Taking the items from her hands, I mumbled, “Alright.”
So I cleaned.
And cleaned.
And dusted some more while she spent an hour figuring the correct way the golden imperial chair had been…and she went through many different variations.
Jack rolled in bed once, slitting open his red rimmed eyes, only to roll back over.
Pearl handed me a lint brush and pointed at the — now — perfect golden chair.
With hands reeking of Windex, of which half the bottle had gone to scrubbing the couch, I nodded dutifully and started rolling the lint brush meticulously over the spotless golden cushion. Listening to Pearl curse repeatedly as she started on the brown leather love seat — all the while wishing she would fix the damn coffee table so there weren’t so many sharp objects lying about — I bent to reach the golden legs of the chair. Without warning, heated hands rested on my hips and muscled legs brushed the backs of mine. After scenting the air to confirm the individual’s identity, I tilted my head to the side when Ezra leaned over me.
Against my ear, he whispered, “You got this?”
“Have been for the last hour,” I murmured, glancing at Pearl. “Can you handle Jack?”
“Yeah.” Ezra’s heavy sigh was stricken, his warm breath fanning against my neck. “I’m going to find a TV to bring in here. I don’t think he’s getting out of bed for a while. He’s lying awake over there, staring at his hand.”
Straightening, I popped my back, then relaxed against Ezra’s solid strength. He gently massaged my cramped back muscles as we contemplated the new sunlight and the crystal clear blue sky above us. I whispered, “It’s hard to believe beauty can still exist when the world is so bleak.”
He hummed lightly as we watched a bird fly across the sky. “It’s the beauty that helps us return from the harshness. If it wasn’t there, we would have nothing to live for.” With ease, he brushed his lips against the side of my neck. “I’m going to take a shower, then find us a TV.”
The actions of our brief conversation were so domesticated, so normal, during this turbulent time; it was exactly what I needed to fortify myself to be who Pearl needed.
I went back to cleaning.
A knock sounded on our door two hours later. I was still helping Pearl, while Ezra sat next to Jack on the bed flipping through channels on the flat screen TV he had found, trying to find a station that didn’t show anything about the riots. The television hung suspended in the air between two dressers.
At the sound of the knock, Ezra and I both froze. Jack didn’t move, which wasn’t surprising, and Pearl continued muttering to herself and pulling on her hair as she — finally — attempted to get the coffee table back to rights. My eyes swung to Ezra, and he blinked, staring at something on the wall. He pointed in the direction of the closets while saying softly, “Your name’s glowing above your closet.”
The knock came again.
I raced across the room to see that, indeed, my name was glowing above the door to my closet. “It could be like a doorbell, telling us which door someone’s knocking on?” I glanced around worriedly. “Maybe they’ll go away?”
Once again the knock sounded, more forcefully this time.
“Or not.” Ezra jumped from the bed and turned toward Pearl. “Think I can move her?”
We stared.
“No,” I whispered, watching as Pearl magically raised the coffee table into the air, which currently looked like a science experiment gone wrong. “I wouldn’t mess with her.”
Ezra ran a hand through his spiked hair. Nodded jerkily. “Alright. We answer. Elder Farrar spelled the rooms. He wouldn’t do this without a foolproof plan.”
Warily, we moved to the door.
Ezra positioned himself behind me like a sentinel so no one could enter.
I slowly opened the door a smidge to peek through the crack.
Amused golden eyes found mine. “‘Bout time, Lil.”
Antonio shoved the door with his hand, bumping my body back against Ezra’s as the door swung open fully. His eyes went wide as he watched Pearl make the freaky coffee table hover before her and spin in a circle so she could see all the wrong angles. His lips pursed as his golden eyes darted to Jack on the bed.
Rolling his shoulders, Antonio peered back to us and said softly, “The room is obviously spelled. Only you four and the person who created the spell,” he smirked, “me, can see what is really happening inside. When a door is knocked on, the owner’s name will glow above their closet, which, it appears, you already figured out. Remember to keep your hand on the doorknob, otherwise they won’t be able to see you. To them, the room appears as your old rooms did at the Kings’ houses.” He glanced to Ezra, then back to me. “They won’t even be able to hear the other heartbeats inside.” He held a finger up. “But don’t let them in. If they cross the entrance, the truth will be shown.”
