Now on his lap, wrapped in his arms, I grunted because he wasn’t being gentle. It hurt like no other, and I had to stop myself from trying to pull away. I knew he wasn’t with it right now, thanks to me being a dumbass.
A guttural groan came from deep within his chest as he opened his mouth wide, taking a vicious pull. I sucked in a harsh breath, and remained still. If I moved right now, I would probably end up with my throat sliced open, which he further proved by crushing me against his chest with his next pull.
Jack muttered, “This looks more brutal than today’s drinking. Should we stop it?”
“You try to stop it right now, and he will lose it,” I rasped as he took another pull.
“Is he hurting you?” Pearl asked quietly.
“I’m fine,” I panted. A blatant lie, but if they interrupted, it was sayonara, Lily.
His mouth felt like flames as he took another healthy gulp but, just as suddenly as he had struck, he froze. There was a moment of complete stillness. His fingers spread wide on my back, and a push of power infiltrated my suffering.
I only felt soft, feather-like caresses brushing all over me. It felt like a massage from angels. My entire body and mind went limp. The next thing I remembered was a pair of spring green eyes staring down at me, and I blinked, bringing them into focus.
Ezra whispered, “Now I know why you were so freaked about my fangs the first day we met. Your taste is,” he cleared his throat, “unique. I would have known if I had tasted you before.” Another clearing of his throat before he asked softly, “Are you alright?”
I nodded. I felt a little dizzy, but I wasn’t hurt.
“You did the right thing not trying to get away,” he stated very slowly. “I didn’t think about my not drinking and the effects it would have.” His wide lips thinned. “I’m sorry.”
I shrugged and realized I was still wrapped in his arms, my eyes darting away to see Jack and Pearl standing with their arms crossed, glaring at him.
Pearl pointed a sharp finger at him, ordering, “She doesn’t drink off you if you’re not properly drinking yourself.”
Jack nodded. “I agree. That was scary shit.”
Ezra’s cheeks flushed — an actual blush — more than they were already from drinking, but he held their gazes. “It won’t happen again.”
I patted his shoulder, and he slowly helped me sit up. Just so I could fall on my side when he let go. I grunted. “Ow.”
“We’ve obviously got a few issues to work through with the drinking,” Jack muttered as Ezra helped me back up. “That’s not our biggest issue right now though.”
I nodded, mumbling, “The Awakenings.” I snuggled against Ezra’s warm strength, since he wasn’t letting me go this time. “Antonio seems to think I’ll be able to do it, from what he’s read.” At their shocked expressions, I stated, “Of course, he knows I’m a hybrid. He helped me through my first Awakening.” My brows rose. “Why do you think you can’t feel my Vampire power at all?”
I waved a wobbly hand, getting to the other point of their shock. “Anyway, he’s been doing research on hybrids. Found multiple ancient journals saying a hybrid can be used as a vessel during an Awakening. I’ve got one of them over there in the top drawer of my dresser.” I had taken the book out of the glove box of the Hummer and hidden it. “Take a look.”
Jack practically raced across my bedroom and yanked open the top drawer, only to stop utterly. “It’s your pantie drawer.”
“Yeah, no one would look there.”
He snickered, pulling out a pair of — oh, perfect — my blue panties decorated with tiny, yellow ducks.
I grumbled, “Don’t hate. They’re cute.”
He chuckled further, tossing them back. “If you’re five, maybe.” He paused, and held up a green pair with grinning alligators. “Alright…maybe, seven.”
Wiggling a pointed finger at him, I grumbled, “Would your mate appreciate you going through my underclothes?”
Instantly, he dropped my underwear in the drawer and began digging for the book.
I chuckled. He had a weak point now.
“Do you think Elder Farrar’s right?” Ezra asked, placing his chin on top of my head. “If he is, that’s big news.”
“I don’t know,” I stated honestly. “I think if he had tangible, unquestionable proof, he would have said so to stop the killings.” I shrugged, and hated saying the next part, but did. “I may be the proof he’s waiting to use.”
“You don’t believe that,” Pearl said, bringing me a glass of water from the bathroom. Juice was better, but it wasn’t handy. “He helped raise you. I know he loves you.”
I nodded, telling Jack what page and paragraph to read when he found it, then confessed the truth to them. About how Antonio and my mom had put me in Com schools to hide me and about Dominic and me having empathy as our second unheard of mate gift. Then I dropped the big one on them, saying, “King Venclaire’s my biological dad.”
Absolute stillness.
Pearl closed her mouth, clearing her throat. “Does he know?”
I shook my head. “No.”
“She’s got his eyes,” Ezra murmured.