asleep but unable to ignore the freezing shots that Shadow was no doubt sending through him.
My hand gripped his thigh, and my fingers dug into his muscle as I shook him. “Time to wake up. Come on, Trace.”
He just jerked away from me, mumbling something about leaving him alone. I sighed and crawled onto the pallet. Turning Trace over to Shadow for a moment, I brushed Kian's hair back and leaned closer.
“Kian, wake up. There's food.”
Kian's eyes opened, revealing those bright blue orbs. A sleepy smile spread across his face when he identified me, and he whispered, “Hi.”
“Hey, Saru and Axton cooked.”
Well, that worked. Kian popped up, his head on a swivel as he searched for the food I'd mentioned. He started to scramble up, but he paused, leaned forward, and planted a quick kiss on my lips before hopping up.
“Oh, how I've missed you so,” Kian called out, throwing his arms out to his sides. “Saru, you won't believe what we've been forced to endure with Axton in charge of the meals. Do you see this? I'm sure I'm wasting away.”
He plucked at his shirt, apparently highlighting his so-called scrawny self. I snorted and walked on my knees until I hovered over Trace.
As I debated on the best way to wake him, Axton appeared, his shadow falling across us. When I looked up, Axton waved me back and held up a pot. A grin curled my lips, and I scooted backwards, chuckling under my breath while Shadow returned to me.
When I felt the cold, hard floor, I chanced a quick peek at Grace and found her staring with laughter in her eyes. She seemed a little different, but I didn't have time to study her. My gaze snapped back to Axton, and I pushed myself up.
“Last chance, Trace,” Axton warned.
“Go away. I'm tired,” Trace said, or at least, I think that's what he said. The garbled words were muffled by his bunched blankets.
Axton looked at me, then his eyes cut to the blanket hiding Trace. When Axton's gaze returned to me, he jerked his head to the side. I nodded and crept around the edge of the pallet until I stood at Trace's feet.
I bent, grabbing the fabric and gripping it between my fingers. As soon as I peered up at Axton, he dipped his chin, so I yanked. The covering and I flew backwards just as Axton tilted the pot, dousing Trace in icy water.
It splashed everywhere and created chaos. The silent room suddenly erupted in noise and movement. Trace jerked up, a strangled scream setting off the rest of us.
Saru noticed what her son was doing, and she yelled about the mess and something about guests. Behind me, Grace giggled. Kian whooped and shouted about how Trace deserved it. And I laughed until my sides ached.
Trace sputtered under the deluge, his eyes blinking rapidly. When the water finally ran out, he glared up at Axton before his gaze shot to where I sat holding my sides.
It probably wasn't as funny as I thought it to be, but after the depressing start to the binal, I grabbed onto the amusement and surrendered to it. So when Trace tried to kill me with his stare, his nostrils flaring as the liquid kept dripping from the end of his nose, it only made me laugh harder. Finally, he gave up on me, spitting out a disgusted sound before rounding to glower at Axton some more.
Axton had already walked off, though, and stood at the tiny sink, drying the pot so he could put it away again. He peeked over at Trace and announced, “Oh, good. You're awake. It's time to eat.”
“I don't know, Axton. He might want to clean up first. It seems that he wet the bed,” Kian added in a thoughtful tone before devolving into a cackling laugh.
“You boys better not leave me a mess.” Saru used a rag to slap Axton's arm, only receiving a shrug in response.
Trace grumbled and stood, shooting dirty looks at Kian before he stomped off to the cramped bathroom. Axton began gathering the wet pallet, tossing it all into a bag.
“Are they always like this?” Grace whispered into my ear, causing me to jump.
I twisted until I could see her and noticed the golden warmth that flushed her cheeks. For a moment, I just stared. With her eyes sparkling and a bright glow about her, she looked ethereal.
Then I blinked and raised a shoulder. “Sometimes.”
A tiny smile curled her lips, one that