King Hall (Forever Evermore, #1)(29)
He gestured toward the first woman. She looked like the youngest in the room. Brown hair, glasses, and a pencil suit, which appeared tailored so as to fit her small frame. She reminded me of a mouse. “This is Beatrice Brantley. Her father’s Senator Brantley. She’s currently enrolled at NYU and aspires to follow in her father’s footsteps once her schooling is complete.”
A hand wave to the next woman. She looked about twenty-eight. Auburn hair, regal features, and a lithe body. She reminded me of a giraffe. “This is Justice Francis. Her mother is Justice Avery Francis.” Ah. Explained her name. “She’s a lawyer, working toward judge.” Also following in Mommy’s footsteps.
The next individual was a man around twenty-eight, though when I saw his dark eyes I judged he could have been a little older. Black hair, handsome, and a muscular physique. He reminded me of a wolf. “This is Philip Masterson. Congressman.” No other words were needed.
An arm swing to the man standing farthest from us. Brown, curly hair, which looked like no matter how short he cut it, it would always have a tight curl. He appeared about twenty-five. He seemed really familiar and reminded me of a koala bear. I squinted at his slightly rounded face that had yet to lose all baby fat, which did not bode well for him. “This is Curtis Moore.” Oh. My. God! “The President’s son.” The newly elected, first-term President’s son.
The last guy was dark complected, had hawkish features — the animal he blatantly reminded me of — and was short for a Com man, but seemed to take up more space than he ought to. Dark hair, brown eyes, and slender. He looked around twenty-nine. “This is Arthur Lamar. He’s currently on leave from the Army, so he was able to attend today, but may leave early depending on how long we’re here for, since his wife just gave birth to their first child, Makalu, only yesterday. His father is General Lamar.” Oh. His daddy worked directly under the President. Any President.
Well. Dang. Furthermore, the most remarkable part was they appeared even more nervous than us. Guess we had better game faces. Either that, or I had too much Com in me, and I was the only Prodigy in awe. I kept it at bay, staying cool.
Kris introduced Pearl, Jack, and Ezra, but when he introduced me, I had their full and absolute attention. My picture still hadn’t been splashed over the news, only my name, so I was the new one they hadn’t seen before. Here I was, standing next to three extremely fine Mys specimens, and all the Coms could do was eye me, their shock poorly hidden. Perfect. Even Coms thought I was a freak.
Kris straightened his tie, hurriedly turning to Blake. Guess it was the other owner’s turn to take the lead. Blake nodded to Kris, and turned to all of us, saying, “Please, take a moment to talk amongst yourselves.” That was it.
It was enough, though. The Coms unfroze, moving around the table, professional enough in politics to quit gaping.
Justice went straight to Jack.
Beatrice straight to Ezra.
Arthur and Curtis beelined toward Pearl.
I almost snickered — some things never change — as I started to take my jacket off, the room a bit stuffy. Not even a beat later, I felt warm hands graze my bare shoulders, helping me with my jacket. I stilled for a second and glanced over my shoulder, my silent hilarity gone at the unfamiliar touch. It was Philip. The handsome Congressman.
His lips curved in a small smile, his teeth straight and white, as he slid my leather coat the rest of the way off. He placed it over the back of a chair, his gaze cast downward, but since he was six feet tall, I saw his eyes traveling over me. Covertly, but still, he was checking me out. Leaning back against the table, between chairs, and crossing his arms, he stated bluntly, “So you’re the mysterious Shifter everyone’s been trying to get the details on.” He cocked his head, a black strand of hair falling over an eye. “You don’t have two heads, nor are you nine feet tall, like some were guessing.”
“Only one head here,” my lips twitched, “and I’m much shorter than nine feet tall.”
He stared. “Yes, you are. You’re also very beautiful.” His eyes were intense. Like dark chocolate. They crinkled at the edges as his lips curved. “That’s not a line. I’m just stating fact.”
My eyebrows rose. “I’m not sure if I should say thank you if it wasn’t a compliment, only fact.” I gave him the same smile he had given me.
He watched me a moment longer, then chuckled softly. “You may be little, but you’re no push over.” He rubbed his chin, his eyes assessing. “How old are you, Lily? You don’t look as old as your colleagues.” His gaze continued roving my features.
“I’m nineteen.” Granting that I felt like a hundred in life experiences. Nineteen was only a number. “And you?”
His eyes dipped to my lips. Stayed there. “Not as young as you, but not quite over the hill.” He grinned as I chuckled. He definitely wasn’t anywhere near old, appearing as good as he did, and he knew it too, his eyes sparkling. “Tell me, Lily the Beautiful — that was a line, by the way — would you care to—”
“Lily, I need your help with my jacket,” Jack interrupted. He smiled at Philip in apology, but his brown eyes were frosty. He turned his back to me, pointing behind his head at his collar. “It’s stuck on my necklace.” Lie. He had a collared shirt on, which he was blatantly showing Philip.