I’m riding piggyback on Knox pretending to whip him and urging him to run faster. We run through the garage into the house, and I can feel and hear his laughter as we slide into the kitchen and slam right into Evrin.

“You’re back!” I squeak in surprise.

Knox doesn’t put me down, and Evrin gives me an awkward high five in greeting. I haven’t talked to any of the paladin, other than Aydin since they left and I’m not sure what the dynamic will be like now that they’re back.

“Well you all look as thick as thieves," I hear Aydin bellow as he rounds the corner into the living room. I jump off Knox’s back and start slow motion running towards Aydin.

“What are you doing?” he asks me with a chuckle.

“They always do this in the movies when there’s a reunion. I’m just recreating cinematic gold," I tell him.

Aydin laughs and starts mirroring my ridiculous slow-motion run. We meet in the middle, and he picks me up and twirls me. Rumbling laughter spills over to us from the kitchen at our antics.

I turn to the guys. “Guess you got your slo-mo run after all," I tease and they laugh even harder.

“We could have used some of your skills on this assignment, Little Badass," Aydin tells me as he sets me back down on my feet.

“Feel free to take me next time then," I reply not missing a beat, but shocked that he’d want to include me in what they do.

“Looks like you’ve forgiven the boys for their attack," He observes and shoots an exaggerated glare over my shoulder. I look behind me, and the twins are looking everywhere but at Aydin and fidgeting.

“I still think we should punish them," Silva declares, as he walks over and gives the twins a bear-hug. He hugs the rest of the guys and looks over at me. “What do you think, Vinna?”

I bring the tips of my fingers together adopting a nefarious pose. “Tell me more," I cackle evilly, and Silva laughs.

“You kids go get cleaned up. We’re going to eat in about an hour," Lachlan--the party pooper--swoops in breaking up the fun. He also hugs all of the guys, and it’s painfully awkward when he doesn’t acknowledge me at all. Yep, he’s still anti-me. Good to know.

I shake my head, refortifying some of the defenses I let drop while the paladin were gone.

I leap onto Knox’s back, trying not to let Lachlan’s and Silva’s slight get to me. He catches me like I weigh nothing.

“To my room, trusty steed," I order, and Knox does a lap around the kitchen island before running through the living room.

I dry myself off from the long shower I just indulged in, when I walk into my closet and freeze.

“What the fuck?” I shout in shock and look around confused.

My closet is completely, and inexplicably, filled with clothes. I pull open my underwear drawer, and it’s full of new underwear, the different styles labeled and separated. I start pulling all of the drawers open and find new bras, new swimsuits, new skimpy things to sleep in. I roll my eyes at that drawer. I’ll stick with tank tops and t-shirts, thank you very much.

“Are you okay? What’s wrong?” Valen, Sabin, and Ryker all ask in unison as they tumble into my closet.

Aydin comes running in not far behind the guys asking the same questions. I just sweep my arm towards all the clothes in the closet. The guys still look confused, but Aydin quickly realizes what’s going on.

“Um, did magic fairies break into my closet and replace everything?”

Now clued into what I’m distressed about, the guys look around and huff in amusement.

“These are the things we ordered the other day, remember?” Aydin explains.

“Holy shit Aydin, this is a little overboard don’t you think?”

I pull out a light pink lace bustier and matching panties from a drawer.

“Why do I need these?” I ask him, waving the scandalous set in front of him.

Aydin blushes and quickly looks away. "I did tell her to get everything she thought a female should have,” Aydin chuckles awkwardly.

“Holy crap, I don’t even know what to do with all of this?” I whisper overwhelmed, and run my fingers through my wet hair in exasperation.

I spin around taking it all in. I spot the rack of new shoes and boots, all of them are flats and totally awesome. Things are arranged by season, and inside each seasonal section, outfits have already been put together.

“Do you like it? Will this work for you?” Aydin asks, sounding a little insecure.

I realize that my shocked ranting is sounding extremely ungrateful, and I mentally slap myself. “I’m sorry. I sound like a complete ungrateful bitch. What’s not to like? It’s incredible!” I tell him and genuinely mean it. “Thank you, Aydin.” I hold my arm out, and we bump knuckles.

“Anything for you, Little Badass,” Aydin, declares and disappears out of the doorway.

“I can’t believe this," I say to the guys in awe.

“He’s taking care of you Vinna, that’s all,” Sabin tells me, with a satisfied smile and leaves.

Ryker and Valen watch me while I stare at everything dumbfounded. I run my hands over some of the clothes closest to me and marvel. I catch my reflection in the mirror on the far wall. I’m in a towel that’s covering the important bits, but not by much. My wet hair is dripping down my back and shoulders, and Ryker is watching the trails of water as they make their way down my body.

He looks up, and something happens inside me. I meet his bright blue eyes in the mirror, and the memory of his hands on me flashes through my mind, making me feel instantly flushed. We watch each other, and it’s like Ryker’s having the same flash of memory. I turn around to face him, and Valen surprises me by stepping determinedly towards me. I feel pulled to both of them in a way I can’t understand or explain, but I’m okay with that.

