Chapter 1

"Girls, why does it seem like every time you're having fun, time flies? I can't believe we have already been here three days. It feels like it's been three seconds. Lord knows I can remember counting down the days back home, always in a rush to get to Friday and the weekend. Little did I know at the time, I was merely wishing my life away."

Lunaplops down in the chair next to me. "I always dreaded harvest season. That time of year, the blazing sun seemed to cook us from the inside out. I swear, it would feel like I had been in the fields for days only to look at my watch only to find out it had been minutes. Because we were always in the sun back home whenever we got downtime, we would go camping in a cool, shaded spot. However, this is kinda nice in its own way. As far as I know, this is my first trip to the beach, and surprisingly, I am enjoying it."

"I had no idea I even needed this when XuL brought it up, but I will say the view is spectacular." Brit giggles.

Ipull my sunglasses down so I can see the boys better. "They are easy on the eyes, that's for sure. I have to make myself look past all the muscles to even enjoy the scenery."

"Kira, how did you find this place?"

SAGEfloats around us before settling in the chair next to Brit with a big hat on her head. "Kira didn't. I found this all on my own. MasterDaR has been yelling for rotations about a vacation and I knew any old place wouldn't do."

"As usual, SAGE, you have outdone yourself. This place is an outdoor paradise, especially with all these huts sitting out in the water, like the luxury ones back home. Everyone is close enough to be together if they want, but far enough to be on their own to run around naked if they want to."

"I had a few Building bots come out several rotations ago to install and update several things such as this area we are all in, but for the most part, the rest remains untouched."

"I will say, I really do like it here."

"Kira, MasterDaR has already requested that I look into acquiring the entire area so we can secure the property properly. If the purchase goes through, I will get all of you together so that we can customize each hut to your specific taste."

HearingKeida scream, we instinctively turn back towards the water, watching XuL, throw her up into the air before landing back in the water with a huge splash. Raven is pacing alongside them, barking, and snarling as she is voicing her disapproval of their play fighting. The other hounds, Ghost, and Glory, seem content playing fetch on the beach with Katherine. PoorThorn watches them all from a distance, still refusing to engage in much of anything after losing Ellaria.

Brittakes the bag of chips out of my hand and mumbles in between bites, "As big a fit as Raven is causing, you would think she would simply jump in the water to stop them."

"She knows they're playing, but it's apparent she still doesn't like it." We all watch as Danny walks closer to Raven, and when he reaches his wet hand out to pet her, she backs away pawing at the water. When he splashes her playfully, I swear if looks could kill, that Hellhound would have melted him on the spot. Especially with him laughing at her reaction. She stomps her feet on the ground and just as I think she is going to pounce on him, Raven turns, shaking all over as she heads back under one of the large shade trees, laying down next to Thorn, butting him lovingly with her head before settling down.

Britpoints a chip at Thorn. "That poor hound is proof that animals get just as attached to us as we do to them."

"I overheard Katherine talking to DaR earlier. She is worried because he is starting to refuse to eat as well. All of us are at a loss as to what to do to help him. One minute he is playing with the others, then the next, it's like he just loses the desire to do anything. I personally think he needs a new person. You know, like how most go buy a new puppy, in hopes that it will help ease the burden of losing another."

"Did that ever work for you?"

"Nope."

"Me either."

Evenin such a peaceful place, I become lost in my thoughts as the past suddenly lies heavily on my mind. I didn't realize I was staring out at nothing until Alana sits down on the end of my chair and lays her hand on my leg.

"Kira, quit. I can see the weight of the world scrolling through your mind, simply from the frown upon your face. Places like this are as wonderful as they are deadly. Instead of appreciating all this, the quiet and peacefulness allows your mind time to recap and replay the horrors you have experienced. That is not how it should work at all."

"Sorry, girls I didn't mean to be a DebbieDowner. Have either of you seen Ivy or Victoria this morning?"

Alanathrows a long towel out and lays down in the sand at my feet. "Victoria and Tyberius are sitting in the shade under the veranda over there. I passed them on the way here. Vic said sunbathing was not her thing because her skin was too sensitive, so she was going to read some. AndIvy and AvX were sneaking off. I only know this because SoL was raiding the kitchen early this morning. I swear that man is always hungry. Anyway, he saw AvX in the main substance area with SAGE. They were packing food for a surprise picnic he had planned for Ivy. They were going hiking to one of the waterfalls today."

