King Cave (Forever Evermore, #2)(26)

Elder Camden and Elder Harcourt informed all of us that we would have duties inside King Cave, apparently just as the Rulers had last time when the war had erupted. He also added that we would be phoned later of our responsibilities — once they had been figured out — before we were formally dismissed from the meeting.

I didn’t want to remove my leg from beside Ezra’s, but it would seem odd if we continued sitting as everyone stood. Sighing, I took a fortifying breath and slowly lifted from my chair. I was pleased to find I was alright, the earlier shock and fear gone as I had hoped. Those were only initial emotions, and now I was on to determination.

Ezra watched me for a moment, his nostrils flaring. His lips lifted into a small smile.

Exiting the room, I jerked Antonio’s arm, pulling him along with us.

Ezra’s eyebrows rose, but he stayed silent.

Thankfully, Antonio did too, allowing me to herd him.

Finally out of earshot of anyone — and probably lost again since I was leading us — my determined gaze met curious golden eyes, and I whispered, “I want my tubes tied.” It would have to be performed magically, otherwise I would heal.

Neither men walking with me said a word, but Antonio did take the lead on where we were headed. After a few more twisting turns, Antonio probed quietly, “You sure, Lil?”

I snorted. A f*cking stupid question. This one was a no-brainer. If a Com ever did accomplish raping me…well, I didn’t want to risk it.

Antonio sighed. “Children are a blessing, no matter what you think of them right now.” He tilted my chin up as he stopped our forward movement. “I was blessed with the privilege to help raise you.”

My heart softened only a smidge because my mind was set. “I don’t want children.”

“You say that now, but time changes all.”

I shook my head, pulling my chin from his grip. “Will you make it happen, or not?”

His lips thinned, but slowly he nodded. “I’ll come for you at midnight.” As quickly as he had given me what I wanted, he turned and walked away, an irritated clip to his step.

Ezra was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, watching me.

“What?” It was a bit snippy.

He shrugged. “Nothing.” He pushed off the wall and began strolling in the direction that hopefully our room was in. “I’d do the same thing if I were in your position.” His chuckle was slow and deep. “Plus, I hate brats as much as you do.”

I sighed, grateful he wasn’t pulling a ‘youth’ speech. “Thank you for earlier.”

He nodded once, obviously not going to tease me about my weakness before, and switched topics. “Thirsty?” He glanced at me, letting me know what he meant.

I nodded, famished for blood. “Very.”

He jerked his head toward one hallway as he stopped walking. “I think that’s the way if you want to head on.” He glanced back the way we had come. “I’ll,” his lips lifted in a roughish grin, “pick up enough drinks for the both of us.” Meaning, he would drink twice what he needed so I could drink from him.

My gaze flew to his neck. His pulse beat strongly, a steady rise and fall, just under his mocha skin. I licked my lips. Just the idea of his spicy blood touching my tongue had my fangs extending. My breath caught, and I snapped my mouth shut, glancing left, then right, but luckily the area was still deserted.

Ezra’s soft chuckle had my gaze slating to his, and he murmured, “I’ll hurry.” He started ambling the other way. “Jessica, the Vampire I met earlier this morning — who was so kind as to assist in my search for a TV — offered already, so it shouldn’t take long.”

I shook my head, snickering. “I’m sure that’s all she offered.”

Ezra glanced over his shoulder, still wearing a cocky grin. “No more than Finn did you.”

My eyebrows puckered. “How are you going to find her again?”

A deep chuckle reverberated inside his chest. “I got the TV from her room.”

My blink was sluggish. Sometimes I was a complete idiot. I should have seen that one coming. “Now who’s jumping into whose bed?”

He laughed outright, his back muscles flexing as he continued sauntering away.

“Ezra! Don’t take too long!” I hollered when he didn’t comment. I was thirsty, dammit.

He continued chortling as he turned the corner, and then he was no longer in view.

“Damn man,” I muttered under my breath, seriously hoping he didn’t decide for a round — possibly his second — with this Jessica woman. Pivoting, I squeaked and jumped straight into the air, thanking God my fangs had retracted during our bout. Landing hard, I stumbled and slammed my shoulder against the unforgiving black wall, utterly startled by the man who had snuck behind me.

Dark brown eyes stared down at me, his mien just as peacefully beautiful as his skin, which was the color of melted chocolate mixed with cream due to his Native American ancestry. Ezra’s f*cking dad. Watching me make a fool of myself, he placed his hands in the pocket of his black dress pants, only staring, not a word said.

Swallowing hard, I pushed off the wall. Damn if I didn’t start babbling. “I’m going to check on Pearl and Jack, since their mates died yesterday.” I edged around him when he only cocked his head. “Ezra’s going to pick us all up some drinks. We need them after the day we had yesterday.” He had heard something like that anyway, spying on us as he must have been. I pointed in the direction Ezra went as I started walking backward. “He went that way, if you’re looking for him.” Still…he said nothing, so I mumbled, “Well, see ya later.” Hopefully not. I turned a corner, getting the hell away from his too intuitive line of sight.