“Okay, you gotta tell me something…” I met his eyes with a grin. His talk of being in bed with someone had reminded me of a question I’d been dying to askhim.
He nodded. “What?”
“Did you and Eva ever date? Because I’m getting some major vibesthere.”
Isaac’s eyes twinkled as he smirked. “I don’t kiss and tell,” he said and stood, offering his hand forme.
Hah. They totally dated, I knew it. They would make a good couple if the druid-dragon war could slow down enough for any of us to have time forlove.
“Come, let’s welcome Dylan and Maggie,” Isaac said. “Tomorrow morning we will go and see thealchemist.”
We walked toward the houses, and the goat followed. I kept one eye on her the entire time.Sketchy-assgoat.
It was a pleasant five-minute stroll to the camp where the majority of the shifters were staying in. Isaac had tons of sustainable housing dotted throughout his property, but it wasn’t enough for our large group, so some had to sleep in tents. They didn’t seem to mind. It was like one big long campingtrip.
As we neared, I could see Dylan standing in the center of the group telling a story. It must have been a funny one, because everyone was smiling or laughing. Dylan seemed to have a carefree, fun-loving personality. Something we needed around here. When I got closer, I was finally able to hear what he wassaying.
“But I’m in love with this girl, and I don’t want to hurt her feelings,” he said, gesturing to Maggie, whogrinned.
“So he drank it,” she concluded,wincing.
The crowd erupted with laughter. Even Dom had a weird smile. “I might still kill you” look goingon.
“And that was the last time she ever attempted a potion. I had a weird rash for weeks,” Dylansaid.
Eva’s lips curled. She was finding the story humorous. “What percentage are you?” she asked the youngsorceress.
Maggie shrugged. “Not a lot. Like twenty percent maybe? My grandmother was a sorcerer, so my mom got a bit from her, but my dad’shuman.”
Eva stood and drew closer. “Those were some nice smoke spells you threw at the druids when we were pullingup.”
Maggie blushed. “Thanks. That’s about all I cando.”
“May I?” Eva asked for her outstretchedhand.
Maggie nodded and opened her palm, offering it to Eva. The older sorcerer traced the lines and bent down to sniff her hand. Finally, she stood and let go. “You’re more than twenty. You’re about forty-five percent, and your mother had an affinity for healing magic. I could use an assistant if you’d like totrain.”
Maggie’s mouth popped open and she grinned, looking to her boyfriend, who was smilingencouragingly.
“Oh my God, I’d love to! Like … that’s all I’ve everwanted.”
Eva smiled. “Perfect! You can start now. I’ll teach you how to make our baby dragon’s concealment spell. It keeps her shifting from triggering thedruids.”
Maggie jumped up excitedly and ran after the full-bloodedsorcerer.
Dylan turned, noticing me. “Sloane!” he said excitedly. “You doingokay?”
Logan was sitting next to Danny and Keegan, who were wrapped in each other’s arms. The rest of the large pack was mingling with each other, talking and laughing. It was like one big adult partycamp.
“I’m great.” I smiled. From what I could see, Dylan had this infectiously positive attitude all thetime.
He surveyed the camp, the shifters, the young skyborns Casey and Geoff, talking to each other with rapt attention. “You have an amazing thing going on here. Thanks for havingus.”
I nodded. “It’s all Isaac’s.” I gestured to the druid beside me. “Dylan, this is Isaac. He’s an earth druid like my mom andI.”
A flash of skepticism rolled across his face but then it was gone. He extended his hand to greet the druid. “Thanks for having us, sir,” he said, in a respectfultone.
Isaac beamed, shaking his hand. “The pleasure is allmine.”
