“We need disguises,” I stated as I hurried to pack my bag. The Kings, er, Elders, with their own new set of rings bestowed on them by the other Elders in the room, had given us only fifteen minutes to get our ‘asses outside the cave’s entrance’. That didn’t leave a whole lot of time. I was throwing in a variety of clothes, unsure of where in the world I was going to have to go. Most importantly, I had strapped my gun to my thigh, which showed plainly since my dress was so short and I didn’t have time to change.

“Disguises?” Jack huffed, zipping up his bag. “How the hell do we disguise the fact we’re Mys?” West was lying on the bed next to Buttercup. Jack threw a hand in his direction. “And the fact that we have,” finger quotes, “pet lions?”

I gauged Pearl, who was running around frantically. “Pearl, can you stand still for a sec?”

She shot me a poisonous glance, but stopped in her tracks. “What?”

“We don’t have time to dye our hair, so can you make us all,” I paused, peering around at the four of us, trying to gauge the best color, “brunettes, like Coms? And make our cubs appear like,” I bit my lip, “poodles?”

She stared at me for a long moment before beginning to whisper, her eyes glowing. She snapped her finger at the cubs, which quickly appeared as poodles, still with their own coloring, and with another snap of her fingers we all had boring brown hair.

I smiled. “Perfect.”

Jack picked up a piece of his hair and stared at it with disdain. “This is disgusting.”

“If anyone saw you with your blue hair, they would shoot you instantly,” I reminded him, going back to throwing items into my duffle. “And everyone try not to look so damn hot. Your good looks give you away.” A thought, and a glance at Pearl. “Can you manage some really ugly glasses?”

Another snap of her fingers and she had four pairs of horn-rimmed spectacles in her hand.

“Ugh, those are horrible,” I said with a smile, grabbing the feminine white ones. “They’re perfect. I wore glasses like these in the Com schools.” I put them on. “How do I look?”

“Like a sexy woman trying to look ugly,” Ezra muttered, waving a hand at my dress. “You’re seriously not wearing that outside the cave, are you? Every Com male is going to take notice and try to jump you.” His eyes flashed, his muscles bulging as he stuffed clothes into his duffle.

“Look who’s talking,” I mumbled, placing my hands on my hips, my gaze roaming up and down his frame. Yeah, every damn Com or Mys woman alive would fuck him in a heartbeat.

He picked at his thermal shirt with irritation. “This is not,” a flicked finger at my dress, “that.”

Jack snickered, tossing his bag over his shoulder. “We gotta go.” He took the pair of black glasses, putting them on before picking up West. “Our fifteen minutes are almost up.”

Ezra grabbed the pair of silver glasses, clearly aggravated. “We’ll meet you outside.”

Pearl put on her green glasses, transforming her into an Amazonian library goddess with her brown hair. “Uh-huh. You two don’t have—”

Ezra cut her off, growling, “I said, we’ll meet you outside.”

Pearl muttered a curse as Jack hustled her and Buttercup out of our bedroom, who barely gave her a chance to grab her own bag.

Ezra was suddenly in front of me, lifting my chin gently. “Are you sure you want this?” His eyes darted back and forth between mine. “I’ve had a few weeks to think this through. You only decided yesterday you wanted it. Maybe you need more time?”

Staring hard at his chin, because I knew I wouldn’t be able to tell him otherwise, my heart pounded erratically, but I went for it. “Ezra, I’m in love with you. I know I want to be with you.” I placed a trembling hand on his chest. “I want you to be mine. And I want to be yours.”

I didn’t hear anything for a moment…and then, I felt dizzy when I did. Ezra’s heartbeat jumped, and then took off in a wild frenzy. His grip tightened on my chin, and he shook it a smidge. “Look at me, sweetheart.” I did. And met intense green. “You’re in love with me?”

My chin quivered, my heart flew. I felt weak in the knees. “I’m very much in love with you.”

His voice was guttural. “Promise?”

I nodded, lifted my hands to cup his cheeks and pull his face down closer to mine. “I promise.”

His jaw clenched. “I first knew I was in love with you that night in the storage closet.” He paused, his eyes holding mine. There was an almost vulnerable cast to them that he couldn’t quite hide. “I’ve been waiting for you to catch up with me, but the whole while I was still afraid of the risks that come with a relationship without magic.” He paused. “I still am afraid of the risks.”

