Chosen Thief Read online

  My stomach rolled at all the hitting and twisting and pressure. I lifted my head, slapping a hand over my mouth, and I know my face turned a sickly shade…because I was about to be sick.

  Leric’s eyes, dazed by the fall, stared up at me, but they quickly widened in disgusted horror, and he barked hurriedly, “Don’t you dare puke on me!” I swallowed heavily, trying to wiggle out from between them, but unfortunately — for many involved — Tristan only pressed down on me more firmly. Leric’s eyes flew to his, and he shouted, “This isn’t funny, Tristan. Get up, damn you!”

  Two huffs were all we got in return, sounding kind of like a chuckle.

  Hand firmly over my mouth, I snapped my free hand’s fingers frantically up at Roselle and Reese where they — hell, where the whole table’s occupants — stared down at us in a mixture of shock, horror, and awe. They both shook their heads, and Roselle muttered, “He bites.”

  “Tristan, move!” Leric bellowed, appalled, his fear-filled eyes on my face even as he started shoving him. It had no effect on Tristan, only me, making my stomach churn even worse with the movement.

  “Sin,” I groaned low and heavily behind my hand. “Trash can.”

  “Got it,” he murmured, sounding damn amused but trying to contain it.

  He jumped from his chair, grabbing the trash can from the edge of the bar. He tilted it to shove its edge up on Leric’s shoulders directly next to Leric’s face…right on time as I lost it. I shoved Leric’s face the other way so he at least couldn’t see it, keeping my hand firmly placed on the side of his face as I heaved long and hard, a full body racking motion on top of him and below Tristan. There were more than a few groans and grumbles from the people at the table — all of them having just eaten — but Sin grabbed my hair, holding it back as I continued to dispel every goddamn thing inside my stomach. That took a little while seeing as I had eaten a huge meal at dinner last night, lots of chocolate afterward, and all of that vodka.

  Leric was utterly still under me as the last shudder racked my frame and the dry heaves started. They lasted less than half a minute, and Sin murmured absently from above my head, “That was fucking inspiring. A whole new form of torture I have never even thought about.” A pause, then thoughtful words. “Caro, Leric seriously looks like he’s going to need the trash can in a second, so hurry up.”

  I felt Leric silently gag under me, his whole vast torso clenching — which made me heave once more — but he stated hoarsely, “I’ll be fine.” A hard clearing of his throat. “Just get the fucking trash can away.”

  “Scary mother-fucker with an overly sensitive stomach,” Sin muttered, grabbing a napkin from the table and handing it to me before pulling the trash can away. “Good to know.”

  “Fuck off,” Leric muttered, even as my head thumped down on his chest while I held the napkin over my mouth. He inhaled heavily on clean air then turned his head, asking gruffly and irritably, “What the hell, Tristan?” A huff was returned at us. “Do you think you might be so kind as to,” he growled, “move your goddamn furry ass now?”

  Tristan yawned widely in our faces, then he lifted ever so slowly, the pressure releasing against my back as he moved away. I sucked in a huge breath before holding up a hand to Sin, who scooped me up carefully so I didn’t start puking again. I studiously stepped over Leric, wiping my mouth with my napkin and tossing it in the trash. I firmly kept my eyes off everyone as I tied the trash bag, mumbling, “I’ll just take this outside.” I flicked a finger at Leric, not glancing at him as he stood slowly, while I moved through the room with my bag of shame to the closest exit. “Don’t worry about ruining my sunglasses. We’re even.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  What was a woman to do when she has utterly humiliated herself in front of the man she wouldn’t mind spending more time with, both in and out of bed, and he doesn’t want her near other than necessary?

  Remind him exactly why he slept with her in the first place.

  Then give him exactly what he wants: space.

  Plan firmly in place, I glanced at myself one more time in the window’s reflection, the sky pitch-black outside, and I nodded in approval at my cheek — it had been healed by Bindi — and my outfit. A black suede vest with a deep square neckline, the top of my hot pink push-up bra showing, and I actually had a decent amount of cleavage — for me, anyway. My tone, flat belly showed for about half a hand span, then my itty-bitty, pleated black schoolgirl skirt wrapped around the flare of my hips, barely covering what needed to be. I wore my knee-high black boots, and designer label, ripped black thigh highs with hot pink garters showing quite a bit because my skirt was so short. I had added at the last minute a black suede choker to complete my ensemble.

  I looked like a tiny piece of ‘fuck me’. At least, I hoped I did.