I blinked.
“I also came to tell you there’s a meeting in the Ruler’s main conference room in an hour.” He lifted a hand, which held a large paper bag. “And to give you sustenance. It’s everyone’s favorite.” He passed the bag to me and kissed my cheek, whispering, “Take a shower, Lil. You stink of cleaning products and your hair’s a mess.” He stared at Ezra over my shoulder for a few moments, an unreadable expression on his face, before turning on his heel and sauntering down the hallway. “You’re welcome.”
I started, hollering at his retreating form, “Thank you!”
He waved a negligent hand before turning the corner and disappearing from view.
Ezra and I stood frozen, staring after Antonio, before Ezra tapped the door closed with a swift flick of his finger. His arm curved over my shoulder as he lifted the bag from my hands. Glancing inside it, he hummed in appreciation before bumping me with his elbow. “You don’t reek so bad. Though you do have major bedhead.”
“Thanks,” I muttered, turning to peer into the bag. My stomach growled. “I’m still going to eat before I shower.”
Chapter Four
Ezra and I wandered the twisting hallways of King Cave, trying to figure out where the hell we were going. Antonio had kindly placed a map inside our breakfast bag, but we were still lost. Jack remained in bed, and he hadn’t moved or eaten any of the food we left on one of the bedside tables. Pearl had finished reconstructing the coffee table and had moved on to fixing the bookcases. Neither of our best friends were in a state to attend this meeting. Hopefully, it wouldn’t last too long so we could quickly get back to them. So it seemed right on par for this awful morning that, as we rounded a sharp corner, I slammed against an enormous, firm body.
Grunting, I started to fall, but Ezra’s arm blurred. He caught and righted me. Swiftly pulling his hand back, Ezra started to maneuver around the man I had slammed into.
I wasn’t moving. My feet were firmly planted to the cave floor as I stared at a god of a Shifter. Seeing panting in my future, I quickly shut my mouth and stared instead.
“Sorry about that.” The black-haired Shifter grinned. “Who knew King Cave could have danger lurking around the corner?”
My eyes ate up his features as Ezra stepped back beside me, obviously understanding I wasn’t moving anytime soon. “Yeah, who knew?” The Shifter’s brown eyes were very pretty on his rugged, chiseled face. Holding out my hand, I stated, “I’m Lily.”
He chuckled, extending his hand and taking mine in a firm handshake. His gaze never once dipped away from mine, holding eye contact, which was damn impressive. This Shifter was most definitely a strong alpha. Probably my age of twenty or right around there. “I’m Finn, and I know who you are. It’s lovely to meet you.”
After releasing my hand, Finn held out his own map, still holding my gaze. “I got in only an hour ago, so I have no clue where to get something to eat. I’m embarrassingly lost.” He wasn’t embarrassed at all with the way he stepped forward, invading my space.
I didn’t mind one bit. It had been a long time since I’d had a bed pa
rtner. My hormones kicked into overdrive when his heat pressed against me. “I can’t help you with that,” I murmured, sounding a smidge breathless and tilting my head toward Ezra. “We’re also lost.”
Finn didn’t even glance at Ezra, his eyes leveling with mine as he bent. “That’s a pity.” His dark head tilted as his nostrils flared — a tiny smile etching his yummy lips — more than likely scenting the fact his mere presence was turning me on. “Maybe we can find it together.” Not really a question, more an implied request to something else altogether.
Ezra snorted softly, turning his attention away from us.
And still, Finn didn’t look away.
“Now’s not a good time,” I stated, doing a wonderful job to keep the disappointment from my tone. “I have a meeting I have to attend.”
He cocked his head. “Raincheck?” Yeah, he wasn’t asking to have a meal together.
Our staring contest had definitely become a battle of wills now, so I couldn’t scan over his body, but he had felt plenty hard enough when I had run into him. “Possibly.”