And yeah, like a girl, my eyes were a little watery and a few tears spilled, my heart soaring higher than the clouds. It was a good thing I had stored that bottle of wine in my closet and we didn’t drink it. I was definitely going to cherish the damn thing as a keepsake. “You’re in love with me, huh?”

He nodded once, his face fierce even though his eyes were still showing that vulnerable cast.

“I think I know what comes after risk,” I murmured softly as he brushed the tears off my cheeks. Going on tiptoe, I kissed his thinned lips until they softened slightly. “Do you want to know what it is?”

Again, he nodded once, rigidly.

Biting his bottom lip softly, I whispered, “It’s trust, Ezra. Trust that the person you love won’t hurt you with unkindness and disrespect. Trust that the person won’t crush your heart with infidelity. Trust that, in the end, your partner will love you just as much as you love them, because there will be problems in life that threaten to tear you apart. It’s simply trust.”

Ezra gently pulled me closer, our bodies flush against one another, and his arm wrapped around my waist as he gripped a handful of my hair with his hand, keeping my head tilted back. “Trust is amazingly slippery to capture.” His forehead fell against mine, his eyes almost glowing they shone so bright. “But who better to have trust and respect for than someone you already love, someone who you would never want to hurt and who wouldn’t want to hurt you.” His nose brushed mine. “A best friend.”

My grin just wouldn’t die. “Exactly.”

Ezra’s chest expanded heavily, and he nodded, our foreheads rubbing. “We can do this.”

“Hell yes, we can.” I laughed, pulling his lips against mine. “Now, kiss me.”

He chuckled, his lips curling against mine and rumbling, “Say please.”

I gently nipped his bottom lip, and then added, “Please?”

His Vampire growled.

My snicker deepened as I nipped his lip again. “Please…baby?” His Vampire was awfully picky.

That was what it took for him to press harder against my lips, his mouth demanding open-mouthed attention. My own hands went to his hair, not caring if I mussed it, grabbing handfuls and holding him just as close as he was me. His scent enveloped my senses, spiced and heated, his taste just as delicious as our tongues gliding against each other’s.

Clinging to him, pulling him harder against me, my wolf and I were in complete agreement, growling possessively, “Mine.”

Ezra’s mouth curled against my own as he tilted his head the other way. “Yes, I’m yours.” His lips stroked mine in clear ownership, just as I heard his Vampire growl deeply. “And you’re mine.”

I whimpered, nodding, as I began literally climbing up his body to wrap my legs around his waist. “Yes, baby…I’m all yours.” God, he felt so damn wonderful. And he was all mine.

A profound groan vibrated his chest as his mouth’s caresses changed, both of us starving for one another…and his cell phone rang. We didn’t hear it at first, but eventually I mumbled, “Phone, Ezra.” That was about all the attention I was going to give the annoying thing right now when I had a hungry Vampire starting to unzip my dress, his mouth sucking hard at my neck. “Fuck, baby.” Suddenly, my back hit the mattress and my dress was lowered around my waist, Ezra’s warmth over me. A soft cry left my lips as his blunt teeth latched onto my nipple.

He growled softly, his hands palming my sensitive swelling breasts as I arched for him. And his damn cell phone rang again. A sound of irritation emanated from his throat, and one hand left my breast. He pulled his cell out of his pocket, flipped it open, and growled, “I’m busy.” He snapped it shut, throwing it on the bed next to us.

Dilated, green eyes stared down at me, and he purred, “I love this outfit, sweetheart.” I moaned as his hands slid up my thighs, raking the short skirt up over my hips so it bunched in the middle and bared me completely to him, wrapped only in my red fur coat and with my gun strapped on my thigh. His lids drooped even as he began undoing his belt. “I don’t have enough time to show you just how much I truly appreciate this fucking outfit.” His panting was enough for me as he stared. His eyes flittered to mine, then darted back down as I blatantly spread my legs for him. His breathing hitched, hands hastily undoing his pants. “Christ, sweetheart.”

My core was aching for him, and I tilted my hips up, moaning, “Baby…hurry.”

“God, yes,” he moaned, and his hands blurred, finishing undoing his pants.

His phone rang again, but we ignored it as I yanked him down on me. He was right. We didn’t have a lot of time. Really, we had no time…but we were carving out a little slice for this. Quickie or no, I was going to have him in me.

Grabbing his cock, I placed him at my core’s entrance. “Now…please…now, Ezra.”

His tongue slid over my lips. “Hush.” Hot hands gripped my hips. “I’ve got you, sweetheart.”

