King Hall (Forever Evermore, #1)(8)

Christ. My shifted wolf form was as small as a fox, another twist, which all four Kings knew specifically from my Awakening. Yesterday, I had wandered off from the group and met with a mountain lion Shifter who was traveling in shifted form to the King’s house. I hadn’t known the person and had acted instinctively to protect.

I hadn’t told King Kincaid and Dominic about that, and after we had shifted, bloody and tired, I had made the mountain lion Shifter promise not to say anything. And, yeah, we had been off Kincaid’s property. Out in the open. Unwise. King Venclaire obviously had spies around the place now that he was in town.

King Kincaid cleared his throat, not glancing my way, stating, “Yes. I did hear that. We’ve been having a few incidences with an errant fox.” Lie. His wolf growled quietly. “We plan to take care of any issues such as that better in the future.” Truth.

I started to sweat. King Kincaid really didn’t sound happy. If he only knew half the “incidences” I had gotten myself into, I would probably be booted from the house.

King Venclaire snickered. “Sounds like a willful animal. Good luck taming it.”

I breathed slowly, but quickly inhaled my salad until I felt Dominic’s eyes on me. I rested further on my chair, glancing up. My smile was a smidge sheepish when everyone started talking again.

Dominic sighed heavily, bent toward me as he whispered against my ear, “Seriously? The mountain lion?” He nuzzled my neck, sniffing. “And tell me, babe, was it fun watching me fumble over my words at the press release?” His lips curved against my skin. “If cameras really turn you on, I’ve got one we can—”

I elbowed him, cutting him off, and felt my cheeks flush. I mentally stated, Vampires have even better hearing than your dad, who’s right next to us, remember? I stole a look across the table, and sure enough, both Vampires were staring, and I could have sworn King Venclaire was holding back a laugh.

I know they can hear me, Dominic purred. I’m going to get payback on you tonight.

Instantly, my gaze hooded so no one would see the reaction he always had on me.

“Are you two doing it right now?” Pearl asked, her voice airy, golden eyes only dimly glowing. “I feel something,” she paused slightly. “It’s magic.”

As Dominic straightened, I watched her closely. She was definitely a very powerful Mage and I answered honestly. “Yes. We were.” I cocked my head. “You’re muting your power right now.” Even as she used it, her power was hardly noticeable in the air, a true talent, one I had actually been trying to master the past month. “Would you mind…” I left it unsaid. I wanted to see how much she glowed.

She blinked, coming back to herself, smiling softly. “Actually, I think that would be fun. A little demonstration to show our powers.” She glanced at all the Prodigies. “Are you all okay with that? A magical get-to-know-you?”

Jack shrugged.

Dominic sat back on his chair, merely watching, not agreeing just yet.

Ezra’s lips curved. “I would need a volunteer. Are you offering?”

She shook her head immediately. “Can’t you do something that doesn’t require blood?”

He relaxed further on his chair, his grin turning wicked. “I can do many things that don’t require blood, but I don’t think your mate would appreciate them.”

I snorted, then quickly coughed to cover it. This man was something else.

Gideon glared, and started to argue, but Pearl stopped him by scolding Ezra, “Don’t be crude.” Ezra only grinned wider and she cleared her throat, pressing on. “Can’t you do something,” a wave of her hand, “else?”

Gradually, he nodded.

Pearl beamed, glancing to Dominic. “Are you in?”

Dominic eyed her, eventually murmuring, “Sure, if you guys can handle it.” His dark gaze caught mine. “You’ll need to leave.”

I stared. “Why?”

“You don’t appreciate being made to do something by force.”

I still stared. “What are you going to make them do?”

“Stand from their chair. Nothing bad.”

Blinking slowly, I muttered dryly, “I think I can handle that.”

“Sure?”

I smirked. “Yeah. I can handle the big, bad wolf.”

He chuckled quietly, kissing my forehead.

“Who wants to go first?” Pearl asked happily.

“I will,” Jack hummed, sitting forward casually. “I won’t do anything too awful, like, drown or freeze you, but you’ll get wet.”

Pushing away the harsh thoughts after he said the word drown — my mom having died that way — I watched as he sucked in a small breath, his brown eyes glowing abruptly. He raised one finger off the table where it rested and I felt a rush of water Elemental power run like an electrical current around the table. His finger dropped sharply. A blue ring of water appeared from nowhere above everyone’s heads. It dropped.

I gasped as cold water drenched me, hearing shrieks or grunts from one and all, except for King Fergus, who was quiet and bone-dry, with a slightly glowing gaze. Sputtering, I wiped frigid water out of my eyes, blinking repeatedly across the table into Ezra’s spring green gaze; his black lashes were stuck together like miniature spears and his spiked hair was now flat on his head, blue water dripping down his chin. His eyes lowered, his gaze immediately hooded.