let out a low chuckle. “I’ll have to phone you frequently and see how that goes.”
“You’re only allowed to call in emergencies,” she reminded him.
“And I consider making your thigh ring at inappropriate times an emergency.”
“I’m relatively certain,” Dr. B went on, sending Tori and Dirk a reproving look for talking while he was, “that Overdrake doesn’t know the locations of your homes. I don’t keep that information written down anywhere, you have nothing with ID in your belongings, and none of you would have spoken your addresses out loud anywhere at camp. Still, be careful.” He emphasized each word. “Your Slayer senses will only keep you safe if you listen to them. Don’t become so distracted by your iPod, your friends, your studies—that you ignore your instincts. And if anything suspicious happens, call me at once.”
Tori nodded. Dr. B was really speaking to her. Overdrake hadn’t only seen her, he’d recognized her. She was the daughter of Senator Hampton, one of the front-runners for the next presidential election.
Tori pushed away the worry. No point in dwelling on it. Having a father who was a powerful senator had benefits. Her home, her neighborhood, her school—they had gates, security staff, and safeguards that protected her not just from stalkers and disgruntled constituants, but would also work to keep megalomaniacal dragon lords away.
At least she hoped they would.
CHAPTER 3
Tori flew out of the Dragon Hall, literally, and waited at the top of a nearby tree for Jesse to catch up with her. He spent the last part of most afternoons giving her flying lessons.
She had already improved enough over the summer that they could have discontinued the sessions a week or two ago, but neither suggested it. The lessons always seemed to end with the two of them hidden in some sunlit section of the forest, their arms draped around each other, while Jesse dropped kisses onto her lips.
It was all wrapped together in Tori’s mind: the magic of skimming through the trees, the enchantment of the wild growing forest around them, and the euphoria of being with him. She didn’t want it to end. And here it was already—the last day of camp. As she waited for Jesse, she felt a desperate ache twining around her insides. The two of them would have to find a way to see each other over the school year. Even if they weren’t supposed to.
One of Dr. B’s many rules was that Slayers couldn’t have contact with each other outside of camp. Tori understood the reasoning. If Overdrake caught one of them, he wouldn’t be able to extract information about the other Slayers.
She didn’t need Jesse’s last name, though. She just needed to persuade him to meet her someplace. Regularly.
Jesse soared up to her tree branch, six foot two of muscles and good looks. Even when his dark hair was mussed from working out and he was covered with singe marks, he looked kissable. He looked perfect.
Jesse hovered in the air in front of her and gave her a smile. He didn’t smile enough during the day. He was always too focused on training, on strategy—on keeping alert for possible attack. It made his smiles to her all the more meaningful. She felt as if she’d won a prize when he looked at her like this. “You officially made it through the last dragon-slaying practice,” he said.
“Just barely.” She stepped from her branch and joined him in the air. “I’m covered with bruises, I’ve ruined my last shirt, and it’s a miracle I still have eyebrows left.”
Jesse laughed—another prize—and glided slowly through the trees away from the main camp.
Tori followed after him, so seamless in her flight that she didn’t have to concentrate on how to move her body when they sped up or turned. She shadowed him, enjoying the lifting sensation of soaring through an ocean of sunshine and leaves. Everything around her was fresh, green, laden with the scent of life. This feeling, this freedom flowing
“You’re only allowed to call in emergencies,” she reminded him.
“And I consider making your thigh ring at inappropriate times an emergency.”
“I’m relatively certain,” Dr. B went on, sending Tori and Dirk a reproving look for talking while he was, “that Overdrake doesn’t know the locations of your homes. I don’t keep that information written down anywhere, you have nothing with ID in your belongings, and none of you would have spoken your addresses out loud anywhere at camp. Still, be careful.” He emphasized each word. “Your Slayer senses will only keep you safe if you listen to them. Don’t become so distracted by your iPod, your friends, your studies—that you ignore your instincts. And if anything suspicious happens, call me at once.”
Tori nodded. Dr. B was really speaking to her. Overdrake hadn’t only seen her, he’d recognized her. She was the daughter of Senator Hampton, one of the front-runners for the next presidential election.
Tori pushed away the worry. No point in dwelling on it. Having a father who was a powerful senator had benefits. Her home, her neighborhood, her school—they had gates, security staff, and safeguards that protected her not just from stalkers and disgruntled constituants, but would also work to keep megalomaniacal dragon lords away.
At least she hoped they would.
CHAPTER 3
Tori flew out of the Dragon Hall, literally, and waited at the top of a nearby tree for Jesse to catch up with her. He spent the last part of most afternoons giving her flying lessons.
She had already improved enough over the summer that they could have discontinued the sessions a week or two ago, but neither suggested it. The lessons always seemed to end with the two of them hidden in some sunlit section of the forest, their arms draped around each other, while Jesse dropped kisses onto her lips.
It was all wrapped together in Tori’s mind: the magic of skimming through the trees, the enchantment of the wild growing forest around them, and the euphoria of being with him. She didn’t want it to end. And here it was already—the last day of camp. As she waited for Jesse, she felt a desperate ache twining around her insides. The two of them would have to find a way to see each other over the school year. Even if they weren’t supposed to.
One of Dr. B’s many rules was that Slayers couldn’t have contact with each other outside of camp. Tori understood the reasoning. If Overdrake caught one of them, he wouldn’t be able to extract information about the other Slayers.
She didn’t need Jesse’s last name, though. She just needed to persuade him to meet her someplace. Regularly.
Jesse soared up to her tree branch, six foot two of muscles and good looks. Even when his dark hair was mussed from working out and he was covered with singe marks, he looked kissable. He looked perfect.
Jesse hovered in the air in front of her and gave her a smile. He didn’t smile enough during the day. He was always too focused on training, on strategy—on keeping alert for possible attack. It made his smiles to her all the more meaningful. She felt as if she’d won a prize when he looked at her like this. “You officially made it through the last dragon-slaying practice,” he said.
“Just barely.” She stepped from her branch and joined him in the air. “I’m covered with bruises, I’ve ruined my last shirt, and it’s a miracle I still have eyebrows left.”
Jesse laughed—another prize—and glided slowly through the trees away from the main camp.
Tori followed after him, so seamless in her flight that she didn’t have to concentrate on how to move her body when they sped up or turned. She shadowed him, enjoying the lifting sensation of soaring through an ocean of sunshine and leaves. Everything around her was fresh, green, laden with the scent of life. This feeling, this freedom flowing
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