He grinned, dimples creasing his cheeks. “Promising.”
“We’re going to be late,” Ezra drawled, glancing at his watch.
Finn straightened, taking the hint. Winking at me, he twisted between Ezra and me, and passed by. He only took his eyes off mine when he turned the corner.
“Alpha?” Ezra rumbled, giving me a tiny shove in the other direction.
“Oh, yes. Very powerful.” I rolled my shoulders as I moved along with him. My voice had dropped an octave from that little encounter. “It has been a very long time, Ezra.”
Ezra grunted, rubbing his nose and glancing down at our map.
I sighed, pointing at the conference room area. “I think we took a wrong turn there.”
Glancing from side-to-side, he agreed.
It took us ten more minutes to find the main Ruler conference room, having entered three other smaller ones first. Pathetically, we didn’t actually find it ourselves. In the end, we followed the sound of Antonio and Cahal — Ezra’s dad — arguing around another corner.
“You can cut the damn act, Antonio,” Cahal muttered, his voice traveling loudly, which meant he was probably shouting. “You’ve always been a bad liar.”
“Go fuck yourself,” Antonio retorted. “It’s not an act, as much as you think otherwise.”
I sniffed the air as Ezra and I tentatively turned the corner. I smelled deception. Whatever they were arguing about, Antonio had just lied to Cahal. Only a Shifter would scent it though. And his heart rate was normal for an argument. Not wanting to give the lie away, I hooded my eyes when their attention slammed to us.
Cahal’s nostrils were already flared, but he stalled. Inhaling even more deeply, he glanced at me. His dark gaze instantly swung to his son.
Ezra’s lips twitched, his gauging eyes darting between the arguing two. “She just met a Shifter she wants to jump in bed with.”
My cheeks flushed, and I realized Cahal was smelling my lingering arousal. “I wouldn’t say ‘jump’ exactly.” That made me sound like a slut. After a quick glare at Ezra, I turned my attention to Antonio. “If you’ll point us to the main Ruler conference room, we’ll get out of your hair.”
Antonio ran an agitated hand through said golden hair. “I’ll show you.” His eyes pierced Cahal’s, glowing in silent warning. “We’re through here.” He shoved the riled Vampire’s shoulder as he walked, herding Ezra and I into a conference room two doors down.
Cahal was still glaring at the back of Antonio’s head.
“What was that about?” I barely breathed.
Antonio yanked his hair back with a hair tie, his movements agitated. “Things aren’t always what they appear, Lil. You’d do well to remember that.” He left us, marching straight to an extensive bar at a corner of the vast square room, and poured himself a large drink. It wasn’t even noon yet.
Ezra raised an eyebrow in silent question.
I only shrugged, not giving away the fact that I knew Antonio had lied to his dad. Antonio and Cahal had acted distant at the graduation, but they had worked together well. They had trusted each other anyway, when the attacks had occurred. But then, they were used to that type of interaction, since they had been the Kings when the war had erupted the first time. It appeared they didn’t like each other any more than any other Mystical from different factions.
Turning my attention to the packed room, I saw all of the current Kings, healthy and well, standing in the corner and speaking with other men dressed as they were in suits. In fact, everyone was in a suit. Glancing down at my own attire of a t-shirt and a pair of jeans, and then at Ezra in his jeans and t-shirt, plus his hooded blue jacket, I kind of wished Antonio had mentioned the dress requirement. We were sorely out of place.
Not to mention… “I’m the only female here.”
Ezra chuckled. “You’ll get the most attention, then.”
“As if I want it,” I muttered quickly under my breath. A Shifter with black hair was approaching, wearing a friendly smile with his stuffy duds. He appeared to be mid-thirties in Com years, so he was probably between one hundred and one hundred and fifty years old. Handsome and tall — like all Mysticals — his body was built with plenty of muscles, as all Shifter bodies were. He had a kind face compared to all the stoic individuals inside the room.
“Lily Ruckler. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand, while I enjoyed listening to his lilting brogue. “I’m Elder Talus.”