And he thrust.

Crying out against his mouth, I hurriedly finished pushing his pants down his hips so I could grab his ass, skin on skin, digging my nails in. Over me, Ezra’s nostrils were flared, his jaw clenching, face fierce in pleasured desire. Both of our predators began growling, the sounds of utter possessiveness, as he thrust twice more, filling me completely. Perfectly. Our bodies were as if they were made for one another.

“Mine,” man and Vampire demanded, punctuating his claim by driving his hips against me.

My body shook under him, wolf riding my voice hard. “Yours.” But I gripped his ass hard, thrusting up my hips just as fiercely as he was dominating me. “Mine.” He was fucking mine.

His Vampire purred, the sound loud and intimate, and green eyes met mine, full of desire and possessiveness. “Fucking yours, sweetheart. All yours.”

A soft sigh escaped — I loved hearing him say it — but it was quickly overtaken a moment later when I screamed his name in pleasure as he began driving his cock into my slick channel, the rhythm severe.

Pleasure.

Control.

Completion.

Bent upon those three things, our shouts and groans echoed around us as we rolled, and I lifted over him, riding him hard. He cried out, his grip on my hips bruising as he lifted his hips, slamming his cock up into me, giving no quarter even when I was setting the tempo. Muscles beginning to tremble with the fire raging inside me, I arched, grinding against him as my head tipped back in pleasure. I heard him groan, his body shuddering under me as I rocked my hips back and forth, keeping him snug inside while my channel gripped him tight, and my whole frame froze as the flames exploded inside me, the climax exhilarating.

Even as my mouth flew open, his name on my lips, Ezra flipped us and started pounding into me. Able only to hang on and enjoy the ride, I limply grabbed his forearms while he gripped both of my legs under the knees, pressing them up and out, opening me for his onslaught of frantic thrusts. Mind rolling in ecstasy, my body quaking, I stared up at him, breathing, “Ezra…”

He grunted, groaning in reply, meeting my gaze as he stilled above me, his breathing hitching. Joltingly, he hammered into me once more, my body bowing he filled me so deeply, and throatily he growled, “Sweetheart.” His frame jerked over me, trembling, as his cock jumped inside me, hot cum pulsing deeply. His growl continued to rumble inside his chest as he quivered, staring down at me, his expression of pained joy. Bit by bit, he lowered, staring me in the eyes the entire way, until his face hovered directly over mine.

Softly, he bit my bottom lip.

I was fucking his.

Gently, I lifted a shaky hand, placing it against his throat.

And he was fucking mine.

“Hurry up,” I mumbled, quickly stepping out of the shower. I stopped and smacked his ass…’cause I wanted to. “We’re already late.” From the caller ID on his cell, it had been his dad calling consistently. But we hadn’t been able to go back outside smelling as we had, both of us reeking of sex and each other. So a quick shower had been needed for us both, but Ezra hadn’t jumped in immediately and was taking longer than me.

A blurred hand reached out from the shower, smacking my ass right back. “I’ll be out in a minute.” He peeked around the corner of the shower, grinning like an imp. “I set an outfit for you on the bed.” His grin only grew. “I used the mirror.”

My eyes narrowed even though I was smiling. Swiftly wrapping a towel around myself, I scurried out of the bathroom. The jeans I had shown to Jack this morning were on the bed along with a soft white t-shirt. The shirt was new. Picking it up, I read the writing on it.

The front read across the breasts: Look and Die.

The back read: Property of Zeller.

I chuckled, tossing it on the bed, and lifted his thermal he had thrown on the ground. I quickly used the mirror, making my own shirt for him, two hoodies — one in my size and one in his — and a black knit hat for him since he wouldn’t have time to spike his hair. I swear the man took longer than me getting ready. He hadn’t put any socks or underwear out so I pulled some out of my dresser — my animated frog set and my bright rainbow knee-high socks that formed around each of my toes — which I loved.

I barely got them on before a pounding came at my door. Sighing in exasperation, knowing we were seriously late, I threw the towel around me — not forgetting this time I only had undies and socks on — and hustled to the door, fully expecting it to be Elder — it was weird thinking of him that way — Kincaid. But throwing open the door, keeping my hand firmly on the door handle, I froze…a little nervous laugh escaping.

It wasn’t Elder Kincaid.

It was Antonio.

With Cahal directly next to him.

