Page 32 of Forging Bonds: Part One

Doc nods, "Yeah. They run on a schedule similar to the one that I used to have. They probably aren't even aware that it's late."

I smile, "Yeah, that sounds about right."

"Huh," Neith says, interrupting the conversation and completely unaware as Ransom pulls her out of the way of a door that she's about to walk into but doesn't notice because she's still looking down at her phone. Ransom obviously decides that it would be safer if she's not left to wander the hallways by herself. Instead, he tucks her under his arm and drops a kiss on the top of her head. Her smile is stunning for a brief moment before she frowns again as she looks at whatever Navy must have texted her.

The rest of us share a smile, she probably has no idea how many times we've pulled her under our arms or held her hand in order to stop her fromwalking into things. I have no idea how she managed to walk around without banging into things all of the time. Actually, she may have just walked into them knowing Neith.

"What's up?" Doc asks.

"Navy just replied and said that we won't be able to make it to her graduation, but do I want to meet up with her and Joey on Friday? Apparently, he's the demon I met in Griff's class?" Neith starts to explain and looks over at Griff.

He nods, "Yeah, that's the guy that you helped with the sword work. He's a good guy."

Neith grins, "Oh yeah, I remember him. He rambles like me."

My eyebrows rise slightly, "There's no way that he rambles exactly like you do. I think that's a uniquely Neith thing."

"Thanks, I think," Neith replies with a slight smirk.

"Weren't you going to meet up with Neera from the coffee shop too?" Raiden asks.

Neith nods, "Yeah, and I have no idea when I'm going to get the chance to do it. Not with the Choosing and then figuring out how we locate and capture the blue fucker. I mean, we know that he isn't in Trieneliea anymore because the gates are shut, but he could be in any of the other realms since we know that he can somehow make portals."

"Yeah, you're right," River replies. "For now, though, or at least after Doc has spoken to his people, we will leave everything to do with the hybrid case until after the Choosing. That needs to be our priority at the moment."

"Agreed," Neith replies. "I know I probably shouldn't be excited about the Choosing. I mean, there is a good chance that I'm not going to survive it . . ."

We all tense, and growls echo through the thankfully empty hallway as I fight the urge to shift and decimate the threat that is facing her. I'm not the only one. Scales ripple across Van's arms, River's eyes flash to that of hiskitsune, and shadows and darkness gather around Raiden as his eyes swirl with stars. Griff's skin has turned to stone, Ransom's eyes are narrowed as his fingers spark with magic, Doc's eyes are glowing, and the air around him is charging as his magic reacts to her words.

All of this happens within a few moments as we quickly get our reactions back under control. If she notices, she doesn't say anything, and she's definitely not afraid of us. Not that I expect her to be.

Chapter Eleven

Reed

"You will survive it, Neith," I growl, the others nodding in agreement.

She nods, her eyes on mine, "I know, I've been through a lot of shit in my lifetime. The Choosing is going to be a walk in the park."

"I don't like that," Ransom says what we're all thinking.

Neith shrugs, "I didn't either." She frowns, "Wow, that got a little dreary. What I was going to say before everyone had a 'thing' is that I'm actually really looking forward to it, it's a challenge."

Evander grins and repeats, "A thing." Neith rolls her eyes but smiles, so Van continues, "I am entirely unsurprised that the thought of danger and lots of it is exciting to you."

Neith's smile widens, "Obviously. Life would be boring without a bit of danger and don't even pretend that you guys don't agree with me. You aren't in the careers that you're in just because you're helping people, although I'm sure that's a big part of it."

Doc grins, "You may have a point."

"I know I do," she chuckles.

"When are you going to meet Navy?" Ransom asks her, and she glances up at him.

"Huh?"

"Navy messaged you, and then we talked about Neera, and then the conversation sort of went off in another direction," Ransom reminds her.

If we weren't used to the way that River's conversations usually go, then we would be finding it a lot harder to follow Neith than we currently are.

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