King Hall (Forever Evermore, #1)(61)

I shrugged and realized I was still wrapped in his arms, my eyes darting away to see Jack and Pearl standing with their arms crossed, glaring at him.

Pearl pointed a sharp finger at him, ordering, “She doesn’t drink off you if you’re not properly drinking yourself.”

Jack nodded. “I agree. That was scary shit.”

Ezra’s cheeks flushed — an actual blush — more than they were already from drinking, but he held their gazes. “It won’t happen again.”

I patted his shoulder, and he slowly helped me sit up. Just so I could fall on my side when he let go. I grunted. “Ow.”

“We’ve obviously got a few issues to work through with the drinking,” Jack muttered as Ezra helped me back up. “That’s not our biggest issue right now though.”

I nodded, mumbling, “The Awakenings.” I snuggled against Ezra’s warm strength, since he wasn’t letting me go this time. “Antonio seems to think I’ll be able to do it, from what he’s read.” At their shocked expressions, I stated, “Of course, he knows I’m a hybrid. He helped me through my first Awakening.” My brows rose. “Why do you think you can’t feel my Vampire power at all?”

I waved a wobbly hand, getting to the other point of their shock. “Anyway, he’s been doing research on hybrids. Found multiple ancient journals saying a hybrid can be used as a vessel during an Awakening. I’ve got one of them over there in the top drawer of my dresser.” I had taken the book out of the glove box of the Hummer and hidden it. “Take a look.”

Jack practically raced across my bedroom and yanked open the top drawer, only to stop utterly. “It’s your pantie drawer.”

“Yeah, no one would look there.”

He snickered, pulling out a pair of — oh, perfect — my blue panties decorated with tiny, yellow ducks.

I grumbled, “Don’t hate. They’re cute.”

He chuckled further, tossing them back. “If you’re five, maybe.” He paused, and held up a green pair with grinning alligators. “Alright…maybe, seven.”

Wiggling a pointed finger at him, I grumbled, “Would your mate appreciate you going through my underclothes?”

Instantly, he dropped my underwear in the drawer and began digging for the book.

I chuckled. He had a weak point now.

“Do you think Elder Farrar’s right?” Ezra asked, placing his chin on top of my head. “If he is, that’s big news.”

“I don’t know,” I stated honestly. “I think if he had tangible, unquestionable proof, he would have said so to stop the killings.” I shrugged, and hated saying the next part, but did. “I may be the proof he’s waiting to use.”

“You don’t believe that,” Pearl said, bringing me a glass of water from the bathroom. Juice was better, but it wasn’t handy. “He helped raise you. I know he loves you.”

I nodded, telling Jack what page and paragraph to read when he found it, then confessed the truth to them. About how Antonio and my mom had put me in Com schools to hide me and about Dominic and me having empathy as our second unheard of mate gift. Then I dropped the big one on them, saying, “King Venclaire’s my biological dad.”

Absolute stillness.

Pearl closed her mouth, clearing her throat. “Does he know?”

I shook my head. “No.”

“She’s got his eyes,” Ezra murmured.

“And hair,” Jack mumbled, holding the journal carefully. “Minus the black.”

Pearl bent toward me, her mien fascinated as she viewed me. “I can’t believe I didn’t notice the resemblance before.”

I shrugged, chugging the water with a steadier hand. “You never would have thought to look his way.”

Jack blinked and then went back to reading the passage. After a moment he said, “If this isn’t true, we’re in big trouble. Not only do they want us to be a part of the Awakenings after graduation, but we have the four trial Awakenings beforehand.”

I nodded. “I know, but if Antonio thinks it’s possible, I have to try, for all the babies that die from that Law.”

“What were you planning to do if it didn’t work?” Ezra asked, taking my empty glass from me and placing it on my nightstand. “Run for the rest of your life?” He gently helped me to sit on my own, making sure I was steady this time.

I nodded sheepishly, pointing down. “I’ve got a suitcase packed under the bed. It’s always ready. Just in case.”

All three scowled.

I didn’t blame them. I would have cut and run, leaving them without a second’s hesitation. If the situation was reversed, I would be upset too. “It’s what Antonio and my mom trained me to do. I’ve lived in constant fear my entire life. Try to,” I licked my suddenly dry lips, troubled I had upset my friends, “look at it from my point of view.” I paused, and added, “I’m sorry.”

Their faces softened incrementally, and they nodded one at a time.

Ezra murmured, “We’ll still have to come up with a plan to get her out if the trial Awakenings don’t work.”

“I don’t…” Jack cleared his throat. “I don’t want her to run.” His eyes met mine as he stuck his hands in his pockets. “I’d miss you too much.”