Ezra’s gaze flew to Elder Merrick.

Elder Merrick’s arms were crossed, a fist in front of his mouth, intelligent eyes watching. Mute. But he met Ezra’s silent question. “Truth.” His navy blue gaze turned to me. “It’s amazing how much you see.” A pause. “And don’t.”

Well, that could mean a million things.

I cleared my throat, trying to get back on track. “When is this new Law supposed to be decided?” My gaze flew to each Elder in the room. “And do you plan to tell them about us?”

Elder Jacobs chuckled softly where he had been sitting quietly. “You have some balls, girl.”

I shrugged. “It’s best to be prepared.” I left it at that. Their responses would dictate whether I would be asking a favor of Antonio. If they planned to blab, I would have their memories permanently erased. There were survival instincts on many different levels.

“I’m not sure I want to know what’s going through your mind right now,” Elder Merrick murmured softly, eyes scanning my face. “You get this certain look about you sometimes that scares even me.”

“I raised her. What else would you expect?” Antonio stated quietly, intervening graciously as a small smile played at his lips. He winked at me. He knew what I would ask of him.

Ezra’s hand landed on the small of my back, surprising me — he was apparently no longer afraid to touch me in front of them and pulled me against his side. “I don’t believe the answers are written on her br**sts, Elder Merrick.” My gaze flew to the Elder, and I caught his eyes lifting from my chest. “Just answer her questions.”

Elder Merrick shrugged, waving a hand. “Forgive me. I was just daydreaming about attractive bunnies.” I bit my lips as the man still managed to antagonize Ezra, but watched as he shook his head. “I believe they plan to decide this Law quickly. And, baby Zeller, I’ve known many secrets in my life, and I’m the very soul of discretion.”

Ezra growled quietly, but his gaze went to Elder Jacobs. “And you?”

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But Elder Jacobs was staring at Elder Merrick. “Bunnies? I thought they were lambs.”

My eyes closed as I rubbed my forehead. “Can everyone please stop talking about my bra?”

“They were bunnies. Get your f**king eyesight checked,” Elder Merrick griped. “I’m not going to save your ass on the field just because you’re too afraid to see a doctor.”

Elder Jacobs’s face scrunched up. “Where the hell does a grown woman even buy lingerie like that?” His gaze went to my chest. “She’s not small enough for the children’s section.”

Face flaming brightly, I didn’t even mind when Ezra shoved me behind him and rumbled, “No, she’s not a f**king child, as you all,” his predator growled low, “saw. And I would appreciate it if everyone would quit staring at her damn br**sts.” I rested my forehead against his back at the reminder of how much they had seen. And I couldn’t help the fact I was a smidge pleased at seeing him act possessive. That was a good sign for what I had asked of him. “Now, Elder Jacobs, would you mind answering her question?”

“I’m not a snitch, nor bored enough to really care about your sex life,” I heard Elder Jacobs rumble. “Although, I agree with Elder Zeller. I don’t think you two have any clue about the consequences of your actions.” A pause. “But since you’re young and headstrong, and more than likely won’t listen to the voice of reason, I will state that you need to make it a priority to wrap it up, since you two have already proven you’re damn fertile.” He paused with a heavy sigh. “Do you know how long it takes almost all Mysticals to conceive? And you two did it so quickly.” He cursed. “Wrap. It. Up.”

Ezra cleared his throat. “Condoms…got it.” He was careful not to say he would.

Elder Jacobs half chuckled, half grunted. “Jesus, Zeller, didn’t you teach your kid anything?”

“Apparently, not who to stay away from,” Cahal muttered.

“That’s enough, Cahal,” Antonio said in a quiet, clipped tone. Too quietly. “I’ve let you have your fun, but don’t you dare take out your aggression on her any longer.”

I peeked around Ezra’s shoulder when the room went quiet.

Cahal was peering at Antonio, slightly glowing eyes narrowed. “I will do as I damn well please where my son is concerned.”

Whew…he was upset.

Antonio’s lips lifted, and he actually bared his teeth at Cahal. “And I will do as I damn well please where Lily is concerned.”

Well…they were both pissed.

Elder Jacobs clapped his hands loudly. “Okay, that’s enough of that, you two. You want to take it outside later, feel free, but right now, we need to finish this, so we can finish our other business because,” he glanced around, “all this gold is making me queasy.”

“Elder Farrar?” Ezra asked after a moment, again surprising me as he slid his hands back, taking hold of my hips and pulling my body flush against his warm back.

Antonio heaved in a large breath, moving his attention away from Cahal. His head tilted back on the wall, eyes closed, as he waved a hand. “I’ll never do anything to harm Lily.”

“Don’t even ask me, Ezra,” Cahal’s head was now in his hands, “You know I’ll protect you.”

A pause, then Ezra murmured quietly, “I know, Dad.” Slowly, he started backing up, pushing me with him. “I think we’ll go now.” His steps were growing larger, even as he lifted me off my feet when my strides wouldn’t match his. “You all have a nice evening.”

“Yes, please go,” Antonio stated quietly, but waved a hand. “I will expect you to come back to fix that crack you put above my door.” One eye opened. “When you’re invited.”

“Of course,” Ezra stated, setting me on my feet, even though I was pretty sure he had no clue what Antonio was talking about. “I’ll wait for your call.” He opened the door for me.

I had one foot in the hallway when I stilled. Cahal was using the old Vampire form of communication. Grabbing my earlobe, I tugged on it while I listened to his voice hiss in my ear, “If you ever hurt him, I will kill you.”

My wolf wanted to growl, but I swallowed it, dropping my hand and glancing back at him. He loved his son something fierce. There was no denying that. Ezra had frozen when I had, his gaze snapping to his father, smart enough to understand what was happening. Cahal’s head lifted. His dark eyes met mine.




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