Page 27 of Centaur Bolt

Thinking fast, I pushed my books into his arms, and smiled. “I need to get these back to the table, and I simply can’t carry them. Can you put those manly muscles to work?” I gave him my very best I’m-only-a-weak-female smile.

His nostrils flared. “Have you seen your Satyr friend?”

I did the only thing I could think of—I lied through my teeth. “I sent her to find a book for me. She should be back soon.”

His glowing eyes narrowed, and he finally looked at me. Like at me as a female rather than just a library ornament and Satyr roomie. And I delivered the clincher. “My Dragona friend is helping me do some research. Some of these are for her.”

I might be diminutive, but I had powerful friends. He assessed the possible merits of white-knight hero-type worship from Vali and myself, and caved. “Sure, I can take these for you.”

Vali didn’t even look up as he plunked the books down. I did my bit.

“I almost collapsed getting these back—had some handsome male help. I guess chivalry is not dead.”

The Dragona raised a brow and glanced up, and the Dire shifter gave her his best toothy grin. Mission accomplished.

He only seemed a little deflated when she looked away again. But then Kiko emerged from the aisles, rebraiding her hair.

He glanced her way. His brows dropped, and his nostrils flared.

Dammit. Forgot about the doggy nose thing. I turned to the Satyr, who looked up at him, and then paused.

“You didn’t find the book I wanted?” I asked loudly.

Her dark gaze moved from him to me, and then back again. “Uh—no. Couldn’t find it.”

At least her mind was as sharp as her libido. The Dire exhaled huffily as she slid up to him.

“Will you be running tonight?” she purred, guiding him back to his table.

I plunked myself down near the books. But ten minutes in, I admitted that nothing in them was any help at all.

I’d never shown any signs of psychic talent in the three times I’d Jumped. Only weird transformations. And my claws weren’t going to help Marcus.

He had enough of his own weirdness. I experienced a moment of pure panic—what if there really was nothing I could do to help him?

No. I wouldn’t accept that as an answer.

The young Dire left with his friends. Kiko sat herself down with a satisfied sigh.

“Thanks for the heads-up and save,” she said.

I pushed my hair out of my face and sighed. “Yeah, well, I didn’t want the library ripped to shreds when I’ve only just discovered it.”

Her lips twitched, and she surveyed my pile of books. “So, did you find anything?”

“No,” I admitted. “How about you?” I was almost afraid to ask.

“Nothing,” she said with a happy sigh. “But the interrogation was soo worth it. How about we plunder the vending machines and go to class?”

Vali closed her book. “I can check my room out afterward.”

“Too bad you have to share with the Hitzu twin.” Kiko pulled a face. “We’d bunk you with us, but there isn’t room for a third.”

Vali’s long fingers tapped on the table. “I could sleep on the roof.”

“That doesn’t sound comfortable,” I said, surprised.

“I often sleep as a Dragon,” she explained as she rose. “But I’m not supposed to shift right now. And I guess I should stake my claim to a bed, just in case.”

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