Cassie looked down at her skin that was illuminated brightly, with concern.
Woody grinned, showing her that he understood her thoughts. ‘It’s okay, it suits you and not everyone will feel the hum. It surprises me that the small dogitter creatures are picking it up. They are a lot more perceptive than I thought.’
A funny-shaped hairless blue dog with six legs came up. He made a funny squeaky noise and seemed to drop his head and look shy. He made Cassie forget she was a little different. Against all these creatures she didn’t feel kooky at all. She bent down and patted it and the hexagon critter ran around in circles and came back, making her laugh. It acted excited and looked as if it were about to jump up on her when Woody grabbed Cassie from it, placing her down beside him and scared it away.
‘Sorry, Cass but you never know what powers they may have. They all look cute till they change.’ As he said it, the thing grew a big head out of its little one and snapped at him. It was clear to her it was annoyed that she was snatched away. Woody just laughed. ‘She’s mine, buzz off.’ He shooed him away.
Cassie couldn’t stop laughing as Woody scooped her into his arms and held her up so the others were unable to reach her. He made a game out of it, making the critters jump around his legs, making squeak and hooting noises.
Jason came over and scared them away. ‘Quit stirring up the dogitters, man. You know it pisses the boss off.’
‘Bloody pests wouldn’t leave her alone and anyway I like her laugh. Stuff him.’
Jason grinned and rubbed his forehead. ‘Jeez, man, I hear you. She has us all by the balls looking like this but his mood’s high. Let the rest of us just enjoy it for five, will you?’
Woody smirked mischievously as he put Cassie down. ‘Until later, giggles.’
When Kayden came back to them his face was expressionless but his eyes held an ‘I told you so’ look in them. ‘The sisters have put measures in place and as I thought they are not hopeful but were pleased to see us arrive. Adora asked us to join her and her sisters for a celebration dinner if all goes well.’
Woody rolled his eyes and pounded fists with Jason. ‘Remember last time, man? We drank so much the horses barely knew their way home from the intoxicating smell.’ He laughed. ‘I’m in.’
‘Me too,’ Jason agreed.
‘We’re in,’ Ethan and Conor spun around and joined in.
‘Me too. I reckon after all this weirdness I’ll need a drink or two. I’m there with you guys on this one.’ Cassie breathed out heavily.
Kayden lifted Cassie up on Zoltan. ‘I’m only gone a minute and you’ve sided with my men already!’ He jumped up behind her. ‘Looks like majority rules but I have to warn you, princess, they have already heard about you from Zoren so be prepared for an initiation into their world. It should be some night.’ He grinned and wrapped an arm around her waist. He bent close to her ear. ‘I have a little initiating I want to do with you on our own so save a little of that fun for me, gorgeous.’
Cassie wiggled up against him. His breath was hot against her as a pleasurable sound escaped his mouth. ‘You are so bad, girl!’
She giggled. ‘That’s just me giving you a sample of what’s in store for you, my yummy toh revol.’
He threw his head back and laughed and the enjoyable sound he made in this world of magic floated around them. The others stopped chatting and swung around.
‘Hey man, what’s the joke? It must be a doozy for you to laugh before a mission,’ Jason said as he mounted his ride with one easy motion.
Kayden was still looking amused. ‘Private, boys. Ready?’
They nodded as they too mounted their horses, still surveying their unusually happy leader.
Kayden bent down and whispered, ‘Yummy hot lover, hey? With you, my love, to keep that title will be an honour.’
Introduction into the Stars
Commanding the horses and team was not easy this trip. Cassie’s nerves had accelerated her powers and she was giving off an exquisite current. Woody and Jason were way too close, chatting to Cassie. Woody said something funny to her and she giggled at him, causing Kayden’s hackles to come up. Shit! One girl and four damned competing males to fight off every time a man wants attention, he thought moodily. Stuff them. They can go get their own bloody woman. This one’s mine. Mine! He grumbled within and almost sent them the message through telepathy. He was feeling so protective of his woman and wrapped his arm around her possessively.
Enough chatter, guys. Settle down. We’re nearly there.
At the mention that they were nearly there, Cassie stiffened and her heart pumped far too quickly. She was scared and the men could feel it and were obviously keeping her mind off it. He kicked himself for getting all bull-headed and jealous.