Hidden in Smoke

by Harper Wylde

  Hey now, Batman is badass and cool. You should be thanking me. At least I didn’t call him Rocky. Swinging my hips I walked into the bathroom as I heard him rumble through the mental line as he watched me walk away.

  Twenty-Three

  Nix

  I couldn’t help but take to liking James immediately, which was odd for me. He stood only a few inches taller than I did and his friendly nature set me at ease right way. He was playful like Ryder minus the innuendo and something about him gave me the “big brother” vibe, even though I’d never had one. He had beautiful, naturally tanned skin thanks to his Native American ancestry as well as dark, long hair that he kept pulled back into a bun at his nape. Dark eyes were shadowed by thick lashes and eyebrows.However, what I liked most about him wasn’t his looks nor his personality—he was practically married, and I had more men than I knew what to do with.

  It was his complete understanding of my safety and privacy that I loved. Plus, it seemed like the guys had filled him in not to touch me or make quick movements in my direction because he was extra careful around me, and I appreciated the effort. The fact that he would be able to follow me around discreetly in shifted form—flying above me—well that was my favorite part. The Council had signed off his bodyguard status and permitted him to shift outside of one of the spelled areas. Supposedly, it was against the rules to be shifted around humans unless it was sanctioned.

  When I had found out he was a Thunderbird I had been awed, and nearly at the level of a fangirl. Hearing about them in Harry Potter had peaked my interest in them greatly. Come to think of it, him being a Thunderbird may account for my familiarity with him. If I remembered my lore correctly, Thunderbirds and Phoenix were considered to be relatives. My Phoenix chirped, sliding her feathers against my skin. Apparently, she felt the same way I did about him. It was still so odd to me that many of the creatures I had heard about were actually real. Maybe I could talk Theo into making a list for me of which ones were fake or extinct so I could memorize it? I may be less shocked that way when meeting new shifters.

  “You good for your first class?” James flashed a grin my way as I played with the strap of my bag. “If you keep messing with that the whole thing is going to come unraveled. You don’t have a test or something today, do you? You’ve gone all quiet on me.”

  “It’s not that.” I tried to keep my fingers from messing with the strap of the bag and betraying my agitation. “I still don’t really feel like I fit here. There’s so much other stuff going on right now. It feels pointless, in a way, to be here; especially since I’m dragging you and the guys into more issues because of it.”

  “The Council could change their mind, Nix.” James’ voice was low, avoiding any prying ears. “Just because they’re extremely protective of you for the moment doesn’t mean it won’t lessen. They were that way with me at first as well. The reins have loosened over the years. You’re still only eighteen. Don’t count yourself out just yet. Give yourself time to enjoy just being in college and being with your friends.”

  I shot him a smile, though it wavered a little at the edges. “Thank you for the advice, oh wise one.”

  “Wise one, huh? I like it.”

  I giggled, wanting to roll my eyes at him. “Well, it was wise one or Newt. I figured I could go back and forth until I decide.” He snorted, understanding my joke but refusing to acknowledge it. Hey, not everyone could be cool enough to be a super fan. “This is me.” I gestured to my building, noting that I was already cutting it close to my start time. “You going to wait for me here?”

  He hesitated a moment, then nodded reluctantly. I knew he would have preferred to follow me inside so that his bodyguard duties were complete. However, he knew that drawing attention to me was not a wise choice, nor would it sit well with me and I could begin to rebel. While I wasn’t bitchy enough—well, most days—to do it purposefully, I needed my freedom and my Phoenix did too.

  I continued twirling the straps on my bag as I walked towards class, noting the twinge of cramps starting in my abdomen. Crap. Had I remembered to toss pads and tampons in my backpack ? Being so irregular, I always tried to carry a supply, but I wasn’t sure if I had remembered to replace them when I cleaned my bag out.

