I grunted, tossing the ball. Sin and I had gone exploring — snooping — after we had changed clothes yesterday. We had figured out we were in Choep, New York, from license plates on the Rulers’ extensive car collection and a bit of flirting on Sin’s part with a housekeeper, which meant they had flown us here from New Orleans while we had been unconscious. Like Sin had said, this was one of the four castles they had around the world. They spent their time evenly between all four, so we were unsure how long we were going to be inside this veritable fortress. The outside of the place was made completely of large chunks of stone, and even the windows were tall and thin like the castles of old, with colorful stained glass.
“Well, shall we?” Sin asked, and I heard his stomach growl. “We didn’t go to dinner last night.” Green eyes found mine with a bit of humor. I had been exerting my independence by defying the Rulers the first night, which had resulted in King Collins pounding on our door for at least a good half-hour until he gave up. “And I’m starving.”
“We ate lunch yesterday,” I mumbled, but I crawled out of bed. “And it’s not as if we didn’t eat that huge fruit basket for dinner.”
“And the chocolates,” Sin crooned, stretching before he got out of bed.
I nodded with a small grin. “Now, the chocolates I could get used to.” I turned to the mirror on the wall and stared at my reflection, trying to imagine a different set of clothes past my pajamas. My white and pink straight hair was a tousled mess, hanging down to my shoulders. My peaches-and-cream complexion was slightly flushed from sleep, and my sky blue eyes stared back at me from a heart-shaped face. My bitty diamond nose ring twinkled in the morning light, and my pink lips opened wide in a yawn. “I should probably shower.” And then try to figure out something to wear.
Lifting the fine china delicately, I peered across the bar to Sin as he lifted his, eyeing it closely. I whispered, “Don’t even think about it.” These dishes would bring in a small fortune if hawked to the right store.
Sin’s lips twitched, but he stopped evaluating the china and we moved down the long, island bar where a vast amount of breakfast food was spread out, buffet style, for our selection. This was the breakfast room we would be eating in every day, which was actually in the Elemental section of the castle. Lunches were in the Mage section, dinners in the Vampire section, and any formal dinners were to be held in the Shifter section, which apparently was the more normally decorated area for visitors. Half of the group was already sitting at the colorful wooden table. The entire intimate kitchen was a kaleidoscope of all the Elemental colors, even the large tiles on the floor alternating between the different colors.
“I’m glad to see you two decided to join us this morning,” King Collins growled from his seat as he rested on his chair, his trendy black and blue suit definitely custom-made to fit his unique style. “Do I need to remind you dinners are not optional?”
I continued placing items on my plate that made my mouth water while Sin glanced up with one of his cardinal grins, stating, “We were busy.” We had been, as we were hiding out in the bedroom watching television and munching on the goodies from the fruit basket. “We’ll try to make it in the future.”
Queen Ruckler, dressed in all black, snorted around her food at that last bit. “Sin, try to remember there are those around you who know when you’re lying.” She glanced between the two of us then asked, “And what were you two doing that was so important you couldn’t have dinner with us?”
Sin’s lips twitched as he peered to the plethora of food. “I was eating a peach.”
I choked on the strawberry I was sampling, glancing at him under my lids quickly.
He winked at me as the table went silent, saying seductively, “And the juices were succulent.”
Oh, Lord.
London bent to Queen Cooper, murmuring quietly, “That is the weirdest brother and sister relationship I’ve ever known.” A pause. “Maybe it’s a criminal thing.”
Turning my back on them, I couldn’t help but chuckle softly, elbowing Sin in good fun when he came to stand by me. Both of us found a drink we wanted from another bar, and I whispered, “Try to behave. I’m not sure they’re ready for us.” A pause. “Especially London, the poor guy.”
