Chosen Thief (30 page)

I blinked. For the first time,
someone had not shaken my hand because of what I was. I quickly fisted it, dropping it to my side, and cleared my throat, peering up to King Collins. I was not really sure what to do or how I felt about that. I was maybe a little hurt and maybe a little pissed, but I wasn’t sure which one overruled the other. I mean, I had done it before, obviously, but I had never had it done to me, and the tables
were now reversed.

King Collins blinked real slow-like at Elder Merrick, then he quickly placed a hand on my shoulder, gesturing with the other to the air Elemental. “And this is Elder Jacobs, Caro.”

My nostrils flared. I was now a bit unnerved about how I was supposed to greet him, but I couldn’t just stand there and stare at my King, so I quickly turned my attention to the other attractive
Elder. He also appeared to be in his thirties in Com years, and had neon yellow hair, which shone in the intimate lighting in the room and contrasted greatly against his smooth, dark skin. His features were crisp and delicate, as was his body, built in a more muscularly refined way that an artist would love to replicate into a stone sculpture.

Done swiftly perusing him, I went with the only thing
I knew and again held out my hand, stating, “Elder Jacobs.”

And…he was staring directly at my breasts. Hell, he didn’t even try to hide his ogling. A few beats of silence went by, then his gaze flicked to my hand. Then back to my breasts. He inhaled heavily, then he quickly put his warm hand into mine, shaking it. He finally lifted his pitch-black eyes to mine, stating on a smooth hum, “It’s
a delight to see you in the flesh, Ms Jules.”

I started chuckling softly. I couldn’t help it. “The possibility’s worth it?”

He didn’t pretend not to know what I was talking about. “Indeed.”

My lips curved, enjoying his honesty as I released his hand. “Are you here for long, Elder Jacobs?”

He nodded once, and he was now comfortably standing across from me, no longer apprehensive. “We’ll be
here for an indefinite amount of time because we hear you and the other Prodigies received Vizoacs.” And…I realized belatedly by the “we” that he meant himself and the other three Elders in the room, because all four of them had been the Kings during the first war.

I covered well for my mental slip while my lips twitched. “And because there’s been an,” my eyes opened wide in fake horror, “influx
of spirit Elementals.”

A slow smile of beautiful white teeth. “Yes, there is that, too.” Oddly, his brows abruptly slammed together, and he blinked slowly. Then his gaze again ran slowly over my features, his jaw dropping a bit, appearing lost in thought. My brows puckered in confusion, and he licked his lips, dark eyes widening the barest bit as he mumbled quietly, absently, “Oh.” Another slow
blink as his gaze went to his feet. “Huh.”

I leaned forward a bit. “I’m sorry?”

He chuckled quietly, waving a hand. His expression cleared while he peered up to me slowly. “You’ll have to excuse me. I’m a bit tired from our travels.”

A kind smile. “That’s quite all right.”

Leric entered our group from behind them, placing a casual hand on Elder Merrick’s shoulder, squeezing for the barest
moment before he lowered it from the frozen Elder’s frame. He asked King Collins, “Will there be any more Elders arriving whom I’ll have the pleasure of meeting?”

King Collins’s face was carefully blank. “There will be a few more arriving eventually.”

“Hmm,” Leric murmured quietly, sipping at his vodka before peering at me. A slow, cruel smile lifted his lips; he understood the influx of Elders
here. “I don’t know whether to be flattered or offended. Which do you believe it should be, Sprite?” Silver eyes flicked down to my breasts then my hips, before they returned to my gaze. His tone was an ominous purr. “And you’re not wearing enough weapons tonight.”

And bingo…I hit my target.

I smiled kindly, ignoring his last comment on purpose. “I would be flattered if I were you, since you
mean no one here harm.”

He hummed quietly, taking another sip from his drink. His silver eyes flickered to Elder Jacobs for a moment, then they stared down into his drink when he lowered it, swirling the clear liquid casually. “Yes, well, I suppose I should.” He tapped his ring on his glass lightly as he lifted his attention to King Collins. “I wanted to tell you there may be a few visitors arriving
to see me in the coming days.”

King Collins went utterly still. “Their reason for coming?”

