Page 93 of My Pleasure

“Sonofabitch!” Aiden exclaimed, slamming his taco down on his plate.

Meryn continued. “I mean, I don’t think it would help if they put the necklace on right after they turned, but it might find some. Thermal might show more purple than red or whatever.”

Aiden scrubbed his hands over his face. “How come we never thought of that?”

Meryn shrugged. “Y’all need to mate more scientists or STEM chicks.”

“STEM?” Kendrick asked.

“Science. Technology. Engineering and Math,” Kiera answered.

Aiden nodded. “That does sound nice. Thank you, for the new idea baby.”

“No charge.”

Kiera finished her taco and sat back, rubbing her neck.

“You okay?” Hunter asked.

“Better than okay. Usually when I visit, I will have finished off a half a bottle of painkillers by now for headaches. I feel almost normal, just tired,” she said.

Kendrick looked from her to everyone around the table. “Meryn… never mind you’re abnormal.”

“Abnormally awesome,” she rebuffed.

Kendrick then turned to Anne. “How have your headaches been?”

Anne blinked. “Now that you’ve asked, better. When we first got here, it was worse than a sinus pressure headache before a storm. It’s barely there now.” She’ll frown. “Have we acclimated?”

Kendrick will frown. “I’ve lived here centuries and every time I leave and come back it takes me months for the headaches to dissipate.”

Caiden will speak up. “Living this far out, it comes and goes for unit warriors.”

“What does living this far out have to do with allergies?” Kiera asked.

Kendrick will sigh. “It’s not allergies. Myself and others believe that the headaches are a reaction to your psyche fighting the mind control element located in the city.”

Kiera shook her head. “Nope.”

Kendrick paused. “Nope?”

“I’m good.”

“Ahh.” He’ll look down at his plate then over to Caiden. “Good tacos.”

Meryn’s mouth dropped. “Wait… that works?”

Kiera will look at the smaller woman. “What works?”

“You can just say ‘nope’?” Meryn asked.

Kiera shrugged. “I think it works best amongst friends who will respect that boundary.”

Meryn will smirk. “Or people that I force to accept my boundary.”

“Sure, that works too.”

Meryn looks over to her mate. “Babe, I have a new superpower.”