"MistressAlana, I have provided multiple chairs for our comfort. There is no reason for you to lay on the ground."

"SAGE my dearest, I'm totally comfortable, you need not worry about me. When you are at the beach, one must lay in the sand in order to get the full effect."

"I personally don't care much for the sand; it's hot, and it gets in everything. When you lay down on it, it magically attaches itself to places I don't particularly want it in. I had SCOUT remove it from our home world and replace it with soft grass that goes right up to the waterline."

Alanalooks back up at us with a mischievous smile on her face. "SAGE, how do you know the sand gets everywhere? Have you and SCOUT been doing the dirty? Did he dive down on you for a taste test?"

Ihave to put my hand over my mouth to stop my laughter when SAGE says, "Excuse me?" She has no idea what Alana is referring to.

"SAGE, has your sexy, rough and brooding man been visiting the Venus fly trap between those silky legs of yours?"

"MistressAlana, shame on you! We don't speak of such things, and anyway, I am not the type to kiss and tell."

Allof us crack up, lord these girls are good for the soul.

"Sorry, girls, I got a little sidetracked there with dirty images of SAGE and SCOUT in my mind and almost forgot, Miya and Hugo are going to shuttle over later today as well."

SAGEstands up. "I knew I should have prepared that last cabin before coming out here. I will return shortly."

SAGEdisappears just as I hear RaZ let out a big yell. He has snatched what looked like a big disk out of the air that DaR and SoL have been tossing back and forth while XuL was playing with Danny and Keida. We all laugh when RaZ skims a wing along the water's edge, completely soaking DaR in the process. With a big smile on his face, DaR shakes his head, flinging water everywhere before running a hand down his face.

Lunafanning herself suddenly has all of us laughing. "My goodness that man is too pretty for his own good."

"Yeah, I've noticed he isn't too shabby. Speaking of cuties, where is your Tordan? I thought he would be out there with the rest of them."

"If my eyes are not messing with me, I think he is sneaking up behind DaR as we speak. Last night we were talking about some of the things I enjoyed back home and I told him I always wanted to go snorkeling, but never got the chance. I know better than to mention anything I would like to do. Because now, he is determined to find the perfect place to take me. So, he has been out there swimming around all morning. I am not a fan of the water, or swimming, but I am willing to suck it up if he finds something he wants me to see."

Nowthat I am watching closer, I can see RaZ and Tordan working together to distract DaR. They both should know better by now that they can seldom get anything over him unless he wants them to. RaZ dives from above just as Tordan pushes up through the water behind him. In a split second, DaR has grabbed Tordan by the arm and slings his massive body right out of the water like he weighs nothing straight towards RaZ. Tordan and RaZ end up becoming a mass of legs and wings as they crash into the water tangled up together.

Ican't help but smile when DaR starts laughing as he watches them struggle to untangle themselves. RaZ's huge ass wings flare out, pushing a wave behind him that ends up knocking Keida down. When she pops back up, coughing the water that went up her nose, Danny is instantly at her side making sure she is ok. IfI was RaZI wouldn't go over there right now.

Bythis time, it's a full-blown war in the water. XuL and RaZ gang up on SoL but he throws them around like they're rag dolls. Tordan and DaR who have been watching the other boys play are unexpectedly grabbed from behind by two red arms and thrown into the air. They both come up sputtering as Hugo laughs hysterically behind them. When all of them turn towards him, he starts rushing to get out of the water, but Tordan gets to him first. Wrestling like a bunch of kids, we all laugh when SoL grabs all three of them at once in a big bear hug before falling backward in a splash.

Ifit wasn't for all the laughter, you would be convinced a true battle was going on out there. When another wave knocks Keida over, she turns, ready to get into the skirmish herself, but before she can get to the others, Danny grabs her, doing his best to drag her out of the water as she fights against him.

