As one…every single person started speaking over each other.
They shut up, all at once, glaring at one another silently.
Bless Leric, his lips didn’t even tremble, just continued sitting easily on the ground, watching me.
I cleared my throat pointedly. “How about we go in turns. King Collins?” My King took a deep breath in, expression banking on fascinated…and I interrupted, stating clearly, “One question at a time, then we’ll swing it to the next person.”
His eyes narrowed the barest bit. He paused in apparent thought, probably, coming up with his most desired question. Bounced his leg a bit, then blurted on a rush, “Does the Chosen mean she can choose to allow certain Mysticals of other factions into the Temple?”
My lips couldn’t help but tremble in amusement, even as Leric only answered solemnly in code, “That would be a bad assumption, King Collins.” His head cocked, eyes flicking to me, and I saw a bit of mischievousness in them before they turned to my King. “But…the One and the Chosen have the right of entry for any Lajak to the Temple in concerns of protection for themselves.”
Even I stared. “Really?”
His lips curved a bit cruelly. “Again, in regards to protection for themselves.” White brows lifted simply. “After all, our protection is monumental to all.”
Ohhh. “God, I could have so much fun with this.”
“My turn,” Queen Ruckler interjected, uncharacteristically bouncing a bit on her seat. “So, to clarify,” hands fluttered, “if Ms. Jules felt the need for a guard,” brows puckered, “a Lajak, I believe you said…she could pick…say,” a quick finger point to herself, “me, and then, I could go to the Temple?”
I placed a quick fist in front of my mouth, trying not to laugh my ass off, watching the normally staid Queen Bitch avidly giving begging and pleading eyes to Leric.
Leric answered her evenly somehow. “Yes, after she gave you,” his head teetered, “a breath of air, which I believe a few in this room already have.” Ah, my protection. “But, there are restrictions. She can only have eight Lajaks. They have to enter with her or die instantly at the entrance. They will be bound to never communicate of what they encounter because our secrecy is not bound inside the Temple, our sanctuary for free living and speech. It is a lifetime obligation, only taken away by the One or the Chosen, if they feel the Lajak is unfit. The rest of our guard, as you know, are named Guardians, therefore, spirit Elementals.”
Damn…there was practically a shuddering in the air of barely contained challenge as they eyed one another.
I lifted a little finger. “You do realize…you would be under my direct command at the Temple? No King or Queen or Elder to my Prodigy hierarchy. I would be your sole responsibility to keep alive?” A point at my chest. “Me, the boss.” Finger flicked to them. “You, the guards.”
And…boom.
Roles reversed.
Leric grinned, chuckling quietly in my mind. “Yes, my Chosen, I do believe you could have fun with this.” Brows lifted knowledgably. “But, remember, once you’re back here it all changes to their favor.”
“Hush,” I mumbled through our connection. “Let me have a little fun with this before reality crashes it.”
“Shit,” Queen Ruckler muttered, apparently not caring about me being the boss, nibbling on her nails. “There are really only seven positions up for the taking, not eight.”
Elder Jacobs instantly pointed a finger to Leric. “He said there were eight. How the hell are you coming up with seven?” His eyes narrowed. “You don’t think you automatically get a place as a Lajak, do you?” His finger jammed in my direction, still glaring at her. “She doesn’t even like you.”
“Hey now,” I mumbled quickly. “I never said that. I actually admire the bitch she is.” My eyes flared wide in shock, realizing what I had just said, gaze darting to her. “That was meant respectfully, of course.” I flicked a finger between the two of us as she glared a bit. “I actually think we have a lot in common.”
She snorted, then went back to nibbling on her nail. “How will you decide?”
“Without outside interference,” I stated honestly and with steel behind my tone. “But, you were right. There are only seven positions available.”
Yellow eyebrows snapped together, and Elder Jacobs asked, “Why seven?”
Elder Merrick grunted, resituating himself on the couch, and I firmly tried to keep my gaze off him as he ran a hand through his curls, the movement jerky, his tone growly irritated. “Have you not been paying any damn attention?” Another grunt. “Sin…Sin takes the first spot.”
My lips curved a bit. Of course, he did. It was always Sin.
“Speaking of Sin…” King Zeller murmured, his head cocking oddly.
Silver eyes pierced mine, grabbing my attention, speaking in my mind. “If he’s allowed access to the Temple…”
Ah…the reason I had forsaken the Temple in the first place. I pushed through our connection. “This is my home, Leric.”
His lips lifted a bit sadly. “I had to try.”
“I know.”
Another irked growl from Elder Merrick. “Most consider it rude for two mates to use their mate gift while in the middle of a conversation with others.” His wolf huffed quietly, and then he growled, “It’s considered poor etiquette, especially, done as obviously as you two are.”
I blinked slowly, even as I watched silver eyes slowly travel to Elder Merrick, and Leric lifted his brows a bit, stating idly, “I guess it’s a good thing I could care less about etiquette where my Chosen is concerned.”
“I do so hate to interrupt,” King Zeller stated on a drawl as they eyed each other. “But,” a head tilt toward the door with a small smile, “I believe Sin is…” He stopped, his lips trembling fiercely. “Never mind.”
The door banged open, and Sin rushed inside, muttering a curse under his breath, appearing frantic and extremely pissed…while he wiped blood off his knuckles onto his black cargos, his emerald green eyes glowing fiercely. “Caro?”
I was instantly on my feet, blanket left behind, moving toward him. “What’s wrong?”
His eyes were directly scanning me from head to toe, and then he breathed out heavily, slamming the door closed behind him…just as I saw the hallway littered with an unconscious Frost and Farley. “I heard you were hurt.” His chest heaved again, glaring fiercely over my shoulder. “Badly.”
I instantly touched his chest, running my hands up and down over his rigid muscles in a soothing gesture, even as he trembled the barest bit, talking to him gently. “I’m fine. I’m fine.” He grabbed my hips, pulling me against his hard body, trapping me against him, and I murmured against his chest. “Leric healed me. It was no one’s fault, but my own lack of knowledge.” I could practically feel his mind churning with Elder Merrick’s death. “Really, Sin. No one’s at fault and I’m okay.” I felt his hand slide from my hip, and I instantly grabbed it, his power he tried so hard to keep leashed, hidden, starting to leak. “Don’t even think about it.”
He growled quietly and stopped reaching for his gun, instead, reaching up to thread his strong fingers into my hair, tipping my head back. Instantly, he dipped his head…and his lips were on mine. I froze inside his hold when he didn’t just press his lips softly, his normal caress.
No…not normal…not as his wide, soft lips crushed mine.
Stroked possessively.