Everyone in the room turned from pensive-quiet to violent-quiet. All eyes in the room—some instantly glowing—swung to the door. Hell, Queen Ruckler even had a gun aimed at the damn wooden barrier. I waved a hand at everyone, whispering, “Seriously people, a real threat doesn’t knock. It’s probably room service with the wrong room.” I moved toward the door, rolling my eyes. I called loudly, “Who’s there?”
A deep rumble from outside. “It’s Brann.”
I tripped, banging my head against the door. “Shit.”
There was instant concern from outside. “Felon?”
“I’m fine, I’m fine.” I opened it just a crack to peek outside, the occupants of my room utterly silent. “Now is not a great time.”
He rested a shoulder against the doorframe. “Come on. I brought beer.”
“Not now.” But it was sweet of him that he was really trying to be a friend.
I saw it in his eyes when his ‘sniffer’ got a load of the scents in my room.
He quickly pushed off the doorframe and took a step back from my door.
I glanced down at the beer. “Can I keep that?” It was alcohol, after all.
He handed it over easily enough. A black eyebrow lifted as he began walking backward, away from my full room. “I hope it makes your evening a little better.”
“Doubtful,” I mumbled. I quickly shut the door. Setting the beer down on the table next to my opened water, the glass bottles clanked noisily in the God-awful silence. Running a hand through my hair, I glanced absently to the left, my gaze landing on Queen Ruckler. She was now sitting on my bed, a leg hitched up and elbow on her knee, with her hand covering her mouth. “We’re just friends. I swear.” I cracked open a cold one. I was in definite need.
A few beats of silence, and…fuck me…another knock shook my door.
My eyes widened even further because the last visitor hadn’t exactly gone over too well—even if it had been harmless. I took a large swig of the beer, not moving. The person would go away.
King Collins garbled, “Don’t you want to get that, Caro?”
I took another sip of my beer. “Not especially.” But when the pounding only continued, and everyone stared at the door, I sighed and set my beer down. I leaned toward the door. “Who’s there?”
The knocking stopped instantly.
“Oh.” A surprised feminine voice from outside. “Do we have the wrong room?”
“I don’t know. I’m pretty sure this was the number he said,” a different feminine voice stated. “Maybe he has another girl with him.” A pause. “I wouldn’t mind, if you wouldn’t. He totally proved he could handle more than one woman.”
The first giggled. “He definitely wore us out.”
Sighing, I didn’t even bother to open the door. I rubbed my forehead. I had a possible headache about to attack from the absurdity of the two flakes outside. “Sin’s not here.”
There was a stretched pause, then the second flake said, “We don’t believe you.”
“I don’t really give a shit.”
They must not have heard me because there was more banging on the door.
The first hissed, “We know you’re lying.” More banging. “You’re keeping him to yourself. Open the door!” A pause. “Darn it! I broke a nail.”
I stared at the door a moment, watching it vibrate with the pounding outside. I glanced back at the room. “If you have a weapon, please raise it.”
Their entirely-too-amused expressions quickly altered to blank appearances, and everyone—minus Leric and his parents—raised a gun, aiming it at the door.
I nodded with satisfaction.
Unlocked the door.
Opened it wide.
The air and fire Elemental screamed like they were in a horror movie.
While racing away.
It was spectacular.
I flicked the door shut, a bitty, evil smile gracing my features as I stared at the door.
But my humor disappeared a few beats later when another—goddamn are you shitting me?—fucking knock sounded. Grabbing my beer, I turned toward the bed. I stated with gravity, “I’m not answering it this time, so you can all fuck off.”
Chapter Ten
“It’s Elder Farrar!” The Mage called from outside, stopping me in my tracks. “I’m here to offer my services.” A pause as he choked. “And I’m not referring to sex!”
“I’ll get it,” Queen Ruckler muttered, standing and motioning at my bed as she strode across the room. “Sit down, Caro.”
Not really caring about giving in easily to the order, I sighed as I sat on the bed, rolling the tension from my shoulders. I placed my back against the headboard but quickly jerked up straight when my shoulder intimately brushed Leric’s muscled one. I was nowhere near content with the man—my acceptance of his apology was a long way off.
“Sprite…” he purred softly, while Queen Ruckler let Elder Farrar inside.
“Get off my bed,” I groused, not glancing at him. “You’re no longer invited.”
He didn’t comment, but I heard him growl quietly under his breath. Instead of doing as I said, he kicked his feet up, getting more comfortable. He even placed one of his arms on the bed, curving it directly behind my hips—not touching, but damn close.