Dizziness rushed over me as I began gasping for air, very nearly on the verge of fainting.
Directly in front of me, standing at the fireplace, was Antonio. To his right, sitting on the far couch, was Elder Merrick. To his left, on another couch, was Elder Jacobs. Directly to my left, which I could see only from the corner of my eye, sitting on the gold leather chair, was the fourth to their group. Elder Zeller.
Ezra’s dad.
I was pretty sure I whimpered as I swayed on weak legs.
Mutely, they stared.
I gasped, my vision blurring. An excuse! Goddamn it, think of a fucking reasonable excuse! My mouth flapped a few times in an attempt to obey my frantic thoughts as I desperately sought plausible scenarios that might actually fit this predicament. Shit!
Antonio pinched the bridge of his nose, as if he had a Com migraine. “Lil, don’t even bother.”
Snapping my mouth shut, I stuffed my shaking hands in my pockets.
I was well and truly caught.
His hand dropped to his side, and his gaze returned to mine, as he growled, “You couldn’t sense us until now?” He was mighty upset.
I sputtered for a few seconds, then cleared my throat, trying again. “I was distracted.”
Elder Jacobs replied dryly, “So we noticed.”
I still hadn’t looked at Ezra’s dad. Nor did I really want to. But, I did — carefully — ask the infuriated Mage, “Why didn’t you tell us you were in here?” Peeping Toms!
Antonio bristled. Uh-oh. “You sneak into my damn office and ask me why I didn’t show myself?” He stalked forward, and I moved backward. Best to keep a safe distance.
But still… “Yes.”
He stopped dead in his tracks at my response, clenching and unclenching his fists, and jerked his head toward Ezra’s dad. “We were having a private discussion we didn’t want others overhearing when Ezra walked in. He wanted to see how badly you two were lying to him.” A pause. “Then the whole situation turned,” another head tilt at Cahal, “and he wanted to know his son’s decision.”
He ran a hand over his face, suddenly appearing tired. “I’m going to have to buy a new lounge couch.” My face flamed so hot it had to match my hair. He pointed over my head. “And Ezra’s fixing that crack and anything else he broke by throwing my things about.”
I nodded quickly, watching him warily. Right now, he was running hot and cold.
He shook his head, muttering, “I seriously didn’t want to see that.” He glanced at the desk and the couch, making my flush stay bright. “You need to work on your willpower, kiddo. He played you like a fucking fiddle. I thought we were going to have to watch the whole damn thing,” he shuddered, “to its conclusion.”
I choked, turning my gaze from him, entirely mortified. This resulted with my eyes landing directly on Ezra’s dad. I froze as my gaze collided with his. Antonio didn’t seem to notice as he rambled on about burning his precious candles, and so on and so forth, striding back to the fireplace and muttering to himself.
Ezra’s dad rested with his elbow on the arm of the chair, two fingers propping his chin up as he regarded me with a blank expression.
I had no clue what to say to the man. To any of them, as the room went mute again. An apology seemed ridiculous since I wasn’t, in fact, sorry. Denying the action was just ludicrous. Telling them it wouldn’t happen again wasn’t an honest way to start with a clean slate since, if Ezra wanted to be exclusive, it very much would happen.
Into the strained silence, my face still flaming bright, Elder Merrick drawled, “I do believe I’m going to have to watch my back for a few days.” His chuckle was gravelly. “It could be fun.”
My gaze wasn’t going anywhere from Cahal’s, even when Elder Jacobs mumbled, “And your front and sides.” A pause. “And from below and above.”
Silence extended again after their humor during my undignified experience.
Time sluggishly ticked away as I awaited my fate. No great outcome came to mind.
Finally, Cahal deigned to speak, and still in no hurry, he enquired casually, “You have nothing to say?”
I cleared my throat. Actually, I did. “This was all my fault.” Cahal’s gaze never wavered from mine, even if blank. I straightened my shoulders. “I originally seduced Ezra.” Pulling my hands out of my pockets, I extended them in supplication. “He’s more like an innocent party.”
That did get a reaction. Just not from who I wanted.
Elder Merrick made a gurgling noise.
Antonio sighed heavily.
Elder Jacobs’s jaw fell open.
And Cahal just blinked once — no change.