  “Annika.” The cool voice gained my attention, and I tried hard not to groan. Standing next to the doorway of my classroom was Ms. Stone, the guidance counselor, and a young man who looked to be about my age. He was what I would have classified as a surfer boy type. His skin was tanned, though looked like it would begin to fade once the weather cooled. His hair was a dark blonde, lighter at the tips and highlighted, with eyes of apple green. I paused, trying to paste a smile on my face. “I’ve heard from Ahmya that special circumstances have allowed you to stay outside of your dormitory.” She frowned, highlighting her disapproval. I didn’t bother to offer up details. If she didn’t have them, I doubted she was a shifter, or at least a highly ranked one. My Phoenix hissed. She remembered this woman well and was not happy to see her. At least the Council had delivered on their promise. I tried to breathe deeply to both calm myself and to try to ease some of the cramping in my abdomen. A very light shifter scent reached me, and I cocked my head. It must be the boy because I don’t remember her having any scent of shifter during our first meeting.

  “Yes, ma’am.” As she was still staring at me, I realized she had been waiting for an answer to her statement. I had always hated that. If you were going to state something, state it and move on. If you were going to ask a question, even if it were a question that needed a yes or no answer, just ask the question. Playing word games where people had to guess whether you wanted a response, or if you were talking to yourself, annoyed me.

  “As I mentioned in our last meeting, I think it is essential for incoming students to have as normal a student life as possible. Without living in the dorms, there will be quite a bit you miss. As Ahmya has told me that you have not shown an interest in any of the student groups nor seem to be socializing with most of the other students, it seemed you have not heeded my advice.” Was this woman serious? Albeit I had told her off politely before, but I had still told her off. She wasn’t a council member, and therefore I didn’t have to defer to her.

  “The school has approved my living arrangements as well as my class schedule. My teachers have all been notified of the reasons for my absence, and have no issues, nor have I fallen behind in any of my work. Is there something else you need?” I knew I was being brusque, a risk with a woman who had some power over my grades, but I couldn’t help it. I had too many people interfering in my life at this point, and this woman who didn’t even know me and allowed rumors to form her opinions was the last straw.

  “Yes. If we have students who are having issues adjusting, we do sometimes offer a student counselor or student buddy. Someone who can introduce them around, show them the sights, and get them acquainted with appropriate student living. I think that Mason would be a good fit for you.” She indicated the boy next to her who squirmed slightly, a flush riding his cheeks.

  I gaped at her in shock. I had specifically told her the last time we had spoken that I was making plenty of friends and was comfortable and doing well in my college experience. Why was she pushing so hard for this? And then to bring a boy I had never met and encouraged me to spend time with him; weren’t buddies usually of the same gender, or was that just in the movies? “Ms. Stone, I appreciate that you have followed up on me. Ahmya is not the best source of information as we aren’t close friends.” That was like trying to swallow gravel. Not close friends was about as accurate as saying that snakes and mongooses weren’t friends. “I have made quite a few friends since coming here, and I am absolutely in love with Anchorage. My classes and adjustment are going well, and since, for the most part, I am healthy now, a student buddy is just a waste of time.” Belatedly I glanced at the boy who had gone an odd shade of red under his tan. “No offense, Mason.”

  Ms. Stone opened her mouth to speak, and I held up
a hand to ward her off. “Ma’am, I’m running late to class. I assume you know this as you were waiting here to speak with me.”

  “At least give Mason your contact details. You never know if you may change your mind.” She sent me that forced, sweet smile again. It did nothing to lighten the steel in her eyes. My Phoenix squawked and hissed in irritation.

  “Thank you, Ma’am, but I don’t think that’s necessary. I can reach out to your office if it does become the case.” I tried to walk around her. I hadn’t been joking when I said she was making me late for class, and I was sure our conversation outside of the doorway was drawing the attention of other students and quite possibly the professor as well.

  “Fine.” Her tone was mulish, her face drawn down in distaste. “I’ll give him your contact details instead. He can follow up with you to see how you’re doing.”

