Page 76 of Cleansed By Water (The Nature Hunters Academy 3)

“Some of the earth elementalists are pulling heat from the earth's core to prevent the entire plant from getting too cold,” Professor King explained. “At some point, we will need to switch people out so they can rest.”

“Where are the ones who aren’t working now?” Frost asked him.

Professor King’s lips turned up in a smile. “We had some pixies show up at the call of Professor Hart, and they’ve been using their persuasion magic to convince the workers here that we are a relief crew. They’ve set us up with a dorm-type room. It’s got cots, blankets, pillows, and even some food and drinks.”

Frost chuckled. “Pixies are great when they’re on our side.”

Gabby wondered what pixies that weren’t on their side could persuade a person to do.

“All right my crew,” Frost said, “let’s head to this makeshift dorm. Professor King, would you lead the way?”

“Of course.”

And they were off again. When they reached the dorm room, as they were calling it, Gabby saw Tara and Elias. They were standing at a table loaded with all sorts of food and drinks.

“Where did that come from?” she asked.

“Pixies like to make use of the forests they live in and love to share their food,” Professor Frost said.

“I didn’t learn that in any of my classes,” Gabby said.

“That’s because you haven’t taken the upper-level elemental classes yet,” Frost pointed out. “Now, enjoy the food and get some rest.”

When Gabby and Liam reached the table, she realized that everything was fruits and vegetables.

“I guess pixies don’t hunt,” Liam said, looking quite forlorn over this fact.

“They’re more planters and gatherers, I’m guessing,” Tara said.

“Did everything go okay with you guys?” Shelly asked Tara and Elias.

Tara nodded. “They just had us pulling heat from the earth’s core. Same song, different day.”

“Would you rather be fighting giants?” Elias asked as he tugged her ponytail.

“I suppose not.” Tara sighed. “I think I’m just tired. It’s making me grumpy.”

“Or that’s just your general disposition,” Shelly said as she filled up her plate and then bit into a carrot. She kept right on talking as she crunched the vegetable. “What doesn’t make you grumpy, Tara-bear?”

“Well, you looking like Bugs Bunny, chomping away on a carrot makes me want to laugh. So, that’s a start,” Tara said as she shook her head at her friend.

“What?” Shelly asked. “I’m hungry. Don’t judge.”

Gabby took the plate that Liam handed her.

After dinner, they found a corner that had enough cots for all of them.

Gabby saw Tara blush as Elias pushed two cots together, and she smiled.

“Elias,” Tara whispered with a hint of reprimand, “I think we can sleep a couple of feet apart for a night.”

“That’s great, love, but I don’t.” He kept making up their joined bed as if she wasn’t glaring daggers at him.

Ra did the same thing, making two separate cots into one. He gave Shelly a look that dared her to argue with him.

Shelly held up her hands. “Not saying a word, pharaoh hottie. I’m not going to complain about sleeping against your fine self.”

Ra smirked.

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