Rafferty watched the God trudge along the horizon. From up here, it didn't look so big, like if she leaned forward far enough she'd be able to snatch the thing up like a doll. It was a good sized Class Two. Dangerous enough, but it shouldn't present a serious problem to a full Hall.

She wanted to go after it right away, but the others had insisted that they wait until morning. If the encounter dragged out, it would be too dangerous to fight in the dark, they reasoned. Rafferty thought if it was just her and Katrin they would already be down there, but she didn't want to put Katrin on the spot by saying that. Trevor had made some comment about Rafferty not even being able to be the sensible one in a group full of reckless Hunters, and walked off seeming satisfied with himself.

Trevor set up camp in that eerily efficient way he did almost anything Jack-like, mostly with Brianna's help. Brianna seemed like a good worker, and Rafferty thought she and Trevor were starting to get along, which at least was something. She noticed that the Triplets didn't seem to do a whole lot.

Once he had the fire going, Trevor slinked off to the tent he was sharing with Erick, and was already sound asleep. It was protocol for the Jacks to share tents, and the girls to share with each other in these situations, but when Trevor had suggested that, Rafferty noticed the raised eyebrows from the other Hunters, and wondered if that was another rule B Hall didn't follow.

That left Rafferty near the edge of the bluffs, the wind on her face, watching tomorrow's opponent move across the landscape. They had agreed that someone should watch tonight, in case the God should make a sudden move to the west and the towns that lie in that direction. Rafferty quickly volunteered. She wouldn't be able to sleep tonight anyway, knowing that the God was right there for the hunting.

Most of the others were gathered around the fire behind her. She thought someone had said something to her just now, but she couldn't make it out over the wind. Rafferty turned.

"Seth asked if you two really never fooled around at all. I told her I didn't think you did," Katrin said.

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"Who two?" asked Rafferty.

Who two? Is that even a sentence?

"You and Trevor," said Katrin.

"Oh. No. Never," she said.

Is that a thing? I mean, you hear rumors, but it's definitely not a J Hall thing.

"Why not?" asked Seth.

"Trevor's cute,'" said Brianna.

"He's just really, really into guys," said Rafferty.

Rafferty hadn't meant that as a joke, but it sure got B Hall laughing.

They seemed to accept it as a good reason, though.

"Well, you can always borrow Caleb if you want. He doesn't really know what he's doing, but the equipment is pretty nice," said Katrin, a twinkle in her eye.

Caleb was a few feet away, packing a bag for tomorrow. He glanced up when she said that, but Rafferty couldn't tell if the look on his face signaled distaste or curiosity. She heard one of his cousins, or brothers, or whatever they were, snicker somewhere behind her.

"No. That's ok," she said, pretty quietly.

"Is there somebody else?" asked Brianna.

"No," Rafferty said, and then, for some reason added "Not really."

"Not really!" exclaimed all the other girls at once, their voices rising.

"I think I know who is it," said Katrin.

Great.

"Is it that Roughcoat guy?" asked Seth.

"Well, he likes her, I can tell you that much," said Katrin, apparently intent on causing trouble.

"Oh, he's cute too. Not Trevor cute, but still," said Brianna.

"I don't know. I mean, mostly he annoys me, but sometimes…. But no, nothing's happened," she said.

"Here, we'll find out for sure," said Katrin, standing up. She motioned for Rafferty to come over, and then she pointed to something on the ground in front of Seth. Seth scooped it up, and tossed it to Katrin. It looked like one of the cans from dinner.

"Hold out your arm," said Katrin.

Rafferty did, and Katrin ran her hand along Rafferty's bracelet.

"Activate them," said Katrin.

Sigh.

Rafferty rolled her shoulder, just a bit, and flicked her wrist. The bracelets briefly sparkled blue.

"Ok. Hold very still," Katrin said. She carefully placed the can on Rafferty arm. When she was satisfied that it was balanced, she let go.

"Close your eyes," said Katrin.

Rafferty reluctantly closed her eyes.

"Ok, now you just heard Brianna say he was cute. Now I want you to picture her kissing Vincent. Real hot and heavy. Arms. Tongues. Passion."

Rafferty tried to keep the image out of her mind, but it was forcing its way in.

"Ok, now maybe he's taking his hand and trying to slide it up her—" Katrin continued.

CRACK.

There was a loud noise as the can jumped high off her arm. Rafferty opened her eyes, and saw it hit the ground, nearly split in half.

"That's it!"

"You love him!"

"Oh, the babies will be cute!"

"Well, they better be, 'cause they won't be very smart."

"Yeah, but I bet they'll kick a lot of ass."

"Oh, do you think their hair will change color?"

Rafferty buried her face in her hands.

See, Trevor. Hardly different from J Hall at all.