Leric shrugged a casual shoulder. “I have duties I can’t continue to put off while staying here, so they’re coming to me.” That wasn’t really surprising news, so I glanced around for where the drinks were located, but I blinked when Leric held his drink out to me absently, even as he continued speaking
to King Collins. “Most likely anyone who comes won’t need to spend the night. They’ll be in and out within the day.”

Not really wanting a full glass anyway, just needing to wet my throat, I took the offer. I glanced at the door, wondering if Sin would think to find me in here. I took a small sip of the vodka before handing it back to Leric’s waiting hand, as he obviously did not want me to drink
it all.

King Collins was still utterly frozen, obviously unsure of having any of Leric’s ‘guests’ here. He blinked once. Blinked twice. Then he cleared his throat in the quiet that was suddenly surrounding our group, and he actually mumbled his words when he asked, “Will…uh,” another clearing of his throat, “Will you be needing a conference room for your guests?”

Leric nodded once, taking a
small sip from his drink, and inattentively placed the half-full glass on a table next to him while he spoke. “Yes, I will.” His head cocked, white rolls dangling over his shoulder as he rubbed his chin, frightening ring glittering in the light. “A privacy-spelled one, of course.”

King Collins blinked again and nodded woodenly, clearing his throat for the third time. “I’ll have to speak with
the other King and Queens, but we all understand the obligation of duty so I’ll have an answer for you by tomorrow morning.”

“That would be appreciated,” Leric stated, appearing almost humble, then he ruined it when his lush lips curved harshly. He said vaguely, “And I’ll remind my guests who enter your home to be,” silver eyes flashed to Elder Merrick then back to King Collins, “well-mannered
and courteous, as I’m sure all of your guests will be to any spirit Elemental they meet under your roof.”

My jaw clenched as I understood he had seen Elder Merrick’s snub. I did not really appreciate him fighting a battle for me, but I couldn’t contradict him because I had actually been the one to start this mess of ‘no touching’ bullshit and sparking this fear within them. Most spirits never
trespassed on another being since it was against their laws. Unless a spirit was freely touched, but even then it was a courtesy not to intrude on others’ memories. But if they were threatened, then that was a whole other story. I had been cautious only in the beginning — well, I guess I still was — but that was because I knew for the three spirits in the room it was their job, their duty. They were
ruthless. Almost all of the other spirits not so much, their lives mostly peaceful.

King Collins nodded slowly. “Thank you. And I’ll also remind my guests of those issues.”

“Wonderful,” Leric purred. “I knew you would understand.”

Familiar warm, strong arms slid around my waist from behind, and the conversation stalled as Sin bent, kissing my cheek, murmuring, “Sorry I’m late, love.” Bringing
me against his chest, hands warm on my stomach, he peered up to, I was sure, meet the two Elders. Oddly, they were standing frozen in place, staring at him, and Elder Jacobs and King Collins were a little wide-eyed and unnaturally still. Leric leaned to place his shoulder on the rung of the bookshelf, crossing his arms casually. I felt Sin’s head darting back and forth between all of them, and
he eventually turned his attention to King Collins. “Did I interrupt something?”

There was a minute pause, then King Collins blinked and shook his head slowly. “No.” He cleared his throat — seriously, the man was having issues tonight — and he gestured to Elder Merrick and Elder Jacobs, introducing Sin to them. Sin shook their hands around me. Elder Merrick actually shook his damn hand. Then
Sin asked me, “Are you ready?”

I smiled up at him. “Absolutely.” I blinked, thinking of something. “Wait, have you seen my license? I couldn’t find it in our room.”

Elder Merrick actually started choking, going into a coughing fit at that moment, and Sin and I both glanced at him. His navy eyes were squinty on his face, his fist in front of his mouth. He glanced at Elder Jacobs, worrying me
since Shifters didn’t normally get sick, but he swiftly grabbed a drink from the bar a few feet behind him and took a huge swill. He waved a hand at the room’s occupants, who had quieted, and spoke clearly, “I’m fine.” He tapped his throat. “Just a tickle.”

Everyone stared at him a moment then forced conversation picked up again to alleviate the awkwardness. Sin did give me helpful information,
twirling me to face him with his hands on my hips, saying, “Actually, I have it in my wallet. I have no clue how it got there, but I found it about a week ago with the condoms.”

