Gena Showalter - Burning Dawn

Maybe because they were a bit distracted. Even though a couple of Sent Ones were helping to track them down, two of their people were still missing. Torin and Cameo.

Maybe there’s something I can do. I’m kind of extra amazing now.

When Bellorie tossed a boulder with all of her might, the remaining player, Kaia, caught it— crap, spoke too soon!— knocking Bellorie out, and bringing in another player from the Erections. Kaia then darted in the air, the tiny wings on her back allowing her to hover as she selected her target. Elin. Of course.

She was without a boulder.

Kaia tossed the one she held. It was angled too low to catch...unless she dived headfirst, risking serious injury. But if she failed to dive, she would be tapped out. The game would be over, and her team would lose.

Whatever. I’ll heal.

Elin dived.

The crowd went quiet with anticipation. The boulder slammed into her—into her face. Crack. Blood filled her mouth, but she was grinning as she stood with the boulder clutched in her hands and tossed it at Anya, nailing her in the ankle.

“Out!” she screamed with glee. She stuck her tongue out at both women. “You’re both out.”

And that meant...drumroll, please...the Scorgasms had done it. They’d won!

Her girls dog-piled her.

“Bonka Donk in the house!”

“We’re the champs, and everyone else is a loser!”

“We’re unstoppable!”

“Unbeatable!”

“And a little hideous,” Bellorie said, no longer jumping up and down, but eyeing Elin with concern. “I hate to say it, but your face has been taken over by an alien life force.”

“Thane will kiss me and make me better.” Elin pulled from the pack and raced toward the crowd.

Her man had already pushed his way through the masses. He met her in the middle of the court and gathered her close.

“So proud of you, kulta,” he said.

“Even though I had to cream your friends last week to get here?”

“Especially because you creamed my friends.” He tenderly cupped her face. “Let’s get you some Water.”

“Nope.” They had filled their vials while they swam in the River, but Bjorn needed every drop they had. His queen was summoning him more frequently now. They were looking for ways to break the bond between the two, but so far, they’d found nothing. “It may take a few days, but I’ll heal on my own.” It was one of the benefits of being fully immortal.

They were still trying to learn all she could do. Her strengths...her weaknesses. But Thane took everything in stride, helping her every step of the way.

He smiled at her. “There’s a problem with your plan. I need your mouth for other things. Namely, my next tongue-lashing.”

“Nothing could stop me,” she promised, and she meant it. “Nothing.”