Gifted Connections 3

Troy helped me finish rolling my sleeping bag and attaching it to my pack. I looked around, surprised that we all looked ready to go in such a short amount of time. Other than some of our clothing hanging to dry out, we had kept everything pretty much packed away.

“They definitely had a fire going and a pool. It was really warm. They were all walking around in their underwear like it was a damn vacation,” Adams insisted.

I rolled my eyes at her slight exaggeration.

“Well if I was banging Thomas, I’d be walking around naked all of the time, too” another man stated with a booming laugh.

“Eww gross,” Adams said with disgust. “I think she’s possessed. You should have seen her yesterday. I also think she possesses other people. I think she makes those guys follow her around. You saw what she did to me the other day because she was afraid I might beat her. There’s no way hot men like the Bells,’ Murphy, and Ricci would like her otherwise. There’s nothing special about her, and she’s a baby.”

Drake walked behind me and kissed the top of my head. You’re beautiful.

I smiled up at him as I pulled my gloves on. Thank you.

Leave it up to him to try and reassure me, but her jealous words weren’t going to affect me. She didn’t pay my rent, so I wasn’t going to let her live in my head for free.

“You’re just jealous,” the first man said. “She’s a cutie, and she was beating you at that match. Spencer will be able to walk again because of her, Bell, Kincaid, and what’s that other quiet girls name…”

“Gatto, she’s another cutie too,” a different male said.

“Can we stop yapping and figure out where they went?” Annoyed Man asked rhetorically.

Ready to go? Jace prodded as he took my hand.

I looked around one more time to make sure we had everything. Jaxson already had my pack strapped to his chest. I wasn’t going to even waste my breath to protest. I honestly wasn’t feeling a hundred percent yet.

Remy climbed up our rear entrance first and let the rope down. It would help us navigate the steep incline so we didn’t take a tumble. Troy had already mapped our route from this point and added extra time to our route back, but we had no other option.

Drake went up next, and I started to follow behind him. He turned back to assess me. Are you okay? Did you want to stay here?

We were back to our silent conversations now that we were back in the opening. We were unsure how far our voices could carry out here. The group that had been hunting us had proven that point.

I debated to tell them the truth or lie. I’m slightly…off, but I’ll be okay. I reassured him.

Let us know when you need to rest. Jace insisted.

I will. I agreed. I turned to look at Noah. How are you feeling?

I would be feeling better if you would have slept with me. He winked at me.

My face fell. I had completely forgotten that he may be straining last night. He had used his gift as much as I did. I’m sorry. I said contritely.

He chuckled. It’s okay, love. Tonight?

Tonight, I promised him.

We need a schedule, Jaxson grumbled good naturedly.

You slept in her sleeping bag two nights ago, Jace reminded him dryly. I looked over at him, and he gave me a knowing look.

He saw too much sometimes.

It wouldn’t work. Drake said pragmatically. We shouldn’t expect Blake to be stuck to a schedule. She should be able to sleep with whoever she wants whenever she wants. Plus, we don’t know if one of us is more in need than the other.

We were silent as we focused on the climb down. The snow and ice on the rock face was slightly treacherous and there was no way I wanted to end up like…Spencer—I finally recalled his name.

When we all got to the bottom, we started to head west in the direction of the facility.

Stand by. Jax snickered as he faced the cave. I saw him focus intently, then I’m pretty sure I heard the distinct scream of Adams. When we all looked at him inquiringly. He grinned. The bear family should keep them trapped in there for a while.