“Bite,” she ordered.
He sighed, and took it from her. She continued to the table, took one for herself, and handed the plate to Marcus. All those seated were inhaling food like they hadn’t eaten in weeks.
My stomach growled.
Cara raised a brow. “Sit. Shovel. We need to get you back to the academy.” She captured Riley’s gaze. “How are you feeling?”
Riley paused in mid-bite. “Hungry. A bit tired, but okay otherwise.”
“Are you up for a Time Jump?” Cara asked.
Her mouth quirked. “Didn’t think I was supposed to do those.”
“Well, they are bound to have noticed our absence. If we Jump back to just after we left, they won’t know we were gone.”
Marcus’s brows dropped. “How many?”
“Tyrez and I come and go all the time,” Dani said, “so no one should care about us being gone.”
“And I’m rarely ever there,” Ash stated.
Cara’s mouth straightened. “Tyrez’s absence might be noticed, though, so he has to go back with us. And Riggs and Bree. Then your guys.”
“That’s a lot of fucking people,” growled Havoc.
“No problem,” Riley said almost at the same time.
I opened my mouth to state that I could stay here. If it was safe for the Matriarch and the rest of my family, surely it was safe for me. No one would think to look for us in this jungle.
Cara watched me. That she was also in tune with my thoughts was obvious with her next comments. “You have talents that need to be explored. And you are walking a different path from them.”
My mouth closed. Because she was right. If I stayed here, I would be hiding. It wasn’t just about me remembering who I used to be. I needed to discover who or what I would become.
She gave a single, small nod of her chin, and turned her gaze onto the others at the table. “As soon as you are done eating,” she said, “there are showers just on the other side of the trees, installed along the rock ridge. Use the soaproots I have along theedge—they’ll kill the smoky smell. You’ll have to rinse out your clothes as well.”
Rafael’s brows rose, and he glanced at his mates. “Group shower?”
I shot him a look.
He shrugged. “I am half Satyr, after all.”
Cara’s lips were twitching. “There is also a bathing pool, fed by a hot spring, along the north side. That would be better suited to a group party. But, um, make it quick. The longer the Time Jump, the harder it will be on Riley.”
Her suggestion seemed to throw a switch among them—and a strong scent permeated the room. It took my adrenaline rush from the mission and amplified it into something painful—something my current torn and singed sweatpants weren’t likely to hide.
Suddenly I craved pure physical sensation, to help me forget that I didn’t know who or what I was. I grabbed a couple of meatrolls off the tray, and said, “I’ll take the shower, if you guys are still eating.”
Various versions of “go ahead” cruised around the room, and I strode out, my mind held deliberately blank.
Which lasted until I reached the stairs, and ran into my mother, who was heading for the kitchen.
As she blocked the doorway, I was forced to halt. I swayed from foot to foot beneath her intent regard, and finally said, “Are they still asleep?”
The Matriarch nodded. “Their healing was extensive, so they’ll be bedridden for a while.” She tilted her head. “Do you really not remember Mykal?”
I looked away from her. I had felt something, but I couldn’t begin to define it. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember him, either.”
I winced internally at the reminder that I didn’t know her, and saw her flinch, ever so slightly. Her mouth straightened. “Your memories might return, eventually. You just need time.”
