King Cave (Forever Evermore, #2)(82)
Mages had arranged the sublevels with rows of black leather couches, slanting the bleachers, and set up an enormous movie screen at the end of one wall. The kitchen staff served buffets at the other end full of hot dogs, nachos, and candy galore. Add in the popcorn and soda fountains, which were magically replenished, and it was a packed house. So much so, I was betting that the Kings would do this at least once a week, though hopefully without us always on clean-up detail.
I stood with Pearl in line for drinks, staring at Ezra, who was standing near where we were sitting. There was a pretty Vampire woman talking with him. Oddly, she had a tiny Maltese dog in her purse, which she kept shushing when it made barely a sound. And she had very friendly hands. It was almost comical to watch Ezra trying to evade them, making me feel better. Ezra and I hadn’t talked about sleeping with other people, but that was only because we just weren’t doing it, so we never actually needed to have ‘the talk’.
“Do you know who that is?” I asked, chewing on my lip.
Pearl followed the direction of my gaze. “I think it’s Daisy or Petunia or something like that.”
My eyebrows slammed together. “Rose?”
“Yep, that’s it.” Pearl nodded. “She ate with us at lunch one day weeks ago when…” She cleared her throat. “Never mind.”
I snorted. “I know about them.” I stared at her dog, evil thoughts entering my mind. “I do believe she wants a repeat with Ezra.”
Pearl snorted that time. “He looks like he has to pee, he’s moving around so much trying to escape her clutches.” She leaned forward, squinting. “God, are her nails painted pink? On a Vamp?” She paused. “And black polka dots. Whew, she’s something else.”
“An experience…and she sprinkles her bed with rose petals,” I murmured, my power flaring at the dog, which finally glanced my way. “But she’s not going to smell so pretty anymore.” And my eyes flashed for the barest moment, capturing the dog’s complete attention as I pushed my will on it. That was all it took. I rocked back on my heels, stuffing my hands in my pockets and grinning like a fiend.
“What was that?” Pearl whispered. “It was only a tiny fluctuation.”
“Tiny bit for a tiny dog.” I nodded toward Ezra and Rose. “Watch and learn.”
Her attention snapped to them as we slowly moved in the line. We watched as Rose and Ezra both sniffed the air, right before Rose peered down at her little, innocent pooch. She opened her purse wider. Pearl and I both blinked in surprise as she screamed bloody murder, holding the bag and dog out at arm’s length, literally running through the obstacle of couches and out the fighting arena’s doors, her shout following her.
The place had gone silent.
I slapped a hand over my mouth so my laughter didn’t attract any undue attention. And, God, was Ezra’s face priceless. He shook his head at his dad and mom, who were sitting on the couch behind our reserved one, clearly confused.
Pearl was gurgling, making an odd swallowing noise. “Poor dog.”
And I couldn’t help it, my laughter just busted out. Loud and booming. She had the right of it.
Conversation had begun to pick up again, saving me from everyone looking in my direction, but Ezra’s eyes snapped to me, his keen hearing picking up my laughter. I wiped a tear from my eye, waggling my fingers at him as he blinked. I mouthed, “You’re welcome.” He stared, his eyes slowly widening.
Pearl was cracking up, too, but quickly stepped in front of me when Cahal began to turn his head to see who his son was staring at. “I’ll have to remember you can do that.”
Rubbing my stomach, my muscles cramping from laughing so hard, I chuckled, “We’ve put a herd of predators to sleep before.” My gaze met her watering one. “I can handle a dog’s bowels.” Not to mention, King Kincaid had been taking me out into the woods for the past few days, having me call wolves in preparation for the upcoming war. They were my animal. It was pretty awesome to be able to control them with a single growl and my will.
Ezra and Jack had already gotten our popcorn, so when Pearl and I sat on the center of the couch, we exchanged their drinks for our salty, buttery goodness. Ezra still stood, tipping back his beer, eyeing me. I dug into my popcorn so I wouldn’t laugh. Jack sat on the arm of the couch, taking his own swig of beer, watching us. Pearl’s shoulders started shaking under their gazes, and Jack instantly glanced at me, to which I opened my eyes wide in mock shock, before grinning.
“Genius,” he mouthed, then took a sip of his beer.
I bowed my head, and then scented cigarette smoke. My eyes traveled to Ezra, who was taking a drag on a cigarette, still staring at me. From behind me, Vivian stated loudly, “Dear, that is just obscene.” A pause. “And it stinks.”
“Would you prefer I smoke something a bit more herbal?” Ezra drawled, his gaze moving over my head, daring her as he grinned evilly.
I heard her gasp. “You would never.”
“Of course not, Mom,” he murmured, eyes twinkling and roving back to me. “Does the smell bother a Shifter’s nose?”
I shook my head, the scent mixing with his pretty damn deliciously. “It’s not bad.”
“Speak for yourself,” Elder Merrick griped behind me and to the right. “It’s f*cking repulsive.”