Ravenis back up on her feet, and the other hounds stop when she growls. Katherine has been standing on the beach watching them with her hands on her hips. We all gasp when RaZ suddenly launches out of the water, grabbing her before she can run away. He flies them high above the water, twirling her about, Katherine's laughter echoes all around us. I glance away for just a second when I see Miya walking towards us on the beach. "Come on up, we have plenty of room, and the view is quite entertaining."

Lookingback, I sit up. RaZ is pretending like he is going to drop Katherine, and she is screaming playfully. However, I don't think either of them realize how high up he really is. Keida is still pulling against Danny's hold, and just as he turns, arguing with her, RaZ loses his grip on Katherine. Her screech has all of us holding our breath even as he dives after her.

Idon't know who is more shocked at what happens next, as it all seems to happen in slow motion. Katherine is now only a few feet from the water, and because of the height she was dropped, there is no way this is not going to hurt when she hits. RaZ has turned instantly, diving for her, but we can tell he isn't going to reach her in time. Everything is happening so quickly that I almost miss it when Danny lifts his hand. In the blink of an eye, Katherine is surrounded in a bright blue glow that stops her inches from the water effortlessly.

RaZunfortunately fails to stop in time and ends up crashing into the water hard. However, he is swiftly back on his feet, although his wing appears to be injured slightly. Katherine looks over at Danny and instead of him allowing her to fall into the water and get wet. He simply flicks his wrist and the glow that is surrounding her brings her safely back over to the beach. The moment her feet touch the sand. The blue glow disappears, returning to Danny. Everyone has stopped and is just looking at Danny as his eyes glow brightly. Katherine, being who she is, quickly diffuses the situation. "Take that RaZ, pick on me again and I'll sic Danny's ass on you."

"Now don't be like that sweet thing, I would have caught you."

"Is that before or after you crashed into me? That ending was quite graceful by the way. Go play with your brothers, they like to roughhouse. Thank you, Danny, for coming to my rescue."

"Anytime."

That'sall the boy says as he walks away from everyone, Keida in tow, his entire body is still slightly glowing. Raven pushes her head against his stomach and that's when I realize he is no longer a kid because she used to tower over him.

"Brit, how old is Danny now?"

"I think he will be sixteen in a couple of months. Victoria wants to have a big party for him, but everyone knows how uncomfortable that would make him. So, I have been trying to think of something else to do instead. Danny is a quiet soul, that's for sure, and has never liked being the center of attention."

"I swear he has grown a foot since I last saw him, and is filling out quite nicely. He is going to be quite the looker when he matures."

"Yeah, that boy has become like a son to me. Recently, Keida and Danny have been arguing constantly. I sent him to Vic and TY's several times last week for the evening, just to have a moment's peace in the house. I think they spend too much time together and you remember what it was like at that age when your hormones were all over the place."

"XuL is still unhappy with the sleeping arrangements, I am assuming?"

"Oh, yeah, and he is getting more and more vocal about it the older they both get."

"Have you had that dreaded birds, and bees conversation with Keida yet? You know Danny is not the only one growing up here. Especially where she is not fully human, what is normal for us won't be for her. XuL's people mature much quicker than we do."

"No, … Kira, I have not. I am trying my best to put it off as long as I can. I can't help but wish she would remain innocent for as long as possible. We all know that's not going to happen, and pretending otherwise won't prepare her for the upcoming challenges she'll face, even if I am in denial about her growing up. I can remember my mother stumbling through that talk and at no point did she warn me about cute green alien guys."

Weall laugh at that comment.

"All jokes aside, we couldn't pick a better guy for her than Danny, but just because they have always been hooked at the hip doesn't mean they are supposed to be more than that. I know this sounds terrible, but Keida only knows him. She should have the chance to shop a little if you know my meaning."

"Yes, I completely understand. Even though I don't see that in her future. Not only is he always an arm's length away, but she has twenty-three uncles. There isn't a guy in existence that could handle that. You have to admit Danny doesn't let the others intimidate him at all. For a human, he is a force to be reckoned with."

"He may look human, Kira, but he is a bad ass in a very scary and unusual way. We all know that something changed in him on the way here, just none of us understand what, or how those changes will affect him. It's not like we have anyone to ask."