Chapter 10

Darkness has settled firmly; the only light left is what the fire is putting off. I watch as Raven and the other hounds circle around the camp several times before settling down by the fire behind Katherine and Danny. Raven's eyes flash that eerie blue color as she watches all of us. For a moment I wonder what she is thinking about when she looks at all of us. Luna gets up, stepping closer to the fire, rubbing her hands together.

"Hey, who wants to tell a ghost story?"

SCOUTis the first to ask, "What is a ghost story?"

"Oh, it's a camping tradition. When the evening was close to its end and the only sounds around were the crickets and June bugs, storytime would begin. Since this is your all's first time, I'll start, then you guys can go next if you want.

"Four kids and their dog were traveling along in the MysteryMachine when they came to a fork in the road. They didn't notice that the signs had been switched and instead of them heading to their destination, they were now driving down a haunted abandoned road."

Miyastarts giggling, "OMG, she is telling them a Scooby-Doo episode; I am dying over here."

"Hey, don't knock it, those stories are classics."

"I am in complete agreement, but you just caught me off guard."

Hugoand the guys all look puzzled, "Are you going to finish your story, Luna?"

"Well, it's not as fun now that Miya ratted me out, but … I bet SCOUT can find it for everyone to watch."

"I am going through the archives I have in my hard drive now." Moments later, SCOUT holds up his hand, projecting the cartoon for all to see. Without all the commercials, it is only about twenty minutes long. I think I enjoyed watching the boys more than the show itself, as they are all mesmerized. SCOUT puts his hand down when the show goes off and instantly they want more.

XuLreaches over, pulling Brittany on his lap. "You mean they made a bunch of those shows?"

"Yeah, Scooby was a popular dog. He had stuffed animals, figurines, and house shoes. The whole world was Scooby crazy."

"When we return home, I would enjoy watching more of these. As enjoyable as this rising has been, are you ready for bed?"

"Yes, we've had a very full day. I am ready to settle down for the night if you are."

XuLstands up, never letting go of Brittany, "We will convene at first light. Danny, Keida, it is time to settle in for darkness."

"Good night to you, too."

Keidagets up off her blanket and runs over to me and DaR, hugging us both before heading towards the tent. "Love you!"

"Love you, baby girl."

Dannyawaits her at its entrance, nodding his head towards DaR before heading in with the others. DaR stands up, reaching for my hand. I am sore all over for some reason and it takes me a moment to get my joints to respond. "Are you well, my Kira?"

"Yes, the dampness just stiffens me up, and no, I don't need a healer, so don't ask."

"MistressKira and MasterDaR, if you are no longer in need of me this darkness, SCOUT and I will retire as well."

"Do you have the perimeter secured, SAGE?"

"Yes, MasterDaR, the Guard bots are armed and the hounds are at full alert as you can see them casually patrolling the area."

"We appreciate all the efforts you went through to make sure this outing was a success; you are free for the rest of this darkness."

Withinseconds, the blankets are all folded up and on the Hover sleds. BesidesHugo grabbing the last few marshmallows the rest of the food is packed up and whisked away. Everyone is heading towards the little areas they picked out for their tents. That's when I notice that Tordan's is not on the ground. "Where is Tordan and Luna's tent?"

"Tordan said it was of inferior design and he recalibrated the material into a hammock that would hold him and Luna comfortably. If you look up into that tree, you will see it several feet off the ground."

"Leave it to Tordan to completely redesign something so quickly. Lord, I feel sticky all over. Do you think the water is still warm in the solar showers? I meant to take a quick shower earlier, but we were having such a good time."

"The water should be adequate, as it has been warming all rising. However, SAGE didn't leave a privacy screen."

"Oh, we are back to roughing it again. If you'll just hold a towel up in front of me, that'll do."

Hegrowls lightly. "You expect me to stand in front of you holding a large piece of material while watching the water run all over that delectable body of yours and not partake in the temptation?"

