If Venclaire hadn’t been squatting next to me, keeping his power ramped through me, I might have been in the same predicament as Elder Merrick, because if I was pregnant, any chance of a live baby inside my broken body would be a shot in hell.
Elder Jacob’s voice was a mere hiss when he spoke. “There’s always a fucking chance if she’s sexually active.”
The Mage began to bend over me, hands glowing. “I was only asking if she’s pregnant.”
“I…I don’t think she is,” Fergus answered gruffly after a moment, and a few seconds later he was bending next to me, running gentle fingers through my tangled, blood dried hair, staring down into my eye as the Mage began working, only feeling peace, and damn appreciative as disgusting bone cracking noises jarred the air. “How did you get caught?”
“Us,” Venclaire stated instantly. “She was trying to free Kincaid and me after we had been taken down. She could have run, but instead, she took down four—the four you killed—before a shit load of Com officers and MIA took her down.”
King Townsend asked in disbelief, “This little woman took down those four officers?”
Kincaid snorted. “She knew what the hell she was doing.” Snapped fingers. “She took them down like they were child’s play. If they hadn’t ganged up on her, fifteen-to-one, which it took them five minutes to take her down with that ratio, anyway, I’m guessing she would have cleared the room.” A pause, sounding awed. “She did it all without using her powers or her weapons. She was trying not to kill them, just incapacitate.”
“But, they did take her down,” Elder Jacobs growled quietly, and everyone shut up around us while the Mage continued his work. Dark eyes stared down into my one eye. “Taking on a room full of Com police and MIA officers—alone—wasn’t…well thought out, was it?”
I let my eye narrow the barest bit, not really appreciating him having this conversation—something I already knew now that I wasn’t reacting on instinct—in front of all these powerful people.
Yellow eyebrows rising the barest bit, speaking through gritted teeth. “I’ll save it for now.” More grinding of his teeth. “But, so help me, Ms. Farrow, we are having this fucking discussion again later.” Well…if the roles were reversed…I might not have had the willpower to hold back yelling at anyone for this kind of stupidity, so I closed my eye, and finally let drained sleep take me under, floating in a mist of magical peace.
Chapter Seven
Other than the quiet chew down that tragic night had afforded me courtesy of Elder Jacobs, then later, a much more held-in-check-rage one from Cain for the next three days, in which, he had rescheduled just as many meetings as Elder Jacobs had for them to rotate shifts, caring for me during King Hall hours. The Prodigies then taking over during the evenings while I recovered, it also afforded me a wonderful—not really—invite to King White’s house for a weekly dinner—by way of an actual old stationery letter in the mail—with the other Kings, Elders, and Prodigies. Honestly, I was surprised the Kings hadn’t paid me an actual personal visit sooner. In my opinion, the Kings had been either patiently waiting to see where our friendships were heading, which they found out when Fergus started offing MIA agents without giving a reason fast enough or had even more spies watching us than we knew about and were still searching into my background, trying to find something, anything, but nothing had come up, but whichever it was, I would find out in a few minutes.
Knocking on the door to the brick-fronted mansion, I smoothed down the simple black satin top and black flowing, casual skirt I had purchased, clutching my purse’s strap casually over my shoulder, and waited as a butler opened the door, showing me inside to a formal living room where everyone appeared to already be, except for King Samson and Nelson, both of whom hadn’t appeared to arrive yet.
I halted to a stop when an adorable little boy of about two ran at me, black hair flying about his tiny head, and he grabbed onto my skirt, yanking it a bit, just in case he hadn’t caught my attention. He stared up at me with big dark eyes, asking, “Wa’s you name?”
My brows lifted at the cutie, and I squatted even as I saw King Townsend, Elder Merrick, and Kincaid walking toward me, getting down on his level, holding out my hand to him, stating softly, “I’m Sadie.”
His slightly clammy tiny hand landed in mine, shaking it vigorously. “Sadie.” I nodded, and he grinned adorably, and then pointed at himself, stating proudly, “Dominic.”