Abruptly, water spewed from Elder Merrick’s mouth just as he took a drink, droplets of water flying high in the air above our group, and he started choking again. King Collins quickly flicked his hand and the water disappeared
before it could land on anyone. I eyed Elder Merrick, no longer really worried for the boldly striking man but more worried for those around him because he was just…off. Conceivably, going through two wars had been too much for his mind.

I patted Sin’s chest absently, keeping my eyes on the possible loony and murmuring absently, “It probably dropped in there since my purse was on top of the nightstand.”
I gave Sin’s chest a firmer pat, pushing him toward the door. I was definitely ready to leave. “Let’s go, shall we?”

“I love a woman with the right plan,” he murmured just as distractedly, his eyes over my head and on the Elder and those of our group before turning in his step to walk by my side. He placed his arm around my shoulders, leaning down to whisper quietly, “What the hell did I miss?”

I shrugged my shoulders under his hold as we left the room, muttering, “Fuck if I know.” I peered up at his green eyes. “But we should probably make sure our door’s locked tonight. He was just weird.” And hot as mother-fucking hell.

Lined up in the foyer with Sin, Aria, London, and an unknown female Mage at nine o’clock in the morning, the Kings and Queens, Elders, and spirit Elementals stared at us with various expressions. The other Prodigies and I were still drunk from the night before, and this wasn’t exactly how I wanted to spend my morning after the extreme evening we’d had. Brann hadn’t attended, both
of us still socially avoiding each other like the plague.

Lifting a dust-covered fist, I burped quietly behind my hand and swayed just a bit…or maybe more than a bit, because I somehow thumped back against a wall under all of their silent expressions. Sin quietly stuck a hand back, grabbing my bicep, and gently pulled me straight to stand next to him before lowering his hand. I heard a masculine,
soft chuckle from somewhere in the depths of the onlookers, but it was quickly cut off so I had no clue who had done it.

“Would someone care to explain exactly what went on last night?” King Zeller drawled calmly from where he was leaning a shoulder against a wall.

No, I am pretty sure no one wants to explain last night’s oh-so-fucking-fun events to this stodgy-as-hell crowd, who all look like
they took a major pill of stick-up-their-asses.

Everyone’s heads snapped in my direction, and I blinked, peering back at them blurrily. “What?” I waved one of my hands as I continued with my slurred speech. “Did I say that out loud or something?”

Sin’s lips twitched furiously, but he whispered, “Caro, try to keep your thoughts a little less vocal.” A pause. “And possibly more respectful seeing
as they’re just slipping out of your mouth.”

I pointed a white, dusted finger to his own dusted nose. “Right.” I nodded gravely, saluting him. “Will do.”

Queen Cooper cleared her throat. “How about the beginning? Let’s start there since we know how it ended.” Golden eyes fixed on London. “Now, if you would.”

London shuffled about on his feet for a moment, his shoes loud on the tile in the silent
room. “Aria and I went to the club, since we knew Sin and Caro would be there. When we got there…” He cleared his throat. “There were two crowds at different ends of the club.”

Queen Cooper blinked slowly. “Why were the masses parted?”

A hush descended on the group; London was not a tattletale.

I sighed in defeat and raised my hand. I didn’t want London to faint from nerves.

King Collins’s
jaw twitched. “Speak, Caro.”

Dutifully, I lowered my hand. “Thank you, my King.” I glanced at Sin, leaned against him, and whispered, “See, I can be respectful.” He nodded without answering, his shoulders shaking a bit and his eyes on the Rulers, so I pushed back to stand straight and stared at King Collins. “You see, I was at one end of the club,” I pointed to the left, “while Sin was at the
other end.” I pointed to the right and nodded. I lowered my hands, done.

King Collins’s jaw twitched again in the silence. “And?”

I blinked. “Oh, all right.” I shrugged my shoulders a few times. I enjoyed watching the dust fly to the floor, so I did it a few times more before I looked back up to him, remembering he was waiting for an explanation. His cheeks were starting to flush in what appeared
to be anger. “Calm down.” I patted the air. “I’m getting there.” Then I stopped, mouth open, trying to remember exactly what it was he had asked. After a moment of my mind remaining blank, I whispered to Sin covertly, “What did he ask again?”

Sin’s shoulders shook again, but he quickly cleared his throat and started explaining plainly to King Collins, “Caro was holding a wet t-shirt contest for
the gentleman of the establishment, while I was holding a poker tournament at the other end.”