Azure Dragons (Supernatural Shifter Academy #2) - G. Bailey Page 0,13

end of the day, he's a good guy, and he came through for us when it mattered. That matters more to me than how talkative he is. "I kind of figured you would be traveling with the rest of the Board members," I say, putting my hands in my pockets as I peer at him. "I saw Amelia over there with your dad."

"Right." He sighs, glancing in their direction; the fiery redheads of his family are engaged in some sort of deep conversation, although I could swear I see Amelia shoot us a contemptuous look. "Believe me, they wanted me to."

I raise my eyebrows. "You said no?" He nods. "Why, though?" I ask. "It would probably be easier for you all. First class treatment, and all that."

Hunter looks at me, and something flickers across his face. "I…" He sighs, rubbing his arm. "Maybe I'd rather travel with you," he says finally, looking like he's struggling to stay composed. Seeming to realise his mistake, his eyes go wide, and he struggles to course-correct. "I mean, you guys," he adds hastily. "All of you. You know."

I come close to asking what he means, but the poor guy already looks painfully flustered, so I let it go. "Well, we're glad to have you along," I tell him, clapping him jovially on the shoulder. He stiffens at my touch, like an electric shock has just gone through him, but says nothing else.

At that moment, Josie, one of the faculty fellows, approaches us, rubbing her hands together. Josie was one of the two recruiters who found me after my powers first manifested, along with Samantha. Both witch-shifters, they were the ones who brought me to the Academy in the first place. She's gorgeous, with dark skin, a cascade of glossy curls, and a kind smile, but I feel myself bristle as she approaches, even still. After Samantha showed her true colours, I'm not about to let my guard down again. As far as I'm concerned, everyone working for the Academy is suspect.

"All right, guys," she says in a commanding voice, loudly enough that the talking dies down. "We're going to be transporting you in groups of around ten. The faculty and administrators will be going separately as soon as we get there, you are all to wait on the school grounds until everyone has arrived." She nods to a couple of other women dressed in faculty uniforms, and they begin to shapeshift in unison, their skin going red and their eyes turning black. This makes sense, as powers can only be used in full or partial shifter form.

Josie steps forward, beckoning to us and a cluster of other students. "You all will be with me," she says, extending a hand to me and smiling. "Good to see you again, Millie."

"Likewise," I reply, returning her smile as I take her hand. Hunter comes to stand on my other side, joining his hand with mine, and the six of us form a chain along with the others in the group.

"Well," Josie says, checking one last time to make sure we're all accounted for, "enough of these formalities. Let's get this show on the road, shall we?"

Chapter 6

The sensation is familiar, and I’m reminded of the time not so long ago when I was first introduced to teleportation magic. That day on the docks feels like a lifetime ago, and in a sense, it was, but I don’t miss the panic I felt when the witches’ magic began to work on me. This time it’s less frightening, although I chalk that up partly to the fact that Landon’s warm hand is in mine, steadying me on my feet as pulses of tingling energy begin to course through my body. It’s still a little off-putting to open my eyes and see that my limbs are starting to turn translucent, as if in a slow dissolve in a movie. The energy continues to grow in intensity, and I remind myself to relax so that Josie’s job can be made easier. I can’t help but steal a glance at the ground beneath my feet to see the grass of the courtyard begin to waver and shift before my eyes. It slowly fades, going from a verdant green to a shade of dull grey as the magic continues to course through me. One look at the others tells me that they’re in the same boat, their bodies taking on that same noncorporeal look as we hurtle through time and space, jumping across