King Cave (Forever Evermore, #2)(170)
There was a full minute of silence as everyone looked from the grinning Antonio to Elder Venclaire. I was pretty sure none of us really knew what to think of this. Antonio had just performed a spell on an unconscious Elder Vampire, someone not of his faction. He had just stepped over some major boundaries without getting Elder Venclaire’s consent. Honestly, I wasn’t even sure how many Laws that broke. I counted nine in my mind, and then gave up, figuring he should be rotting in jail for at least six of his lifetimes.
“Maybe I did take too much blood,” I mumbled, instantly training my ears on his heart rate again. “This could be blamed on that. He might not be held responsible for his actions, then.”
Antonio chuckled, his heart rate sounding fine to my ears. “Oh, Lil. There’s no jail that could hold me, and besides, I do believe,” his eyes glowed dimly, “I’m about to have another taker.”
Bindi was suddenly at the door, her eyes glowing as she stared at the ceiling, peering at absolutely nothing. Her voice was distant as she stated, “I’m needed.” Her head tilted to the side oddly, her gaze floating to Antonio. “Can you do the spell on me? I’m not powerful enough to do it myself.” Abruptly, her eyes stopped glowing, and her head straightened normally, but she didn’t take her attention from Antonio. “I can be trusted.”
Antonio’s eyes flickered tiredly, and he asked, “Do you know what you ask for?”
“No.” Her shoulders straightened. “Only that I’m needed.”
Antonio smiled drunkenly, “Then come on over here, and show these pussies it’s not so bad.”
She came, kneeling beside the bed. Antonio swiped his thumb over her forehead, the dust appearing then sinking into her forehead. He tilted up her face gently, murmuring, “Open your mouth.” She did, and his lips started moving — again, no sound emitted with his silent words — and he placed his lips to hers. The golden light shone through the cracks between their lips, and he gripped the back of her head when she arched, the light shining brightly. A soft moan emitted from Bindi before her body relaxed, just as Antonio took his mouth from hers.
“Now, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Antonio slurred his question, thumping back against the headboard.
Bindi cleared her throat, shaking her head a little. “Nope.” She blinked. Shook her head again, and then stood on steady feet. “Not bad at all.”
“Who’s next?” Antonio asked, when Bindi moved to the corner of the room. “Or, more importantly, who trusts me?”
Now, that was such a loaded question. “I guess I can—”
Antonio tapped the orange juice bottle against my mouth, stopping me. “Nope. Not you.” He thumped Ezra’s forehead with the bottle. “Or him.” He blinked lazily a few times. “The spell won’t work on you two, but it will on us since we’re just the rebounds.” He sighed heavily, glancing around the room. “Seriously, people, I can’t stay awake too much longer.”
Elder Merrick stalked to stand next to the bed directly beside Antonio, staring down at him hard. “We need this?”
“Eh,” Antonio’s head wobbled, “You don’t need it, but if I were you, I would sure as hell want it.” A scowl graced his features. “Now me, on the other hand, I’ll want to commit murder, but I already have the protection.”
“What’s going on, Antonio?” I asked slowly, beginning to worry, my amusement long gone.
His gaze met mine. He blinked. Suddenly and completely unexpectedly, his eyes filled with tears, shocking me still, never having seen him cry. No tear escaped, but everyone in the room froze, staring at him. He cleared his throat, his head teetering to the side. “A vision.”
Breathless, my gaze darted back and forth between his, even as I scooted closer to Ezra, needing his warmth. Ezra’s arms instantly wrapped around me, hauling me onto his lap and holding me close as we both stared at Antonio’s stricken expression. I whispered, “Can you tell us anything?” Because it was definitely about Ezra and me since he said his spell wouldn’t work on us.
His golden gaze swung back and forth between Ezra and me, even as Ezra practically crushed my ribs, he was holding me so tight. Finally, Antonio shook his head, whispering, “Just that I’m so sorry for the agony you two will endure.” And, f*cking hell, a tear did slip down his cheek. One of the most vicious men in Mystical history was crying because of what was in our future.
Both Ezra and I didn’t move, our heartbeats pounding like mad, both of us not breathing, even as thoughts to keep our fate from occurring ran like rapid fire in my mind.
“Get the f*ck out of my way,” Cahal ordered gruffly, shoving Elder Merrick to the side and bending over Antonio, his hands on either side of Antonio’s face against the headboard and his gaze level with his, staring him in the eyes. “Can this be stopped?”
Antonio’s chest rose and fell heavily, and he shook his head once. “I’m not powerful enough to stop it.” He held Cahal’s gaze. “I can only offer my protection to those I know should have it. Those I know it will work on.”
Cahal trembled, and slowly, like he didn’t want to know, he asked, “Do I need it?”
Antonio’s lids blinked slowly, his lips pinching. “You will wish to slaughter, too.”