Page 58 of Hybrid Heroics

York narrowed his eyes. “Smartass.”

Vaughn turned his head, chuckled, then straightened his expression.

“What’s so funny?” I asked the fae.

“I was just wondering how long it took Sloane to mimic York’s accent.”

“A few weeks,” the druid divulged, a brow raised. “Why?”

“She was trying to copy me a couple of days ago,” Vaughn explained. “And smartass was the word she chose.”

York grimaced. “She butcher it?”

The fae shrugged. “Just the r…”

“Guys.” Palmer clapped his hands. “We’re training.”

“Why?” Novak complained.

“How?” I grouched.

“We haven’t trained in weeks,” the mage argued.

Briggs patted his shoulder placatingly as he addressed us. “And we’ve all grown. We need to stretch those muscles.”

“Were you two out here thinking of ways to torture us before the sun came up?” Novak accused, making us all roll our eyes.

“You don’t sleep,” Palmer enunciated slowly. “It makes no difference what time it is.”

“What are we doing?” Vaughn queried, following the mage outside.

“First, we’re going to test a few theories we were working on.”

I groaned, considering breaking my arm to have a few more minutes of peace.

“Novak,” Briggs grumbled, dragging the vampire through the door. “I need you to tell me if I’ve gotten any faster.”

“You’re kind of a slow burn guy—”

“With running.” Briggs rubbed his forehead with his middle finger. “In wolf form.”

“Oh,” Novak sang, straightening his shirt. “Okay.”

As Briggs shifted and chased the vampire, I pegged Palmer with an irritated glower. He only grinned, insufferable and sure of himself.

“What is this about? I get the growing in power part, but why test his speed?”

“Because Novak lit the table on fire in Hell.” Palmer pointed at me. “And you made the apple produce a leaf.”

I blew out a heavy breath as I nodded. He was right, and this was my chance to test myself. I knew I was strong, but knowing and proving were two different things.

“What do you want me to do?” I asked, stretching my arms over my head.

He quirked a brow. “Participate?”

“Willing participant,” I replied. “Now, tell me what you want.”

“Has your demon form changed at all? Faster, stronger, bigger?”