Chosen Thief (33 page)

I held up a stopping hand in his direction. “Leric, I don’t need your protection, and frankly, the name-calling isn’t necessary right now.”

His eyes narrowed on me as he gestured to the lot of them, muttering, “They’re acting as if they’ve never seen someone do that before.” He flicked his finger with the arrowhead
diamond at Elder Farrar, an arrogant sneer gracing his features. “I’m sure they’ve all seen him do it, and yet they’re still being extremely ill-mannered. Add in the stunt they pulled on all of you, and therefore, Sprite,” he jerked his head at them in annoyance, white rolls swaying, “
manipulative asses
is the proper terminology.”

I inhaled slowly, trying to be patient, but Queen Cooper interrupted,
stating just as bluntly as Leric, “You see, that’s the thing. We only believed Mages — extremely powerful Mages, at that — could perform that magic. This is all very…intriguing…for us.”

Clearly cross, Leric flicked a quick wrist. “Like I said, get the fuck over it and quit staring at her.”

My jaw clenched and I stood abruptly, jamming my finger at the door. I flat out growled at Leric, “You
are not helping, so get out!” Another jab at the door. “OUT! OUT! OUT!”

The crossness in his expression stayed, his lush lips pinched, but he lifted an amused white eyebrow. “What was that, Sprite?” The brow lifted further as silver eyes ran over my face. He lifted his hand absently at Reese. “I’m fairly sure we did help you.”

“
Goddammit, Leric! Quit acting like an asshole!
” I shouted, the table
literally shaking as my fury pulsed through the room, drinks on top rattling. My breath quickly seized in my chest and I slapped a hand over my mouth, eyes wide in mortified shock. I set my coffee on the instantly steady table and placed my back to the room’s occupants. I held a finger up in the air, muttering, “Excuse me, everyone. I’m not handling this whole thing well, and my system is still
adjusting to the influx of power.”

There were a few beats of surprised, awkward silence, then Sin mumbled with fake gravity, “And…this gives everyone who’s never seen that before a whole new meaning to PMS.”

I smacked the back of his head absently, but I dropped my own head, trying to regain my control. I rubbed my face, my system drawn and exhausted but at the same time jittery with humiliation
and rage. I was taking out my emotions on the target who had most hurt me recently, Leric, when I shouldn’t be. He was only sticking up for me since I was too out of kilter to do it myself.

Leric actually chuckled softly, sounding mightily amused, and he murmured behind my back, “Those are the unmannerly expressions I told you all to lose because she will continue to shock you.” A pause. “As
she stated, her system is adjusting to the re-use of power she drew from her Core. She’ll be better in a few days.” Another pause. “And Sprite, I’ll try not to be such an asshole, as you so…elegantly…stated.” He cleared his throat. “Well, where I can help it, anyway, since there are times it’s needed.” A humming pause, then a growl. “Yes, like it’s needed for the manipulative asses that are still
fucking staring.”

I held up another hand in his direction, and with solemnity I muttered, “Leric…please, just stop.” I turned slowly, placing my spread fingers on the table. I inhaled deeply, then I peered up to the group watching me. “If you all continue to stare at me like I’m a goddamn new species every time I use my power, then I won’t use it ever again, no matter the situation. At least,
not in front of you where you can experience the novelty yourself.” I raised my eyebrows at their quickly blanking expressions. “Are you all feeling me?”

King Collins instantly nodded, obviously wanting to see more of what, to them, was a phenomenon. “We apologize, Caro.” It didn’t look like he could stop the smile that slowly crept on his face, his thumbs beginning to tap like mad on the table.
“But fuck, that was marvellous to witness.”

Queen Cooper cleared her throat, actually rolling her eyes at him then staring pointedly when he glanced her way.

He appeared to school his features, no longer acting like an eager scholar as his hands casually moved to the arms of his chair. He was again the King of the Elementals sitting across from me. “Right, well, what I’m sure you five have figured
out by now was that was a test for the Prodigies’ readiness for the ruling positions.”

His grin was malicious this time. “And you all passed, while Brann passed his yesterday.” Blue eyebrows lifted. “Caro, Aria, London: You three and Brann will be crowned by the end of this year. We’ll start preparations for the festivities next month.” He threw his arms wide, and if I wasn’t mistaken, his tone
was a bit celebratory for himself, and more than a bit sardonic for us. “Congratulations, you’re ready to take over our reign.”

The silence was…deafening. I really wished I had been sitting for that.

I had been assuming that was the case, praying that I was wrong, and well, it’s a whole different story when the words are spoken. The other Prodigies and I unquestionably did not want those crowns
any time in the near future. They were a huge ball and chain, no, a damn
noose
of twenty years and a lifetime more of obligation wrapped tightly around our fucking throats, choking the very existence of who we were from our bodies.

We all froze, numb to the dreadfulness of the foreseeable.

