King Cave

by Scarlett Dawn

  I snapped my attention away from his scary-as-hell face, and just blurted it out there, “I heard him growl.” I fluttered a hand at the screen when everyone gazed at me blankly. “As in, a wolf’s growl.”

  Pretty much the entire room stared at me, hard.

  “Let me get this straight,” Elder Talus murmured quietly. “For those of us who are a bit slow.” He pointed at the screen. “You and Elder Farrar have actually been around this man, Philip Masterson—”

  I cut him off. “Ezra, Pearl, and Jack have also met him.”

  His eyebrows only rose. “Alright, so you five have physically met him, and none of you thought he wasn’t a Commoner?”

  “No, sir,” I murmured quietly. I blinked. “But he could have been masking.”

  He snorted. “No one masks so well that you can’t feel their power at all.”

  I snorted this time. “Wanna bet?” In response to his startled expression at my insubordination, I held up a finger, stating slowly, “Give me a second.”

  I let my head fall, closing my eyes. It was harder with the Queen power flowing through my Core, but it was still doable. Sometimes, I practiced late at night when I couldn’t sleep. My Vampire magic was a natural habit to mask, but I rolled my head around on my shoulders, took a deep breath, and reined all of my magic in, stuffing it down deep inside me, not letting any out, before slamming a metaphysical door inside my chest. Another roll of my shoulders, and I peered up at him.

  Waggling my fingers at him, I stated, “Go ahead. Test me. Tell me if you feel a thing.”

  I felt a rush of power hit me from all angles, not only him doing as requested. Bracing my feet, I bit my lip because so much was hitting me at once, but I stayed standing and got a first-class view of seeing everyone’s eyes go wide, except for King Kincaid, who already knew I could do this, and Antonio, who had taught me the basic idea behind it before leaving directly after my first Awakening. If they pressed hard enough, they would feel my Shifter power, unlike my Vampire magic since it was spelled to be hidden, but they would have to be searching damn hard to feel even the tiniest sliver of my Shifter magic.

  “Now,” I stretched, some dirt falling off my arms, “if none of you had met me before or knew who I was, would you think Commoner or Mystical?”

  “Holy shit,” Elder Merrick muttered, his eyes flying back to the screen, his reaction answer enough. “That’s fucking amazing, Lily, but I want to hear the growl you say you heard. No offense, but I’ve never met anyone who can mask the way you are, and to find two people in one day seems a bit unrealistic.”

  I let my Shifter power back out of my Core, the action a little daunting since I had so much. “Elder Harcourt, just rewind it a smidge, and magnify the sound even further.” I flopped in my chair, dried dirt flying to the floor around me.

  Elder Harcourt nodded and did as I had asked, every Shifter in the place closing their eyes to listen. And this time, with the sound turned up to blaring levels, every single one of them stilled at the table. And then a round of quiet growling erupted from them at the same time as when Elder Harcourt stopped the film where I’d had him do before.

  “Well, that answers that question,” Antonio stated, eyes on the pissed off Shifters. He held up a finger. “But, it doesn’t explain why I can never see the leader in one of my visions.”

  Everyone’s eyes, including mine, went back to the still image.

  As we stared at it, Ezra’s quiet chuckle sounded throughout the room. He pointed at the screen. “The answer lies in his robe.” He cursed under his breath. “He’s a hybrid.” My head flew in his direction, as did everyone else’s. “Gold and black. Mage and Shifter. It makes sense for the war he’s bringing on everyone.” His gaze swung to Antonio. “Would it be possible for him to create a spell to deflect anyone tracking him through visions?”

  Gradually, Antonio nodded, resulting in a round of curses flying around the room.

  It was decided that a group, including the Executioner, were to be dispatched by Elder Camden and Elder Harcourt — they would discuss who would go and find them later — to go to Philip Masterson’s home and take him out, if he had returned from his MIA status. The news of the leader’s hybrid nature would be passed on to the Elders speaking with the Com leaders so that they could disclose this information to them, in the hope that Philip had put them under some type of spell in relation to their ongoing hostility. Then, after two rebellion videos, the meeting was adjourned.

