Slayers: Book Two

To Slay With A Stake (3)

After our little gathering in the driveway, our group dispersed. I went up to my room, shared with Elle and changed into my gym clothes. I would be going to train with Ryan and maybe work up a little sweat while contemplating how I was going to get Elle's self esteem up.

Not to mention gossip about the overweight CIA agent that has yet to cause trouble. Something was off. And I knew I wasn't the only one that felt that way.

Everest had tailed me most of the morning, so as I left the room, Everest had been laying on his belly on the floor. I crouched down and smiled.

"You do this dog thing really well, are you sure you want to change back?" I asked. Everest snorted and glared. I just chuckled and stood up straight before going down the hall, passing nine rooms. My feet pounded down the stairs and I took a right, headed towards the gym.

Britt stopped me, her arms piled high with black fabric.

"Hey Stevie. I was wondering, would you help me mend the suits in a little bit? I know you're going for training, but I need to find a decent suit for Reggie and fix Daniel's. That boy, I honestly don't know how he always manages to tear his to shreds. Half the time I think he rips it up for fun." Britt rolled her eyes and I laughed.

"Yeah, I'll catch up with you in an hour. We won't be leaving until eleven, so I'm sure there will be plenty of time to find something for Mr. Williams." I smiled and her shoulders dropped in relief.

"Oh thank goodness, everybody else has just disappeared as soon as I enterred the room. You're a life saver!" Britt sighed and then began walking towards the sewing room. I shrugged.

"I do what I can. I'll see you in a bit." I said with a wave. She nodded.

"See you." Everest trotted off in the opposite direction and I made my way to the gym.

I walked in, seeing Missy in a compromising situation with Shawn. She had her thighs locked around his neck while lying down and he was pounding furiously on the mats, his face turning red. Ryan was laughing and Missy was waiting for him to say Uncle.

"Uncle! Uncle!" Shawn cried. Missy released her grip on him and she jumped up, leaving an oxygen deprived Shawn on the floor.

"You're such a wimp." Missy said in a patronizing tone. I chuckled and Shawn glared up at her.

"I am not!" He defended. Missy winked at me and then turned back to Shawn.

"Says the guy that got beat up by a girl!" She laughed. I smiled and walked into the room a little more, standing beside Ryan who was wiping tears from his eyes from laughing so much. He grinned at me and I grinned right back.

"Beginner's luck!" He shouted. Missy snorted.

"I was here before you, dip-shit!" She smacked the back of his head and he made an 'oof!' sound. I laughed and then Shawn turned his glare to me.

"Stevie, what's your take on the Reggie guy?" he asked randomly. I frowned. Ryan had calmed down and Missy stood, waiting for my answer.

"I don't trust him. He seems off. I can't explain it." I said. Missy nodded, as did Ryan. Shawn stood and his gaze turned hard and emotionless.

"I feel that way too. It's like he's not telling the truth, or something. Did you see the color of his eyes? I've never met anyone with black eyes." Shawn said. I nodded in agreement. Missy raised an eyebrow, as if this was news.

"It reminded me of a bird. You know, beady black eyes that seemed to pierce right through your soul. It wasn't natural. What do you think caused that?" I asked. Ryan shrugged.