As Cahal surveyed my person with a raised eyebrow — dripping hair, towel, and multicolored toe socks — Antonio scowled, glancing at his watch and stating, “You were supposed to be outside a half-hour ago.”

Clearing my throat, I ignored how Cahal’s eyes began darting all around the ‘spelled room’ he could see. “Well, you know…um…fifteen minutes was a little ridiculous.”

“Pearl and Jack made it outside on time,” he groused, finally taking in my half ready state of dress before searching the room with his own gaze, able to see what was actually there. Luckily, neither mentioned the little singing frogs on my bra straps. He tilted his head at Cahal. “He’s looking for Ezra. Any clue where he’s at?”

Ah, Cahal knew we shared a room now. “Nope. No clue.” One day I was going to burn in hell.

And…from the sound of it…Ezra chose that exact moment to exit the bathroom around the corner. My lips pinched as I heard the door bang open, and I heard him say, sounding playful, “Sweetheart…what did you think of the shirt?” Antonio’s eyes flew to me, and a second later when he couldn’t see me, I heard Ezra shout, sounding damn frantic, “Lily?”

Not even a breath later, Antonio’s eyes flew over my head, and I knew Ezra was in view. I swiftly started to shut the door, saying, “I’ll be out shortly—” My voice and the damn door stopped abruptly as Cahal slammed a hand against it.

He blurred, shoving it back open…and taking a step into the room.

Even though I was pushed back, instinct had me grabbing his arm when the whirlwind took him for a ride and made him stumble. His eyes flew wide, startled, as he glanced all about, quickly scanning everything he could see, then, when he more than likely saw no threats, his gaze instantly turned to my hand on him. Laughing nervously, I quickly released him. Patted his arm a few times. “That first step’s a doozy.”

He stared at me.

Well, alright then.

I turned to Antonio, holding the door open. “Might as well come on in.” My voice was only slightly odd.

Antonio sighed heavily, stepping inside without any balancing issues and shutting the door.

I waved at the couch, ignoring the fact they could see a rumpled-as-hell bed, me in my half-dressed stage and, from the corner of my eye, Ezra still dripping wet with only a towel around his waist. “Why don’t you two have a seat while we finish getting ready.” It wasn’t really a question, but I nodded as if they had agreed and turned, walking toward Ezra and where our clothes were lying on the bed. “We’ll be quick.” And yes, I was booking it away from them.

Ezra’s face was blank as he surveyed them over my head. “We won’t take long.” He waited until I was past him before he turned and walked directly behind me, leaning over me as we grabbed our clothes from the bed. I peeked around the corner as Ezra grabbed socks and underwear from his dresser, and saw, amazingly, that Cahal and Antonio had sat down on the brown love seat and black couch. Antonio was rubbing one of his temples, while Cahal slowly scrutinized every aspect of the room he could see. If he stayed there the only aspects of Pearl and Jack he would notice would be the beanbag and chair, which weren’t damning, only a debatably bad fashion choice.

Ezra and I practically raced each other inside the bathroom, fumbling and jumping at times, to get dressed. Hair still wet, I quickly pulled it back into low pigtails on the back of my head. Smiling anxiously, I put my white horn-rimmed glasses on. “Thank you for the shirt.” I actually liked it.

Ezra’s chest heaved and he ran a hand over his face as he glanced at the closed door. “You’re welcome.” He quickly bent, giving me a swift peck. “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” He shook his head, throwing on his shirt, which he hadn’t really glanced at. “My dad can be an ass.”

Oh, no problem. Cahal had just barged into our sanctuary. Without an invite. “All dads can be an ass. Antonio sure as hell isn’t perfect.” I gave him a quick peck in return, and then grabbed my boots. “We better get back out there.”

He nodded, pulling the black knit cap over his head, an inch of his brown hair sticking out beneath the edges. Added his silver glasses. I couldn’t help but stare. My God. He still looked like a cover model. “You’re fucking gorgeous.” I just kind of blurted it out.

His slow smile was genuine, his green eyes sparkling behind his glasses. “You think so?” He tugged one of my pigtails. “Because you see,” he bent, his teeth beginning to nibble at my bottom lip as he tugged me closer, rumbling deeply, “I happen to think you’re perfect.” A harder kiss. “Hot.” Another nibble. “Sexy.” A gentle caress. “Cute.” Hands cupped my cheeks. “Beautiful.” Lips hovered over mine, making me pant. “All rolled into one perfect woman.” He grinned naughtily. “My woman.” Softly, his mouth landed on mine, our tongues meeting gently.

