Page 21 of Dragon Me Through Space

“Just someone compatible,” Gage added.

A date with each of them wouldn’t be awful. In fact, I was excited just thinking about it.

“As long as I get to choose what we do on the dates,” I countered.

They all nodded immediately.

Preston walked to me and held out his hand. “Deal?”

I shook his hand and a spark of electricity ran from his hand up my arm. “Deal,” I said a bit breathy from the shock.

They all smiled wide, showing their teeth.

I really, really hoped I hadn’t just made the worst deal of my life.

“Great. Now, let’s go spar!” Gage said and clapped his hands together.

Although I knew Scout had run a schematic of the ship when we got onboard, I hadn’t really accessed it or done any exploring.

As we ascended to the upper floor using an elevator, I became incredibly curious and decided I would start exploring later that day.

The elevator doors opened to a huge room with dark grey pads on the floors, walls, and ceiling.

Why did they have pads on the ceiling? And why was the room so large? Did they shift forms and fight in here?

The pads just outside the elevators were a slightly lighter grey.

“Shoes,” Wayne said.

Everyone took their shoes off and set them on the lighter grey pads before stepping onto the dark grey pads.

“Stretches,” Preston ordered.

The four spread out and began stretching their legs and arms.

I did as well, though I found it interesting that they stretched their muscles before fighting, too.

“Stretching is important for anyone with muscles and joints,” Wayne said, noticing my stare.

“I’m surprised Dragonkin aren’t always limber with warm muscles from your higher body temperatures,” I teased.

“We are,” he replied. “We still don’t want to risk an injury when sparring.”

“Who will be first?” Preston asked.

Gage raised his hand. “Oh, me. Me.”

Preston smirked. “Fine.”

“Me,” Wayne said. “It’s been too long since I sparred against Gage.”

“Don’t break anything,” Preston said. He patted Gage on the shoulder. “Good luck.”

Gage bounced on the balls of his feet. “I’ll be fine.”

Wayne stopped beside me. “You should move back against one of the walls. Or even stand behind Zeke.”

I arched a brow. “Excuse me?”