  This was a normal outfit I would wear to a club, but he hadn’t ever seen me in anything like this, so I was hoping it would at least remind him I wasn’t just ‘puke girl’. I seriously doubted he was going to want to have anything to do with me for a while, but having a sexy memory of me so soon after the distressing one would hopefully leave pleasant thoughts in his head.

  I was running a hand through my white and hot pink hair, my nose-ring sparkling in the lamplight, when I heard their group coming my way for cocktails after their private dinner. I turned and bent over, digging through my gigantic black purse on a bench next to my black leather jacket, quickly discarding some of the items inside it onto the wooden bench. And I kept rummaging through it, muttering curse words not so quietly.

  About fifteen seconds later, I heard their group stop about twenty yards behind me — at the room I knew they were going to be in courtesy of eavesdropping on the housekeeping staff — and King Collins asked loudly, sounding muddled as he cut through my curses, “Caro, is that you?”

  I waved an absent hand in the air, calling loudly, “In the flesh.” Hopefully not too much flesh since I could feel quite a breeze. “Hey, have you seen my license? I can’t find it anywhere.” And that was truth. The damn thing was lost about the house somewhere, and it was semi-new with my real name on it, not an alias, since I was a damn Prodigy.

  “No, I haven’t.” He paused, and I nodded but continued digging through my purse. “Are you going out tonight?”

  “Yeah, Sin and I are going dancing at some club Aria told us about.” Also truth. Everything I said had to be truth otherwise this would seem odd to Queen Ruckler. “He’s supposed to meet me down here.”

  Another beat of silence, then he cleared his throat. “Can you come here for a second? Elder Merrick and Elder Jacobs arrived before dinner and I’d like to introduce you to them.”

  Oh, wonderful. I was practically flashing my ass at Elders I hadn’t even met yet. “I’ll be there in just a second.” I started throwing items back in my purse as I heard conversation slowly start again and people moving into the cocktail room. Throwing the purse over my shoulder, I grabbed my jacket and took a calming breath before moving into the room.

  King Collins was waiting at the door, and he instantly steered me to the left as he casually took in my appearance, unlike the air Elemental’s gaze running up and down my body in a deliberate, interested fashion when we stood in front of him and a Shifter, the two new individuals to the group. King Collins gestured first to the Shifter, apparently giving the air Elemental time to look his fill, stating, “Caro, this is Elder Merrick. Merrick, this is Caro Jules, the Elemental Prodigy.”

  I stared up.

  Way up.

  Christ.

  He was as giant as Brann, if not a smidge bigger. He appeared to be in his early to mid-thirties in Com years, and even while initially noticing his quiet, serious mien, I immediately noticed his lips were full and pouty, red against his natural olive-colored complexion. They were partially parted, revealing teeth blindingly white and straight. Next was his strong jaw bone, roughly harsh, yet smooth in its lines. His nose was straight and perfectly sloped to show off his prominent cheekbon
es. Perfect black curls cut at chin level framed his face, and his black eyebrows were thin, impeccable slashes above his thickly lashed wide eyes. I peered at those last, our gazes meeting simultaneously as I stared into the yawning depths of unflinching navy eyes.

  Tongue-tied for the first time in my life — I had an unwanted immediate attraction to this frightening man — I muttered a few incoherent sounds, barely above a whisper. I felt like I was swimming in the abyss of his utterly flawless features, unsure where to let my eyes finally land because I sure as hell couldn’t let them rest on his eyes. That would be to risk drowning in their unfathomable complexities. Blinking slowly, feeling a tiny, unfathomable blush stealing across my cheeks, I tried for coherent speech. “I…ugh.”

  With that fail, I attempted again. I sucked in a deep breath, licking my suddenly dry lips. I unexpectedly felt dizzy seeing his lids dip, hooding a gaze that was heating with something dangerous — odd, that — as I held my hand out to him “I…er.” Fuck, it was like I couldn’t get the information from point A to point B. “Elder Merrick.”

  I was always careful with my word choice around Shifters in greeting. You never knew if they were scenting for the truth and would be offended if it wasn’t actually a “pleasure to meet them”. My reaction to him was confusing, and I realized I probably shouldn’t have been examining him before I did the new Elemental of the room. But there was something primal about him I couldn’t put my finger on as he stared at me under his hooded lids.

  Unexpectedly, his jaw clenched; he was furious for an unknown reason. It was impossible to tell why with his gaze half-hidden, but I did track his eyes when they evaluated my hand for an extended moment. He eventually dipped his head in address…before he placed his hands behind his back. “Hello, Ms Jules.”

  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?”