Page 44 of Magic's Rise

Exasperation fills Aspen’s voice. “The more magic you learn, the easier it comes to you. I’ve said this before. You’re learning fast now that we know your designation. Which means you need to be even more careful.”

“Sorry,” I say meekly. “It won’t happen again.”

The comb drags against my skull. “So, you’re saying we’re not allowed to have fun because there’s a chance we might be attacked?”

Annoyance underscores Tris’s words and finds an echo in my heart. I don’t want to live my life constantly on the alert. That would make me miserable.

Aspen stares at us for a long moment as if we’re missing the point. “No, I want you to be vigilant because we’re heading toward Silver Hollow with Levi. His town is under attack by an unknown enemy who is most probably against him bringing in outsiders to help fix the problem.”

Oh, I guess we are missing the point. “Sorry.”

“No more mini-adventures.” Tris sounds equally contrite as he squeezes my shoulder. “We’ll stay with the group from now on.”

The lock whirs, and the door opens as Haut and Levi return to the room, our pizza delivery in their hands.

The comb pauses in my hair. “Did you find anything?”

“Nothing.” Haut’s jaw sets with frustration. “We tracked him to the parking lot and then lost it.”

Levi shuts the door and flips the secondary latch. “The scent wasn’t familiar, so the person’s not from Silver Hollow.”

“Wolf shifter?” Aspen’s focus remains on the pool below. “Or werewolf?”

Haut hesitates. “Not sure.”

Levi’s brow furrows. “The scent was too faint to tell, but we’ll be able to track him if he makes another appearance.”

“Is there a chance he was one of the hotel workers?” I nibble on my bottom lip.

Levi walks over to set the pizza boxes on the dresser. “We made a pass through the lobby, and the only other person working this late is a security guard who doesn’t match the scent.”

“A pervert getting his rocks off, then?” Tris rubs my shoulders in comfort. “Couldn’t resist a little creeping when he saw our Rowe in her little bikini?”

Haut growls low in his throat. “Your next bathing suit will be one I pick out.”

His gaze shifts from me to Tris. “What’s with the matching pajamas?”

“Jealous?” Tris snickers as he goes back to brushing my hair.

I wiggle in my chair. “Does the big, bad wolf want little sleepy sheepies, too?”

“You two are pushing all of my buttons today.” Haut stalks toward us. “Mutton is starting to sound a lot better than pizza.”

Aspen and Levi exchange a knowing look before Aspen stands and Levi picks up their pizza boxes. “We’ll take our dinner to our room. Don’t stay up too late. Five o’clock will be here all too soon.”

The wolf enters Haut’s eyes as he strips out of his shirt and pops the button on his jeans.

“Uh oh.” Tris drops the comb next to the blow dryer. “Daddy’s mad.”

A shimmer blurs Haut’s body, and I rise from the chair. “What’s the plan?”

“You go left, I go right.” Tris edges toward the beds. “Bathroom is the safe zone.”

The shimmer dissipates, and a giant, gray wolf stands in Haut’s place.

“Sorry, sparky.” Tris, my BFF and eternal spark, shoves me at Greyson. “Take one for the team!”

“Traitor!” I shriek as, with a quiet woof, the wolf pounces on me.

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