t get freaked when other Mystical factions were around me in large numbers.
You alright over there? Dominic asked.
I’m having a blast, I replied, meaning it. But I am getting a little tired. How about you?
Seriously enjoying myself, he answered. Not tired at all.
Jack lifted me straight into the air, twirling and tossing me a foot away to Ezra, who caught me around the waist, lowering me in a fluid dip before I was quickly sandwiched again.
After this song, I think I’m gonna head home, I added. I was a little breathless from all the twirling, jumping, and such. Plus, the rivaling Mystical women were totally throwing off body heat. Can someone give you a ride if you don’t want to head out?
I’m sure someone can. He paused. You sure you don’t mind?
No. I really didn’t. I’m good, but don’t take too long.
He growled. I may wake you when I get there.
Sounds good, my big, bad wolf. Wiping sweat off my forehead, I continued dancing, glued between Ezra and Jack, but began to glance to the left and right.
Jack asked, “Looking for a way out?”
I laughed, caught, but seeing no breaks in the dancers around us. “Yeah, I’m getting tired,” another swipe of my forehead, “and hot. It’s time to call it a night.”
Jack’s expression turned woeful.
I guessed, “You came with those two, didn’t you?”
Sluggishly, he nodded. “Can you give me a ride?”
“And me?” Ezra asked instantly, bending to speak against my ear. “The jackass brought me here in their car.”