“Wow,” I breathed, imagining that the next time Ryu took me to a beach to seduce me with naked swimming and sexy finger foods I, Jane True, would be the one to light the mage light. Maybe I could even make it a disco ball.

Boom chicka boom boom, my libido chimed in, doing its best imitation of a seventies porn soundtrack.

And maybe the next time an evil elf grabs you by the throat you can rescue your own damned self, I thought, putting a different spin on my excitement.

I pulled off my Converse and socks and stood up to undo my pants. It was only after I’d gotten as far as unbuttoning them halfway down that I remembered.

Anyan’s stormy gray eyes met mine, wide and innocent as my sea.

“Bad dog,” I scolded. “Shoo.”

He rumbled a growling laugh that did no justice to my memory of the rich chuckle he’d sent through my body when he’d been in his man form. He stood up, shaking the sand out of his fur.

“I’ll be around, Jane. Practice hard and do as Nell tells you.” He gave me a long look, and I suddenly felt uncomfortable.

“Yes, boss,” I said to break the tension. He chuckled again, in response, and disappeared through the gap in the cove walls.

I stripped off the rest of the way quick as could be, then raced into my sea. She reared up to greet me, pulling me in and filling me with her cold power. I roiled in her waves, played in her currents, and drank deep of her strength.

Let them come for me, I thought of Jarl and Nyx and the others like them, who assumed I would be weak. Because next time I’ll be ready.