I sandwich myself between them as they press in against me. Valen traces a finger along the runes on my shoulder, and I shudder with weighted anticipation. A palpable lust fills the room and my breaths quicken as it soaks into my skin. Valen cups my cheek in his big hand and runs a thumb across my lips.

Ryker grabs my hips and nuzzles up against me. His long blond locks tickle my cheek and shoulder, and his arousal fits nicely against my ass. I close my eyes and revel in the feel of them. I reach back, wrapping the palm of my hand around the back of Ryker’s neck, pulling him into me even more. His breathing hitches and then his lips connect with the runes on my shoulder. I tilt my head giving him better access.

I open my eyes and get sucked into Valen’s molten hazel gaze. His thumb still rests on my lips, and I lightly lick the pad of it when he makes another sweeping gesture. I don’t know who the self-assured wanton woman is that just slipped into my skin--but I like where she’s going with this--as Valen groans, and his eyes blaze even brighter. I tilt my head back, inviting him to bring his full lips down to mine and Ryker nips at the speeding pulse in my neck.

I want them both so badly, and I don’t care if it’s magic, or me, or anything else that’s fueling this because it feels so fucking right. Something clicks together inside of me, but I can’t focus on what. I watch Valen’s lips draw closer, and Ryker’s hands start pulling up the hem of my towel.

“The showers are free, guys. You can hop in and get cleaned up," Sabin shouts, and his heavy footsteps clomp toward us from my room.

His voice shatters the moment, and both Ryker and Valen withdraw from me. I glare at their speedy retreat. Sabin walks into the closet, oblivious to his unwanted intrusion. Is he really that dense, or that intent on getting in the way?

I let out a frustrated huff and watch Sabin coldly. He doesn’t say anything, but it’s clear he’s not going to leave until Ryker and Valen do. Ryker relents first and walks out. I feel like something in me goes with him.

Valen moves in behind me, skimming my back with his chest and runs his hands up my arms. He leans down his lips achingly close to the shell of my ear.

“I can think of a couple uses for these," he tells me, running his index finger over the pink lace lingerie still clutched in my hand.

Valen places a lingering kiss on my neck and then leaves. Their absence tugs on me, and I feel unfinished and empty in a way that’s crushing and painful. I look at Sabin, and his disapproving and judgmental mien makes me snap.

“What? Are you still of the delusion that my vagina makes me too fragile and feeble minded to make decisions for my fucking self?”

I can’t help the disdain that takes over my face as I bark out the question. Sabin’s attitude is starting to get old. At first, it felt protective, but right now it feels controlling, and I’ve had enough. I like the look of shock that sweeps over Sabin’s face at my accusatory words.

“No, I don’t think that because you are female you can’t make decisions for yourself. I just think you don’t really know what you’re getting into.”

“Is that why you’ve taken on the role of Captain Cockblock? You won’t allow them to touch me or interact with me the way they want, and now you think you get to make my decisions, too? Someone thinks very fucking highly of themselves.”

“You have no idea about how our world works or where you’ll fit into it. I have every right to be protective of them, and of you,” Sabin defends.

“If that’s really the issue then enlighten me, Sabin. Tell me what I need to know so I can make more informed decisions, but stop trying to control me.”

He sweeps his hand through his hair and sighs.

“All of you are pushing too far, too fast.”

“And again, I ask, who the hell are you to make that decision for me, or for them?”

“I’m a member of their coven. Someone who cares about them. You’ve been a caster for all of a week, and you’ve known them for less than half of that.”

“Fuck you Sabin and your misguided protection. It’s sex, not torture. We’re having fun and getting to know each other. Get over yourself and whatever god complex you’re obviously suffering from," I fume at him.

Sabin steps towards me, and I can’t tell if it’s heat or anger in his eyes.

“You think all of this is so simple and innocent, but the reality is you don’t know anything. You don’t know what your magic does or what direction it will force you in. You might not end up being compatible with the coven. What happens then? All of you are playing with fire, and I’m trying to keep everything from burning to the fucking ground!”

“I’m not the villain here. I know you don’t know me, and clearly don’t like me, but I’m not trying to fuck with your coven, or hurt anyone.”

“I’m not trying to make you feel like a villain, and I don’t dislike you.”

I scoff at the declaration. “Oh yeah, you’re just overflowing with acceptance and support.”

He takes another step towards me, but my glare stops him in his tracks. He looks torn or maybe regretful, I’m not sure, but I just want him to leave. I’m so tired of people trying to convince me that I’m not good enough, or trying to make me feel wrong or less than simply because I exist.

“I’ll stay the fuck away from all of you, now get the fuck out of my room.”

Sabin hesitates. “Vinna that’s not--”

“Leave!” I shout, and I feel pieces of me fracturing.

Sabin stares at me, and I meet his gaze with venom. The door clicks shut behind his exit, and I slide to the ground, putting my head in my hands. He’s a dick, but he’s right, I don’t know anything, not really. I don’t know how to be a caster or why I’m so fucking different. I don’t know what’s happening to me and why I feel the way that I do about practical strangers. I don’t know shit about where I come from and I sure as hell don’t know where I’m going.