Page 29 of Loving Nightmares
Another bark.
I frowned in confusion—
In a gold cloud of mist, Mykia disappeared and was replaced by…a girl. Not only a girl, but a young girl—well, in appearance at least. Her gaze was old.Reallyold. I blinked in surprise as she straightened out her simple white dress, fluffed out her knee-length red hair, and offered me a big smile.
“I can shift, I just have to be asked if it’s possible,” she explained easily, her voice accented with a tone that nearly sounded Russian but much older than that.
Oh.
“Why do you have to be asked?”
“A curse,” she huffed. “That village I destroyed was not the first one, and one of them had a witch who did not like my choice to destroy her home.”
“Okay…” I tilted my head in amusement, surprised by this turn of events. “So do you prefer this form, or—”
“Both.” She looked around at the others. “Although it’s a bit funnier in the other form because everyone is scared of me. But in this form—”
“You’re like ten? If that?” Saint wondered out loud, interrupting her, looking perplexed by all of this.
“I am almost nine hundred years old, thank you very much.” She flashed a pleasant smile and folded her hands. “Which is why I am the perfect person to come with you. I have experience withsis metas.”
“Good experience?” Razar asked.
Mykia scowled.
“Maybe not the best idea then,” Ashur said, causing her to look more upset. I didn’t disagree with him, though. I didn’t want to doanythingthat could possibly upset thesis metas, who would already be naturally guarded. Plus, I wouldn’t lie, I felt protective over Mykia—even if she was centuries old—so the idea of her leaving these walls concerned me. Especially since the institute was completely secured, safe and sound now.
“Actually, Mykia, if you’re willing, I’d like to give you a formal assignment,” I said, an idea popping into my head.
“Oh, I would love that! I’ve been so bored.”
“I have a feeling this will keep you busy,” I promised, then looked up to address my mates. “I’m going to bring her down to Nia and the others. I know we still need to pack, though.”
“Got it covered,” Damian said. “We know what you need, cherry blossom.”
His words were reassuring and genuine, but I couldn’t help but feel a flash of heat.They totally knew what I needed.In every way.
“You shouldn’t go around the institute by yourself, though,” he continued. “People are still fairly worked up, especially knowing there are humans here.”
“I’ve got her,” Mykia promised. “I’m super tough, remember? I made that bubble shield on the battlefield, and nothing was getting through that.”
I couldn’t help but smile at the authentic pride in her voice.
“How about two of you come with us for the walk back?” I suggested. Ashur stood along with Saint after a split second of some sort of silent communication among my mates. After saying some quick goodbyes to the others in case I didn’t see them before we left, and a hug for my dad, I slipped into the hallway with Mykia and the other two in tow.
Mykia practically bounced with excitement as we traveled to the elevator, and when we reached it, she looked up at me with curiosity. “This is the youngsis meta, right? Do you want me to look out for her?”
“I think that all of the kids that came here are probably having issues transitioning, and I think they might relate to you. You may be nine hundred years old, but I’m hoping they’ll view you as a peer. As long as you’re comfortable with it, you can be a guide and use your knowledge to make them feel a bit more at ease.”
Mykia examined my face before nodding astutely. “I can do that. I would prefer to go on a trip with you, but if you think this is important, then I will help.”
“Thanks, Mykia,” I said sincerely as the elevator doors opened onto a long hallway with a light wood door in the middle. Before I could even knock, it opened.
“Arabella!” Nia launched herself at me, and I laughed as I caught her. Her face was filled with a massive smile, and her eyes sparkled with a light that hadn’t been there before. “I told one of your mates to tell you to visit us, and now you’re here!”
“Of course I am,” I said as I placed her down, glad that Amun had given me a heads-up about the boys—the wolves that had finally shifted. “Let’s go see everyone, and I want to introduce you to Mykia.”
“That’s me,” Mykia chirped.
