Is she … trying to comfort me?After pausing to consider that, Maya was sure of one thing. Time was very much working as it always did. “Of course it does.”
Before Naomi could say anything, the blond shifter butted into the conversation, “No, she’s right.” To Maya’s chagrin, he walked closer, adapting a similarly calming tone, as if trying to pacify her as he stood just a couple of steps away from her. Whether he was being condescending toward Maya or trying to protect Naomi, Maya wasn’t sure.I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s both. This guy seems like someone who’s accustomed to people deferring to him and always being right.
Maya fought to keep her expression neutral as he continued to explain in a tone she found very condescending. “They manipulate time here so that people don’t miss too much time back home. It’s meant to take the pressure off anyone sent here so they can relax and enjoy being on the island.”
Are they somehow working together? Or … they are mates, aren’t they?This realization irked her as it meant that the storm dragon might actually think he could continue bothering her. Maya desperately wanted to roll her eyes, but settled for looking between her business partner and the blond shifter as she asked, “How do either of you know this?”
Naomi said, “Sasha and Noel,” as the blond said, “Noel and Sasha.”
Maya looked over at the black-haired shifter, fully aware that a look of disgust was on her face as she listened to Naomi almost gush to the insolent blond shifter. Completely tuning out their conversation, Maya did a quick test herself. She made eye contact with the black-haired shifter, pressing against the edges of time and trying to rewind things back to when it was just the two of them. His eyes widened, making it obvious he could sense what she was doing, but Maya did not care. As she began to bend time, she felt the magic of the place pushing back. Like tapping on the strings of a web, Maya knew better than to push too far because they were currently trapped in that web.
And she had no idea how much living in the time constraints would mess with her work. And her own abilities. The pair were partially right, but time wasn’t nearly so straightforward.
Shaking her head, Maya muttered, “I need more information than that to feel confident that my work won’t be affected.”
The non sequitur seemed to shut up the love birds, but the black-haired shifter was suddenly very interested in joiningthe conversation. From the way he was looking at her, she felt he was enjoying the ridiculous situation a little too much. He approached them, a smirk on his face and his hands behind his back as if he were out for a stroll. “If work is your primary concern, I can assure you that you will not be affected. But if you really need something to help you, I’ve got this for you.”
Then he brought his hands around, and Maya couldn’t believe what he had.A tablet!
She grabbed it, feeling a sense of comfort spreading through her as soon as the device was in her hands. Almost like a security blanket. Then a new suspicion sparked in her mind. “How did you get this? I was told I had to leave it.”
The storm dragon explained as she started tapping the screen, trying to pull up her information. The amusement in his tone indicated that he was thoroughly enjoying her discomfort. “That one’s not yours, but I can help you set it up so that you can access all of the information on your tablet.”
Of course it isn’t mine. But whose then? And can he really connect to all of my information? I stored it where no other shifter is likely to access it.Her thoughts came out in two short questions. “You can? How?”
The devious look in his eyes was almost humorous as he leaned forward, as if sharing a secret. “Don’t worry about it. Just know that I understand human technology. They are just as addicted to those things as you are.”
“I’mnotaddicted to this,” her tone was sharp as she waved the tablet around, the screen showing a scene to a place she vaguely recognized.
Maya’s denial was just further cause for amusement as the storm dragon barely hid a smirk. “Sure, that’s what they all say.”
The initial gratitude waned as she looked at him, understanding dawning that he was being sarcastic. But before she could say anything, Naomi started laughing. Turning herannoyance on her business partner, Maya asked in a clipped tone, “What’s so funny? I know you prefer to wander around talking to people, and that’s great for business. But I have a lot to do because the Mason/Jagger wedding is next month. We are behind on that because—”
The blond shifter proved he was just as pretentious and patronizing as she had assessed as he placed a hand over the screen, which had gone black. Then he had the audacity to pull it out of Maya’s hands. If ithadbeen her tablet, she would have reacted differently. However, what he took was little more than a mess of wires and chips wrapped in a shiny case; with its current settings, it was virtually worthless to her. His tone was authoritative, grating on Maya’s nerves as he said, “For now, I think we should focus on the situation. When we return, I’m sure no time will have passed for you, especially given how important the Jaggers are. Not even the matchmakers are immune from backlash if their choices interfere with members of the court.”
Are you a complete moron? Or are you just entirely clueless about recent events?Maya kept her thoughts to herself, with even her expression remaining passive during his short monologue. When he turned to put the device on the desk, she started to say, “I don’t …”
Then he reached out and touched her shoulder. A shock went through her, as if a current of electricity had passed from him into her.He’s a healer. Perhaps he has decided that I’m on the verge of panicking and he’s trying to keep me from melting down. I would expect something calming, though, not electricity. That would have the opposite effect.
She looked up at him, trying to decipher his motives as the blond spoke, “We can figure it out. For now, I think we should focus on seeing what we have to do to leave here. I know that under the right circumstances, it is possible.”
He … does not want to be here either.It was a strange idea because apart from some of the people in the Christmas group, shifters tended to consider being sent to the island to be a blessing or stroke of amazing luck. Then Naomi’s words seemed to answer that. “I would say that it’s more under the wrong circumstances.” Almost as soon as she said it, Naomi started to backtrack, that ever-present placating smile on her face. “I mean, everyone knows about Rhys.”
Ah yes, Rhys. Of course, Naomi wants to find her mate. She’s been searching with every guy she meets. Now, she has a real chance. Then again, finding a mate would get her away from that dreadful family. Perhaps … maybe I should encourage the idea of her finding a mate.Maya murmured some form of agreement, but the storm dragon just laughed. Watching him carefully, Maya listened to the explanation for his amusement. “If the rumors are true, he actually did lose time in the ‘real world’ because of the length of time he was here.” Then he let out a low whistle, his stormy eyes boring into her as he said, “I would hate to be dragged off the island.”
Is he trying to pique my interest? Or is he trying to warn me that I could be in serious trouble? Or is he just creating tension because that’s what his kind do?
Naomi was the one to openly question him, though, following a very different train of thought. “You mean, you don’t want to be dragged off the island because you won’t commit to your mate?”
To Maya’s surprise, he quickly denied it with a sincere look in his eyes. “No, I mean I would hate to be dragged off this island without a mate. I’m fully ready to commit to the right person. Unlike you three, I’m pleased to be here.”
Alarm bells were going off in her mind as Maya’s concerns grew. “So you feel like you are special to be hauled out of workand stuck in some awful place until you accept a stranger as your mate?”
“Guilty as accused.” His nonchalance was irritating as he smiled and folded his arms over his chest. However, Maya’s concern quickly faded as the black-haired shifter was watching Naomi with an obvious look of interest. It was not surprising when Naomi blushed and looked away for a moment. Then the storm dragon looked between Maya and the blond shifter. “Besides, it doesn’t have to be strangers.”
The blond had what Maya considered to be the right response as he sighed heavily, “Unless you are thinking we are mates,” he pointed between himself and the black-haired shifter, “clearly they expect that our mates are strangers to us.”
Maya looked over at him, a smile tugging at her lips. It couldn’t have been clearer from his tone that the blond found the storm shifter’s words to be ridiculous.
