Page 9 of Liberating Water

“Hey, Parker, your man whore is showing,” Micah growled.

Rounding on him, Parker raised a fist, but before he could land the blow, Jay intercepted and twisted his arm behind his back. “Lailah is not a bone to fight over. She can decide who she spends time with, and we will all listen to her choice, giving her the respect she deserves.”

I felt my brows climb in my surprise at Jay’s outburst. When he felt that Parker was back under control, he let him go and stepped away but kept a wary eye on him.

“If I might offer a suggestion,” Hudson interjected. “If Lailah feels comfortable with this, we could alternate who gets to share the bed. That way no one person gets the privilege over the other.”

None of the boys seemed thrilled with the plan, but I wasn’t totally opposed. I just wasn’t sure that all of them wanted to sleep next to me. Sure, most of us had exchanged a few kisses, but that didn’t mean they were ready to be that intimate with me. Nor I them.

“If we cannot agree, then Lailah will have the room to herself and one of you can bunk with me in my room on the second floor,” Hudson added when no one said anything.

“I think that will be best,” I decided.

Parker looked like he wanted to argue with me, and Brayden looked none too happy, but a grunt from Jay had them keeping their mouths shut.

“Seriously, guys. It’s not like I won’t be spending all my waking time with you. Is it that big of a deal not to bunk with me?” I asked, not getting why this was such a big deal.

Jay walked up to me and cupped my chin in his hand. “You do not have to justify your choice, Lailah. I will make sure that it is respected.” Kissing me gently on the forehead, he headed out of my room and down the hall.

“I call the single room!” Micah called out as he headed off after Jay.

“Too late,” was all I heard, followed by Micah swearing.

I couldn’t help but giggle at them and how much they sounded like my own brothers back home.

“Who’s gonna room with me?” Hudson asked, looking at Parker and Brayden.

“Somehow, I think it would be best for me to room with Micah.” Brayden grinned. “I’m not sure Parker would live through the night if he was alone with Micah that long.”

Parker scrunched up his face in disgust. “Like I was ever going to share a room with him. I would sleep on the couch in Jay’s room before I did that.”

“Come on, let’s leave Lailah to get settled before we all head down for dinner,” Hudson said, ushering out the guys. “After dinner, we can head out to the lab and find out what my parents have for us so far. It’d also be good to check in with Beth to make sure she is in the loop on all that’s happening.”

Hearing him talk about Beth made me realize I should call Cami. Things had been so crazy, I hadn’t called her back after the party like I promised. Grabbing my backpack, I tossed it on the bed and pulled out my phone, then wandered out on the balcony. I found a wicker bench with seat cushions and settled down, hitting the video call button. After a few rings, Cami’s face popped up, her bright green eyes wide with excitement. I’d forgotten that she dyed her short, funky hair neon-green—her favorite color.

“LALA! You beautiful bitch you, why didn’t you call me sooner?” Cami demanded. “How did last night go? Did they all drool over your bangin’ body in that dress? Oh, did they have any dancing? Come on girl, stop stalling and spill the tea!”

“The guys loved the dress. You should have seen them all—even Micah was impressed,” I shared, smiling as she rolled her eyes. “There was no dancing, but it really wasn’t that type of party. Much too posh for that.”

“Well that’s boring. What did you end up doing all night?” Cami asked. Something must have shown on my face, because she sat up in bed and her face turned more serious. “Lala, tell me what happened.”

Taking a deep breath, I told her the whole story about Tabitha and the showdown we had outside in the hotel garden. She waited patiently until I was finished and explained how I was now in France at Hudson’s mom’s house.

“Babe, we really need to work on this communication thing between us. Now I know why Beth has been MIA for the last day or so. Damn it, I should have been there with you instead of here safe in my bedroom,” Cami grumbled.

Fear shot through me at the thought of Cami in danger. “Absolutely not! I would have lost my shit if anything happened to you.”

“Aww, you’re so upset you’re even swearing. I feel so special,” Cami teased.

“I’m being serious here. The only reason we survived is because we are the Elementi Warriors. A normal human would have been destroyed,” I snapped.

Cami blinked at me, surprised at my outburst. “That battle really scared you, didn’t it?”

It was then that I realized I had been holding it together for the guys, but now, talking to my best friend, I couldn’t pretend anymore.

“You have no idea how terrified I was that I would lose one of them. Tabitha was so much stronger than I could have imagined, and she is only the tip of the iceberg. The Dark Lord is talking to me in my dreams, taunting me, and I’m afraid one of these times I’m not going to survive the encounter,” I sobbed, finally letting my emotions out. “What if he’s right and the evil inside of me is growing? Could I become a danger to the people I care about? The guys act like nothing’s wrong, but I know the truth.”

“Shut the fuck up, Lailah,” Cami barked at me.

Stunned, my mouth snapped shut, and I sat there silently.

“You listen to me, and you listen good. I get you are scared and this battle showed you the dark side of being part of the Elementi and what it could mean for you and the guys in the future. Now, what I want you to do is take that fear and use it, learn from it. You’re going to be starting your studies when you get back, and now you see just how much you need to catch up on if you want to protect those around you. Don’t let your fear chase you away from the darkness. Own that it’s a part of you and do something about it!”

“You’re right,” I murmured, feeling thoroughly chastised.

“Damn right I am! Now pull your shit together, investigate what that bitch-ass demon lord is up to, and enjoy being in France for Christmas surrounded by your men,” Cami commanded.

Wiping the remnants of my tears off my cheeks, I gave her a smile. “Yes ma’am.”

“I love the fuck out of you babe, but sometimes you get lost in that beautiful head of yours,” Cami said with a smirk. “Now hang up with me and go enjoy your night.”

“Love you, talk later,” I said, giving her a wave and hanging up the call.