Keeping my expression pleasant, I shook his hand, having no clue who he was except to guess he had been the King Shifter directly before Antonio and Cahal’s group were in power. “It’s nice to meet you, too.” Removing my hand from his, I gestured to Ezra. “This is Ezra Zeller, Prodigy Vampire.” I smiled sweetly at Ezra, pulling the attention off myself and also giving him a little payback for his comment outside.
Ezra’s lips twitched, but he greeted Elder Talus agreeably.
For me to only blink and see Cahal suddenly next to us.
Glancing once at Ezra’s dad, Elder Talus booked a hasty retreat.
Heh. Who would have thought having Ezra’s pops around would be advantageous?
“Did you get settled in alright?” Cahal asked Ezra, completely ignoring me.
I was perfectly fine with this, letting my gaze roam the room. My eyes landed on King Kincaid. Taking advantage of Cahal’s snuff a few beats later, I snuck away to where all four Kings were standing and chatting with a — I was assuming — set of four Elders.
King Kincaid tucked me under his arm, staring down at me like a proud papa. “You protected many. You did well yesterday.”
I smiled. It was gloomy. “There were a lot who we couldn’t save.”
King Fergus’s eyes darted round the room. “Have you seen Jack?”
“Or Pearl?” King Nelson murmured quietly, his eyes also scanning.
I cleared my throat and spoke quietly, since the four Elders they had been speaking with were now talking amongst themselves, but were also definitely eavesdropping with their not-so-covert glances my way. “Jack and Pearl won’t be attending today.” Realizing they didn’t know from their instant stunned expressions, which were quickly turning irritated, I stated, “Their mates died.”
Blank faces all around, including the eavesdroppers.
“Christ,” King Fergus muttered, glancing to the door. “That’s what happened when they fainted.” He cracked his neck. “I’ll be back after I check on Jack.”
Instantly shaking my head, I added, “He’s not exactly taking visitors right now.” A glance to King Nelson. “Or Pearl. They were both…” I let my words hang. They could make their own assumptions. But I did glance up at King Kincaid. “Fi’s alright?” Fi was his mate, who had treated me as a daughter for the past year.
Dark eyes so like Dominic’s met mine. “Yes. She’s fine.”
“Does anyone know about Pearl or Jack’s families?” Ezra asked, strolling to
stand next to me, having apparently escaped his father. “I’d like to give them some good news if I can.”
King Venclaire nodded. “Both families are fine. They made the journey here with us and they’re staying. They don’t want to risk traveling.”
Ezra and I sighed in relief. At least there was something decent to tell them.
“If everyone will please take a seat, this meeting is being called to order,” an elderly Elemental stated just as I saw Richard, Elder Harcourt, slip inside the room.
I sat at the far end of the black and gray marble oval table. It was bulky enough to fit the roughly thirty men and me around its edges. I was fairly sure that all the men I didn’t know were Elders. Power exuded throughout the room, making it stifling since the door was now closed.
The older Elemental who had called the meeting to order remained standing. “By now, all of you know that the Commoners have attacked worldwide.” His wrinkled face was grim under his thick yellow hair, but not surprisingly, he was still handsome — the benefits of Mys genes. “The attacks coincided with the Awakenings. From what we can decipher, the original problem started with an email sent with a video attachment.” He had said the words oddly, as if he had just learned them. “It spread like a Com virus only a day before the Awakenings.” He gestured to Elder Harcourt. “We have a copy.”
Elder Harcourt flicked a hand — no glowing — and a golden cube appeared in the center of our group, hovering over the table. An image appeared on each of the cube’s sides. Standing in the center of the ‘screen’ was a man dressed in a red robe, his hood down over half his face, only his mouth visible. He was not the leader we had viewed yesterday. Elder Harcourt tilted his head and the image moved to life, its accompanying sound emanating from the cube.
“The Mystical race has lied. Deceived every Commoner of our precious world.” The hooded man took a few steps forward, his robe swishing around his legs. “Mysticals stated they cannot have children with Commoners. That is false. Mysticals have been raping and killing our women for generations to produce mindless monsters,” he threw an arm to the right, “like this.”
King Cave Page 7