King Tomb (Forever Evermore) (26 page)

Instantly, I knew my eyes gleamed. “I wouldn’t be opposed to that, King Zeller.”

He nodded once. Date set. Morbid, yes, but highly enjoyable.

Quietly, Elder Merrick muttered, “Fucking hell.”

“Frightening as fuck, more like,” Elder Jacobs whispered, his eyes darting back and forth between us. “You don’t even have to be told who raised them to know.”

Elder Zeller only grunted, then he murmured, “Well, I guess you two have found some common ground.” He waved a hand at the door. “But I believe we have unfinished business.”

I sat the next fight out as per Antonio’s instructions. I really didn’t have a problem with that, feeling as I was, and I knew he was giving me a chance to go drink my fill on blood to recuperate. So I did just that, drinking on a Com who wasn’t quiet dead yet. When I was full and able to walk properly without teetering, I moved to the front of the building where I could hear the last of the fighting.

It went fairly smoothly, everyone dead but our target. Ezra used his power to put the Com under a mind hold. Soon we were following the Com, who moved like a robot to the center of the building, where he took us through multiple key-coded access points, then to an elevator. We rode down silently then used the robot-like Com as a body shield when we exited the elevator into a room with ten armed Coms. They went down quickly, except for our next target, which Elder Zeller put under a mind hold, but this Com didn’t have the access key we needed to get past the enormous rounded steel door that reminded me of a bank’s vault. So Elder Jacobs whipped up some wind and blew the fucking thing in.

It got a bit hairy after that, with even more Coms in lab coats in the next room. The room was like a morgue for the Beasts, except that the Beasts were still alive, strapped to metal tables and drugged enough that they only lay there as we fought. A shot of pain erupted against my palm as I shoved off one of the tables when I kicked a Com in the head, and I grunted, staring at the table for a moment as I tried to wipe the Com’s brain from my boot. I blinked, then I shouted, “Don’t touch the tables. They’re pure silver!” No wonder the Beasts were just lying there.

Antonio shouted across the expanse of the sterile room, and I turned even as I used one of my Cizanos to slice off the head of a Com sneaking up on me. Three Coms had him pinned to a table, effectively cutting off his power, making him fight three on one even as the silver affected him. He managed to incapacitate two of them, but the third grabbed one of his knives. Quickly, I lifted my gun, but the Com still jabbed the knife into the side of his neck. I fired, already running toward him, my body trembling in fury as I roared my anger.

Elder Zeller blurred past me, and I fired at all Coms between us and Antonio’s falling form. A Com got past me, but I saw Ezra race after him, killing him before he could hit a button on the wall. None of that really mattered though, as I came to a stop, skidding on the blood on the tiled floor and falling to my knees next to Elder Zeller, who had caught Antonio before he hit the ground. Eyes darting to Elder Zeller, who also looked panicked staring down at Antonio, I asked, “Do I take it out or leave it in?” Antonio was wheezing, but he was still breathing. “I don’t know if he can heal himself.”

Antonio tried to speak, but only odd sounds came out and Elder Zeller didn’t answer me.

Growling, I stared into Antonio’s eyes. “One blink for yes, two for no. Should I remove it?” Two blinks. I stared at the hilt of the knife, but I couldn’t see the blade. “Is it one of your silver knives?” One blink. “Shit.” The sounds of fighting were beginning to decrease around us, and I placed my hands on Antonio. “Can you flash to camp?” Two blinks. “If I leave now with you, will you make it there alive?” No blinks. He didn’t know. “That’s better than no. Time to go.”

I yanked him from Elder Zeller’s grip, and Antonio instantly started trembling, which meant Elder Zeller had been giving him peace. I substituted it the best way I could, pouring soothing Shifter power into him, and his shaking decreased a bit. Holding him tight in my arms, I juggled him for a moment then stood. The fighting was done, thank God.

“I’m leaving now,” I shouted, already beginning to walk to the exit. “I’ll be taking the SUV, so you’ll have to find your own ride back.” Elder Merrick’s and Elder Jacobs’s eyes were enormous on their faces, and Ezra’s face was carefully blank, as they saw the knife sticking out of Antonio’s throat. “Blow the place up good, gentlemen.” I raced to the open elevator.

I growled when Elder Zeller blurred inside its confines with me. “What the fuck are you doing?” It was going to be a ten mile race to the SUV. Elder Zeller was huge for a Vampire, and faster than shit, but he didn’t have my strength to carry Antonio for that length of distance.