  I left immediately, not wanting to risk talking with Ezra.

  I ran into Finn in my rush.

  Entered his room, having all night long that pleasurable but empty sex King Fergus and I had spoken about, and not leaving until the sun rose on King Cave’s ceiling, lighting my way to practice with Elder Merrick in the fighting arena.

  Chapter Twelve

  My practice was cancelled due to Elder Merrick’s absence, of which I didn’t find out about until I stood in the middle of the arena with no teacher. Apparently, the entirety of Antonio’s posse had been called away, a gossiping Shifter told me while I waited in vain for my teacher. So I trudged back up the walkway and headed for my bedroom, ready to crash. And that was exactly what I did once I had entered, lying down next to Pearl, who was still snoozing away with Jack — Ezra had left for kitchen duty already — and fell asleep.

  I woke to a hard thump on the mattress, and gruff words stating, “Someone’s knocking on your door.” Ezra’s voice, sounding growly and deep.

  My eyes shot open just as he kicked the mattress again, and I heard the knocking at the door. I rolled, falling straight onto the hard floor, which reminded me that I had lain on the edge of the bed, not wanting to disturb Pearl or Jack, and not wanting to lie on the side that smelled of Ezra. “Shit.” I jumped up, brushing my hair back, and rushed through the room to the door. Wiping the sleep from my eyes, I opened it swiftly, keeping a firm hold on the handle.

  King Fergus’s eyebrows rose as he took in my state of dress. “I’m seriously beginning to question if you’re hitting on me.” A pause, his head cocking. “Although, if I were you, and that’s what I was going for, I would rethink my ensemble’s provocativeness. Or lack thereof.”

  Or not so much dressed.

  I squeaked, slamming the door shut in his face. “Shit.” Staring down at my turtle underwear set, I now remembered that I had stripped down so I didn’t get muddy clothes on the bedding, too tired to throw something else on.

  Sighing heavily, I opened the door again, but only a crack, to peek out into the hallway. Where King Fergus was laughing his ass off. My eyes narrowed. “That wasn’t funny.”

  “Oh, I’m not laughing at you,” he hooted. “I’m laughing at the Prodigy Shifter wearing turtle underwear.”

  My lips thinned. “Snapping turtles. Get it right.”

  Which made him laugh that much harder.

  “Just give me a minute to get dressed.” It was time for our session, by the look of the sun.

  He nodded, waving a hand as he rested against the wall, still chuckling.

  “You’re so getting your ass kicked today.” I slammed the door again. And turned in a huff, already running my hands through my tangled hair. And stopped dead.

  Ezra was standing a few feet back, arms crossed and resting his shoulder against the wall, staring at me with a hooded gaze. My own instantly hid half my eyes, and I went into motion, moving past him to…well, hide in my closet under the guise of getting dressed. But when I came out he was reclining on the bed, looking fucking good as hell. He was also waiting for me. Hell, at least I was now clothed in a pair of black cargos, a t-shirt, and boots.

  Crossing my arms, I asked, “What?”

  He stared at me for a long moment, and then asked calmly, “You’re not sleeping with him?”

  I snorted, dropping my arms and moving into the bathroom to brush my hair. “No, I’m not.”

  Another pause, then a quiet, “I’ve slept with four women since we stopped.”

 
; My hands instantly trembled on the brush, but I gripped it hard and focused on my task, wanting to run the fuck out of here.

  I heard the bed squeak, which it had started doing during our three weeks together on it, and he was suddenly resting his shoulder against the doorframe. “I thought you were sleeping with him. He’s never touched you before and he started doing it this week. You’ve been spending so much time together,” he ran a quick hand through his hair as I set the brush down and picked up a hair tie, “I thought you were having sex.”

  Breathing through my nose slowly, I studied my hair in the mirror. “Well, we’re not.” My movements were slow and controlled, making sure I got my hair up right on the first try. “It doesn’t matter anyway, Ezra. I realize you were mistaken, thinking I was flaunting him in front of you, and that’s why you tried to hurt my feelings by saying what you did about Rose.” My gaze flicked to black robe. “It still smells of her by the way.”

