Taking a breath, I nod.
“Annnnd go!”
I throw one right after another.One, two, three.I miss the fourth.Five, six.
“Time!”
“Dammit.”
“Hey, five is good!” Ivy says.
I spread my legs, taking a stance. “Let’s go again.”
So, we continue. Over and over until my arms ache and a faint sheen of sweat covers my forehead.
We’re about to run it again when two black wolves come from the side of the house, leaping off the porch and heading for the trees. I recognize one of them as Forest, due to his odd gait.
“Is it four o’clock already?” I ask, thinking they must be heading out for afternoon patrol.
“Uh.” She looks at her phone. “Fifteen after, actually.”
“Wow.”
“You want a break?”
I roll my shoulder. “Yeah, I think I’m about done.”
“How about one more?” Evan says, strolling up to us. He has a glint to his eyes that I’m starting to recognize, like he’s imagining me without clothes. He leans in and whispers, “If you get eight in a row, I’ll blow you before dinner.”
Ivy quickly looks away, grinning wide. How easily Evan forgets that shifters have superior hearing.
“Eight, huh?” I say, looking back at the targets. I’ve managed to hit six in a row, but not eight. Eight will be pushing it. “You’re on.”
I throw one fireball after another, successfully getting seven of the targets before missing the eighth.
Of course. “One more time,” I say.
Evan laughs. “Mmhmm. I thought that might work.”
26
JERICHO
For two days, I practice in the yard, and for two days, I get better and faster at producing fire. It’s actually fun, now that I don’t have to concentrate so hard. But it wears me out.
“Wanna go again?” Evan asks as he enjoys an early dinner with the others. Jasmine made a large pot roast to warm everyone up, and insisted I sit with them while they eat to be included. When they aren’t helping me, they’re doing patrols with nearby packs. There is very little downtime.
I hesitate. “I’ve been at it all day.”
He bumps my knee under the table. “I know, but the sun doesn’t set for another hour. Might as well make the most of it. Besides, you can sleep tonight.”
I raise a single brow at him.Can I?We haven’t been able to keep our hands off each other when we’re alone. It’s like now that Evan has realized his attraction to me, he’s diving in headfirst. And I’m all for it.
Evan turns away, the tips of his ears turning pink. “Does anyone else want to join us?”
“I need to work,” Rowen says.
“Me too,” Jasmine replies. “I have some orders due at the bakery in two days, and I’m already behind.”
