Elder Bridges merely narrowed his eyes at Elder Harcourt.
“We have other information you may wish to know,” Ezra stated gradually, breaking the strained hush. Everyone turned their attention in our direction. Ezra tilted his head and rested further on his chair, comfortable in speaking in front of a portion of the most powerful Mysticals in the world without any added emotional powers helping him. “Yesterday, during our escape on the beach, we saw Elly Belford, a lion Shifter, arguing with one of the assassins who was wearing a red robe and appeared to be their leader. During their argument, he kissed her. She didn’t pull away.” He paused, letting this sink in. “From what we understand, her father is a high-ranking official in the MIA.”
A spew of oaths erupted from King Kincaid — not a surprising reaction with the fact she had been under his roof multiple times — until he calmed enough to confirm with the group that Mr Belford was, indeed, a high-ranking official within the MIA.
Ezra shrugged a jaded shoulder. “If the Com hacked our agency’s database from Mr Belford’s home system, it would explain how MIA missed this.”
As predicted, pretty much everyone wanted a piece not only of Elly but also of her father for being so careless. After a quick phone call, it was established that Elly and her parents weren’t residing inside King Cave, which didn’t lighten the mood any, since the Rulers’ anger wouldn’t have an outlet as they had hoped. But I could have told them she wasn’t here. She had to have seen us when their group charged us yesterday. She had known we had seen her. Elly wouldn’t walk into her own death willingly.
Elder Camden and Elder Harcourt informed all of us that we would have duties inside King Cave, apparently just as the Rulers had last time when the war had erupted. He also added that we would be phoned later of our responsibilities — once they had been figured out — before we were formally dismissed from the meeting.
I didn’t want to remove my leg from beside Ezra’s, but it would seem odd if we continued sitting as everyone stood. Sighing, I took a fortifying breath and slowly lifted from my chair. I was pleased to find I was alright, the earlier shock and fear gone as I had hoped. Those were only initial emotions, and now I was on to determination.
Ezra watched me for a moment, his nostrils flaring. His lips lifted into a small smile.
Exiting the room, I jerked Antonio’s arm, pulling him along with us.
Ezra’s eyebrows rose, but he stayed silent.
Thankfully, Antonio did too, allowing me to herd him.
Finally out of earshot of anyone — and probably lost again since I was leading us — my determined gaze met curious golden eyes, and I whispered, “I want my tubes tied.” It would have to be performed magically, otherwise I would heal.
Neither men walking with me said a word, but Antonio did take the lead on where we were headed. After a few more twisting turns, Antonio probed quietly, “You sure, Lil?”
I snorted. A fucking stupid question. This one was a no-brainer. If a Com ever did accomplish raping me…well, I didn’t want to risk it.
Antonio sighed. “Children are a blessing, no matter what you think of them right now.” He tilted my chin up as he stopped our forward movement. “I was blessed with the privilege to help raise you.”
My heart softened only a smidge because my mind was set. “I don’t want children.”
“You say that now, but time changes all.”
I shook my head, pulling my chin from his grip. “Will you make it happen, or not?”
His lips thinned, but slowly he nodded. “I’ll come for you at midnight.” As quickly as he had given me what I wanted, he turned and walked away, an irritated clip to his step.
Ezra was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed, watching me.
“What?” It was a bit snippy.
He shrugged. “Nothing.” He pushed off the wall and began strolling in the direction that hopefully our room was in. “I’d do the same thing if I were in your position.” His chuckle was slow and deep. “Plus, I hate brats as much as you do.”
I sighed, grateful he wasn’t pulling a ‘youth’ speech. “Thank you for earlier.”
He nodded once, obviously not going to tease me about my weakness before, and switched topics. “Thirsty?” He glanced at me, letting me know what he meant.
I nodded, famished for blood. “Very.”
He jerked his head toward one hallway as he stopped walking. “I think that’s the way if you want to head on.” He glanced back the way we had come. “I’ll,” his lips lifted in a roughish grin, “pick up enough drinks for the both of us.” Meaning, he would drink twice what he needed so I could drink from him.