Page 153 of Centaur Bolt

Then, finally, he stopped. Stared down a set of stairs, and I watched a woman walk toward him.

It was the Team Phoenix member. Havoc’s thoughts were scattered, but I caught them. And now, looking into her bicolored gaze, I sensed the truth—they were twins, Rafael and her.

And Rafael was gone.

My heart sank as I heard a deep voice confirming it to be true—Tyrez. And Havoc swirled away, feeding his rage with a few more kills before they called him to a halt.

Worrying about Rafael, I faded out for a bit. When I tried to re-establish contact, I couldn’t find Havoc.

Then, suddenly, he was back. He was somewhere alone in the darkness, and he was—

He was jerking off.

The sensation wound every fiber of me to excruciating awareness. My body arched away from the tree, my head falling back in an unconscious imitation of him. My hand fell to my lap, and then, squirmed beneath the overlarge sweatpants, seeking, and then finding, my heat. Stroking even as he did. Gasping and moaning, as though it were his fingers at work.

He tightened, fingers moving faster, gripping, sliding, squeezing. I shattered when he did, with a cry that rang across the meadow.

“Well, I’m offended you didn’t invite me to the party.”

My eyes snapped open, and I yanked my hand free. Kiko stood over me, her fists on her hips but her dark eyes dancing.

I took a deep breath. “I don’t have anything you’re interested in.”

She arched a brow. “Don’t be so damn sure.”

A taller form loomed behind her, and Vali appeared. To my surprise, she frowned and rubbed her face with one hand, as though embarrassed.

Kiko, of course, was oblivious. “I was still asleep, but Vali saw you through the window,” the Satyr explained. “So we hurried down to see you. Only you started the party without us.”

My mind spun. There was so much there to interpret—and Vali wouldn’t meet my eyes. But when Kiko moved into her space and rested a hand on the Dragona’s arm—

I guess all they needed was for me to vanish for a day or so. But the Dragona’s sadness hadn’t abated.

“Where have you been?” Kiko asked, and then stiffened. “And what is that creature on your shoulder?”

“She’s—a friend,” I said.

Kiko regarded Fang with suspicion. “She looks like a Webspinner.”

“Yes. That is what she is.”

Her eyes widened. “But—they’re venomous.”

“This one is tame.”

“You’re sure?”

“Would I have it sitting on my shoulder if I wasn’t?” I said.

“Okay. But is she tame with everyone, or just you?”

“She won’t bite you.”

Kiko evaluated my tone and the Webspinner with one measured glance, before plunking herself down on the grass. Vali lowered herself to a graceful lotus position—but I noticed she’d left space between me and her. Or rather, Fang and her.

“Why are you sitting out here all alone?” the Satyr asked.

I couldn’t answer right away. In part, because Havoc wasn’t done. He’d started up all over again. And much as I tried to cut off the contact, the overly graphic images and sensations continued to run through my brain.

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