Free Determine by Viola Grace Page A

bowl.
    Determined not to be rousted by local heroes just because they liked to be alone, she remained in her seat until the confused server returned.
    “Aren’t you done?”
    Liskey was getting uncomfortable, but Hydra was having fun. “A cup of tea, please, and a pay unit.”
    He looked at her. “You want a cup of tea?”
    “Please. I have an evening of tests to mark. I need to stay awake.”
    He disappeared into the back and reappeared with the pay unit.
    Sighing in surrender, she paid the bill and got to her feet.
    Liskey leapt up with relief.
    The server grabbed the unit and was on his way back to the kitchen when a voice said, “Excuse me, please.”
    Immediately, the server changed direction and headed to the table behind Hydra’s back.
    Soft words were spoken and the server rushed back to the kitchen, returning to her side with a pot of tea. “I apologize. I forgot about your tea, miss.”
    Liskey had a hot blush on her chalky cheeks, her red eyes were wide as someone approached from behind Hydra.
    She heard the scraping of chairs behind her, and the four Guardians were suddenly standing next to their table. Three men and one woman smiled behind the masks that concealed most of their features. One male with dark mocha skin stood next to her. “May we join you?” Liskey squeaked in surprise.
    “What my friend means is please, join us. We are just recovering from a staff lunch.” Hydra smiled and tried to meet their eyes, but power was flickering behind each gaze, and she couldn’t maintain the contact.
    “This is Instructor Liskey Aldu, I am Instructor Hydrangea Graham.” She inclined her head politely.
    “I am Starburn, this is Breaker, Warp and Tangle.” He inclined his head in response, his snow-white hair sliding forward over one shoulder.
    “Pleased to meet you.” They all took seats, and Hydra had to ask, “So, it was Breaker that tried to get us to leave earlier?”
    The woman smiled, her dark hair shifted in a loose wave that denoted wind even though they were indoors. “We usually prefer to eat alone. Your presence here was a bit of a surprise.”
    “I do apologize, but my companion here got me across the city from the Academy with the promise of something that matched a beverage from my home world. I wasn’t leaving until I tried it.”
    Starburn smiled, “The soup? We smelled it when we came in.”
    Hydra grinned. “Yes. The compound tastes remarkably similar to something that I have been craving, but after eating an entire bowl of it, I think I am good for a while.”
    Warp chuckled. “You are braver than I am. It smells amazing, but I doubt that the taste matches up.”
    Hydra wrinkled her nose. “It doesn’t, but neither does coffee. It smells much better than it tastes, so the similarities carry over.” The conversation turned to food from home and the reasons that adults sought it out. Tangle tried to get Liskey involved in the discussion, but she merely sat and kept up her violent blush.
    Starburn asked, “What do you teach, Instructor Graham?”
    “Hydra, please. I teach interspecies contract law and etiquette. If you could believe it, Liskey teaches public speaking.”
    The table laughed, and Hydra winced as Liskey kicked her under the table. “Apparently, subversive combat should have been on her roster as well.”
    “Shut up, Hydra.” Liskey hissed.
    “Yes, miss.” Hydra checked the chronometer on the wall and winced. “I am sorry to have intruded on your private time, but Liskey and I have to get back to the Academy. Thank you for the company.”
    The men got to their feet, and Starburn helped Hydra on with her wrap. That small contact sent a flush through her cheeks, and she smacked herself mentally for losing her cool. “Thank you.” She ducked her head and waved farewell, hauling Liskey with her.
    The moment they were out the door, they grinned at each other, and as they were sure that they were out of earshot, they started laughing like naughty children.
    *