I felt rather than saw him nod. “For the most part. It’s harder when I direct it.”
“Oli, stay right there.” I released his hand.
“Staying.”
I stepped into Alexei’s space, placing my hands on his chest. “Do it again.”
“Anything for you, beautiful.”
Static zinged across his uniform, gathering to be shot into the sky, and tingling my fingers. As he focused, I pressed against him and slid my arms around his neck. I buzzed with the energy vibrating through his body, my hair standing on end.
His throat bobbed against my palms. “What are you doing?”
I tiptoed up to his ear. “Where’s your lightning, Alexei?” My breath fanned across his neck, and I smiled when I felt his chest pounding.
“I’m having trouble concentrating.”
“Oh? Really?” I enjoyed teasing him more than I should’ve, but not only did it prove my point, it gave me a good distraction.
Something grabbed my shoulders and ripped me away from him. I stumbled back and whipped around, reaching toward the culprit, finding no one.
“Oliver?”
“Still here, standing about, waiting for our great plan.”
If it wasn’t Oliver… “Ronen?”
“Your time is running out.” He enunciated each word with a cold, harsh snap. His voice sent a shiver up my spine.
“I think I’m finally picking up what you’re putting down, beautiful.” Alexei reached out, hitting me with his limp hand, andwalked into me. He dragged his arm up my body. “I think I have a plan. Where’s your ear?” His search conveniently stopped on my chest
“Clearly not there,” I deadpanned.
“I mean, I can’t feel anything, so you never know,” he muttered with a flirtatious hint, then yelped. “Hey! You were all over me, no need to hit me.”
“Wasn’t me.” I sighed, grabbing his hand and holding it against my ear.
“Wasn’t me either. Still just standing here, waiting for the dream team to stop fucking around and come up with something before I die of boredom or take a nap,” Oliver chimed in.
Alexei whispered his plan, and I almost hit him myself. “Not going to happen. Nor would it work.”
“Can’t you tap into that circle? Shouldn’t take too much power, right?”
“No. I only attempted it once, and it was an accident.” My stomach rolled at the memory. “No. Think of something else.”
Alexei hummed while awkwardly holding my head. “Then do it to me.”
I smacked him.
“Hey!” he exclaimed.
“Of course you’d suggest that.”
“Anyone mind cluing me in to what we’re discussing?” Oliver asked, his voice sounding like he was sitting on the ground.
“Get your ass up and get over here if you want to know. We’re not going to shout it across the bastard’s shadows and alert him to our awesome plan.”
“Or lack thereof,” I mumbled. “I said I didn’t know how to use those powers.”
