“Yes, well…” Elder Farrar cleared his throat. “You needed to calm down.”
A wolf’s growl deep in his chest. “Oh, fuck off. That asshole deserves to die, and everyone here knows it.” He grunted. “The sooner the better.”
Dry words by the Elder Mage. “I believe Caro was going to tell us how.” There was a long silence. “Caro? We’re waiting.”
“Oh.” I realized my hand was still over my eyes, and everyone was probably staring at my back. I quickly dropped it to point vaguely behind me. “He’s naked.”
Slow words from Brann. “Felon, I am a Shifter.”
“Well…” My hand fluttered beside me, still flustered by the flesh I had seen. “I’m not, so somebody give him something to put on.”
King Zeller next to me muttered a curse, but he took off his velvet robe, tossing it to him. “I doubt it’ll fit right since you have a few inches on me, but try wrapping it around your waist.”
Brann’s wolf growled, but the fabric rustled. “You owe me five grand for that outfit.”
A snort from Elder Farrar. “Bill me.”
I waited a moment, ignoring Brann’s curse, then I asked, “Done?”
More rustling, then came a gruff, “Yes.”
“All right.” I ever so gradually turned around and very judiciously kept my eyes away from the bare-chested Brann, rolling my head on my shoulders. “First, I need someone to buy diamonds and have them ground into powder.”
Without even blinking this time, Elder Zeller asked, “How many?”
Inhaling slowly, I kept my emotions at bay the best I could. Again having to be cryptic, I ‘skipped’ his question. “Second, I’ll need someone to arrange a private dinner for just us and them.” My white eyebrows lifted. “And make sure their meals get the extra garnishment.” That wasn’t technically giving spirit information away.
A black brow lifted. “You want them to ingest it?”
Again, I ‘skipped’ his question, running my gaze over them. “Third, make sure you stretch your muscles before dinner, but not your powers.”
King Collins’s eyebrows furrowed. “We can’t use our powers?”
I stared, blinking at him while keeping my mouth shut, not moving on.
The room was quiet.
King Zeller snapped his fingers. “They won’t be able to use their powers once they ingest the ground up diamonds.” He grinned when my lips twitched, apparently enjoying himself a bit. “This is like charades, but verbalized.”
My tone was far past derisive. “Try to remember, this is my life. And it’s not a game.” My brows quirked at him. “And fourth, when the chaos is flat on its stomach…” My head teetered in thought. I finally shrugged, stating bluntly, “It’ll be me who has to end it.”
Brann hissed, “You mean, you have to kill them.” A grunting huff. “We can’t do it?”
I whistled quietly, tapping a toe.
“Dammit,” he muttered. “Wait, she did say loosen up our muscles.” Quiet, and then a very slow, evil chuckle. “At least we’ll get to bash their faces in.”
“She said she has to be the one to kill them,” Elder Farrar stated patiently. “Do try to remember not to rip off any body parts.”
I lifted a finger. “There’s one other thing, but I think you would all appreciate it if I brushed my teeth first.” I stared at an amused Elder Farrar. I waggled my fingers, pushing my own mental pain aside for now. “Can you magically—” I stopped, my head cocking when he lifted a non-glowing hand—apparently, no real power needed—and suddenly a toothbrush and toothpaste appeared on his palm. “Perfect.” I lifted them from his hand. “Just give me a second.” I stalled on my way to the bathroom, glancing back at him. Evaluated his expression, his intelligent eyes. “Did you know all of this in advance?” He was Elder Farrar after all.
His lips pinched the slightest bit.
My gaze ran over his face. “You couldn’t say anything, either, could you?”
He shook his head once. “I can’t alter time or events—other than my normal involvement.”
I nodded once. “I understand…and I’m sorry.”
His lips quirked on one side. “I really do like you, Caro.”
My own lips quirked. “Let’s see how much you like me after tonight.” With that, I turned and went to brush my teeth. When I exited the bathroom, I could tell they were all watching me cautiously. “It won’t be that bad, and honestly, I probably should have done this in the first place when they arrived.”
King Collins asked, “What is it?”
“I can’t say.” I shrugged a shoulder. “Just trust me. You’ll need it to keep anyone from watching the pre-show.”
“Protection,” Brann stated instantly.
I smiled as much as I could, my stomach still churning. “Who wants to go first?”
I swear, they all shot toward me at once. Except for Elder Merrick.
That Elder was silent, standing with his back to a window, perfectly happy to watch.