“Ready for what about you two?” Brann rumbled behind me, startling me so badly I almost dropped my food, Sin having to use his quick hands to grab my plate, steadying it. I froze when Brann’s heat suffused my back as he stepped closer, not a wholly comfortable feeling. He was almost touching my back as he reached over me to the yellow cabinet above, opening it…and damn near trapping me against the counter with his massive frame. His scent, which I hadn’t noticed before, filled my nostrils, smelling of pine and earth, kind of like the smell right as it begins to rain.
Sin picked up the orange juice he had set down to help me, glancing at me as he turned to Brann. He rested his hip against the counter, using the orange juice bottle to gesture with a flourish. “Caro doesn’t believe this group can handle our…unique eccentricities.”
I held still as Brann lifted a coffee cup from a shelf while raising his other arm up, now literally trapping me as he deliberately and slowly shut the cabinet.
Sin bent forward, stating softly but with a tone of very real warning, “And she also doesn’t like to be crowded.”
“Fascinating,” Brann purred softly, not moving his closeness one inch as he lowered his arms, placing his hands and his coffee cup on the counter on either side of me. “On the first count, that theory’s probably right for a few in our group, but not any of the Rulers since they all have their own unique eccentricities as I’m sure you’ll both learn quickly enough. And on the second count…Felon’s in my way of the coffee and I can be a bit irritable until I’ve had a few cups.”
I jerked out of my frozen state, noticing the huge pot of coffee at the back of the bar that was still filling with its heady brew right in front of me. “So sorry to inconvenience you, Herculean. I didn’t realize pretentious wolf men needed caffeine to rightly start their day.” I forced myself to turn around inside the cage he had made of his body, my shoulder brushing along his warm, hard torso as I did so. And I took the plunge, tilting my head all the way back to stare him in the face. I was not to be cowed this day, and I met his gaze straight on as he stared down at me. Pathetically, my mind again blanked for a few moments as I stared into liquid amber, almost the most intoxicating color I had ever seen, and I mumbled stupidly, “You smell like the forest.”
Perfectly styled black curls dangled around his face while he returned my regard, hiding his face from anyone else watching us, and oddly I felt like a nervous rabbit being stared at by a hungry wolf. One side of his mouth curved, and my eyes flicked down to watch the action before returning to his utterly alpha gaze. His voice was all rumbly when he said, “I went for a run this morning in the woods.” His gaze flickered down my face gradually, and even more slowly it traveled down my body, not missing any detail as he lifted away from me, giving me room. His gaze landed on my feet and stayed there as he mumbled absently, “Jesus, even your toes are tiny.”
I wiggled said toes, glancing down past my bright yellow graphic t-shirt and stone-washed holey jeans to my feet. I wore flip-flops so my hot pink polish sparkled up at me. “Next to yours, anyone’s feet would be tiny.”
He grunted, but he abruptly started chuckling quietly. He was still staring at my feet, and again, the sound was relaxing: deep and rough. “Nice toe ring.”
I tilted my head, staring down at the Elemental Prodigy ring King Collins had gifted me yesterday after lunch, which I wore on my second toe. He had said to always keep it on me, whether I wore it or not, so I went with this choice. It was spelled, so as soon as I put it on my toe it had transformed from its previous larger size to fit perfectly. “Thanks.”
He rubbed his chin then flicked a finger at my body. “Although, the shirt and jeans could use some work.”
I shrugged a shoulder, moving out of his way for the
coffee. “Unlike the snooty and overprivileged, I prefer to be relaxed during the day over having to constantly watch what I might accidentally get on my clothes.” I stared pointedly at today’s black cashmere thin sweater he wore over his black dress trousers, instead of yesterday’s navy sweater. “I mean, do you shed a tear while saying a small prayer of forgiveness when you spill something on them?”
He stared down his nose at me for a moment. “No.” A lift of his eyebrows. “Like the snooty and overprivileged, obviously a class you know nothing of, I throw the garment away and put on another.” And…I think he was serious. I stared. He began pouring his cup of coffee, turning his attention to Sin. “And the peaches in the fruit baskets are succulent.”