I stared. Frozen for the barest moment, realizing this was Kincaid’s son. Queen Ruckler’s mate. The one who had passed away when he was only a Prodigy. My heart tore instantly, seeing such innocence in front of me, knowing he was going to die. A first for me in this time in the past.
And there was nothing I could do to stop it. I couldn’t alter time. Elder Farrar didn’t even have to tell me that before, the rule a must. I couldn’t warn anyone to save a life when the death was supposed to have happened. So, my voice was a little choked as I smiled a great big smile at this adorable child, and shook his tiny hand just as vigorously as he had mine, stating, “It’s truly a pleasure, Dominic.”
His grin turned shy, his appearance a bit bashful, peering up at his dad, now standing next to us. “Like her, Dad.” He pulled his hand out of mine, placing it on my cheek, still staring way up at his father with innocent eyes. “Pretty.”
My grin was a bit tearful at his precious son, realizing I probably resembled Queen Ruckler with my hair red as it was, and smaller features, seeing her mate had really been perfect for her even at a young age.
Kincaid made a choking noise, even as Elder Merrick and King Townsend chuckled softly, the King placing a hand down, helping me to stand graciously from my squat while Kincaid swooped down, lifting his son high into the air, making him squeal a bit in laughter, the sound sweet in the refined, hushed room of quiet talking, and he growled up at his son, his wolf entering his tone a bit, “Just wait, Dom,” more tickling in the air, earning more laughter, “one day you’ll meet a beautiful Shifter who will take your breath away.”
Dominic grinned at his dad as I saw a different side to Kincaid while he tucked his son in against his side on his hip, holding him in an unbreakable, safe embrace. Fergus came to stand next to me, tossing an arm over my shoulder, and placing a gentle kiss on the top of my head, a very brotherly-sisterly action after someone was hurt, but I watched Dominic place his head on his dad’s shoulder, his thumb tapping against his dad’s chest as he watched Fergus and I. His dark eyes narrowed a bit, and showing true courageousness, he jabbed a finger at Fergus’s face, stating sternly, “Be-have wi’s her.”
All five of us started chuckling at his protectiveness shining through, and Fi came by, squeezing my shoulder in hello before taking Dominic, murmuring, “Let’s go, little man, before you start telling Fergus how to brush his teeth next.”
Dominic’s forehead crinkled. “Brush teeth.” He stuck his tongue out in disgust. “Icky.”
“But, you still have to do it,” Fi murmured quietly, walking toward another room, a dark one, shutting the door quietly behind her.
Kincaid had the smallest contented smile on his face, staring at the closed door. “She’s going to try to get him to take a nap.” A slight shake of his head. “I doubt it’ll happen right now.”
King Townsend dipped his head toward me, asking, “Are you all right, Ms. Farrow?”
I nodded instantly, making my body relax inside Fergus’s hold. “Yes.”
Hopefully, that came out the truth, since I wasn’t even sure. And, of course, the King would notice my reaction to Dominic, keeping an eagle eye on the babe, even when the father had been distracted by…being a father.
“Kincaid,” I moved the focus off me, “he is absolutely precious.”
His chest puffed a bit, giving me a real, proud smile. “Thank you, Sadie.”
“You’re welcome,” I murmured.
King Townsend hummed quietly, sipping from his whiskey, eyes evaluating me over his glass, flicking to Fergus, then
back to me, and he asked bluntly, “I wonder if anyone has ever asked if you want children, Ms. Farrow. I’m guessing by your reaction to Kincaid’s, you would like a few at some point in time.”
My lips curved, and realizing it was a bit sad. “I do want children eventually.”
And Kincaid would lose his…
Fergus, being Fergus, tried to lighten the mood, stating dramatically, “Oh, Sadie, dear.” A deep contented sigh, making me chuckle as I glanced up at him, batting my eyelashes furiously, our own personal brand against King Townsend. He whispered, “I can help you with that, since I adore children, too.”
My grin lifted even further as King Townsend choked on his drink.
I went languid against him, realizing I was still stiff.
