Jen shrugged her shoulders. "At least you’re honest."
Vasile cleared his throat as he frowned at everyone. "Can we continue, or do you all need a little more time to think of the next hopeless scenario?"
Nobody answered, which was the wise road to take.
Sally raised her hand.
"You don't have to raise your hand, Sally," Costin teased.
"After the look he just gave us, I think I will play it safe."
Vasile smiled at Sally.
Jen rolled her eyes. "Sally, are you seriously raising your hand? We aren't in school anymore." Jen grinned wickedly at her friend. "But if you insist on acting the part of the student, what part does your dreamy, finger-liquor good mate play?"
Decebel growled.
"Would you like to explain to me why you are referring to Costin as finger-licking good?"
"Baby, I think your old age is catching up with you and affecting your hearing. I said he is finger-liquor good. It's a play on words, 'cause he's, like, a bartender. Get it?"
Decebel let out an exasperated sigh. "Could you just please refrain from describing any males in a way that indicates attraction."
"Jealous?" Jen teased.
This time when Decebel growled and looked at her, he held her eyes with his glowing ones. "You're mine. I don't share, not even your attraction. Keep your eyes to yourself, Jennifer, or you're going to get some poor wolf killed."
Jen, for once, shut up. This wasn't the time or the place.
Jacque looked over at Fane and whispered, “Does it seem like everyone’s emotions are running a little high?”
Fane nodded. “Stress, love. The males of our species don’t handle the idea of their mates in danger very well. Seems like we can’t keep you guys out of it and it’s very frustrating.”
“We’re all alive. That has to count for something,” she told him as she took his hand.
“Just surviving is not the life we want for you all. We want to give you the world.”
Sally looked at Costin and smiled, then she glanced over at Fane. “Just think, Fane, if you guys take out Mona and her evil hoard, you will be giving us the world – literally.”
Everyone smiled at Sally.
“See? That’s why we keep you around.” Jen grinned. “When the rest of us are all ‘life sucks, we’re all going to die', Sally’s all ‘everyone hold hands and sing Lean On Me'.”
The entire room stared at Jen.
“What? I’m just saying.” She slumped back into her chair with a huff.
Vasile cleared his throat and attention returned to him. For her part, Sally thought the man had the patience of a god. With the addition of these American girls, things didn't run smoothly – or, well, professionally.
“Listen to me,” Vasile said quietly. “All jokes aside, what we're about to face is deadly. Please take some time to consider that and prepare yourselves. We head out the day after tomorrow. Any questions?”
When no one spoke, Vasile dismissed them, a somber mood beginning to descend upon them. Jen wasn't having that. As they all began to stand and file out, she loudly said, “Long live the fellowship of the ring.”
Jacque shook her head. “We were so close.”
Jen rolled her eyes. “Oh, give me a break, you were all thinking it.”
~