Free Shift - 02 by M. R. Merrick

the mirror. A circle of light gray on the outside contrasted the dark blue of my eyes. The dark circles beneath them, however, didn’t do much for me. I ran my hands through thick, messy blond hair a few times and called myself ready. I didn’t know what Rayna had in store for us today, but whatever it was, this would have to do.
    Rai had her claws clamped gently to my shoulder as I came downstairs. There were crumbs of pancakes and a few pieces of leftover fruit in a bowl.   The smell of hash browns and bacon filled the room and Rai jumped from my shoulder and flew into the kitchen.
    “You made breakfast?” I asked with surprise.
    Rayna shook her head. “Breakfast? I’ve been up for hours. This was just a snack.”
    “Were you feeding a small village?”
    Rayna turned and glared at me. “Don’t start with me. Get your shoes on. Let’s go.” She threw the last few dishes into the dishwasher. “Tiki, we're ready!"
    “Be right down.” Tiki sounded excited, matching his expression as he leaned over the iron railing from the library above.
    “I thought we were training?”
    “Later. Marcus wants us to take Tiki shopping first.”
    “You woke me up for shopping? I really hope you're kidding.”
    “Well, I for one don't want to take him anywhere in what he's wearing.”
    “What's wrong with what I'm wearing?” Tiki stepped into the kitchen.
    He kept his baggy, sand stained, white pants on, and the same frayed rope holding them up. I’d offered on countless occasions to give him a belt, but he’d refused, stating the belt was a confusing and useless contraption.
    “Nothing, it's umm…Chase?”
    “It's just…” I eyed Rayna. “You can't walk around in that all the time. You need to try and fit in a little better and not look like you're from another world.”
    “I am from another world.”
    “That's not what I…never mind, let's just go.”  
    “Great!” Rayna smiled and took the keys off the hook. “I'll drive.”

    ********

    “This is perfect!” Rayna's eyes lit up as she held a blue and white plaid shirt beneath my chin.
    “She's right. It does bring out your eyes.” Tiki smiled and searched a rack of clothes.
    I raised my eyebrows. “No.”
    “Why not?”
    “We're shopping for Tiki, not me. I don't need new clothes.” I pushed the shirt away. “Besides, this isn't my style.”
    Rayna laughed. “Have you seen your clothes? You wouldn't know style if it bit you in the–”
    “How about this?” Tiki's voice came from behind. “I could wear it when you take me to Revelations tonight.”
    Tiki held a sheer leopard print shirt against his chest and the smile on his face was wide. Bright white triangular pupils expanded with excitement.
    “Revelations?”
    “Yes. You said I would meet more people like me.”
    “And you have. You've met Rayna, Willy, and unfortunately, Vincent.”
    Tiki eyed me over the coat rack. I looked to Rayna who had a matching glare and sighed.
    “Fine. We'll take you.”
    Tiki smiled. “So, you like?” He held the shirt up again.
    Rayna arched a brow, trying to find a way to let him down gently.
    I smirked at Rayna before she could reply. “That's perfect.”
    Tiki's smile grew wider. “I'm going to see if they have pants like this.” He turned and disappeared behind another rack of clothing.
    “Chase!” Rayna's fist slammed into my shoulder. “Why would you say that?”
    “He likes it. Let him have it.”
    “That's worse than what he’s wearing."
    I shrugged. “Maybe you should've taken him shopping by yourself.”
    “Back to being an ass as usual, I see.” Rayna eyes were fierce. “That's fine. We're training later, so I have an excuse to hit you.”
    “Great! I'll gladly beat some of that attitude out of you.”
    “Go try this on.” Rayna shoved the shirt back against me and rushed away. “Tiki…put that down.”
    I held the shirt out in front of me and looked at it. “Yep, that’s definitely not going to happen.” I stuck the shirt