It was like a fixed poker table where I sat in the box, but I had taken the best seat, the one closest to the exit, also giving me the best view of the fight around the enormous granite table. The Kings sat two on each side of me, the Prodigies directly across from me, and an Elder on each side, specifically, Elder Merrick on my right and Elder Jacobs on my left. The Prodigies wore scowls still for their King, only giving me looks of respect, while the Elders wore quietly blanked expressions, more years of training for that, and the Kings wore varying looks of barely banked hostility.
While I sat back in my seat, keeping my feet firmly planted in case I needed to push back, and stared at them with a lazy, bored expression. The sounds were loud around us before the fight began as others took their seats. “So,” I waved an absent hand, “fire away.”
Fergus interceded when King White opened his mouth, asking me, “So, Sadie…have you talked to Elder Farrar recently?”
And, dammit, that quickly, my fucking cool broke, freezing completely as I stared across the table at him, everyone except for the Prodigies damn near coming to attention with the mere mention of that name. But, Fergus only smiled, looking damn coy, asking King White, “Oh…you didn’t know she’s friends with Elder Farrar?” Fergus blinked. “I just talked to him not too long ago on the phone at her apartment.” He smiled. “He got a cell phone, and was calling to brag about it to Sadie.”
Oh, God.
As one, every single King or Elder turned to stare at me with completely blank expressions.
Elder Jacobs leaned forward, placing his forearms on the table, asking slowly, “You know Elder Farrar?”
I knew what they were thinking. That I had duped the Prodigies. That was how I had gotten the “in” with them. And therefore, I had bad intentions toward them. And with the weapon show earlier, those intentions would be very poor, definitely the opposite of honorable.
And I knew Elder Farrar didn’t want to be found. I hadn’t gotten his number the last time we talked a week ago, the thought slipping my mind again, so…I had no way to prove I actually knew him other than to go to his place, snatch him back here, say “Ta-da”, then flash him back.
I swallowed hard, peering back to Fergus, and the other three Prodigies, their faces patiently waiting, although the longer I took, I noticed their eyes began to blank slowly. My gaze roamed over all of their faces. I couldn’t sit here and make fools out of them. I hated it, but in the end, Elder Farrar was much more capable of taking care of himself than they were, much more equipped to take care of himself than I even was, so, in a very small voice, I stated quietly, “Yes. I know Elder Farrar.”
“That’s bullshit,” King Samson muttered instantly, even as the Prodigies all instantly wore tiny smiles, sitting back comfortably on their chairs, that expression gone from their eyes. “Elder Farrar has not been seen since after his ruling as King. He’s fucking disappeared. No one can find him.”
I chuckled quietly, staring at the table. “I found him.”
King Samson snorted. “Again, bullsh—”
“She’s telling the truth,” King Townsend interrupted him steadily. “At least, what she believes as the truth.”
It was quiet for a few moments as those who didn’t have truth sniffers thought that through, then Elder Jacobs asked slowly, “Where does he live, if you know him?”
My lips pinched, and I altered my gaze to the rafters, watching the twirling spotlights above. “I believe he wants his privacy.”
“Truth,” King Townsend murmured. “How can you prove you know him?”
Sighing heavily, I studied my fingernails, and started picking at them absently, and opened my mouth to say the truth—
Ring. Ring. Ring.
“That’s my cell phone,” King White muttered, pulling a gawking black contraption from his pocket. “Hold that thought, Ms. Farrow.” He pressed a button putting the gaudy thing to his ear. “King White here.” His brows instantly slammed together. “Excuse me?” His nostrils flared, appearing fucking pissed, opening his mouth, but he quickly snapped it shut, his face becoming even more enraged before he hissed, “I will allow this, if you ask nicely.” A pause, and he appeared a bit mollified before he held the phone away from his ear across the table, stating, “Elder Merrick, it’s for you.”
A slow gravelly word. “Me.” He leaned forward slowly, his brows together; taking the phone from King White, stating into the receiver, “This is Elder Merrick.” He froze, but ever so slowly his lips began twitching, and I saw King Bridges and Venclaire both place hands over their mouths as they apparently watched, and listened, making me all the more curious. Elder Merrick sat back calmly on his chair, and flat out grinned. “Yes, I would agree at this point.” Staring at the table where his other hand rested, he began drumming his fingers. “Interesting…in the correct terminology.” A pause. “Fascinating would also work in the situation.” His fingers stilled on the table, his gaze flying to King Bridges and Venclaire, and he quickly muttered, “You do realize there are others at this table that can overhear, correct?” He instantly relaxed, chuckled quietly, making wonder if that was played. “Yes, that, too.” He nodded his head once. “It’s good to talk to you, too.” He pressed a button, ending the call, handing the phone back to King White. “That was Elder Farrar. I’d know his voice anywhere, not to mention he referenced an event that occurred in the past just between us, only he and I know about. And,” his head tilted toward me, but he kept his navy blue eyes on King White, “he knows her. Says he likes her. And kindly asks that everyone leave her alone.”
Venclaire snorted, and then glanced away.
Elder Merrick smiled a bit, his eyes hooded. “Or not so kindly.”
It was damn hard not to smile. God, Elder Farrar was a damn godsend. Like a damn guardian angel. I really wanted to call and thank him.
Elder Merrick glanced at me, his gaze trapping mine, the first time we had looked each other in the eye all night long, and he stated quietly, “Elder Farrar also said, “You’re welcome”.” His lips twitched. “And that he expects you to knock the next time you enter his home because he did not appreciate the injury he was inflicted with the last time.” I couldn’t help it, holding my stomach; a deep belly laugh erupted from my mouth, even as an enormous blush stole over my cheeks, vividly picturing what I had seen. Navy eyes ran over my face, black brows lifting as he murmured quietly, “And…he said you would laugh and blush.” He shook his head, black curls tossing about his face. “What the hell have you been up to, Ms. Farrow?”
Still laughing, I muttered, “Seeing way too much, and luckily, remembering the towel’s on to the right.” I flicked my finger, laughing it up. “My right, no one else’s right.” And after that, the Kings left me the fuck alone for the evening, silent, all of them so obviously deep in thought, while Elder Jacobs smiled at me, a real one, and actually propositioned me in front of everyone. My eyes popped wide at that, and I stuttered a polite “no”, but I was flattered for the offer, and actually meaning it, which he humbly accepted, appearing a bit downcast about the fact. The Prodigies and I left for less stuffy affairs after a few drinks, the fight, and my weapons being returned by the Butch Smiling Bitch, and I barely managed to not give Elder Merrick a covert glance of carnal sin the entire time.
“Sadie?” Elder Merrick, not Cain with that tone, called loudly, his voice odd, waking me from my sleep.
I blinked my eyes open, rubbing them, calling, “Yeah?”
I heard a door bang open, then stomping feet, then he was leaning a shoulder against the door frame to my bedroom. His curly hair was dripping wet with only a towel around his waist riding low on his hips, making my gaze falter in the early morning light, not noticing at first what he lifted in his hand, but, then I did, as he slowly twirled a small case between his fingers like it was a poker chip. “This was on your counter.”
I was already frozen, trying to think of an excuse, but absolutely nothing brilliant came to mind.
