King Hall Page 8

  About right? Ezra was flush against me. I could feel his chest rising and falling against the back of my head; his body and mine were so close we could have been glued together.

  Ezra’s chest vibrated my head as he asked, “Now what?”

  “I have no chance getting away from him starting like this.” I tipped my head back, glaring at Antonio. This was going to hurt even more. “I tell you I want a different instructor, and instead, you make the beat down that much easier?”

  Antonio slapped a hand over my mouth, rubbing his temple with his free hand. “Just be quiet and listen.” My eyes narrowed, but I stayed silent, complying, so he lowered his hand, remaining two feet in front of us. “Lil, I want you to close your eyes.” When I merely blinked, resisting him this time, he ordered, “Shut your eyes!”

  “Fine,” I muttered, closing them.

  “Now, I want you to take in your surroundings using your other senses.” He paused. “But, most importantly, I want you to feel Ezra behind you. I want you to feel his body heat—”

  “What?” My eyes slammed open.

  Antonio’s eyes were mere slits of gold. “Do as you’re told.” A blatant command.

  With a clenched jaw, I exhaled heavily, shutting my eyes again.

  “Now, as I said, use your other senses. Feel Ezra behind you. His heat. His breath. His strength. Every place his body’s pressed against yours.” He went silent, obviously waiting for me to do this.

  “This is weird,” I muttered, voicing my opinion, only gradually following his orders.

  With a roll of my shoulders, I studied how they moved up and down Ezra’s frame, where our bare skin rubbed; a light sweat was misting him, same as me. Inhaling deeply, I smelled his dark, heady flavor, a scent uniquely his own. I felt Ezra’s heat as ordered. Focused on it. His resonating warmth, not difficult to perceive, was a furnace of undeniable flames. His solid legs, their sweltering scorch pressed against the sensitive backs of mine. His lean hips, resting just above the small of my back. The sultry blaze of his pecs, brushing the flesh on my shoulder blades, and his rippled abdomen pressed against my back. His curved muscles, his arms lethal and aligned with mine, so much larger that their balminess enveloped mine completely.

  Inexplicably, I found myself relaxing. The tension fell away. I nodded. “I’m there.”

  “Good,” Antonio said softly. “Keep your eyes closed and follow his body. Follow his heat, his arms and legs, even his breathing. Don’t second-guess yourself, or you’ll get hit. Just move with him. Memorize how fluid his movements are, exactly how he’s moving. Learn it. Anchor it to your own reactions.” Antonio hummed softly. “Ezra, you’ll counter my attack, using only defensive, evasive actions. Do not use your Vampire speed. Only react at normal pacing.”

  “Alright,” Ezra murmured leisurely, not arguing.

  “I’m ready,” I whispered, breathing in time with Ezra’s steady, deep inhales.

  The raging warmth shifted as the heat of Ezra’s right leg pulled away. I followed it with my right foot uncannily. Still keeping my other senses open, I heard a swift, soft drag against the mat from below, and felt the sizzling warmth of Ezra’s chest press harder against my back. I went with it, ducking but keeping the heat close, not going too far. A whoosh of air from above.

  So it went.

  I followed the heat and the lines of his massive body. It wasn’t tough. I found it unusually easy, my movements becoming even more fluid as we pivoted and arched backward, more whooshes of air flying past us, exterior scents and heat rushing by. Our arms and legs moved in sync as we lunged, hands on the ground in a push-up position, his body heat still over me as a large whistle of air sprung above us. A second later, we were moving our legs, squatting and then twisting to stand. Crinkling on the mat sounded to the side. Another twirl, ducking with it, and external heat missed us. We stopped.

  “Good,” Antonio crooned, sounding pleased. I realized I was panting a little from the rapid movements. It had to have been faster than I had thought, but it was still so simple. “Lily, you can open your eyes.”

  I blinked, my other senses altering from being oversensitive to being natural as I regained my eyesight, and saw Antonio grinning, standing back a few feet and tapping his thumbs on his legs while Pearl, Jack, and King Venclaire stared wide-eyed. My own grin was instant. “I did it!”