An indulgent moan escaped happily as I ran my hands up his chest and around his neck.

And we both froze, hearing Cahal shout from behind the closed door, “That is not quick, son!” A curse. “This is all your damn fault!” I was pretty sure that comment wasn’t aimed at us. “And don’t even tell me this room wasn’t your doing.” Nope, not us.

Still clinging to Ezra, I whispered, “Maybe we should give them a few minutes.”

“Oh, no!” Cahal shouted. “Get your asses out here. You’ve obviously already had your fun.”

My lips pinched, scowling, even as I blushed. “His hearing’s excellent.”

“Unlike your timing since you were both supposed to be on the damn beach forty minutes ago,” Cahal hollered. “Don’t make me come back there and get you two.”

Ezra sighed, bumping his forehead against mine. “At least yours isn’t treating you like a child.”

True, but I didn’t say that, instead exiting the bathroom with Ezra hovering closely by my side. Grabbing my bag, hoodie, and Bonnie — still appearing like a poodle — I warily walked toward Cahal and Antonio. They both blinked, staring at Ezra…or, more precisely, his shirt.

Ezra’s eyebrows came together. “What?”

Antonio’s lips trembled even as Cahal sighed in exasperation, dropping his forehead into his hands. Antonio’s eyes darted to me. “Mirror?” Biting my lip, I nodded, then he glanced at Ezra, pointing vaguely at his shirt. “You may want to put something over that.”

Ezra blinked, then dropped his head to stare at the shirt. His head cocked. Guess he was just now noticing it. He turned and headed back to the mirror. That’s when Antonio busted up, seeing the back of it.

It was a black long-sleeved thermal with a silver cartoon etching of a Vampire on the front smoking a cigarette, grinning around it. The Vamp looked just like Ezra. At the top were silver letters that said, ‘YUMMY’. Around the Vamp’s foot was a huge shackle with a chain, which hooked around the side to the back…where a cartoon red wolf held the chain in its mouth, teeth bared at anyone looking. Above the wolf’s head, red lettering said, ‘MINE’.

Ezra paused at Antonio’s deep chuckle, even as Cahal peeked up — only to drop his head back in his hands after seeing the back of the shirt, muttering under his breath. Ezra raised an eyebrow at me, but I fluttered a hand at him, saying, “Go take a look. You’ve got the hoodie to put over it.” When he only stared, I said, “It’s cute. Don’t you dare change out of it.” And yeah, my wolf rode my voice a little. “Now, go look.” And I ignored how I had a hand on one hip, boots dangling from my fingers, and tapped a foot as my mother used to do when she was agitated with Antonio.

Ezra’s lips twitched as he watched me. Wisely, he said nothing else as he turned back around to finish making his way to the mirror. I took a few steps backward so I could follow him with my eyes and make sure he didn’t take it off. And I got to see his reaction. He stared, head cocked and lips twitching, then slowly turned, peering over his shoulder to see the back. He grinned.

Nodding once, satisfied he wasn’t going to discard it, I quickly moved back out of his line of sight. “I think we’re about ready.” I stopped in my tracks when Cahal held up a hand, pointed at my shirt, then made a twirling motion. I cleared my throat. “I’ve got a hoodie, too.”

Again, he twirled the finger. “Now, please.”

Lips pinched, I turned, letting them read, Property of Zeller.

There was silence behind me, and then Antonio stated studiously, “Lily’s was more creative.”

Cahal snorted. Dry words. “Of course, you would think that.” A pause as he cursed. “She’s dressed my son, the King Vampire, in damn cartoon characters to make her point!” Another pause as Ezra came back into view. “And he’s fucking wearing it!”

“Yes, I am,” Ezra murmured, a smile playing at his lips. He stopped next to me, and I stilled as he bent, kissing my mouth softly — right in front of Antonio and Cahal. His lips curved as he leaned back a smidge, staring into my startled eyes. “I knew you’d end up getting me something with cartoon characters on it if I let you pick out my clothes.” Again, he brushed his lips against mine. Just the sweetest touch of heat. “It’s perfect. Thank you.”

Breath escaped me in shock and desire, and I barely managed to whisper, “You’re welcome.” My eyes held his gleaming gaze. And that quickly, love and happiness overrode any emotion as we both started grinning. We were together, like, together-together. In love. And goddamn, if I wasn’t as happy as a clam right now.

