Ezra sipped his coffee with a raised eyebrow, then yawned. “She and I train together.”
I rested an elbow on the table, my cheek on my hand. My tired gaze met Ezra’s. “Or, at least, we did before we got here.”
Ezra grunted. “We should start again.”
I nodded, feeling sleepy and ready for a nap. “If we could find a place suitable.”
Antonio tapped the table with his beer. “I believe I was speaking.”
We both blinked at him.
“Are you two stoned?” Elder Jacobs asked, gesturing to the many empty plates and drinks. “You two ate enough for six people, appear as if you’re about to pass out, and not to mention…” He eyed us, before glancing to Antonio and Cahal. “Or are they always like this?”
Ezra stated dryly, “You’re the second person to ask us that within a half-hour, and the answer is still ‘no’.” His head cocked as our eyes met, and we chuckled, then he nodded to Elder Jacobs. “Though, yes, to the second question.”
With drowsy motions, we fist-bumped.
Antonio muttered under his breath something I was sure was uncomplimentary, then asked loudly, “I realize it’s hard for you two to stay focused, but could you try to pay attention to the adult for a moment?”
I glanced at Ezra. “We focus just fine, don’t you think?”
“Definitely.” Another sip of his coffee, his lids drooping lazily. “Except for school.”
I hummed, my eyes blinking slowly. “Or with the brats.”
He rested his head back. “Or the rules.” His eyes shut, a tiny smile playing on his lips.
My eyelids closed. “Unless they’re our own.”
Ezra grunted, sounding half purr.
Quiet.
Tranquil slumber, coaxing and exquisite, was starting to take me under when I heard a masculine voice, sounding incredulous, ask, “Did they just fall asleep?”
My head fell off my hand, and I jolted back on my chair just as Ezra cursed, lurching when his coffee spilt on his leg. I blinked blurrily at Ezra while he yawned, showing his pearly whites and placing his coffee on the table, then I turned my attention to Antonio. Rubbing my eyes, I asked, “Were you saying something?”
“Jesus Christ.” I recognized that voice as the one from a moment ago. Elder Jacobs. He swung a finger at the two of us. “They need to be drug tested before they spar with anyone.”
I lifted my Coke from the table, but realized it was empty and set it down with a sigh. I needed caffeine to stay awake for this. Elder Merrick held his Coke out to me, but I shook my head. “No, thanks.” Who knew how much backwash he left in the thing. I lifted Ezra’s coffee and sipped at it, my nose crinkling. Glancing at him, I muttered, “This shit is awful.”
“It’s black,” Ezra rumbled, settling back again after drying his pants. “It doesn’t have cream and sugar like you prefer.” I took another swill, only handing it to him when he grumbled, “Don’t drink it all.”
I stifled a yawn, watching him drink it, and then glanced where the line was for another Coke. Nope, too lazy right now for that. I sat back, rolling my shoulders and shaking my head a few times, trying to wake up. I lifted my arm to Ezra, mumbling, “Pinch me.”
He did. Kind of.
“Ow, goddamn it!” I shrieked, my eyes flying open as I held my injured arm. “I said pinch, not twist off a chunk of my flesh!” I pinched his easily accessible leg in retaliation, making him shout and glare. Pointing at his quickly receding drink, I whined, “I don’t want to get up and stand in,” my uninjured arm waved vaguely, “that. Give me some more.”
“You just hurt my damn leg,” Ezra griped, still rubbing it. “Now, you want my drink?”
My hand hovered in front of his face, over his cup. “Please.”
“No.” He took another sip, glaring and swatting at my hand.
I paused. “I’m sorry.”
“For?”
“Your leg.”
“Thank you,” he mumbled, sounding pleased, and handed me his cup.
I groaned, and swigged heavily of his nasty brew. Licking the edges of my mouth, I set the cup down and rested my head on my hand again. My eyes started to close as Ezra’s head tipped back on his chair. “Didn’t help.”
“Nope,” he groaned.
I heard a light snore from him, my own breathing evening out, and again, like a bad habit, I heard a voice mutter, “My God, maybe we should have a full cranial scan run on them while we’re at it.”
My head jerked, and yet again, I lurched, sitting straight on my chair. I squinted foggy eyes across the table. Squinted more, waiting for them to focus. I had…forgotten…about the Elders in my post-sated haze.
Elder Merrick was chuckling silently.
Elder Jacobs was staring at us like we belonged in a mental institution.
Cahal had an elbow on the table, his chin on his hand and a portion of his fingers covering his mouth, as he avidly watched.
Antonio was rubbing his temples, glowering.