  He instantly backed up, undoing the buttons. “Shit, I’m sorry.”

  I waved a hand, walking out past him. “Don’t worry about it. It’s just an adjustment period.”

  “Lily, sweetheart—”

  “Don’t call me that.” I stopped, my attention snapping to him. Too many memories.

  He dropped the robe on the ground, and took three long strides to me. His hand lifted, wavering next to my cheek, and I quickly stepped back, away from him, utterly pissed, but trying to be cordial. His eyebrows slammed together, his hand dropping as his nostrils flared. He loomed over me, and my head crooked, staring up at him. He inhaled deeply, his eyes shutting. He took two steps back. “You were gone all night. I thought…” His eyes opened, void of emotion. “You smell like sex.”

  I shrugged, turning and walking toward the door. “You asked me not to flaunt it, Ezra, so why are you asking me?” I stopped, turning abruptly to face him. “And why the hell would you tell me you’ve slept with four women? What on earth makes you think I would want to know that?” I didn’t care that my voice was the tiniest bit shrill.

  His nostrils flared, and very slowly he asked, “Did you have sex last night?”

  My eyes widened in incredulity. “And what makes you think you have the right to ask me that?”

  He stared. “I told you honestly how many women I’ve slept with—”

  “Which I didn’t wish to know!”

  “—and I would like the same honesty from you.”

  My own nostrils flared in anger. “Yes, Ezra, I had sex all night long.” I paused. “Does that make you feel any better?”

  His jaw clenching was answer enough. “Who?”

  It was too tempting to pass up. “Who are the women you’ve slept with?”

  Instant. “Rose, Jessica, Kiki, and Catherine.”

  Something inside me broke hearing the names of the women he had slept with spill off his tongue so fluidly. My shoulders hunched as I rubbed at my chest. My feet moved as if on their own, pulling me away from the man who was causing the hurt.

  His hooded gaze darted across my face, and he inhaled deeply, then shouted, “Goddamn it, Lily, I thought you were screwing Fergus!”

  I jerked at his hostility, but kept moving backward, shaking my head. “This is what we both wanted.”

  He ran a hand over his face, cursing, but not arguing my point, then asked quietly, “Was it Finn?”

  I saw no point in lying now. “Yes.”

  His gaze stayed lowered. “Was last night the first time you’ve had sex since us?”

  “Yes.”

  I quickly left the room as he began tearing it apart.

  I got my ass handed to me by dirt boy. “Oh, shut up.” I glared at him as he smirked.

  He shrugged. “I didn’t say anything.” Ah, but his grin increased.

  I slapped a hand over it. “That’s what I’m talking about.”

  Under my hand, I felt his lips curve even more as he mumbled against my skin, the sound muffled, “You’re a sore loser.”

  “I never said I wasn’t.” I glared, pointing at him with my other hand. “Now, to the important part. Did you make a bet with the other Kings about who would win?”

  His eyes narrowed, and he said again with the muffled voice, “Why?”

  “Well, I was thinking that tomorrow you pick the bigger payout, and we make it happen whichever way that is to keep them from betting about us.”

  He lifted my hand off his mouth, and laughed outright. He had a dirty handprint on his face now. There was dirt under my fingernails, which I didn’t think would ever come clean from that last ‘little’ explosion. He only shook his head and started walking toward the cave’s entrance.

  “Hey!” I griped, yanking on my boots and rushing after him. “It’s a good plan.”

  Amber eyes met mine, full of mirth. “They’re my group. My team. Betting is our thing.” He shook his green curls, which were free of debris, very unlike mine. “I won’t ruin that by cheating.”

  I felt my lips frown, but I understood, even if it wrecked my plans for revenge. “Speaking of cheating…” My gaze hit the ground, and I scuffed my shoes along the long grass. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Sure.” I could feel his eyes on me.

  “Say you were in an…odd…relationship.”

  He snorted. “Most relationships are odd at some point.”

