“I’m telling you,” I said, gesturing with my warm tea mug as I spoke, “I saw amouseturn into aflylast night. Right after Zuko bit me.”
Dimitri didn’t even look at me; he just arched a brow, hands on his hips. He was the picture of aloof vampire superiority.Still hot, though.“Hallucination. Basilisk venom side effect. I’m sure it happens when you mix arousal and venomous effects?—”
I take it back.
He’s not that hot.
Okay, I totally lied.
“No,” I cut him off flatly. “I know what the difference is. Isawit happen.”
“There are no fly shifters, so how in the Fates did you see it?” He rolled his eyes, but his cheeks flamed with heat.
A soft voice behind us: “Um…that was me.”
We all turned, pausing our walk to class.
Eleanor flushed pink from her face to her ears, tucking a soft lock of hair behind her partly shifted antler. “Sorry. I panicked.”
My eyes widened. “You…turned a mouse into a fly?”
“Um, no. I was the mouse that turned into a fly. It’s my…thing. My special power,” she said, wincing like she expected us to laugh. “I can shift into any animal or insect that I’ve touched. If I’m anxious, sometimes it just…happens. I didn’t mean to shift and spy on you in the kitchen. I saw fangs and—” she motioned vaguely between me and Zuko, “I got scared. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry. That’s really cool!” I gushed, taking a swig of my tea. The poison burst on my tongue, and I sighed happily as my reserves filled up.
Aura’s eyes lit. “That’s amazing. Can you turn into a wasp or maybe a butterfly? Because I have a list of animals and even insects, I’d love to see you turn into!”
Eleanor brightened. “Probably. I mean,temporarily. It’s exhausting if I hold my special power for long. I can stay in my deer form much longer.”
“That’s really fascinating,” Lorian told her. “You have so many advantages with that.”
She smiled brightly at him. “Thanks! It’s not as helpful as your power, but I still find comfort in it.”
“Don’t do that,” he grumbled, nudging her with his shoulder. “Your power is just as helpful.”
She blushed.
“So, Elle,” I said with a grin. “You’ve been holding out on us.”
Darian stepped into our path just as we made it across the bridge. He held a vial of black liquid in his hand, and a smug expression was pasted on his stupid face.
“Not this fucker again,” Slater grumbled, putting his arm around my shoulders.
I leaned into him.
“What the fuck do you want?” Zuko’s arm went around my waist, making sure I could lean against him too.
They were the sweetest.
“Rune,” he said, ignoring everyone else in that irritating way he did. “I’ve been hearing rumors about a human-made poison floating around. Thought you might like something…strongerthan that.” He lifted the vial. “How about a werewolf-made poison? I’ll give it to you if you give me another chance.”
I stared at it, my nose wrinkling as I picked up on the distinct scent. “I’ve had that one.”
He frowned. “Oh,come on!”
“Darian,” I said, my patience evaporating, “none of the poisons you’ve ever slipped me before have worked anyway.”
“Whoa, hold on.” Koa moved closer to me, positioning himself between Darian and I in a protective stance. “Slippedyou?”