  I froze, breathing deeply to try and control my Phoenix, who was raging to be let out. We had escaped Michael’s control to be thrust into the control of the Council and now this. Why did adults all believe they knew what was best for you, even if they didn’t know you? “Please don’t provide any of my contact information. Mason, I’m sure you’re a nice guy, but that would make me extremely uncomfortable. There is no reason that you should even be offering to breach ethical guidelines and share my personal information—whether that’s my student history, my medical history, my contact details, or even my class schedule—with another student even if you were hoping I would accept your offer and let him be my ‘buddy’. Now, I’m going to pretend like this conversation didn’t happen. I don’t feel well, and you have made me late for class. Excuse me. Have a good day, Mason.” I ducked into the classroom, sucking air in between my teeth. The tiny, twinging cramps were starting to ramp up, and I had had enough. I wanted to sit down, wait out the end of this lecture, and go home to curl up with my heating pad. I had had enough for the day, and I was sick of being polite. Ignoring the stares of the other students, I grabbed my notebook from my bag, tuned into the professor, and tried to drown out the world around me.

  Twenty-Four

  Ryder

  “Dinner is served!” I called as I heard Nix walk through the door. I had been waiting for her cute butt to march into the house after classes. She was later than I had anticipated, but James texted and told us that she needed to hit up the library on the way home to do a little research for one of her classes. I hoped the smell in the kitchen was enticing.

  “Uh, Ryder. Please tell me you didn’t cook?” She sniffed the air, and I could tell she was trying to see if I had burned anything or set the kitchen on fire. When surprise crossed her face as I pulled garlic bread out of the oven, I felt triumphant.

  “Ha, ha. I promised not to try and cook again, and I didn’t. I am very good, however, at ordering dinner.” I beamed at her as I pulled bowls out of an overhead cabinet. You had to work with was you had, and what I had was a huge list of takeout menus.

  “What did you get?” She tried to peer into the pot I had warming on the stove, but I shooed her away. “Is it Italian since we’re having garlic bread? That does seem like your kind of carb-filled heaven.”

  “Nope. It’s soup. Now march that beautiful ass over to the table and sit down. I’m serving tonight.”

  She grinned and held her hands up, acquiescing to my request and sitting down in her usual seat at our wooden table. “What kind of soup?” I could tell she was curious about my secretiveness.

  “It’s healthy.” I kept my answers vague as I carried a stack of dishes to the table.

  “Alright.” She hedged, “What’s in it?”

  I quirked a grin at her. “It’s got vegetables in it to appease the Gargoyle.” I saw her wince and shift in her chair and I watched avidly, wondering what was wrong with Nix. “What? You don’t like soup?”

  “No, no. Soup’s great.” She waved me off, but I kept my attention on her as I continued to set the table. Turning back to me, she caught my eyes as I set the bowls at each place setting. “So vegetable soup?” She pried, but I knew she was trying to keep the topic of conversation off of herself.

  “Nope.” I headed back into the kitchen, and she pivoted in her seat to watch me prepare the garlic bread. It was toasted to perfection, a warm yellow with golden edges sprinkled with plenty of garlic and a dash of salt. This part I had done myself. I mean, not like bake the bread, just slather it in deliciousness and toast it. Still, I counted it as an accomplishment. My mouth watered as I sliced it and returned to the dining area to drop the chunks of bread into the basket in the middle of the table.

  “Alright, spill it Applejack. What’s for dinner?” I nearly laughed. I had apple pie for dessert—although I’d much rather have her as the delicacy—so her little nickname was almost fitting. She crossed her arms under her breasts, pushing them together and up. Dropping my eyes, I ate up the view. The damn woman was trying to use her wiles on me, and I wouldn’t lie… it was working.

  Looking up at her with heat and mischief in my eyes, I challenged her. “How about a taste for a taste?” I was acting playful, but if she said yes I’d be on my knees before her in a second flat, yanking down her sweater. Her face blushed a pretty pink as she dropped her arms. I didn’t think she was embarrassed; instead, I thought the flush was from sudden desire. Her eyes were sparkling when she looked up at me, and I couldn’t help but waggle my eyebrows, trying to elicit a laugh from her. Damn, but it was my new favorite sound.