Fergus chuckled quietly, his voice still dramatic. “But, dear, we first need to practice your cooking skills a bit more.” A pause with a thoughtful expression. “And have sex. Since we’ve never done that.”
I turned my face against his chest, cracking up.
King Townsend walked away, still choking.
Kincaid held his hand out to Fergus. “Pay up. I told you it would be my King to interrogate her first.”
Fergus released me with a squeeze while he dug for his wallet, muttering under his breath.
I wiped my eyes calmly, and peered up to the silent Elder, who was watching the two Prodigies with amusement. “Good evening, Elder Merrick.”
He dipped his head to me, and from my low vantage point, I caught him ogling my cleavage before he lifted his head. “Good evening, Ms. Farrow. I trust you’re feeling better?”
I nodded once. “Yes, I’m feeling much better.” I cocked my head. “Do you believe this evening will be as interesting as what,” I tilted my head to happy Kincaid and grumbling Fergus, “they think?”
“Possibly.” A shrugged shoulder. “Or it could turn out to just be a nice meal.”
“Ms. Farrow, how are you this evening?” King White’s voice broke into our quiet conversation.
My lips twitched as I ducked my head, because—I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again—a meal was never just a meal with Royals. “I’m well, thank you, King White. And how are you this evening?”
His red head of hair dipped cordially. “I’m doing wonderful this evening, Ms. Farrow.” Brown eyes up to Fergus—are you kidding me?—before darting to mine. “I thought it time we invite you here, since you’ve been demanding so much of my Prodigy’s attention at your apartment.”
My lips curved slightly, getting a real good feeling for how this evening was going to go, deciding it was definitely the latter of the two they had been doing, not biding their time at all.
Cool words from Fergus. “Demanding isn’t the correct form of expression I would use.”
The King’s eyes flittered to mine. “What would you call it, Ms. Farrow?”
My eyebrows rose a bit. “That would be simple, King White. I would call it camaraderie.”
Fergus grinned, and I watched as King White’s brows lifted a bit at me while he stated steadily, “I believe tonight will definitely be stimulating.” Then, he glanced to Fergus, jerking his head in the other Kings direction. “We have a few business policies to discuss before dinner is served.” A head nod toward me. “Excuse us, Ms. Farrow.”
Once Fergus left, and seeing Elder Merrick and Kincaid had begun talking quietly, I moved around behind them. I kept my grin at bay as Elder Merrick snuck his hand behind his back while he was speaking, fingers brushing out, running along mine softly, our fingertips lingering against each other’s, utterly hidden, until they separated in tender secret.
I didn’t look back, moving to the large bar on the side of the room where Venclaire stood, fixing myself a small glass of vodka straight up, my brows pinching as I slowed my actions while I glanced to Venclaire. He was standing very still, his eyes unfocused out the picturesque window, which would normally inspire someone to smile at the subtle splendor, but his blue eyes…they were distant as he held his drink without sipping, his gaze appearing…haunted and agonized. Instantly worried, I placed a hand on his arm, not giving any indication I felt it when he jolted in surprise at the contact, his gaze slamming down to mine while I whispered, “Are you okay?”
His face…it changed…completely blanking to the man I had gotten to know, and he smiled charmingly, patting my hand—covertly removing it—as he stated calmly, “Of course.” I nodded instantly, sipping from my drink, following his lead, this obviously not a subject he wanted to touch on since he played it off so well, the façade completely well scripted, and executed…normally. “How’s your evening going?”
“Wonderful.” I filled him in, since it would be odd if he hadn’t heard in this room.
He cheered me good naturally, our glasses clinking softly. “Congrats, although, you’ll need more of those drinks to deal with their onslaught. It’s unfair, really. Four against one.”
“Maybe, but don’t let them know I’m on to them,” I whispered conspiratorially, and then glanced about the room. “Aren’t King Samson and Nelson joining us?”