He hit the button to close the elevator doors. “I’ll keep anyone still living off you, help you get out the front gate, then I’ll give him peace while you drive.”

Chest heaving, I nodded. “All right. We’ll keep him alive together.” My attention swung down to Antonio, lighting his face blue, my eyes glowing and unable to stop. “You won’t die.” I held him tighter and kissed his cheek.

Worn the fuck out, relief and fatigue making my very bones weary, I wasn’t in the mood to see anyone sitting on my couch, even my husband, who was wearing only a pair of black mesh athletic pants, his chest bare, and reading one of my classic books from the nightstand in my bedroom. I glared at his dirt-free bare feet on my coffee table, then at his wet, clean hair on his head, not spiked but lying messily, and then at his green eyes that lifted from the worn pages. “Ezra, not now. I’m ready to drop.” Hell, I couldn’t even enjoy the show of all that bare flesh.

He nodded, closing the book and placing it on the couch next to his thigh. “I assumed as much.” Lowering his feet to the rug, he stood, walking to me, and placed a gentle hand on Isa where I held her in my arms. “I’ll watch her while you shower.”

Isa, fully awake even though it was the dead of night, wiggled in my arms, gurgling at Ezra. She stretched her arms to him, clenching and unclenching her tiny fists. Sighing in defeat, and also respite, I handed her over. “I won’t be long. Thank you.” He followed me into my bedroom. “If you could, try to get her to go to sleep.”

He nodded, heading straight for my bed. “Elder Farrar’s okay?”

“Yes,” I exhaled heavily, feeling dizzy with relief, “Bindi was able to heal him and Elder Zeller was helping him back to his tent the last time I saw him.” Thank God. Now he would live another day for me to yell at and pretend that I didn’t love him. Turning to my dresser, I asked, “Did you make fireworks happen?”

“Oh, yes,” Ezra chuckled quietly, lying down on my bed and pulling the pink and silver afghan over Isa. “It was spectacular to behold. The whole night sky lit up beautifully.” He cradled Isa’s head, running his thumb back and forth over her cheek softly. “Elder Jacobs may have shit for control where his power is concerned, but he knows explosives.”

Grabbing the grey t-shirt and a pair of red and blue socks, I headed for the bathroom. “I wish I could have seen it, but instead I was running ten fucking miles with a dying Antonio in my arms.” I sighed, opening the flap to the bathroom. “Life’s shit, you know?”

He was quiet, his eyes meeting mine. “Yes, I know. But they are throwing a party tomorrow night for victory today.” I couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of attending a party, and his lips lifted, glancing at the bathroom. “Take your time in there. I’ve got it handled out here.”

Glancing to Isa, I shook my head. Her baby eyes were already closing from lying next to his heat and his gentle petting. “Unbelievable and much appreciated.”

I took my shower.

It was long.

When I was done washing away the blood and grime, I entered my bedroom, yawning, and asked Ezra to leave. He did as requested, but before leaving he glanced at me. Penetrating green eyes stared back at me, dead and cold like mine, but maybe with a bit of spark, also like mine, that hadn’t been there a few days ago. His gaze was resolute and merciless.

I was his.

And he was mine.

Whether we truly wanted it or not.

Leave it to Antonio to bamboozle me into going to a damn party. I was
not
a social butterfly.

“This is ridiculous,” I muttered, staring down at my attire. Which wasn’t much. “Don’t tell me you’re one of those men who think I need to get laid.” I had already
gotten
laid, and it had been
nice
. Apparently, he didn’t know this yet.

Antonio’s lips twitched. “I’ve said it to you before, and I’ll say it again. Sometimes a little sensual pleasure helps when you’re hurting up here.” He tapped my forehead, then he waggled his finger. “Only a little, of course. Not that…
spree
…you dove into after Dominic died.”

“You know, Antonio, some would think it odd you’re always pushing me to have sex.” Another glance at my attire. “And dressing me in barely nothing.”

Again his lips twitched. “You look beautiful.”

I stared, then I pointed at my breasts. “I’m wearing a damn scarf around my chest, and even though I’m not large breasted, somehow the thing barely covers me.” A point to my lower section. “And I’m not entirely positive this certifies as a skirt.”

Elder Merrick’s gravelly laugh sounded behind me, and I abruptly turned so I could see both of them, not knowing he was there. Navy eyes roamed over me, and he cleared his throat, stating, “If you want sex, that outfit will give you a definite outcome.” He bent, asking at my ear, “Would you care to dance?”

