Stay by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page A

entrance still open?”
    “Yeah, come around this way.”
    It was much easier to move around with Hailey’s light guiding the way, but it was strange to be moving in a group like ours. Two Pterons and two bears? I wondered when the last time that had happened.
    We wound our way around the cave, until finally the smallest stream of sunlight came into view. We all picked up the pace, anxious to leave the cave behind. At least I was, and I was positive Hailey was too. I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating. Pterons and caves don’t mix.
    We dashed out into the sunlight. I’d never take the sun for granted again. I gazed up at the sky with adoration. For a while there I’d actually wondered if I’d ever see it again.
    I couldn’t spend too long staring up. I transformed, needing to feel the warm rays on my wings and once again relieved that whatever Tiffany had done to me had worn off, or rather Vera had helped me fight it. I didn’t see her. I did however see Hailey standing there with her hands blocking her eyes.
    Oh yeah. I was still buck naked.
    “Please put some pants on.” Hailey groaned. “I don’t know how much more of this I can take.”
    “Owen would be glad to know you hide your eyes when a guy’s naked.”
    “I do it specifically when you’re naked, Jared. Not all guys.”
    Vera appeared next to me in her human form. She was wearing short shorts and a tiny tank top again. They may have been the same ones she wore when we’d met her the day before. Had it really only been a day? It had felt like an eternity since I’d last seen everyone else.
    “Give the poor girl a break,” Vera held out a pair of pants. “Put these on.’
    “What are these?”
    “They’re called pants. It’s kind of the in thing right now for people to wear.”
    Hailey laughed. “I like you. I’m Hailey by the way.”
    I stepped into the too short pants while the girls introduced themselves.
    “I’m Vera.” She bent down to pick up something off the ground. I tried not to stare, but man what an ass.
    “Jared, stop checking out Casey’s sister.”
    “You know Casey?” Vera said with excitement.
    “Yeah. She’s really cool. She also speaks highly of you.”
    “Ok, girls. Enough chit chat.”
    Both girls turned to glare at me.
    “Where’s the other bear?” Had I really been so distracted I’d just let him disappear.
    “I’m here.” A fairly tall and very broad guy with blond hair walked over. “I’m Eric.”
    “Jared.”
    “I know.”
    “Did you guys just happen to be here?” We had a lot to do, but I still didn’t know how they’d found us. Maybe this meant Casey and Toby had made it to safety. But Casey. Her head. I had to tell them.
    “Toby told us where you were. I promised Casey I’d find Vera.” Eric smiled at her, and I wanted to smack him. Was I really getting possessive over a bear? A bear who pissed me off more than anyone I’d ever met?
    “Have you seen them?” I tried to keep the panic out of my voice, but it wasn’t easy. I had no idea what condition Casey would be in.
    “I’ve seen Toby, Casey was with her mom though. They are at some bear island place.” Hailey was finally looking at me again now that I was appropriately covered.
    “She’s with our mom?” Vera asked. “When? I haven’t heard from Mom in weeks.”
    “I helped connect them.” Eric smiled sheepishly. “I’m kind of the middle man.”
    “That’s great, but more to the point, has anyone seen Casey?” We had no time to lose.
    “I saw her. She’s not feeling great.” Eric seemed worried. That only worried me more.
    “Tiffany messed with her head.”
    “Tiffany?” Hailey looked at me funny. “ Our Tiffany?”
    “Oh yeah. You don’t know yet.” There was so much to explain, yet so little time.
    “Uh, what don’t I know?”
    “Tiffany isn’t Tiffany. She’s a crazy witch who’s been behind everything.”
    Hailey shook her head. “This isn’t the time to play games with