  Antonio chuckled, nodding, but glanced over my head, stating, “Train her this way, but make sure she has the movements memorized before you spar normally again.”

  Ezra’s warm palms landed gently on my shoulders. “We can handle that.” I felt him peer down and I twisted a smidge, gazing up at him, still grinning like an idiot. He chuckled, his teeth blindingly white against his mocha skin. “You didn’t completely suck.”

  Antonio sighed profoundly, walking away.

  Only grinning wider, I stared into amused, spring green eyes. “Neither did you. I was following your lead.”

  Rushing into the study, I heard King Kincaid and Antonio both sigh. I was never on time to these meetings after my morning bouts with Ezra. Always sweating disgustingly, I had to shower afterward. As it was, I wasn’t sure my socks matched. Luckily, you couldn’t see them under my own black cargos, and I was afraid to double-check to see if I had put on my red t-shirt with the black lettering, Shifters Eat Meat, inside out. That would be a shame because the back read, The Common Meat; the meaning was clear. I’d had it specially made on a shopping trip with Elly. I wasn’t in love with Commoners right now.

  King Kincaid’s eyes narrowed on said shirt as I hustled to the wooden oval table in the center of his study, and he asked, “Is there anything written on the back?”

  Flopping on my chair between Jack and Pearl, my expression innocent, I replied, “Can’t see it if it does.” Guess I had it on right.

  Jack choked, having seen the writing, and quickly took a sip of his water, most glancing at him before he mumbled, “A little tickle, nothing serious.”

  “Germ?” I asked, feeling ornery. He had asked me once.

  Pearl snorted, but cleared her throat quickly, guiltless golden eyes following.

  Not so virtuous, Jack leaned toward me, resting his arm over my shoulders, his mouth a few inches from mine. “If I’ve got a germ, you’ll have it by nightfall.”

  “Oh, Jack,” I feigned sorrow, talking in a high, girly voice. “That is so sweet, but…our hair clashes. It’ll never work out.” And, really, red and blue? All we needed to add was a weak Shifter and it would be bizarrely patriotic.

  Lips twitching, Jack’s mouth parted to say something I guessed was truly ornery by the gleam in his brown eyes, but Antonio cleared his throat, giving us a firm glance. Fine. We were in the presence of the Kings. We settled back on our seats and did what we had to.

  We learned that the Com police investigation against us, or more like against King Venclaire, Jack, Ezra, and King Fergus, was officially over. They had been under surveillance since the night of the attack but, since no bodies had been found — a quick glance to King Fergus’s green hair told me they were probably buried deep in the earth — the investigation had been put to rest.

  We also learned that there were no new leads into which Com group had instigated the planned attacks. All evidence showed it was a small faction — they were all small — and it was near impossible to point a finger at any one particular Com extremist cluster. King Kincaid hadn’t been at Hell’s Gate in time to capture any of the mob members that had infiltrated the club. They had struck hard, fast, killing not only Dominic, but sixteen other Mysticals, and then fled.

  Pretty much the exact same news as every other day.

  I had no doubt that once we found the group responsible they would be dealt with swiftly and silently, since our Law didn’t always coincide with Com law. There would be no hearing, nor a trial. They would just be dead, once we had factual proof. I really hoped I was on that team, or even leading it. I wanted — needed — my pound of flesh.

  When the meeti
ng concluded, I was in the process of dashing out of the room when King Kincaid reprimanded, “Lily, that shirt’s not appropriate for what you’re doing today.”

  I pivoted, my red brows together. “What am I doing today that I can’t wear this?” I hadn’t gotten out of the room fast enough, damn it.

  “We’ve got that thing in New York with the Coms,” Jack whispered, yanking softly on the hem of my shirt. “He’s probably right.”

  Jesus.

  I had been going to get my book bag for school, having forgotten about the meeting with upper-class Com snobs — soon-to-be politicians of the United States of America — that was planned. It was a meet-and-greet for future contacts. I sighed and mumbled, “I’ll go change.” My clothing really wasn’t appropriate for that crowd, since we were supposed to be getting along.

