I had fed very fast, sating my thirst. And I was still thirsty.
Adelie snorted. “Not a chance. We’re still hidden.”
“Good. No wars have resulted then because of our nature.”
“Nope.” She popped her lips with the word.
I dropped the sunglasses back over my eyes. “The stronghold is still in the southwestern portion of South America?”
“They haven’t moved. There’s no reason to. The castle is still in Japri.”
“Excellent.” I grinned. “Anything else I need to know?”
My friend nibbled on her bottom lip. Finally, she shook her head. “No, I think that’s it. All your affairs are in order, like normal. You’re fully prepared to enter society again.”
I picked up the clothes she had brought me. One black eyebrow rose. “We’ll need to go shopping before I meet with the overlords.”
Adelie laughed, the sound like tinkling chimes.
I rolled my eyes. “What?”
“Some things never change.” Her arms wrapped around my bare shoulders, squeezing me in a tight hug. “I’ve missed you so much. Next time, we’re going to schedule our Rest at the same time. The last two hundred years have been hell without you by my side.”
I hugged her back, holding her tight. She had once gone to Rest while I was still awake. It had been hell during that time. I completely understood. I whispered, “Sounds like a plan to me.”
She continued to hold me tight.
Eventually, I cleared my throat. “Adelie, hello? Naked here, remember?”
Her strong grip loosened, and she released me. “Fine. Fine.”
I waggled my brows. “I know I’mfine. I look damn good for being almost a thousand.”
Her brown eyes lifted skyward in exasperation. “Here we go. Gwen is back.”
CHAPTERTHREE
~ GWYNNORE ~
Japri, Chile
“Hello, beautiful,” I purred. The pads of my fingers ran over the black paint of my brand new Lamborghini. My attention snapped to my friend. “Adelie, you have outdone yourself this time.”
Her lips twitched. “Your money paid for it.”
“I don’t even care,” I whispered. Then I leaned down and kissed the top of the roof with a gentle caress for my newest baby. “She is flawless.”
“The last time I remember you being this excited after a Rest was when I bought you that gorgeous colt.” She opened the passenger side door, snickering quietly. “Remember that?”
I nodded. “This is just as excellent as that time.”
Adelie lifted a finger into the air, pointing out, “But this one doesn’t poop.”
My laughter could be heard over the jet engines roaring behind us.
The overlords had, indeed, provided us with a private jet—which included private airports. Our flight had been long to South America and mainly boring after I got over the thrill of a plane taking off. Memories were one thing, experiencing it myself was another. It was more fleshed out and vivid compared to stolen experiences from humans.
Adelie slid into the magnificent car wearing an arrogant smile.