I crossed my arms, ice entering my tone. “No, I don’t believe I would.” I turned my glare on Antonio. “I’m here, dressed in the outfit — if you can call it that — that you chose.” I scowled down my nose at him. “I don’t have to dance.”

Antonio appeared mighty amused. “I’ll make you a deal.” I didn’t even blink as he glanced around the bonfire where we stood, Mysticals dancing under the stars by the heat of the fire, the music hypnotic, the dancing sensual. “If I dance with someone of your choosing, you’ll dance with someone I pick.”

Well, well. My mind lit on all kinds of naughty things to do to him. “Promise?”

He instantly stilled, so I quickly blanked my expression. Though Elder Merrick didn’t help by chuckling. Antonio straightened his shoulders, swallowed, then stated, “I promise.”

My lips lifted evilly on their own accord, and I instantly started scanning the masses. The deal was that he would have to dance for me to have to dance. Tapping my bottom lip, I hummed softly, standing on tiptoe and glancing from individual to individual, discarding most and keeping others in mind…but…
oh
.

I pointed covertly, saying quietly, “You’ll dance with Elder Zeller.” I grinned as Antonio went absolutely still next to me, a devious chuckle rumbling from my chest. “Good luck with that.” I patted his back pacifyingly. “And boy, listen to that beat. Sounds like sex to me. Imagine you two manly men out there, dancing to this.” More patting of his back. “Not that it’ll happen.”

Elder Merrick made a choking noise in his throat, then he laughed outright.

Antonio muttered a curse under his breath. Scowled. “You think I won’t?”

My smile was pure vindication. “No.” A pause. “And he won’t.”

Antonio growled quietly then peered back to Elder Zeller, who was busy talking to a pretty Vampire, the woman appearing absolutely enthralled by his attention. Antonio muttered another curse, but straightened his shoulders, running his hands down the white linen shirt he wore. “I can do this.”

I hummed. “No, you can’t.” I shrugged when he glared at me. “You made the deal.”

Antonio glared a moment longer, then he ran a hand through his golden hair. My jaw dropped when, with one last glare in my direction then in Elder Merrick’s, he firmly started marching toward Elder Zeller.

I sputtered, waggling my finger at his back, and finally blurted, “Elder Zeller will kick his ass for even asking.”

Elder Merrick tossed an arm over my shoulders. “Queen Ruckler, one of the things you obviously don’t know about your dad is that once he makes a decision, a deal, he doesn’t back down.” He gently closed my gaping jaw while I stared at Antonio. “You never know. Zeller may not kick his ass for only asking.”

I growled softly, gauging intently, my protective nature coming to the fore as I watched Antonio interrupt Elder Zeller’s conversation. Antonio said something to the Vampire woman, then maneuvered himself between her and Elder Zeller, completely ignoring her look of frustrated disappointment as she stormed away. I couldn’t hear what Antonio said, but the firelight played over them, the bonfire burning high into the air, giving me the perfect view when Elder Zeller completely froze, staring at Antonio. Instinctively, I went to the balls of my feet, ready to spring at him if he so much as lifted his hand, but Elder Merrick’s grip tightened over my shoulder, and he murmured, “Don’t you dare. Remember who you are and who he is.”

I growled, but waited…and damn near fainted when Antonio said something else and Elder Zeller’s head jerked in a nod. This time, Elder Merrick’s grip tightened on me to keep me standing as Antonio walked backward a few steps into the dancing horde, watching Elder Zeller as he followed. My finger pointed, no sound coming from my mouth when Elder Zeller’s hand went to the back of Antonio’s nape, and Antonio’s hands went to Elder Zeller’s hips, their bodies flush against each other’s.

Hard chests were rubbing, strong thighs were intermingled, and bits in between those two areas that I didn’t associate with the man I considered my dad were pressed to another man’s as they started gyrating to the drums, flute, and guitar. A gypsy’s beat.

“Breathe,” Elder Merrick whispered, softly grabbing my pointing finger and lowering it.

“But…but…I…” I shook my head, trying to understand, unable to take my eyes away from their very leisured, sensual movements, their hips softly rolling and chests gliding in the firelight. “I…that…” I peered up to their faces, and I went completely still. “Oh my God.”

My finger waggled again. “That…”
That wasn’t faked.
Their eyes were glued to each other’s, sensuality barely masked. Antonio’s hands were stroking up then down Cahal’s sides, returning to his hips as Cahal’s free hand slid up Antonio’s arm, over his shoulder, caressed down his back, and eventually gripped one of Antonio’s hips while they slid their bodies against each other. “My dad’s gay?”