That was it? No teasing that I was so low in the hierarchy even humans thought they were higher?
Maybe I’d have to reconsider my stance on having reached my max for vampire friends.
Nathan nodded. "We're just waiting on Liam. With Aileen, we'll have the exact right amount."
"For what?" I asked, suspiciously.
Nathan held the ball up, as if it was an explanation in and of itself.
When I stared at it in confusion, Nathan rolled his eyes.
"Dodge ball.” The words were said with relish, as if he was offering me a treat.
I looked from him, to the ball, and back again. Was he serious about this?
His look told me he was very serious.
My eyes widened. Oh my. Vampires playing dodge ball. Could this night get any more surreal?
"Aren't we supposed to meet with Thomas?"
This was not what I had in mind when Liam asked me to stay in vampire central until I figured out my next move. I definitely hadn’t expected the super-serious enforcers, the elite of their field, to ask me to play a kid’s game.
But that seemed to be exactly what was happening.
I couldn’t decide if I loved it, or wanted to run for the hills.
"Thomas is a little tied up with something important. We thought this would be a fun way to occupy our wait."
Anton made his way to a rack of balls similar to the one Nathan held. He picked one up, slapping it between his palms, the harsh crack loud in the large space.
Anton nodded once as if to say “this will do”.
He whirled, arm already cocked. He let it fly.
Only reflexes honed by many nights spent training with Nathan allowed me to catch the ball before it collided with my face.
"What the hell?" I snarled.
Nathan grinned at Anton. "She caught it. That means she's on your team."
Anton's lips twisted in obvious disappointment at the prospect. There went our tentative truce. No friend points for him.
The door to the gym slammed open. Liam strode toward us, his attention already on Nathan. "We ready?"
Nathan nodded and bounced the ball up. "Aileen is on Anton's team."
What fresh madness was this? Was Liam really in favor of playing dodgeball?
My lover hardly seemed the type.
Liam’s eyebrows climbed, his expression vaguely impressed. "Unexpected."
My surprise disappeared, leaving me to glower at him. That drew a smirk.
"Are we really sure the infant is going to be able to do this?" Anton asked from a spot he'd taken on one side of the court.
Liam's look was speculative. "Only one way to find out."
