Page 72 of The Explorer
Her flirtatious giggles sounded like cackles to me and I wanted to punch her with my elbow and tell her to remove her witch claws from my friend.
Control yourself.
I looked out the window as Val and Banni got in and then the drone lifted a little from the ground and moved forward, out of the hangar. Once we were clear of the building, the drone soared upward and away from the populated area.
Next to me, Britany and Indiana were talking. I kept my focus on the outside of the drone because I knew that seeing her touch him would make me snap.
CHAPTER 18
Paris
Indiana
Britany sat close to me and kept touching me when she spoke. She was fawning over my every word and I felt flattered. But most of all, I was relieved to see Aubri’s reaction. She wasn’t Magni Aurelius’ daughter for nothing. Jealousy ran in her blood and the fact that it seeped out when Britany showed an interest in me told me that Aubri was still invested in me.
If only I could find a way to make her admit that this idea of hers that we were exploring sex together without obligation was a fantasy.
“I noticed that you and Banni have the same last name. Is that a coincidence? I mean since you don’t live in families, how are your last names determined?
Britany smiled. “It’s not a coincidence. Each year a last name is chosen for children born that year. In general, we don’t use our last names much but if people ask me if I’m an Armel or Zay, I know they’re trying to guess my age.”
“So everyone born in the same year as you is also called Armel?”
“Yes, people who are one year older than me are called Zay, and the ones who are a year younger have the last name Bazille. It goes according to the alphabet, you see.”
“Huh. I had no idea. I have a friend called Belle Dupont, but I always assumed that was her unique last name.”
She smiled. “No, she shares it with everyone born that year. But see, it’s a clever system because you can quickly tell if people are older or younger than you, just by asking their last name.”
“Fascinating.”
“You can ask me about anything. I’m completely open.” Britany leaned closer.
“Thank you. Our cultures are very different.”
“So, I’ve heard. There was a picture of your delegation a few years back when you were here. I remember seeing you and thinking you weretrès beau.”
I didn’t understand the last two words, but from the way she let her gaze run down my body I got the idea.
“Thank you.”
“I also liked the two other men in the picture. You Northmen aredélicieux.”
My brow went up in surprise. I couldn’t imagine that I’d ever get used to women coming on to me so openly. And especially not when she was telling me she felt attracted to Thor and Mason as well. Sometimes living in Old Europe felt like falling down a rabbit hole where everything was done opposite from what I knew back home.
“Mason is Aubri’s brother, did you know that?” I leaned forward to look over at Aubri. She had turned her body and was looking out the window, seemingly uninterested in our conversation.
“Which one is Mason?”
“The one with red hair. He’s married now.”
I don’t think Britany understood what being married meant because she carried on and spoke about how she and her friends had seen the pictures and found us Northmen both intimidating and interesting.
“I’m not going to lie. When they gave me the option of doing Exploration work, I asked if I could be on your team.”
“Mine?”
“Yes, I saw on the News that you were an Explorer now. Since I didn’t want to be inseminated or go to prison, I figured I might as well try to get the best out of my time by getting to know you.”
