“I’m happy too.” Ree wiggled under him, finding a more comfortable position.

“Good. Now tell me where my trunks are. They’re going to be waiting for us.” Paden narrowed his eyes sternly.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Ree grinned broadly.

“They’re under the bed, aren’t they?” Paden moved to look under the bed, but Ree grabbed his shoulders and yanked him back.

“Let them wait a little while. We have forever to go snorkeling.” Ree pulled his head down to hers and kissed him soundly.

“Hard to argue with that kind of logic.” Paden mumbled.

An hour late, Paden and Ree finally showed up on the beach where the others were waiting next to a small boat. Weylin was lying on his back in the surf. The water was making his growing hair lap around his head like octopus arms. He pushed his sunglasses down on his nose and glared at Paden.

“Not cool, dude.”

“We’re not that late.” Paden kicked some water at him and dropped their snorkeling gear into the boat.

“If you had been late because you had run into evil, blood sucking monsters it would be understandable.” Weylin sat up and glared at Ree and Paden. “But, noooooo. You were doing the pogo stick dance and there is no brain-bleach to be found anywhere on the island.”

Ree blushed, but couldn’t help the sputtering laugh that came out of her mouth. Paden shook his head and sat down on the edge of the small boat. Bryce walked over and high-fived Weylin before pulling him to his feet.

“It’s too late to go snorkeling now. We’ll have to go tomorrow.” Bryce went back to Juliette and picked her up over his shoulder. She squealed and smacked at him, but everyone knew she wasn’t serious. Jules could have made him put her down if she wanted.

“Where are Melanie and Roland?” Ree helped Paden pull the boat closer to their little stand of houses.

“They went to go get snacks, because you guys were taking so long.” Weylin grabbed his towel from one of the white lounge chairs. He plopped down into his seat and glared at the water. “There was a really hot chick on the other boat. I was hoping she would lose her snorkel and I could offer her mine.” He wiggled his eyebrows and Ree groaned. Paden laughed and grabbed the soccer ball that was next to the chairs.

“C’mon. Maybe I can teach you how to look cool before she comes back.” Paden kicked the ball at Weylin’s chair.

“You wouldn’t know cool if it bit you on the ass.” Weylin stood up and dribbled the ball down the beach away from Paden.

A dark-haired blur sped past Weylin and took the ball. The sun glinted off of Roland’s bronzed skin, his mouth wide in a happy, carefree grin. “Did I hear you say you wanted me to bite you on the butt? That’s sick man.”

The boys started hollering, laughing, and posturing. Ree just shook her head and enjoyed the sight. When Melanie sat down in Weylin’s empty chair, she turned to smile at her friend. Melanie pulled out a soda from the picnic basket she had been carrying and handed it to Ree.

“Now, this is the life. A beautiful beach, our favorite soda, and a show with hot guys. Doesn’t get much better than this.” Melanie winked at Ree. They clinked cans in a toast, and Ree felt her smile grow.

***

“They have left.” Athena looked at Brigid over her glass of scotch.

“For now.” Tossing her red hair over her shoulder, Brigid sat down next to the Greek goddess. “They believe we cheated.”

“Bah. They’re just angry that we won.” Hecate sipped from her silver chalice, her bright eyes twinkling. “But you’re right. They’ll be back.”

Narrowing her eyes, Athena glared at the fire crackling in the hearth. “We’ll be ready for them.”

“More importantly, so will our heroes.” Hecate waved a hand at the flames and formed the small of images of Ree and her friends. For a few minutes they watched as the group splashed in the warm waters at the beach.

“It’s nice to see them relaxed.” Brigid’s expression softened.

“They deserved it.” Hecate smiled at the small figures. “Ree has rid us of two traitors and in the process gained even more power.”

“That she did.” Brigid smiled as Ree and Paden ran hand in hand.

“Don’t forget our other plans.” Athena flicked her own fingers at the fire. The friendly scene by the beach was replaced by the image of a young woman. She resembled the Alastriana, except for the short dark hair. “I believe she will be quite useful.”

“Quite useful, indeed.” Hecate lifted her glass in salute.

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