  Peering in the direction of my co-Prodigies, distressingly, I realized what I had missed since entering King Kincaid’s study. Not nearly recovered from Dominic’s death, certain normal, everyday actions and observations held utterly no sway over me, but now I really appraised their appearance; the delayed perusal showed just how off-kilter I was.

  Pearl tempted in her black sassy dress paired with a gold, straight suede jacket. Jack invited with a black leather jacket, a shiny, blue button-up shirt, and black dress slacks. Ezra lured in his black, thin cashmere sweater, black flat-front slacks, and deep sapphire velvet jacket.

  Definitely dolled up.

  “Just give me a few minutes to find something to wear.” Driving them as I normally did every morning, they would have to wait.

  “Do you need help?” Pearl asked, her tone careful not to offend.

  A shake of my head, irritated with myself. “No. I can handle it.” I did.

  Jogging to my gifted Hummer — thank you, Antonio — I stumbled, slipping a bit in the December snow, since I was actually wearing heels. Black. In fact, my whole outfit was black, as per usual now, dark like my soul. I had matched the pair of heels with a little black cocktail dress, strapless, the material hugging my chest, but feathered below so it appeared like scarves. A long leather jacket completed my ensemble.

  The Prodigy ring Dominic had worn dangled around my neck on a short platinum chain. I hadn’t wanted to fit it down to my finger size — it was still his — so I wore it around my neck, close to where my mate mark used to be. When a mate dies, the magic that allowed the scar in the first place disappears, and my skin had healed, unblemished. The ring was one of the only items I kept of his. It was too hard otherwise. I had even switched bedrooms, and so had Antonio, following me like a shadow.

  Strapping on her seatbelt, Pearl asked from the backseat, “Can we stop at school first? I need to see Gideon.”

  “Sure.” I didn’t ask why she needed to see him. I understood. Turning the heater on low to warm it up and yanking my own seatbelt on, I shivered while waiting for the bodyguards following us to get into their cars. Two cars would drive in front of us, two behind. The new normal, with the threat level as it was. Honestly, it would probably happen from here on out. “You’ll need to call the front car to let the guards know.”

  She nodded, retrieving her cell from her purse, and informed them.

  My teeth chattered as I watched the black armored SUV in front of mine, waiting.

  Ezra, sitting shotgun, reached over to me, his hand hovering above my exposed thigh. “May I?”

  “Do your worst,” I muttered, shivers tormenting my body, my breaths visible in bitty puffs.

  He rested his heated palm on my bare leg, his eyes flashing once as he ignited his power, a flare of spring green, and peace suffused my entire being.

  Though I knew the effect was just mental, I didn’t care; I was not about to fight against his power. I felt tranquil instead of glacial, his gifted power not too overriding, soft and gentle, allowing me to feel my emotions, but still removing my immediate discomfort. I groaned, “Thank you.”

  He nodded, not commenting, and knocked Jack’s arm away with his free hand when he tried reaching for the radio from the backseat. Hence, why Jack sat in the back. I had made the mistake of allowing him to sit shotgun the first day the other Prodigies rode with me, and we had all been irritable when we finally arrived at school that day.

  The line of cars eventually started moving, and I pulled out with them. I swear it took longer to get the procession started than it did to actually drive to King Hall. Turning onto the road, I tested the vents.

  Ezra asked, “Enough?”

  “No.” I shook my head, still only feeling cold air. “Keep it going.”

  He squeezed my thigh in acquiescence, turning on the radio with his other hand.

  We listened to music on our short drive, entering school grounds through the gated entry. Pulling to a stop in front of the main front doors, we saw Gideon, who was there waiting. Pearl quickly got out with a sigh of relief, seeing him. We watched as they embraced, and I gritted my teeth at their connection, unable to watch for too long; their bond, their constant peace, was too much.

  Only to be staggered when Jack cursed profusely, diving down onto the backseat.

  Ezra and I scanned the parking lot, snickering simultaneously when we saw an air Elemental staring hard at my Hummer. Everyone knew we rode together now. Jack was hiding from another one of his flings.

  Ezra’s snigger abruptly cut off, quickly fumbling for the passenger seat controls while wearing an instant expression of irritability, his seat gradually reclining until fully laid back.

