Page 72 of Failed State

The hotter he made me, the harder I fought back—I don’t know if he realized that or if it was just a side benefit,though.

When Lancaster tells us to check our devices for the post-session break downs, I groan audibly from my spot on the bench. I’m drenched in sweat, feeling disgusting, and definitely not ready to read about my abject failure to beat that jackass even once. We have an all team lecture after this, so I’m definitelygoing to make use of the showers before we get crammed into a room full of other supes.

“I’m headed for the showers. No way I’m going to that shit without a quick rinse,” I mutter dejectedly. No one responds, so I limp to the locker room to grab my toiletry basket out of my locker. Once I have it, I grab an embroidered towel, sneering at the FSHA logo angrily before I choose the first stall I see.

It’s clean and obviously newly installed, as there’s a bench for my basket, hooks for my clothes, and fancy looking showerheads. The suite has a bathroom like this and it was quite an experience using it for the first time, compared to the communal bathrooms in my apartment before the selection. I sigh, shaking my head as I feel guilt at the pampering we’re receiving while others suffer in this camp and all the others. Logically, I know that’s nothing I can control, nor can I refuse to bathe or eat in protest.

But it sucks and I feel like a traitor sometimes, despite our grand plans to fight our way to a revolution that will save those people.

“Stop blaming yourself for things you have no control over.”

My eyes widen when the voice echoes in the shower area and I hear another rainfall start-up next to me. I’m definitely bare-ass naked now, so I clutch the curtain to my front and peek out into the open area where my clothes are hanging. “What the hell, man?”

The vampire chuckles, then I hear several other laughs as feet slap against the tile floor. “Sydney, we’re all getting rinsed off. You can’t have thought we were going to the lecture smelly, right?”

I didn’t think I’d be naked in the shower inches away from all of them, that’s for goddamn sure!

“I suppose that makes sense, but I wasn’t prepared for you all to come in here while I’m showering, Sebastian,” I retort.“Talking to you while I’m naked isn’t my idea of a comfortable situation.”

“True. I’m not usually doing a lot of ‘talking’ when I’m naked with people,” he muses, and I hear Elias snort. Soon, Huck and Rory join him, and I wait to see if Thad does as well. He might be too far away, but that doesn’t matter to the vampire. “However, I’d prefer a less pressing timeline than what we have before the coaching. That’s why we’re all in here together, obviously.”

Wrinkling my nose at his perfectly acceptable answer, I step back into my hot as hell shower and start scrubbing myself quickly. We don’t have time to waste, so I’m moving this along, but I’m not happy about it. “Fine. Keep to your little chambers, and I’ll keep to mine, boys. I can nurse my pride on my own.”

“Improving your skills is not something to feel ashamed of.” The dragon’s voice is loud enough to be heard over the water, and a few hums of agreement reach me as well.

I know he’s right, but losing to Sebastian makes it smart more. Being the non-super power gal in the middle is hard enough without the snarky guy I want to throttle whooping my ass. That I was turned on by it rubs salt even further in the ego wound, and I’d sooner run a sword through my gut than let anyone findthatout. So yeah, I’m bitter and I’d prefer to brood in private.

Yet another thing I won’t get because we’re fucking chess pieces, not people to these fuckers.

“Vicious, the dragon’s got a point. Your bear may not be fast, but he’s got a killer right hook. I’m gonna bruise,” Rory whines as the rest of them laugh. “It’s not funny, you guys. I’m the prettiest of the bunch, and that’s an important weapon. Don’t mark the face next time.”

Thad snorts from what must be the farthest shower. “Then don’t make cheeky remarks to rile me up, mage. You asked for it.”

I frown. “What cheeky remarks?”

“Nothing!”

The word is a five-part harmony chorusing their reluctance to tell me what made my teddy bear friend get rougher than usual while sparring. I don’t believe it for a second and if they weren’t naked, they’d be standing in front of me with pie plates for halos, I bet. No woman alive would be dumb enough to let that bullshit ride. “Fine, keep it to yourselves, jerks. But if you step over the line with this macho horseshit, I’m going to be really pissed. Pushing one another is okay—we need that. Tormenting one another into being too rough is another. Rory and Thad lose ten points.”

Their groans make me smile as I scrub off the rest of the workout grime and rinse the conditioner they provided out of my hair. By the time I’m opening my stall to grab my towel, the grumbles are finally dying down. I dry myself from head to toe, then use all the stupid lotions and sprays to ensure I’m smooth and smell like flowers.

“What is that scent?”

My brow furrows as Sebastian asks his question in a strangled tone. The scents of the perfume are gardenia and currant with jasmine and citrus. He’s smelled it before, so I don’t know why he’s being a weirdo. “My shower gel and lotion? It’s the stuff they told me I have to wear. Nothing new. What’s your problem?”

“No.” His voice is low and dark as he snarls at me. “Something else. You need to… check your towels.”

What the fuck?

“Stop being creepy, asshole. How did you know I’m drying off? Are you looking? I’ll gut you?—”

A loud cough echoes off the walls of the shower room and I hear Elias say, “You turned your shower off, little rebel. But… the vampire is correct. Do as he suggests.Now.”

I roll my eyes, irritated at their apparent need to tell me what to do. When I look down at the white, fluffy cotton, my eyes widen. There’s blood on it and since Sebastian didn’t injure me, I’ve somehow gotten my first period in months. Luckily for me, I made certain to put the supplies they provided in my bedroom, but that was supposed to be an ‘emergency’ rip cord.

Why the hell is this happening now? I’m not due for my implant change, nor the magic renewal yet.

“Motherfucker,” I growl as I look around carefully, then deal with the situation. Pulling my clothes on quickly, I gather up my stuff and stomp to my locker to put my kit away. This is the most annoying thing that could have happened and here I am, trying not to die of embarrassment that a fucking vampire had to tell me about it. The existence of my period doesn’t make me upset, of course; that’s normal for women. I just didn’t want to share it with a dude I want to punch ninety percent of the time.

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