"Stop it, you have seen every inch of me for years now. I think you can contain yourself for a few minutes. Anyway, I will have to do the same thing for you, and you are just as yummy."

"You test my limits, female, but we will proceed."

Grabbingthe small bag, I packed up here with me. I pull out a small bottle of soap. Then hand DaR the two towels SAGE had rolled up in the bottom. We both head towards the black solar shower and I take my sandals off while DaR adjusts it so that it will flow right above my head.

Switchingplaces, he spreads out the towel, glancing all around. "No one is currently in the area. It should be safe for you to disrobe."

Myfirst instinct is to do this as fast as possible, but his bright yellow eyes devouring my every move changes my mind. Pulling my t-shirt over my head, I slip out of the cargo shorts I have on. Clipping my long hair up out of the way, this leaves me standing only in my matching panties and bra. Turning my back towards him, I slowly lower my bra straps then reach around and unstrap the back closures. Once off, I sling it towards him and he almost drops the towel trying to catch it, but stops himself in time. Instantly his eyes are moving around to make sure no one saw anything.

"Kira, you are playing with fire."

"Nah, unless you plan on packing me off in the woods somewhere. I think I am pretty safe from all your advances." I shimmy playfully as I shake my panties off. Flicking my ankle, I send them flying his way and they hit him right in the face before dropping to the ground at his feet. I swear I can feel the heat of his eyes when I reach up and push in the button for the water to come out. I moan as the hot water flows over my cool skin.

"MyKira, have a little mercy on your mate."

"Oops sorry," I grab the bottle lathering up quickly so that there will be water left for DaR to use. OnceI'm rinsed off, I turn the water off then motion for DaR. He brings the towel he was holding over, wrapping it securely around me.

"OK, it's your turn," I say, but before I can step away, he picks me up in his arms, kissing me so thoroughly that when he puts me back down, I stumble slightly. Reaching down to get his towel, he is practically naked by the time I get it stretched out in front of him.

Ithoroughly enjoy watching the flexing of his muscles as he washes himself under the quickly cooling water. "As much as I love to see you in full glory, love, you might want to put that giggle stick of yours away. You are not the only one who doesn't like to share."

DaRgrabs his shaft, stroking it thoroughly and I just roll my eyes as yes paybacks are hell. "Go ahead, get all hot and bothered, it's not like we can do anything about it with everyone so close by."

"You could try to be quiet."

"Has that ever worked out before?"

"No, but we could still try."

"Finish that thing off and I'll be good and stand here." I bite my lip, watching the water run down his chest.

"It's no fun without you." He no more says that, that the water stops running.

"Times up, come here." He walks towards me in full glory. The man's confidence is overwhelming. I wrap the towel around his waist, trying my best to ignore his hardness pressed against my stomach as his arms come around me.

"Behave."

"What's the fun in that?"

Hugo'svoice echoing through the clearing has DaR sighing, "That male is a menace."

"Oh, you love him, admit it."

"Never."

"Hey, did you guys enjoy those marshmallows? I sure did, can't wait to get more of those when we get back home. I am not a bit sleepy, are you guys tired? We have got to plan this camping thing again; this has been a blast. Never would I have thought a bunch of squares like you would be this much fun. Are you sure no one has any more of those marshmallows?"

Multiplevoices scream out, "NO! Now, go to sleep."

"Fine, since you are all old and can't make it any longer. I will simply go to bed myself then."

WhenHugo starts humming to himself, I have to grab DaR's arm to keep him from storming over there. "He is having a sugar rush. It will wear off in a minute and he will crash hard."

Westop to look around the camp before getting in our tent. The sight of SoL's massive feet hanging out of the bottom of his tent still gets me tickled. DaR grins when he sees it and just shakes his head before opening up the front of our tent.