Sin stared at him for a long moment. “I see I’m not the only one who appreciates the finer points of eavesdropping.” Brann hadn’t been in the kitchen when we had been talking earlier. Sin smirked, pushing off the counter to bend forward and whisper something to Brann I couldn’t hear before leaning back and inhaling grandly, making a production of it. “What’s that? Oh, yes. The scent of truth.”
I sighed heavily, rolling my eyes, and maneuvered creatively, herding Sin toward the kitchen table. “I said behave.”
Sin gave me a look, twisting agilely and easily away from my ushering to walk beside me. “Caro,” a soft kiss to the top of my head, “that was behaving.”
I snorted because for him that was the truth, and I placed my plate on the table next to King Collins and sat down, Sin sitting on the other side of me. Lifting my spoon, I glanced at the King. “We need to borrow a car today if that would be all right.” They had plenty of them. “Unless there’s a bus close by.” If they were stingy it would do.
King Collins’s brown eyes evaluated me. “What do you two need to leave for?” Nope, he didn’t trust us one bit.
“I need to buy a car,” Sin stated bluntly. “Caro doesn’t approve of me stealing yours anytime I want to leave, so I need transportation.” His eyebrows lifted. “Unless I’m a prisoner here?”
The answer was slow in coming but King Collins sighed, stating, “No. You’re not. After reviewing your, as you correctly stated, extensive file, I believe it would be pointless to try to contain you. But I do expect you sleeping under this roof every evening.”
Sin nodded once in agreement.
With that taken care of, I stated with a shrug, “And I need to find a job.” I scooped oatmeal onto my spoon, ready to dig in since it smelled like it had sugar and cinnamon mixed in. One of my favorites. It took me a moment to realize the entire kitchen had gone silent. Spoon hovering in front of my mouth, I glanced about, eyes ending on Sin’s. His lips twitched before he went back to eating, while everyone remained frozen in whatever they were doing. Lowering my utensil, I asked, “Did I say something wrong?”
King Zeller asked bluntly, “Why do you need a job?”
“Um…because as far as I know, being a Prodigy isn’t a paying gig, kind of like an apprentice. Until I become Queen, then I’m sure there’s some kind of pay…” I glanced at King Collins. “That’s right, isn’t it? Queens get some type of pay?” He nodded slowly, so I continued. “But since I’m not Queen yet, when one needs money,” duh, “they get a job.”
Queen Ruckler wiped her mouth carefully, setting the napkin down slowly. “Your parents are unable to financially assist you?” She paused, watching me closely. “No family inheritance?”
Sin glanced at me, then he answered the question when I didn’t. “We were in the foster program for a while until we were…taken in…by an individual who we wouldn’t care to speak with again.” He paused. “I have my own cash,” he was a smart criminal, not a stupid one, “but Caro won’t take any of it.”
“It’s yours, not mine,” I mumbled, giving him a quick scowl, tired of that argument.
“Which you keep saying, and I still don’t understand.” He glared right back, then he turned his attention to Queen Ruckler. “Anyway, she’s broke. So, if she wants money to spend on food or clothing — you know, the necessities — she gets a job.”
Again, uncomfortable silence sat heavily in the room, and I asked point-blank, “All of you couldn’t have been rich by birth like Herculean over there. One of you has to understand.” All I got was more silence. I sighed and picked up my spoon again, glancing at Sin. “Great, now I’m not only the newbie, I’m also the poor kid.”
He snorted, peering at me under his lashes as he continued to eat, not at all unnerved by the staring and silence. “I can’t help with the first part, but the other part doesn’t have to be that way.”
“Shut up,” I mumbled. “You earned it, not me, so quit offering.” I ate a mouthful of food and tried not to notice how Brann began moving again from his frozen place, or gawk at the two huge platefuls he set down right across from me. I turned my attention back to King Collins. “So, about borrowing a car…”
King Collins unfroze, clearing his throat, and glanced at the other Rulers before turning his gaze to me. “You can borrow a car to go car shopping for Sin,” he paused, peering up at Sin, “and I mean legally buying one, not lifting one from the street corner,” eyes back to me, “but you’ll have an armed escort wherever you go outside of these walls. It’s standard procedure for any Prodigy or Ruler…which would create an issue for you holding a job.”
