Page 74 of Cleansed By Water (The Nature Hunters Academy 3)

“Are those blue-and-green giant lizards?” Shelly asked, her words stilted as she tried to figure out how to describe the large, swimming beasts.

“Those are fire elementals. The salamanders,” Frost said.

Gabby turned when she heard Shelly gasp. She shoved Ra, who didn’t move an inch. “You didn’t tell me they were as big as dinosaurs,” she huffed.

Ra looked at her blankly and said, “You didn’t ask,Mery.”

Gabby frowned at that. What didMerymean? He obviously wasn’t calling Shelly by her name so that meant it was a nickname or something.

“I shouldn’t have to ask. When something that is supposed to be small is actually the size of a yacht, just go ahead and tell me.”

“My apologies, beloved. I’ll make sure to accurately describe the size of things we speak about so there are no further misunderstandings.”

Shelly narrowed her eyes at him. “Perhaps you’re the one who needs the next spanking.”

“Wow,” Gabby breathed out. “That escalated quickly.”

“Shhh,” Liam said, nudging her. “Let’s hear more about this spanking thing they’ve got going on. I’m taking notes for us.”

Gabby’s head whipped around. Her eyes narrowed on him. “Do you remember that dagger I had at your throat recently?”

Liam’s lips tipped up in a sexy smile. “Yes, ma’am. Hottest thing that has ever happened to me. I’m totally into dagger play.”

Gabby smacked her palm to her forehead. Of course, she would be the one to get the soul bonded freak.

“Dagger what?” Shelly said as she turned, suddenly more interested in their conversation than threatening her mate with a spanking. Damn, that was an image Gabby did not need in her head.

“Nothing,” Gabby said quickly.

“That wasnotnothing, new BFFF. That is something we will be talking about later. You will spill it because that’s part of the BFFF code.”

“There’s a code?” Gabby said, her voice rising an octave.

“Of course. There has to be a code,” Shelly answered. “Chicks got to have some rules, or else catfights break out, slapping and hair-pulling. It gets ugly fast.”

“Can I come?” Liam asked.

Shelly smirked and started to say something, but Ra wrapped an arm around her and placed his hand over her mouth. Gabby realized she’d been about to say something very, very inappropriate, and probably something that would cause Gabby to jump into the water with those huge salamanders.

“Professor Frost,” Ra said in his calm, deep voice, “is there something else we need to do, or should we check in with the other groups around the plant?”

“As entertaining as this is,” Frost said, “we do need to go help out with the engines.”

Gabby thought about something as she looked down at the huge fire elementals. “What about them?” she pointed. “Can’t humans see them?”

Frost shook her head. “They aren’t seen if they don’t want to be seen. We see them because we have elemental magic in us.”

Liam took Gabby’s hand in his and entwined their fingers together. His hand felt cool in her warmer one and she nearly sighed.

“You okay?” he asked her over his shoulder as he led her after the others.

“I’m good. A little tired and I could eat,” she admitted.

“I’ll see what I can find for you in our packs. I know protein bars have gotten old, but I promise when we get back to one of our academies, I’ll get you whatever you want.”

Gabby bit her bottom lip and blinked back tears that were not welcome. She’d become an emotional ninny since meeting Liam, and after his heartfelt declaration of love, it hadn’t gotten any better. He was so attentive and eager to take care of her. And he took her sarcasm and teasing in stride.

It was probably wrong of her, but she just kept waiting for the other shoe to drop. He wasn’t perfect. She’d seen that right off the bat with his inappropriate and egotistical comments, but she’d also learned that that attitude was just a front. It was a persona he showed everyone else. Yet Gabby still couldn’t help but think that he would eventually leave her.

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