Braxton suddenly halted all of us. It took him no more effort than extending his free arm. “We all stick together. It doesn’t matter what is said or offered, trust no one but each other.” His tone was firm, brooking no argument.

I may have accidentally elbowed him in the ribs, just because he needed to check that tone of voice when addressing the rest of us. We weren’t his subjects yet. The Compasses weren’t due to lead the American Supernatural Council for another three years.

Although they already had the arrogance of that position down pat.

Braxton flashed me some dimple, the first real smile I’d seen from him in a while, and I just about fell on my face. Excuse me, how was it fair to be so ridiculously gorgeous and then also powerful? All of the quads were hot … total assholes. Lucky, I adored their smug faces.

But I had to be careful, it was in their natures to dominate, and if I let them take control of me or the decisions I made, it would all be over. They loved and respected me, I knew that, but sometimes strong men think they know what is best for a woman. All in the name of protecting her of course, and I wouldn’t be that girl. Not even for my Compasses.

As we traversed further into the mountain, a rumble rocked through the empty planes of my stomach. I groaned, wrapping my free hand across my abdomen. “I am so effing hungry.”

I get a little cranky when I’m hungry … understatement of the year.

Braxton’s smile increased, both dimples in full devastating effect, I had to shake my head a few times to clear the hotness that was assaulting every one of my senses. Damn, I needed food and sex. In that order, and not with a Compass. We had a pact, a friendship pact that was sealed in blood. It was not worth risking our dynamics for a quick roll in the hay. I was going to have to look elsewhere.

Okay, so why did the thought of having sex with a stranger kind of fill me with a blank darkness? A depression of sorts? The prospect held no appeal besides scratching the obvious itch. What the frig’ was wrong with me? I loved sex.

“I love sex,” I growled.

Ah, shit. I did not just say that out loud, right? That was supposed to be in my head again. All six of my group ground to a dead halt. Oh yeah, definitely out loud.

Mischa and Grace looked a little astounded, but huge grins had spread across the quads’ faces. And then the laughter started. Tyson was actually bent over, resting both hands on his knees as his large body shook.

“Care to enlighten us to the rest of your thoughts, Jessa babe?” Jacob raised both eyebrows at me a few times, white teeth flashing as he too laughed.