“Jesus Christ,” Antonio muttered quietly off to my right, and then more loudly, “You two are going to have to cut that shit out before you get caught.”

We both turned to them, trying to regulate our faces.

Cahal began taking up Antonio’s action, rubbing his temples. “Jesus, this is going to be a trial.” He glared at Antonio. “How long have you known this was going to happen?”

Antonio only shrugged, then turned all business. “Which Elder are you taking?”

My head cocked. “Taking?”

His eyes crossed. A heavy sigh. “To find your Prodigy.”

“Oh,” I said, chipper, sitting on the golden chair and placing my arm fully on the floor, Ezra following suit, sitting next to his dad. Clyde and Bonnie instantly moved back together, lying between us, and snuggled around each other as we put our boots on. “I’m choosing you.”

He nodded, smiling, appearing damn pleased. “I thought you might pick Elder Kincaid.”

I rolled my eyes, ignoring how Cahal was glaring at my cute socks before I could cover them with my boots. “You knew I would pick you.”

“Actually, I didn’t.” A pause. “But I had hoped.” Yeah, he looked a little smug.

Ezra elbowed his dad, lacing up his boots. “I’m picking you.”

Blunt words, no fanfare. “I know.” He wasn’t overconfident or anything. “And we were talking with you two. That’s why you’re so late.” Ezra nodded, pulling his hoodie on and zipping it until only the words YUMMY were visible. Cahal glanced back and forth between us. “And try to not look at each other. You two aren’t hiding shit right now.” A direct, gruff order.

My gaze turned predatory as I scrutinized Ezra and his dad. They were too recognizable even if Cahal had put on jeans and layered t-shirts instead of his robe or his suits he usually wore. A quick glance at Antonio. “Can you change Elder Zeller’s hair color to the same as Ezra’s? And maybe make their facial hair grow?” It would hide their features somewhat. Cahal and Ezra both blinked at me in surprise. “You know your pictures have been flashed all over the news.” Any previous Rulers were of high interest in any country right now.

Ezra shrugged his assent, but Cahal glared at Antonio, only finally agreeing when Ezra nudged him. Cahal’s hair was suddenly a boring brown, and both of them jerked and started moving their jaws, their noses scrunching, as their beards started growing.

I waved a hand at Antonio. “Do it slowly. I’ll tell you when to stop.”

Black whiskers shadowed each of their jaws, and I noticed Antonio did an excellent job of keeping them trim and lined fashionably. Head cocked, I watched Ezra’s closely, knowing Cahal’s needed to be longer since his group was at the top of the watch list, thanks to their history in the war. I waved a hand when Ezra’s was just past a quarter of an inch long. “Ezra’s is done.” Staring at Cahal, I waited until his was a half-inch. “Elder Zeller’s is good.”

And then I sat back and stared at Ezra. The beard was sharp and angled in jagged lines, highlighting his jaw and cheekbones even further. The silver glasses didn’t hide his rugged beauty, only enhanced it with a splash of color. I blinked. “I didn’t think it was possible.”

Ezra rubbed his chin, feeling the beard like his dad was doing with his own. “What wasn’t possible?”

I glanced at Antonio, who was fingering his own hair, and stared at it while he put it through a variety of different shades, trying to pick which one he liked best. “Antonio, you’ve outdone yourself.” He grunted, his eyebrows puckering as he altered his hair colour between dark brown and sandy blond.

My eyes went back to Ezra, again shocked at the difference the beard made. Ezra raised a questioning eyebrow, so I waved a flittering hand, mumbling, “It’s, like, you…but, not you. A whole different version of hotness.” Rugged-geek-badass, if there was such a thing. His shirt’s words pretty much summed it up. Yummy.

Antonio jumped up, moving farther into our room, back to where our bed was and where the room veered to the right — out of sight — mumbling, “I’ll be back in a minute.”

Ezra grinned, drawling, “You like?” He rested back, laying his arms on the back of the couch.

I managed a nod, but quickly cleared my throat, rolling my eyes. Wouldn’t want to pant too much. “You look good.”

The cocky bastard’s grin only increased.

“How do I look?” Cahal asked, which surprised me, still fingering his beard.

I blinked at him, seeing he was seriously asking me. Mentally shaking myself past the astonishment, I cocked my head, trying to evaluate him beyond the fact he was Elder Zeller, Ezra’s dad. He held my gaze unflinchingly just like his son always did. I was shocked when I peered past who he was, seeing him for…himself. “Handsome. You look handsome. The beard suits you.” And he smiled. A real one. Flashing those white teeth at me. Uh. “Very handsome.”

