“Does the Jumping talent run in Morphs?” I asked.
Lucas shook his head. “No. You got it from somewhere else. Could have been a random mutation, too.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Cara’s been investigating the sudden rash of hybrids that are appearing at the academy. Species that never used to interbreed, apparently can now.” He assessed me. “How much dust have you taken?”
I swallowed. To get those kids out, I’d gulped a ton of the stuff. “A fair amount.”
His mouth straightened. “Not good.”
“If I don’t take any more, I’ll go through a withdrawal? Is that what this is?” I asked.
Instead of answering, he exchanged a look with Rafael. “If I get you a charged crystal, maybe you can help her through.”
I sensed the uncertainty in him, and Rafael did too. “I may need more than one.”
“Won’t that cost money?” I asked.
“Yes,” the Morph answered.
“Do you have any?”
“No. But here, that isn’t a problem.”
Rafael regarded him solemnly. “Won’t that be dangerous?”
“What?” I looked between them. “Won’t what be dangerous?”
“Before I met my mates, and became an academy instructor,” Lucas said, “I was a thief. A rather good one. I can pick pockets better than most. It is a useful skill at times like these.”
My mouth dropped open. “You’re going to steal from the bastards we saw on the streets? They’ll slice you to pieces.”
He laughed. “Only if they catch me,” he said, standing. “Get some rest. With any luck, we won’t be staying here long. I’m going to call in a favor and get us somewhere more secure.”
“Once I’ve rested, I should be able to Jump us out of here,” I stated. “Havoc will send me a location—”
“You won’t be Jumping anywhere like this,” Lucas said with certainty in his voice.
Rafael removed the cloak and handed it to Lucas. I found myself staring at the smooth skin revealed through his torn tunic. He was built like a dancer, sleek and graceful.
The thug had been right. He was delicious.
Lucas walked to the door and paused, pointing to the chain latch. “Won’t stop anyone determined, but it might give you time to get to the window.”
Rafael stood and walked to the door. “We’ll use it.”
When Lucas left, he attached the chain. Then he turned around and met my gaze.
A flush of pure heat coursed through me, making me suddenly aware of just how ready I was to wrap myself around him. But reality intruded when his eyes dropped below my chin. I was suddenly aware that I was filthy, and really, really needed to have a shower. But first, and more importantly, I needed to pee. Badly.
I waved a hand at him. “Loom closer, Valentino. I need to get to the washroom.”
He raised a brow. “Who is Valentino?”
“The world’s greatest lover. Or so I’ve heard.”
The other brow joined the first. “Was he a Satyr?”
“Just get over here, will you?” I said. “Or I’m going to pee the bed.”
His lips quirked, and he offered me an arm.
