Demonic Vampires (Supernatural Shifter Academy #3) - G. Bailey Page 0,12

putting a hand on my shoulder. “Listen, Boots, we meant what we said. You’re running this show, and we’ll follow you. To the end of the earth, if we have to.” His dark eyes bore into mine, smouldering, and his words fill me with renewed confidence -- as well as renewed longing. “It’s your call, at the end of the day. We trust you.” He looks up at Xander, Hazel, and Ruby for confirmation, and they nod their agreement.

“Give me a sec,” I say, already turning back to my phone and tapping out a message to the unknown number. I’m not expecting a reply, but it’s worth getting as much information as I can before I sign the group up for something dangerous.

Where in London? I write before sending the message.

We wait for a few moments; the others looking anxiously around at the Academy agents by the airport, and I’m debating having us return to the hotel when my phone vibrates. Surprised, I pull it back out and glance down at the screen, hardly daring to hope…

But there it is, in plain English. Hyde Park, the message reads. Speakers’ Corner. Come while it’s light out, and message when you’re on route. I will be waiting.

I feel a burst of hope as I relay the message back to my friends. “That’s… better than I was expecting,” says Silas.

“I’ll say,” Landon puts in. “I can’t think of anywhere more public than Hyde Park. And during the daytime…” He grins. “There will be people everywhere. It would be impossible for them to capture us without a bunch of bystanders seeing.”

“Not to mention the space,” adds Shade. “I don’t mind destroying a few sculptures if it means kicking a few of those bastards’ asses.”

“The risk is lower this way,” acknowledges Ruby. “I say we go for it.”

“There’s still one problem, though,” says Hunter, who has been silent the whole time. We turn to look at him questioningly, and he raises his eyebrows, gesturing around. “We still have no way of getting there,” he says. “Last I checked, we can’t just walk across the ocean.”

“Maybe you can’t,” teases Landon. “Hazel and I have the swimming thing locked down.”

The vampire shifter rolls his eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“What about Boots?” asks Shade, nodding in my direction. “You can shift into your witch form. You could teleport us over there.”

“That’s…” I splutter, feeling put on the spot. “That’s not possible. I’ve never transported anyone before!”

“But you have been taught the spell, haven’t you?” asks Silas.

“Technically, yeah,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck. “At least, I think so. If I can remember it. But, guys, come on… the faculty fellows have been doing this for years! You saw how exhausted they got after warping us to Boston. Do you really think I could get us all to London without fucking it up?”

“You’re stronger than any of us,” Hazel points out.

“What if I send us to the wrong place?” I protest. “Or worse, what if I lose focus and we end up getting dropped into the ocean?”

“Silas and I can help,” offers Ruby. “We can carry you guys to dry land, if we have to. I really think this is our best bet, Millie.”

I fidget, looking from one hopeful face to the next, not wanting to disappoint them but overwhelmed by my own insecurity. It’s true that I learned the theory of teleportation back in one of my witch shifting classes, but theory and practise are two very different things. The idea of any of the guys getting hurt because of me…

So what are you going to do, then? a voice in my head speaks up. It’s not like you have a lot of options, here.

I can feel myself resigning to it even before I open my mouth. “Okay,” I say quietly. “I can try.”

“Good,” says Silas, looking relieved. “Then we just need to find some place where we won’t be seen, and we can-”

“I hate to interrupt,” Landon says, his tone worrisome, “but I think it’s a little late for that.” He nods in the direction of the airport, and when I follow his gaze, my blood runs cold. Two of the Academy representatives by the front entrance are staring straight at us. One of them murmurs something to the other, and then they both begin moving rapidly in our direction.

“Shit,” says Shade. “We have to get out of here!”

Here goes nothing, I think, and close my eyes.

Chapter 6

In case it wasn’t clear already, I