  My eyes scanning once more, I saw a Vampire woman staring steadfast in our direction and I bit my lip, chuckling deeply, my whole body shaking with it.

  “It’s not funny!” Jack hissed from his hiding spot. “How many other ways do we have to say it’s only a one-off?”

  Choking on incredulous hilarity, I asked, “Please tell me you don’t actually say that?”

  They were both silent, and I really laughed.

  Ezra grumbled, “That’s not exactly what I say, but it’s close.” He tilted his head to where Jack hid, grumbling, “You need to work on your tack, man. I’m surprised anyone even stays for the main event after that line.”

  Jack chuckled cockily. “Oh, they want to stay.” I was still snickering when Jack muttered, “Keep laughing it up, Lily. When you get back on the saddle, you’ll be dealing with this, too.”

  My laughter died directly, and I choked a little, an unbidden blush rising to my cheeks.

  “Really?” Ezra drawled, watching closely from his hiding spot. “When did this happen?”

  “What?” Jack asked, not seeing me. “What happened?”

  “It appears Lily’s already climbed back on the saddle.”

  “Oh,” Jack breathed swiftly, banging against my seat as he almost rose, but quickly ducked once more. “Who was it?”

  “Um,” I fumbled, debating internally before deciding to keep it simple, “Antonio said I needed to get back out there. Said me puttering around the house every night for months wasn’t healthy.” Tense throat-clearing. “So, I did. A few times.” I shrugged, playing it down.

  “A few times?” Jack banged my seat again. “Alright, who are they?”

  Okay, so it was possible I had gone a little crazy in the past two weeks trying to edge past the infinite pain of loss. It hadn’t exactly worked. I hadn’t forgotten Dominic, but oddly, Antonio had been right. It had reminded me I was still alive. That I was here, breathing, and in the land of the living, not the dead. That I wasn’t in the past.

  Opening my mouth to tell them, since we were on that level now, I stalled when a knocking on my window startled me, and my head snapped to the outside interrupter. I blinked at the Shifter staring at me. Christ, he was my latest. Even more awful, he still wore the same expression he had when I had left him two nights ago. Like he was love-struck.

  I smiled — kind of — and muttered without moving my lips, “Karma’s a bitch.” He knocked again, his brows rising, so I rolled my window down with resignation
, but my tone was polite. “Hi, Jim.”

  “Hey, you,” he said softly, reaching inside the car to brush a piece of my hair from my cheek. He smelled like his animal, bear. “I tried calling you last night.” Yeah, he had tried calling seven times. Before dinner. That didn’t include how many after. “I wanted to tell you a group of us are going ice fishing tonight.” Of course he was. He was a polar bear Shifter. “Want to come?” His lips lifted in a private smile. “There’s a cabin there perfect for two.”

  Even while hearing Ezra chuckle quietly, I gently took Jim’s hand — it was still lingering on my hair — and placed it back outside my window, saying just as softly, “Jim, that’s very sweet of you, but I’m not interested.” I cleared my throat, trying to be nice, my tone respectful. “I told you I’m not looking for anything serious.” Uh…you don’t say.

  Jim’s mouth opened, but he was shoved to the side by a hip covered in pink leather.

  It was Elly, her lioness growling low before she muttered, “Get out of here, Jim.”

  Through the front windshield, I could see her dad’s limo — he was some high-level Mys official — driving off, having dropped her off for school, but moreover, I saw Jim’s jaw clench before he nodded as he cast me a glance that meant to say he would talk to me later.

  I barely kept my groan at bay.

  As Jim ambled toward King Hall’s entrance, Elly took his place at my window with a toothy grin. “You can show your thanks tonight with a tub of rocky road ice-cream.”

  “I’ll even add pink sprinkles,” I muttered, sighing. “We’re still on for veg night?”

  She nodded once, but blinked, sniffing the air, then glanced over her shoulder. Her golden eyes quickly returning to mine, she whispered, “Tom’s on his way over. You want to see him?”

  I stiffened. “Oh, hell no.” I ducked, sputtering, “He squawks.” He was a hawk Shifter.