NOVEL NEXT Book 10A - The Auction - Chapter 6
Aelin walked out as I finished the question.
The blonde had on a white top, pink skirt that went halfway to her knees, and sandals. None of it was appropriate to wear into the Dungeon.
"What?" She did some half turns so her skirt would swish. "You think I should change?"
"NO!" Oz realized she'd been loud. "I mean, no. What you have on looks great! Atlas just isn't used to seeing you in normal clothes."
I tried not to give her the lecture about always needing to be ready for a monster attack, but considering we were going to be with Gesai and Miel, if they couldn't handle a surprise, there was nothing we'd be able to do about it.
Jenne walked out in a very low-cut red top, a black mini-skirt, and black heels. So far, I'd just seen her as just another member of the team. Once we figured out that I couldn't charm her, I'd been a little more guarded around her, but I'd never looked at her and thought, 'Damn, she's hot'. That exact sentiment was what was running through my head right now.
"Hey!" Oz snapped her fingers in front of my face. "Focus."
Jenne flashed me a seductive smile, and I realized that she knew exactly what she was doing.
"Don't you think that skirt is too short?" Gesai glared at the younger woman.
"That's the point." The golden woman grinned. "Men tend to tell you a lot more when they aren't thinking about what they're saying.
"Right." I reminded myself that she was very much off limits. Besides, I had plenty of beautiful women on my arms. And judging by the look on Gesai's face, I had a feeling that outfit was going to become a part of her wardrobe very soon.
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"Come on!" Aelin was waving for us by the lift. I hurried over to her, and the five of us waited until Miel walked over.
"A team of Scarlets are heading to the Dungeon to do a gate sweep. If they're down there, then they'll bring them back." The older woman pushed the button to take us to the motorcade. "We're not telling Klix yet, because we don't want her to get her hopes up."
"How far down can they go?" I knew that most Adventurers stopped at the low fifties just because of how long it took to level.
Miel raised an eyebrow. "All of us can get to at least the eighty-second floor." She smiled at my reaction. "Even Kara."
That took one worry off my mind. Now I just had to hope that the portal was like the one in Wurn and dropped them in front of the gate. But even if it hadn't, Rix's invisibility would allow them to get to the Gate unharmed. That should have made me feel better, but there was something that felt off about the whole thing. Something that told me that it wasn't going to be like the ones in Wurn.
As soon as the doors opened, Aelin was out. The brown woman skipped down the rows. "Which one are we taking?"
Miel pulled a fob out of her CB, which drew Aelin to her.
The bubbly blonde didn't wait for the older woman to point to a vehicle; she just snatched the fob out of the other woman's hand, then turned around and started pressing the unlock button until she saw the vehicle that beeped. She squealed, then ran over to a long, black SUV.
"I've always wanted to drive one of these!" Aelin opened the driver's door, then stood on the side so she could see over the top of the vehicle. "Hurry up!"
I chuckled. Somehow it was reassuring that despite everything, Aelin was still acting like herself.
"What's her deal with driving?" Miel looked at me as the five of us walked over to the vehicle.
"No clue." I shrugged. "But the ride won't be fun if you don't let her." I looked over at Gesai. "I don't think anyone really minds letting her do most of the driving."
"It makes life a little easier when you know what to expect." The silver woman motioned for me to get in first.
I was about to protest when I saw who was behind me. I hurried and climbed in the back row so Jenne could get in next. I tried to ignore the amused look of Oz's face and the glare on Gesai's as they got in.
I was going to be glad when this was over.