  “You are incorrigible!” She yelled in mock frustration. I loved teasing her.

  “It’s potato soup.” I relented to her questioning, knowing she was dying to know what I’d be serving.

  “That’s one vegetable, and it’s a starch.” She pointed out as I went back to the kitchen, stirring the pot once more. The stovetop was on low, just enough to heat the soup, but I absolutely did not want to mess it up lest the teasing would never stop. I may not be able to provide dinner for Nix in the traditional way, but I could certainly do it this way. I felt a little like I had something to prove, and I didn’t want to fail at it.

  I knew that when I became a doctor many long years from now, I would be able to give Nix a good life. I would be able to support not only her but my brothers too—if they needed it. Until then, I was paying my dues and working hard in class. I liked to volunteer at the local hospital as well as at the clinics back home. Thinking about having Nix in my life long term just felt right, even if I couldn’t explain it. Growing up parentless was difficult. The Council was not made up of what I would call parental figures. Damien’s dad was as close to a father as I’d ever had and Theo’s mom had practically adopted all of us, but it still wasn’t the same as having my own flesh and blood mom and dad. I didn’t even know who they were, let alone what happened to them. Allie had been older than me and often took on the role of mother, but after she was gone, I’d honestly had no one. The guys were like family; we grew closer every year. Now that Nix was in our life, the bond I felt toward everyone had strengthened; intensified.

  “Earth to Ryder!” Nix snapped her fingers, bringing me back and I realized I had been absentmindedly stirring the pot. “Where’d you go?”

  Giving her a grin, I returned to our conversation. “Just thinking is all.”

  “About how Damien is going to throw a fit over dinner?” She seemed to sense that I’d gone a little melancholy, and I loved her for not prying. I wanted to share all of this with her, but when we were alone. I knew everyone would be descending soon, ready to eat.

  “Hey, it also has onions.” I shrugged my shoulders and raised my arms up in a “what” gesture—wooden spoon and all. “And cheese. Lots of cheese.” I gave her my best grin.

  She chuckled. “Oh, Damien is going to hate this.”

  “You’re enough cheese for me Ryder.” Damien walked into the dining room, shirtless, with a pair of soft flannel pants hanging from his hips. I could make out the top elastic of his boxers as he entered the kitchen to check on me. I glanced at Nix and
saw her eyes roaming over Damien’s physique. I couldn’t help but take a gander myself. The man was a beautiful specimen. It’s not like I had never noticed how attractive my brothers were, but Hiro had awakened something in me that I hadn’t realized was there. My appreciation bordered on attraction. I already knew I was attracted to Hiro and Nix. I had deep feelings for them both. I took a minute to evaluate whether I was attracted to Killian, Theo, and Damien. I wasn’t opposed to the idea that was for sure, but they had always been my brothers, and I wouldn’t mess that up. I wanted us to be a unit with Nix to be at the center. Her arousal over seeing me with Hiro was part of what drove me during our sexy encounters. The way we heated her blood, it made me ripe with lust. Bloody hell, I needed to change my train of thought, or I was going to be serving dinner with an obvious boner in my dark wash jeans.

  “At least serve a salad.” Damien threw his hands into the air—thankfully oblivious for once to my internal musings—and started rummaging through the fridge in search of what he’d need. “Seriously. There is nothing green in this entire meal. Not even a healthy lean protein.” He shook his head in exasperation as he emerged from the stainless steel fridge holding more vegetables than I could even name. What the heck did he plan to do with those sprout looking things?

  I just kept the grin on my face, letting him do his thing. I was getting a deep level of enjoyment out of his perturbed state.

  “What’s going on?” I heard Killian emerge from upstairs. He’d just barely beaten Nix home, but he’d walked through the door covered in engine grease, and Hiro ordered him to take a shower before he accidentally knocked into a wall and left stains everywhere.

  “An epic battle over the perils of carbs and cheese. Ryder picked up dinner. Honestly, I’m just impressed he bought soup instead of Chinese food.” She scrunched her nose.