He preened almost as his son might have at the compliment. “I may have to keep the beard.”

Ezra chuckled quietly.

I pointed at Cahal. “You won’t pass as being old enough for his father in the Com world. But you look too much alike, so you’ll have to say you’re an older brother if anyone asks.” He nodded in agreement, and then my slightly bewildered gaze returned to Ezra. I didn’t know how to handle his dad. He was scary as shit, but there were moments like this when he seemed almost…normal.

“Okay, how do I look?” Antonio asked behind me.

I turned, and physically jerked in shock. He must have used our mirror because he had changed his clothes, going from a dress shirt and suit pants to dark faded jeans, a thick black belt with a large silver buckle, a soft, thin, fitted silver long-sleeved shirt, and black boots, but really, even though I had never seen him dress quite like this, it was his face that stunned me. His skin was still bronze, which meant he could be taken as someone with an Asian background, but his hair was now brown with blond highlights, and only two inches long, messily spiked on the top of his head and showing his facial features in handsome relief.

“Wow,” I muttered, whistling brazenly. “You look great.”

He smiled, running a hand through his hair and then placing them in his pockets. The action, and this also surprised me, appeared bashful. “You sure? I haven’t had short hair before.” He rocked back on his heels, watching me eagerly for my answer.

Ah, he was a little vain.

My grin grew. “Don’t worry, you look amazing. The Mages will be falling all over themselves.”

And…he flushed.

I blinked. “Are you blushing?” I couldn’t help but chuckle when his blush grew rosier. “Seriously, Antonio? Are you worried what someone might think?”

“No,” he stated instantly, picking up my bag.

Lie.

My eyes grew large. “Who?” I yelped when he grabbed my ear, hauling me to my feet. “Okay, okay. I’m sorry!” Lie. “I won’t ask again.” Also a lie.

“Let’s go,” he muttered, literally kicking me in the butt toward the door, then dancing away when Bonnie took notice at me being manhandled. “We’re late.”

My lips pinched, and I couldn’t help but ask, “Is it that ‘talented partner’ you were with when you were late for that meeting?”

“What talented partner?” Ezra asked, watching avidly from the couch. “I think I missed that.”

Antonio’s lips twitched the barest bit. “Lil, just get your ass out the door.”

“Oh,” I hummed, eyebrows waggling as I put my hoodie on. “I’m right, aren’t I?”

Antonio sighed heavily, and then griped to Cahal, “Get your son up. We need to go.”

Cahal had been peering back into the depths of our room, but turned narrowed eyes on Antonio, snapping, “Don’t order me.” But he did stand and motioned for Ezra to get up. “We need to get outside instead of fooling around in here. The next Prodigies are more important than figuring out who Antonio’s currently fucking.”

“Precisely,” Antonio grumbled, shooing me out the door. He pointed at me. “My sex life is not up for discussion.”

That was too big of an opportunity. My eyebrows rose as I crossed my arms, rocking back and forth on my feet. “Then…,” I leaned forward as Ezra and Cahal exited the room behind us, Bonnie and Clyde scurrying out with them, “neither is mine.” I punctuated it by tapping his nose lightly, and added a curt nod when his eyes narrowed. “Fair is fair.”

He growled, “You are…”

“Sweet? Innocent? Adorable? Brilliant? Fantastic? Funn—”

He slapped a hand over my mouth. “All of those things,” he groused. “But definitely more infuriating the older you become.”

I grinned behind his hand. “Ah, I love you, too.”

“Your door?” Cahal ignored us, speaking with Ezra. He pointed at Ezra’s door next to mine. “Where does it lead?”

“Same place,” Ezra stated, wrapping an arm around my waist and pulling me away from Antonio so that I was flush against his chest. “It’s also spelled to take us to our room.”

Cahal eyed us before turning a glare on Antonio. “You and I are going to have words.”

Antonio’s smile was only teeth. “No, we’re not, and you know it.” He gestured to Ezra and me without turning his gaze away from Cahal. “You can see it as well as I can. They’re damn cute and endearing together.” It didn’t sound like a compliment.

Cahal growled a little, also not looking in our direction.

Well, that was enough of that. “Prodigies…remember?”

They both grunted, but eventually did stop their staring contest.