Eyes unblinking, I watched as every single one of the Rulers’ lips lifted ever so slowly. Their own freedom
shone in their eyes. Although they would still have undeniable resounding duties as Elders after they passed their reign to us, they would no longer be the direct heads of the Mystical people. For them, it was an enormous weight being lifted, and it dropped like a battleax directly on our shoulders.

With a wicked smile firmly in place, Queen Cooper glanced at each of our faces before relaxing
further on her chair. She spread her hands wide, stating too gleefully for my taste, “Since we had a hunch you would need some cheering up after this glorious news, we’re going to take a small vacation, something which will be few and far between for you once the crowns are passed to you.” Her nose crinkled as she paused in thought, but she shrugged a shoulder, that smile of hers not diminishing.
“It wasn’t my first choice, but since we know Brann and you, London,” she gestured across the table, “enjoy this, we’ll be heading to Aspen, Colorado, to hit the slopes in just a few days.”

It really could get worse.

I swallowed my instant dread, my eyes implausibly widening even further as I fell onto my seat, rubbing my forehead. Sin was already chuckling quietly under his breath.

“Is there
an issue with this?” Queen Cooper asked instantly in our direction.

When I kept my mouth shut, not about to embarrass myself any further today by arguing, Sin snorted a few times. He held up his finger as he tried to contain his amusement, but he finally spurted, “I imagine there’s probably an issue with passing over the crowns, but with the destination of the trip?” He shook his neon green hair,
his eyes sparkling. “Not for me, not at all. I love to ski. Now, for Caro…well, we’ll just need to make sure she wears plenty of padding.”

I had never been to Aspen, but I had understandably heard of it since it was an extremely popular tourist town in the United States. The snow there during the last five years had been kept perfect year-round thanks — or not so much — to a tycoon Mage. The
marketing for the town was heavy on the television, and it used to make me shudder in revulsion and quickly change the channel. I was damn near scarred for life just from the overabundance of commercials of happy-happy folks skiing skilfully. Skiing was something I had never obtained the balance to do even remotely decently.

I sighed, peering to London. My voice was pathetically small as I asked,
“Are there bunny slopes in Aspen?”

London and a few others in the room started snickering, and I guessed I would seriously need that damn padding Sin had spoken of.

“This is not going to be good.” I turned a glare on my King. “Any of it.” By the relieved sparkle in his brown eyes, he knew exactly what I was talking about. “Thanks,
my King
.”

“I do try,
my Prodigy
.” He grinned outright…and winked.

Bastard
. He knew hell was coming.

Thanks for reading
Chosen Thief
. I hope you enjoyed it!

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You’ve just read a book in my Forever Evermore series. The other books in this series are
King Hall, King Cave,
and
King Tomb.
More info over the page.

This book was published by Escape Publishing. If you’d like to sample some more great books from my fellow Escape Artists, please turn the page.

A fresh, meaty, sink-your-teeth-in-and-hold-on-tight new adult fantasy series kicks off with
King Hall…

King Hall — where the Mysticals go to learn their craft, get their degrees, and transition into adulthood. And where four new Rulers will rise and meet their destinies.

Lily Ruckler is adept at one thing: survival. Born a Mystical hybrid, her mere existence is forbidden, but her nightmare
is only about to start. Fluke, happenstance, and a deep personal loss finds Lily deeply entrenched with those who would destroy her simply for existing — The Mystical Kings. Being named future Queen of the Shifters shoves Lily into the spotlight, making her one of the most visible Mysticals in the world. But with risk comes a certain solace — her burgeoning friendships with the other three Rulers:
a wicked Vampire, a wild-child Mage, and a playboy Elemental. Backed by their faith and trust, Lily begins to relax into her new life.

Then chaos erupts as the fragile peace between Commoners and Mysticals is broken, and suddenly Lily realises the greatest threat was never from within, and her fear takes on a new name: the Revolution.

Forever Evermore
Book 1

The long-awaited sequel to the bestselling, award-winning
King Hall:
the revolution is here, but the most dangerous attack may come from within...

The safe, comfortable world of Lily Ruckler and her fellow Mystical Kings and Queens is rocked to the core by the attacks at King Hall. Not only does Lily have to kill the Commoners attacking her people, she also has to assume the mantle of leadership,
and bring the surviving Mysticals to King Cave.

It should have been too much, but she is not alone. Ezra becomes her rock, her best friend, the one person who understands. As Pearl and Jack struggle with inconsolable loss, Ezra and Lily work to keep the Mys community safe in their new home, and plan a deadly retaliation.

Their friendship saves them both...but it also draws attention. Whispers.
Judgment. It’s not normal for Shifters and Vampires to be friends, and when a horrifying truth is revealed, their relationship morphs from unusual to unspeakable. Lily is good at keeping secrets that could get her killed. Is she willing to risk Ezra’s life as well?

Forever Evermore
Book 2