Page 84 of Failed State

That I am quite proud of her for saying—it is a big step in the right direction.

“Good girl, little rebel.”

I don’t know why I said it like that, and my brain freezes when I think she’s going to be angry as hell. But surprisingly, she gives him a half-grin that makes my dragon lift his head and bellow happily inside of me. “I can behave sometimes, big guy. I’m getting better.”

She’s definitely telling the truth with that statement, so I nod at her. The mage leans forward, pausing his assessment of the teams to hold his fist out for Sydney. Our girl bumps it with hers, and the sensation of positive emotions flows from end to end in our group. That is a very powerful weapon in getting a group to become a unit, though negative energy can work as well if aimed properly. I want the former to be our guide, so I let a small trickle of sweet ocean air escape me to help continue the calm, good energy of my roommates.

Sydney inhales for a moment, then turns to look at me with a shocked expression. “I’ve never been to the beach before, but I know that’s how it smells. How do I know that?”

I find that egregious, but I let it go to reply, “My dragon’s magic is tied to the seas and when he is pleased, I can share it with you. He finds our current energy pleasing, thus… the ocean comes to you.”

I don’t know how to describe the way she looks at those words, but I am definitely committed to making it happen repeatedly—that is a promise.

SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO UNPLUG

SYDNEY

As we head backto the room for dinner, I’m irrationally pissed that my dad never took us anywhere—including the ocean. The scent Elias shared made my senses sing with pleasure, and I’m angry that despite certainly having the ability to travel, I’ve never been over fifty miles from where I grew up. My father used to claim it was because we had to stay under the radar, but I’m beginning to believe that, too, was bullshit. In fact, I have no idea what percentage of the things he told me were true, and it’s been freaking me out since the guys clued me in.

But I’m remaining calm, and let my brain do the processing it needs to, just like Rory suggested.

It’s not easy, but I know he’s right about presenting a united front and keeping weaknesses under wraps. However, right now? I want to stomp my foot in frustration like a child, and that’s probably because the child inside of me is pissed about things we missed. I bite my lip as we all get into the elevator, considering what to do to help burn this emotion off. I can’t go down to the gym because I spent so long getting my assed kicked by the vampire earlier. I’m just too sore and tired to even contemplate it.

“Vicious?”

Rory’s voice pulls me out of my head and I frown over at him. “Yeah?”

“Have you been paying attention to anything we said?” The mage grins knowingly and I blink at him. “I thought not. You’re all tangled in your brain again.”

Feeling ashamed, I shrug and look away from him as I say, “Maybe I’m just plotting things. You never know.”

“Point of fact, sweet pea… We actually do. Your overthinking face is pretty obvious to anyone who spends a good deal of time with you.” Huck’s smile is sheepish, but fond as he interrupts, so I can’t be mad.

“Okay, you got me,” I sigh. “I was rehashing shit about my dad because of Elias’s scent earlier. But you don’t have to worry, I’m handling it. I mean, I’mtryingto handle it without being an uber bitch. I just ran into a wall when I realized I’m too blown to go beat up a bag.”

The vampire’s brows furrow, and he shocks me when he looks concerned. “It was too much?”

I shake my head vehemently, not wanting him to go easier on me in the one area I can attempt to compete. “No, I’m just sore. Whatever stamina and strength I’m supposed to get with emerging hasn’t increased yet. So I get tired or bruised more easily than you guys; however, you shouldn’t adjust because our opponents won’t. We don’t know the timeline for my stuff to come into being, so I have to be prepared.”

“That is a very wise statement,” Sebastian says, and I see the hint of pride in his eyes this time. “I think you’ve done exceptionally well today from beginning to end. It probably deserves a reward, don’t you?”

Is he asking me? How the fuck should I know?

However, Rory nods his head, his typical smile growing to epic proportions as he responds to the vampire. “Hell, yeah, she does! I’m totally in, mosquito. Good call.”

His reaction is so enthusiastic that I shrink back a bit, worried that I have no idea what the hell they’re going to use for this ‘reward’. Thad must sense my wariness because he holds his hand out to me and I grab it like a lifeline, letting him tug me forward into the middle of the circle again. “Guys, I don’t know…”

“Syd, no one is going to do anything to upset you when I’m around.” The bear squeezes my palm gently. “I have no idea what the fuck those two are so eager to do, but I promise, it won’t be something you don’t agree to.”

“Seconded.” Elias meets my gaze resolutely. “No boundaries will be crossed, little rebel. However, I will help treat you to any agreed upon reward.”

It takes alot ofmy remaining energy to screw up the courage to look at the surrounding men before I say, “Okay. I trust you.”

Hopefully, I’m not wrong about this—we’ll never come back from it if I am.

“First, it’s time for relaxing and getting clean.” I arch a brow at Rory as he hands me a clean towel and the basket from my bedroom. “You didn’t really shower for long because you’re still aflutter about that locker room. I’ve swiped some of the stuff from your bedroom that you hadn’t opened yet to make the bathroom nice and relaxing. Everything is ready, and while you soak, we’ll order food.”

My eyes narrow at the mage as I open the bathroom door. They made me wait in the living area while he did this part, andI’m less than thrilled that he was rooting around in my room. “Where did you find this stuff?”

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