A quiet chuckle. “Ah, what you have missed thus far.” He tilted his head, giving us more privacy, stating very quietly, “King Samson tries to keep relations with other factions to a minimum. As do most others, but he’s a bit more strict on this. That’s not to say he doesn’t have a good relationship with the other three Kings, definitely a decent working relationship, but he’s undeniably not friends with them. And it reflects on Nelson’s attitude at times since he is his mentor.” His head tilted back up. “But, they’ll be here before dinner begins since the whole reason the Prodigies are brought together for the last year of their schooling is to create a bond with one another.”
My mouth widened in an “O” for a moment, not able to really say anything, because it could affect the future, but hell…
“You may want to wipe that look off your face in a hurry,” he stated quietly, turning to refill his drink, glancing at me with blue eyes, keeping his tone very quiet and soft. “Even if you don’t agree, it is how this world works for our longevity…and social acceptance.”
I quickly blanked my expression, knowing differently about the longevity part. “Kincaid’s view on this is?”
“Kincaid just tries to make the peace, since he’s scary enough as it is being able to rip a person’s head off with the flick of his pinkie.”
Sipping casually from my glass, glancing to where Fergus and King White stood just separated from the Kings, even as they spoke, the different factions keeping, at least, an arm span of space away from each other, something…I honestly hadn’t put together by now, so my voice was soft as I asked, “And Fergus’s view on this is?”
He hummed quietly, tapping on his drink. “I believe Fergus’s thoughts on this fact to be similarly accurate to our Laws. I once overheard a conversation he had with a student at King Hall, and he seemed honest in his cause when he told the individual it would only bring heartbreak if a child was ever born to only be killed, the relationship doomed by this fact from the beginning of anything truly lasting.” He sipped at his drink. Heavily. “I don’t believe him malicious in his actions, or thoughts. I truly have faith he doesn’t want others hurt by one of our more brutal Laws.” He finished the drink in one gulp. “And, his advice was accurate, even if a bit off based; the individual’s relationship was doomed.”
Oh…my.
I downed my own drink in silent commiseration for Venclaire, because while he hid it well ordinarily…he still wasn’t hiding shit right now, not by anyone with a trained eye in this conversation. “How about another drink?” I filled my own with vodka, and then lifted the whiskey in his direction, wiggling it a bit. “One more, maybe?”
“Sounds perfect.” He smiled gracefully, holding out his glass steadily. “Make it a double, please.”
Dinner with the Kings, Elders, Prodigies, and Fi…was so much fun.
It you were into sadistic torture of quick thinking a
nd twisted words to ring true at the polite questioning. Interrogations were thrown my way, an obviously planned event between all four Kings, since I had no background whatsoever, and they had stewed long enough on Elder Farrar’s threat, wanting answers of their own to protect what was theirs.
And then, the real fun began during cocktails when Fi left for the King Shifter’s home with Dominic, her attempt for him to sleep in a different environment unsuccessful, and since it now was actually his normal bedtime—Kincaid had told me—Dominic was a bit cranky, so she headed home with their son.
It began when I started to feel light-headed during a conversation with King Bridges. My brows puckered a bit, trying to pay attention to him, focusing on his mouth. His words seemed to become even slower, though, and when I started to tilt toward him, Venclaire grabbed my arm, steadying me. “Couch,” I mumbled. “I need to sit.”
Venclaire instantly led me to the couch, setting our drinks aside, kneeling in front of me, asking, “What’s the matter?” He blinked a few times, rubbing his forehead as I rested like dead weight on the couch. “Are you still not feeling well from the other night?”
And then, he blinked real slow, appearing confused, his brows furrowing, and almost fell on his side, barely catching himself on one arm.
“Venclaire!” I shouted, but I couldn’t…move…when I tried to help him. “Oh, shit.” My gaze flew around the room, which wasn’t a great idea, making me even dizzier, seeing the other Prodigies falling to their knees in a blur, their drinks falling from their hands. “We’ve been drugged.”
“What?” Venclaire growled loudly, but it sounded slurred.
“What the fuck is going on?” Elder Merrick asked harshly, lifting one of the fallen drinks, sniffing at the glass as he glared at King Townsend.
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