  “Alright.” I nodded. “Well, say you’ve just gotten out of a sexual relationship with someone you care for.” My hands waved in front of me in grand motions. “And say you both decided to take a break from each another because it was becoming too…” My hands fluttered all about. “Real.”

  King Fergus rested his hand on my shoulder, stopping my progress and making me look directly at him. “Real as in ‘I’m falling in love with you’ real? Or real as in ‘oh shit, I forgot a condom and made babies with you’ real?”

  My gaze was chilled at his bluntness. “The latter.”

  His lips pressed together, and he seesawed them back and forth. “Okay, what’s next?”

  “Well, say you’ve decided to take a break from each other. Does it constitute cheating if you have sex with someone else,” I held up a finger, “which was entirely expected during the break,” my finger twirled, “but you go about flaunting it,” I held up a stopping hand, “which was not expected, to the point it was specifically stated not to do out of respect for the other person’s feelings during a sensitive time for the both of you?”

  “I’m honestly a little confused here, trying to keep that straight,” his eyebrows puckered, “but if you’re asking if it’s cheating when you’re on a mutual break, the answer is no, especially if you both discussed it beforehand and knew it would happen.” His head cocked. “But if you’re asking about flaunting the new lovers…”

  I snapped at him. “Yes. That’s it. When it was explicitly stated beforehand that it would be disrespectful to do so.”

  “Is he flaunting them in front of you?”

  I waggled my hand. “Kind of. Using words like an ‘experience’ and saying he slept with four other women since us.” I blinked. “He tore a few things apart when he found out I’d slept with someone.”

  King Fergus stared.

  “What?” I shuffled on my feet, watching him intently for an answer.

  Still, he stared.

  “I’m waiting for an answer, dirt boy!”

  He blinked. “You are so innocent.” He shook his head, chuckling quietly when I glared at him, despite that I thought my impression was pretty ferocious. “Let me ask you this…Do you want him back?”

  That stopped me. “Like, back in my bed?”

  His eyebrows rose. “Or wherever you two did it.”

  “Oh.” My eyebrows slowly came together. “I don’t know. He kind of,” I rubbed at my chest, “hurt me, sleeping with those other women.”

  He watched my hand’s movement, snorting as he turned and started walking again. “If you want him back the answer is simple.”

  I ran to catch up.
“I said I don’t know if I do or not.”

  “Well, if you decide you do,” his grin was malicious, “don’t hide the fact you’re sleeping with other partners.” Amber eyes full of knowledge met mine. “If he wants you, too, he’ll be back once he can’t take seeing it anymore.” He raised his arms. “Or, you could go the responsible route and actually talk with him about it.”

  “Hmm.” Yeah, no. “Our conversational skills have been lacking recently.”

  He chuckled. “Well, actions do speak louder than words.”

  “Not sure if that applies here.”

  “Believe me,” he nodded, still grinning, “in this situation, it does.”

  Well, it took me a whopping two weeks — and many stiff brush-offs and arguments — after calling a hiatus with Ezra to want him back in my bed. Finn just wasn’t cutting it, even if he was excellent in the sack, and no other man really caught my eye. To flat out want Ezra back. I was woman enough to admit that it was pretty fucking pathetic, but there it was: I wanted him something fierce.

  Even more pathetically, I had no clue how to put King Fergus’s advice into action. Or more precisely, I didn’t feel right doing it. It just seemed…childish. Not to mention, I didn’t really think it would work. But after Ezra came back that morning smelling of roses again, I used the entire day contemplating the pros and cons of flaunting a partner in front of him.

  During that day’s meeting with Elder Camden, Elder Harcourt, the other Elders, and the Kings, I thought about having Finn show up at our room, even as I half listened to them talk about the botched mission for Philip Masterson. The asshole had apparently evaded them and gone into hiding with a few other United States officials as the rumors of war began to escalate. The Elders arguing for peace deduced that the Com leaders of the world weren’t under a spell but hating us only out of fear and out of the bitty fact that we had lied to them — unknowingly — when the first treaty had been signed.