But am I not allowed to stop the duel if he doesn’t play by therules?
By the time you manage to stop the duel, it might be toolate.
What do you mean toolate?
Cassandra will have delivered a blow I won’t be able to recoverfrom.
The skin beneath my fur broke out in goose bumps.How do I stop thefight?
You’d need to howl threetimes.
Liam, when we’re out there, don’t watch my back, okay? I can take care ofmyself.
He looked at me long and hard.You’re risking your life for mine, so don’t think for a single moment that I’ll let you out of mysight.
Liam—
He cut my whine off with a sharp bark that made my muscles jamtogether.
We’re going to work on your defensive game. I’m going to come at you from all angles, and you’re going to have to get away. It’ll teach you to think fast and act faster.Ready?
I said yes, but that was before I got my ass handed to me. If I’d known I would be trampled and shoved and flattened against the jockstrap-smelling mats, I probably would’ve saidno.
Then again, I didn’t want Liam to take it easy on me, because leniency wouldn’t serveme.
Two hours later,pancaked against the gym floor, Liam took pity on me and called it a day. Before leaving, I swallowed my first dose of Sillin, then entered a daily reminder into myphone.
“Dinner tomorrow night at Tracy’s?” Liam asked just before I pushed through thedoors.
Lucas looked at Liam, then atme.
Before the invitation was misconstrued as a date, I said, “Can I inviteSarah?”
“I’m not sure that’s a greatidea.”
“She’s not spying on us,Liam.”
“That’s not why. I just think it’s not a great idea for her. I’m not sure the Creeks would appreciate one of theirs sitting at a table ofBoulders.”
“She’s not aCreek.”
Liam’s jaw twitched. “At the present moment, sheis.”
“So, is that a no?” Iasked.
He dragged his hand through his damp hair. “Fine. Bring her along.” He looked over his shoulder at Lucas. “Free for dinner tomorrow night,Lucas?”
Lucas’s frown grew. “Why are we all going todinner?”
“Why, to bond obviously.” I shot Lucas a taunting smile. “The paintball arena was alreadybooked.”
A corner of his lips sloped up. “I knew you’d enjoyed thatactivity.”
“Yeah. Top ten best moments of mylife.”
That earned me a grin from Liam and a chuckle fromLucas.
“Who else will be at this dinner?” Lucasasked.