Ittakes quite a bit of wiggling, but we finally get settled. DaR hates it when I go to bed in clothes, but after a little bit, he finally gives up trying to make me sleep naked and lets me put on the small gown SAGE put in my bag.

Onething I forgot about tent camping is the fact that you can hear everything, and I mean everything. Giggles and moans that are cut off by sloppy kisses have me shaking my head. RaZ, of course, is the first to yell anything out; that male has zero filter.

"SoL, you big lug, we can hear you. Keep your horns to yourself."

"Impossible, especially with me being my mate's sleeping platform." Instantly most of the girls are giggling.

"I told you they would hear us," Alana whispers, and the giggles start again.

Thingsquiet down slightly after that, as the day has worn everyone out. The last thing I remember is a big set of arms wrapping around me from behind, then odd noises wake me up suddenly. DaR turns over and I hear a weary sigh leave his lips.

"I think I am going to go smother the next one that starts snoring. How does anyone sleep with such a racket going on? They are so loud they can be heard on the moons of Sybrus." He no longer says this than our air mattress goes completely flat. I am doing my best not to laugh or even act like I notice, but my hip is lying right on a rock, and the moment I shift to get more comfortable, DaR lifts me up and onto his chest.

"Are we having fun yet?"

"Yes, it has been a fun day full of laughter. I know it's not been ideal, but camping never is. After all, you might not remember the trip, but you will always remember the adventure."

"I could've had just as good of a memory of a nice private bed where I could have ravished you thoroughly."

"I like that idea too. We will do that when we get back to the huts tomorrow. Try to get some sleep, it will make the morning come quicker." Laying my head down on his chest, his gentle breathing lures me back to sleep. I have no idea how long I was out, but it only feels like minutes. Groggy, I can hear the sound of rain coming through the trees towards us.

Therain is light, and the sound is soothing as it blocks the majority of all the other noises around us, that is until I feel a drip on the back of my neck. At first, I think I imagined it until DaR jerks under me. Raising my head up, he shakes his head as a small stream of water seems to be pouring in right above his head. His bright yellow eyes stare up at me while I hold my hand over his face, blocking the stream.

"Isn't this just fracking magical?"

Ido my very best to hold back the laughter, but it just spills out. There is no missing the sarcasm in that statement and bless his heart he has been a great sport today. "DaR honey."

"Don't you DaR honey me."

"Quit complaining, Father. At least your legs are not sticking out of the tent getting drenched right now."

Tordanis clear on the other side of the camp, and I still hear him say, "I am currently lying in a puddle of water. This design has not performed properly."

Secondslater, I hear RaZ cussing. Rolling off DaR, I unzip the tent slightly to look out, only to see that RaZ's tent is lying on its side. He is sitting outside of its crumbled entrance with one wing stretched out, blocking the light rain off Katherine, who is snuggled up next to him, grinning.

"That's it, get up!" DaR yells out. "I have had it! SAGE, call the shuttle and get us the frack out of here. I refuse to lie here in the rain a moment longer. Girls, this was a fantastic idea, but I am done. At this rate of enjoyment, I am going to need a vacation from my vacation."

"Daddy dearest, I too have stayed long enough. We will see you back at the huts." Katherin barely has time to wave bye, before RaZ launches them into the sky. Tyberius and Victoria come walking out of the edge of the woods where they had set up their tent. Both of them are wearing ponchos, their backpacks neatly folded up on their backs.

"Son, we are heading out, not sure if we will camp again tonight or not, but we are going to explore the area a little more before returning to the huts. We are taking Glory, Ghost, and Thornwith us as they hate being confined in the shuttles. Ladies, you did a marvelous job, I have enjoyed every moment."

"What's all the yelling about, we just laid down." Hugo comes stumbling out of his tent, eyes all red and heavy. "Why do I feel sticky all over?"

Laughterrings out all around at the expense of Hugo who just shrugs his shoulders, grabs Miya, and crawls back in his tent. "You guys go on; we will join you later."