I scowled…because he was right. No one would hire me with armed guards surrounding me on the job.
He rested further on his chair, staring at his hands on the table. “This situation is new to me, so you’ll have to give me a moment.” His lips pursed. “Normally a Prodigy’s day is sporadically full with different types of learning, and since you’re new to this and haven’t been trained politically—”
I stopped him. “I do have a business degree.” When his gaze snapped to mine with a look of disbelief, I added, “I know you’ve done a background check on me by now. Try the name Hulson. I was in an accelerated program, and that’s the name I gave the school when I earned it a few years back.”
He blinked. “Well, that’s one mystery solved.” He glanced at Queen Ruckler before continuing slowly, “As I was saying, your days will be full, on an as-needed basis, depending on my schedule.” He shook his head. “I honestly see no way for you to have work outside your duties as Prodigy.”
I stared. “Then how the hell am I supposed to—” I stopped when he lifted a hand.
“This situation obviously needs to be reviewed by not only myself, but with the other Rulers. We should have been prepared for situations like these and we weren’t, so you’ll have to bear with me for a few days until we review your needs, and the potential needs of future Prodigies.” He paused. “I’m sorry. We were obviously closed-minded on this fact. We assumed. And we’ll rectify this in some way.”
He glanced about the room, his brown eyes not really focusing on anything. “Until we’ve come to an agreement, obviously all of your food and toiletries will be taken care of here.” His gaze finally landed. On me. “Do you have enough clothing to last a few days?”
I blinked, actually feeling a flush start to burn my cheeks. I couldn’t remember a time when I had done that, this becoming a conversation I was now realizing I should have had in private with him. “I believe I can make do.” I cleared my throat. “I’m sure you have a washing machine somewhere here I can do my laundry in.”
King Collins’s eyes turned soft, making me feel even worse because I was no one’s sympathy girl. I never had been. I was the woman others feared, and this was a very different situation for me. It was actually making me feel bad about myself when I never had before, seeing how I must appear through his eyes. He nodded once and patted my hand while I stared at the action. “I’ll get back with you shortly. Again, I’m sorry I wasn’t better prepared.”
I stared where he had kindly touched my hand, and I quickly cleared my throat. “No problem.”
There was a beat of silence, which felt even more uncomfortable than before, then Brann rum
bled, “Maybe you should wear a bib while you eat, so you don’t spill anything on the precious few clothes you do have.” Startled, my gaze flew across the table. Amber eyes quickly scanned over my still-flushed face, and his eyebrows lifted. “After all, I’ve heard the housekeeping staff complain about the terrors of the laundry machines here. You wouldn’t want to take on those beasts too many times from the sound of it.”
I stared for a long moment then felt my lips twitch. “Do they pound and jump about making the staff run in terror?”
He nodded once, placing his napkin on his lap. “You must be psychic because that is, indeed, the current gossip.”
I chuckled quietly, lifting my spoon, and played along with his attempt to lighten the situation. “Well, I won’t have that issue since I don’t have enough clothing to overload the machine.”
“Ah,” he pointed around his fork, lips quirking, “now it all makes sense, because there was some complaint of how many clothes the Rulers go through on a daily basis.”
I tilted my head, expression turning thoughtful. “Perhaps while the Rulers discuss the situation of the poverty-stricken Prodigy, they should discuss raises for the house staff.”
His look turned sly, eyes narrowing with a curve of his lips that was of a pure scoundrel. “Why not add in the health benefits and life insurance?”
My eyes popped wide. “Brilliant.” I thumped King Collins on the shoulder. “Take notes.”
London murmured from out of nowhere, his baritone carrying no matter how quietly he spoke, “And don’t forget about the purchase of new, larger laundry machines.”
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