Page 7 of Ransomed to the World
Heat filled her cheeks, and she wasn’t sure if it was due more to embarrassment or desire. As she watched Xander’s ass flex while he walked away, her mouth watered, and she knew the truth—it was pure lust.
Ever since their steamy episode in the bathroom, she couldn’t stop thinking about how he looked naked and what happened during their time together.
Once was not enough.
Thanks to her uncle, she never thought she’d be able to trust a man again.
Xander proved her wrong.
Now she wanted more.
“What challenge?” Her question was husky when she turned toward Logan.
His return smile was blinding. “The first one to the top of the mountain gets the date.”
She pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes. “What if I win?”
“Then you get to decide which one of us you want first.” He gave her a flirty wink. “Andgo!”
Without waiting, he shifted into his kitsune form, his fox quickly wiggling out of his clothes and taking off at a dead run.
The rest of the guys swore. Xander and Mason took off running, moving so gracefully they were practically flying. Camden gave her a wink, dropped the packs on his back, and chased after the rest.
The wolves smirked at their antics and collected the bags, hightailing it after them, unable to resist their beasts’ imperative to give chase.
Annora gaped at Edgar.
But he only shrugged and smiled. “See you at the top.”
And he vanished.
He cheated.
The bastard.
If she concentrated hard enough, she could make out his shadow racing up the steep incline. Instead of going around or jumping over the obstacles, he just ghosted right through them.
Willa stopped beside her, giving her a considering look. Her blue hair was tied back, making her look young, almost innocent. Then she spoke. “If you want to win, you better get your ass moving.”
Annora shaded her eyes and saw the guys were all using their abilities to cheat. Logan would dart out in front of the guys, tripping the up. Camden would brush against a few, slowing them down. Mason just smashed through the trees and vegetation, obliterating them, leaving behind the shrapnel for the guys to climb over like an obstacle course, while Xander used his physical training to body-check anyone who tried to pass him.
Prem laid back his ears and took off after the guys, his form poofing in and out of existence. He barreled into the guys, who did their best not to trample him, and she chuckled.
Her turn.
Turnabout was fair play.
Grabbing ahold of the darkness, she flung herself into the afterworld. The particles whirling inside her exploded outward, and her form dissolved into smoke. The world around her went dark, the air almost murky. Small dark specks floated on the breeze like they were submerged deep underwater.
In this world, she was weightless.
Nothing could hurt her.
And she took full advantage of her abilities.
Instead of following the guys, knowing she’d never be able to win against them in a fair fight, she focused her attention on the small clearing they declared the winning circle.
The darkness tugged at her insides, pulling her apart until she was nothing more than shadows…only to reform a second later. She stepped out of the darkness, gravity taking hold as her body went solid, and the world took shape around her.
