she finds she belongs with someone other than Jeb Merrick?
Slade, her mind whispers. Beth stiffens, heat suffusing her skin at just the memory of her orgasm. Beth is helpless to stop herself from imagining sex with the giant Bloodling. Her palms cover her cheeks, feeling the burning heat of her internal fantasy. She's a virgin, but she's not stupid. Beth could have given herself to any man in Papilio, because no Reflective would have her. None except Ryan. But his quest had all been about degrading her, rather than being with her for reasons of truth. And he would never let her forget that she had once declined his advances.
Beth feels guilty for thinking about Slade in a sexual way when she has far greater concerns than giving herself to him—even in her mind.
Slade gave her the most thrilling erotic surprise of her life—and the most embarrassing. But he seems aloof to her as a woman, using her blood to nourish himself then rescuing her out of obligation.
No, Slade doesn't care. Jeb does.
Jeb is also dangerously attractive. The forbidden Reflective mating is enticing.
But the Bloodlings have kindred blood. Is that a type of soul mate among the Bloodlings? Thinking about it all muddles her thoughts.
“Penny for your thoughts.”
Beth's head jerks up, her chin leaving her fists.
“That's lame. Go hard.” Jacky rolls his eyes at Maddie and turns to Beth. “We don't even manufacture pennies on earth anymore. They cost more to make than they're worth. How about a buck for your thoughts? Let's up the ante.”
Beth smiles. The Threes lighten her. “Pay up,” she quips.
Jacky gives a mock stumble, staggering backward, hand to chest. “What? Isn't my credit good? My word?”
Beth laughs, shaking her head. “Not on a bet.”
“Well, that's harsh.” Jacky smiles.
Maddie's lips tilt. “Is everything okay? You look kinda flushed.”
Beth's hands rise to her cheeks again. Her traitorous coloring gave her away.
If only she shared the dusky Reflective complexion. Of course, now she understands why her skin is as pale as the moon, just a step away from gray. Bloodling pure gray.
She glances at her hands momentarily then meets the questions she sees in their eyes. “Merrick and Slade have located Rachett.”
“That uptight dude who's in charge of the Reflectives?”
Beth bites her lip and gives a small shake of her head. “Yes, that's him.”
“Okay, cool beans. So what? You're here babysitting, right?” Jacky tilts his chin up and crosses his arms.
“Yes, I guess I am. Kennet is here, too,” Beth adds, trying to take the sting out of the implication that they're too immature to handle themselves.
“Maybe, but he's all wound up in talking with the Bloodlings. He's got a free pass on not getting his ass kicked, so he's ʻmaking a studyʼ of their species,” Jacky says, using with air quotes. “Whatever. Stick a fork in me—”
“I know.” Beth holds up a weary hand. “You're done.”
“That's it, Jasper—you catch on fast.” He winks, wagging his pointer finger at her.
Beth had a sudden thought that she was pretty sure Jeb, and Slade, would hate, but she could leave a message and finish the job.
“What are you thinking, Beth?” Maddie asks, pushing escaped tendrils of nearly black hair behind her ear.
Beth inhales deeply, taking a leap of trust. “I'm thinking that while the guys are off being heroes, we go to the lake and get you guys back to Three.” Beth gives Maddie a steady look. “Chuck is dead. You could see your mom again.”
My father would not pursue you, is the unspoken end to her words.
Beth could hardly blame Gunnar. Apparently, kindred bloods where as rare as Reflective soul mates, though Beth wasn't clear if their kindred held absolute equivalency to the Reflective's soul mate. Her mother had been gone for a very long time, and Beth would get the full story–he owed her that.
Beth can't see her imposing biological father with the frail young Three. Maddie is so broken.
And Gunnar is so terribly hardened.
Beth won't let Maddie be hurt anymore. She's sure that Jeb would agree with her. Taking the Threes to Papilio was a mistake.
But I can make it right.
“Hell, yes,” Jacky whispers. “I'd give my left nut to get out of shapeshifter and vampire central.”
“I don't think you'll have to hand that over to leave,” Beth remarks dryly.
She'll miss Jacky. Something about him has added another dimension to her life.
Oh, yeah—friendship.
Maddie is conspicuously silent, taking in Beth's words, her expression melancholy. Maddie's emotional signature makes Beth's heart constrict.
“What's with the troll face?” Jacky asks.
Beth stands,