Page 10 of Kiki

Holding my breath, I watched every second until the tip of the arrow hit the target, exactly in the center, and I let a breath loose.

“You all right there, Sister?” Ava fanned me with her arms. Minx took up the movement as well. I slapped at their hands. Surely someone, probably Artemis, would notice, and I would be thoroughly embarrassed.

“I think I’m gonna faint,” I said, laughing.

“Well, that boy is a tall glass of water. Maybe you’re just thirsty.”

“Stop it!” I covered my face with my hands. “Can we go somewhere else?”

Ava blew out a breath. “No damned way. This is too entertaining. So you like Ian and Neo too? I mean, they always hang out together. Or do you only have a lady boner for Artemis? I mean, no one can blame you. He certainly knows how to handle his…arrow.”

Ava went on with all kinds of innuendos about arrows and aiming until Minx and I had tears running down our faces from laughing so hard.

“Okay, okay.” Ava put up her hands. “I’m done. I swear. But I’m not above texting you if I think of more. Expect texts in the middle of the night from me, Kiki. I do my best thinking at night and in the shower.”

“Oh?” I said. “I thought with three mates you’d be busy at night, and in the shower, for that matter.”

Minx cracked up. “She’s not wrong, Ava. You’re giving your boys a bad rep.”

“No, I’m not. They are the muse for my dirty thoughts, after all. I’m glad I could make you laugh. You need that.”

I agreed.

“Well, one thing is for sure,” Minx said. “He likes you too. He hasn’t been able to make a bullseye since he realized you were over here.”

I took a chance and looked at the target in Artemis’ lane. Minx was right. His arrows were all over the place.

“Everyone has a bad day. It has nothing to do with me being here. You two are terrible.”

Ava bumped my shoulder with hers. “Sure. Keep telling yourself that. In the meantime, we’re taking bets.”

Chapter Nine

Dahlia helped me plan an outfit that she claimed gave off messages that I was a strong, independent woman but at the same time flirty. Apparently, that translated to my favorite jeans, thankfully, and a scoop-neck lightweight black sweater I forgot I owned. She picked out my accessories and insisted I borrow those amazing black boots I’d seen the first time I went into our room.

My wolf was even more excited than me. She wanted to break free and run. It had been weeks since I’d let her out to play, but tonight with a bonfire wasn’t the night.

“So it’s just a big fire?” I asked. I’d actually never been to a bonfire before. Had no idea what to expect.

I did hope the guys would be there, but I kept that tidbit to myself.

“There’s food and they play music. People dance. Some people smuggle in booze but there are teachers there. Some look the other way but there’s always a stickler.”

“Do you drink?” I asked. “I never have. Never really interested me.”

“Nah. My dad overdid it a lot when I was younger. He got some help and doesn’t drink anymore, but his example convinced me not to touch the stuff. Besides, fire and alcohol? Not a good match.”

Dahlia said guys could ask a girl or a girl could ask a guy to be their date to this bonfire. I hoped one of them would ask me. We hadn’t had a lot of interaction other than that first day, just snippets here and there. I saw them in class and we talked some but I craved more. My wolf was hungry for their attention but if I made the first move, I might be proven the fool.

I’d been a fool before, asking a guy out and getting rejected. Asking out Artemis, Ian, or Neo felt infinitely more serious than some high school crush.

The first move wouldn’t be made by me.

“Are you hoping for someone to ask you to dance?” I asked.

She shrugged. I suspected she had someone in mind from the blush that crept up her neck, but we stepped into the elevator, and she went silent since we were crammed in with other people.

When we got out, I gasped. My wolf craved some outdoor time, even if it was vicariously through me.

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