I smiled down at my lemon water as he walked away. With Sin gone, it was nice having a friend nearby. I finished off my water and stood, walking to the bar to get a refill. When I was on my way back to my table of solace, I was flagged down by King Collins where he and the other Rulers and Elders, plus Leric’s parents, sat at a table. Everyone was drinking moderately, but they were definitely relaxed and having a decent time.
“Sit with us, my Prodigy,” King Collins murmured, tapping the empty seat next to him. “It’s better than being alone over there.”
My brows lifted, seeing him tilt a bit, and I realized he had imbibed a bit more than moderately. The tipsy look was interesting on him—his expressions were much less guarded. “Sometimes, I prefer to be alone.” And that was the truth.
“Eh, that’s the talk of the lonely.” He pushed out the empty chair.
My lips twitched, but I quickly placed a steadying hand on his shoulder when he tilted just a little too far. “Whoa there.” I pushed him back up straight. “I’ll sit, if you stay sitting. How about that?”
Blue eyebrows waggled as I sat next to him. “Gotcha to sit with everyone, didn’t I?”
My eyes opened wide in surprise, and I couldn’t help but laugh as he suddenly sat straighter in his seat, less slouched. I had just been played. “Sympathy card? Fuck, I can’t believe I fell for it.”
He grinned happily, taking a drink from his beer. He was definitely not drunk. “It works both ways between the fledgling and the experienced.”
I grinned and my mouth opened to say something else, but my lips stalled as a sudden cool breeze wafted through the room, ruffling the hair of everyone at the table.
The flames in the rock fire pit in the center of the room flickered in the draft.
“Christ,” Queen Ruckler shivered, glancing around. “Did they leave the doors open?”
As King Zeller turned to see the back of the room where the wide, glass paneled doors and the enormous windows were, the unnatural breeze still floated around the room. My veins froze in instant horror, my heart hammering. This really was a shitty night.
But I pushed past my dread.
I had to, because this was who I was. What I was born to be. What I was born to do. My nose ring was like ice against my skin, and I instantly thumped my enormous purse on the table. Mechanically, Mrs Damon, Mr Damon and I stood, each one of us beginning to prepare. I dug through my purse, my hands trembling as I panted and tried to regulate my breathing. This was why I fucking hated being what I was. T
The entire table went mute, seeing Mrs Damon lift a knife made of diamonds from her purse.
“How long?” I asked Mr Damon, fumbling for the hidden zipper in my purse.
“Minutes,” he muttered, taking off his white blazer, but he stared at me hard. “You shouldn’t be involved. You’re still young.” He paused. “Leric would not approve, and neither do I.”
Finally getting the zipper undone, I shivered past the icy breeze and pulled out my specially made ‘brass knuckles’. Except they weren’t brass, because when I hit the switch on the side of each, diamond spikes jutted from each knuckle. I quickly slid them on. “Leric does not own me, and neither do either of you. This is my fucking world. I chose here, not the damn Temple, fully knowing the dangers.” I glared as I dug out a diamond spiked choker, clasping it efficiently around my throat. “And furthermore, I’m the damn Prodigy of the Elementals. I chose that, and I won’t run from the responsibility that entails.” I jerked my head at the door. “In fact, this isn’t your fucking battle, so why don’t you two run along while I take care of business?”
“What are we missing?” King Collins asked slowly—standing just as gradually—and stared at our weapons.
Mr Damon grinned at me, flashing his teeth, most definitely not in his friendly way. The grin was more like Leric’s, showing the side he hid from everyone.
Nostrils flaring, I glanced at King Collins. “I don’t have time to explain, nor can I.” I peered past him to Queen Cooper, asking her hurriedly, “What was it that you did the day I woke up after being kidnapped by you? When you did a spell…” I couldn’t say anymore.
Her beautiful face went instantly alert, glancing about the room. “It was a simple protection spell.”
“Well, you’re going to need another protection spell,” I muttered, dropping my purse under the table quickly. I rolled my shoulders, just as Mr Damon and Mrs Damon were beginning to do, working out their muscles. “Do it for everyone in here. Put up the spell. And no matter what, don’t drop it until we’re done.” I held up a hand when everyone at the table instantly stood and started to argue. “No fucking questions. Just trust me. You’re going to see something, and you’ll want to help…but you can’t. Just stay behind the fucking protection until we’re done.” I pulled my gun out from my back holster, already starting to move away. “Understood?”