Yellow brows raised boredly, a direct contradiction to his words. “Interesting.” More tapping of his fingers. “Give me something of your background,” he shrugged a shoulder, resting back on the couch, “or I will take you in for a spelled questioning.”
I thought about that one for a moment, deciding if I wanted to play nice with them, tapping my fingers on my Coke for long moments, feeling damn at home in this mixture of political intrigue and criminal bases, but I went with the normal blasé spiel, stating, “I don’t know who my biological parents are, I was raised in multiple shitty foster homes all over the world, the last one was a real bastard, and,” my head teetered back and forth, “my favorite breakfast food is oatmeal.” I smiled sweetly.
Elder Jacobs didn’t even bother glancing at Elder Merrick, stating coolly, “I’m about,” he pinched his fingers together, “this close to taking you in, Ms. Farrow.”
“And, it would be a wasted effort,” I stated evenly, and then sighed when he appeared ticked off. “Look, I’ve allowed you into my home, honestly answered your obtrusive questions more than most would allow anyone, none of them damning answers. If I didn’t make it perfectly clear, I have no malicious intent toward the Prodigies, and now,” I waved a hand about my apartment, “I’d like to clean up before I go to bed.” I stared pointedly. “Without either of you here.”
When Elder Jacobs glanced at Elder Merrick, who made a funny noise in his throat before choking a moment, then stated, gutturally, “Truth, except for that last part.”
I know I froze, realizing what I had said, my cheeks instantly flaming bright pink, mortification filling me the barest bit, and unbelieving Elder Merrick had actually let that out of the damn bag.
Elder Jacobs actually appeared the tiniest bit amused as he stared, his dark gaze roaming my face. “A criminal who blushes. How endearing.” His head cocked. “I’m flattered, Ms. Farrow, but I don’t believe staying the night with you would be wise, currently.”
My face stayed utterly blank, and damn I was proud of myself, gasping, “Shame, that.”
His gaze raked down my frame. “Yes, I do believe it is.” He started to lean forward, as if to stand, and I thought I saw salvation in his actions until he paused, looking thoughtfully at me, and his head cocked slowly just as gradually as he placed his elbows on his knees, a new hardness about him on his refined features. “I believe you have no ill intentions toward the Prodigies at this current time, but what I don’t believe,” he nodded toward me, “is that you are exactly as you claim. A criminal hides who they are, which you do beautifully with words, lifestyle, name, and I’m guessing, also, with your appearance. So give me this one thing, and I won’t take you in for questioning tonight.” He paused, staring me straight in the eyes. “What type of Elemental are you?”
I sat very still, knowing he wanted this information if he ever planned to try to take me in, the most intel making it easiest to capture someone. “The information won’t help with what you seek.”
His lips curled the barest bit, his tone hard. “Endearing, beautiful…and intelligent. I believe I’m falling in love already.” He absently took a drink of his water, those dark eyes staring at me over the bottle before swallowing gradually, and speaking just as slowly, his tone deathly serious. “Answer the question now or I’ll have you in silver in less than three seconds.”
My jaw clenched, the muscle ticking there. “I’ll have both of your words this information stays between the three of us.” My gaze turned just as deadly as his, letting the killing bitch in me come out to play a bit for this power play. “And believe me, I’m doing you kindness right now by answering your question, instead of letting you try to silver me.”
He actually chuckled quietly, his smile cruel. “God, I see why the Prodigies like you so much. So many layers. I wonder what else I would find if I only asked the right question.” His head teetered back and forth, hard dark eyes never leaving mine for a good minute, and finally he nodded, stating, “You have my word, since I’m so curious to see if you can answer a direct question without a spell.”
I didn’t take my eyes off Elder Jacobs, waiting…
Waiting…
“You have mine as well,” Elder Merrick stated in a quiet, gravelly tone.
I nodded once, and then stated clearly, “I’m a spirit Elemental.”
I saw both freeze, one directly in front of me, the other from the corner of my eye, dark eyes darting to Elder Merrick, whose dark head nodded once.
I huffed a harsh chuckle, grabbing my Coke from the table. “Surprise, gentlemen. You just entered the land of the unknown.” I waved my finger in a comically frightening way, making a fake scary sound. “Be wary. Or run now. Your choice.” I chuckled quietly, the tone utterly condescending, a self-inflicted noise, aimed solely toward myself before I took a large drink. Lowering my Coke, I moved my eyes back to Elder Jacobs, who was clearly trying to hide his surprise. “I believe I’ve answered your question, and with all due respect,” I nodded toward the door, “I believe the two of you were leaving.”
He cleared his throat, not moving. “I’ve only met one spirit Elemental before.” His gaze ran over my face again, an odd evaluation in his regard. “You’re nothing like him.”
My brows rose. “That’s like saying all fire Elementals are the same.” I tsked him. “All Mysticals are not created alike.”
“Clearly,” he murmured, and then raised slowly, his actions guarded.
I sighed heavily. “Oh, for the love of God, I am not going to hurt you.” I paused, blinking. “Well, unless you try to hurt me without the Law behind you, then all bets are off.” I scowled at him. “So, don’t look at me that way. You asked. I answered. I’m not a damn bug to be studied.” I waved a hand at him, drinking a sip of my Coke. “And besides, you’re much more powerful than me, so calm down.”
His jaw clenched. “I’m not frightened of you. I’m surprised and delighted. The man I knew was…” He shook his head slowly, gaze again running over my face. “Well, he was insane, for lack of a better description. And you, Ms. Farrow, are not.”
“Ah,” I stated softly, nodding once. “I understand.”
He set his water on an empty space on the coffee table, watching me closely. “I would actually love to ask—”
I held up a hand. “I’m fairly sure you know I can’t answer.”
He nodded once, jaw clenched. “Yes, but as you just stated, all Mysticals are not created alike.”
My lips twitched as I stretched my legs out in front of me, twirling my ankles a bit, both of them popping from their previously scrunched state. “Yes, so I did.” I stood, and started moving toward the door, even as Elder Jacobs peered to Elder Merrick. “But, where questions and spirits are concerned, there is no difference. We can’t answer.”
“That is so puzzling,” Elder Jacobs muttered, sounding confused and intrigued at the same time, eyes back to me. “Like a Mage, and their visions.”
I only smiled kindly, but my gaze darted to Elder Merrick, who had stood, and was moving round the recliner, back toward my bedroom. “Elder Merrick? What are you doing?”
“I need to use the restroom,” he murmured absently, opening the door to my bedroom, glancing inside, staring briefly before shutting the door and moving to the correct one, opening it. Sounding irritated, he muttered, “I haven’t pissed since this morning, stuck in a damn car with him, spying on you.” The door shut tight behind him.
Charming.
“Well,” Elder Jacobs cleared his throat, clasping his hands before him, rocking back and forth on his heels, “he’s usually much more amenable.” I chuckled quietly, placing a fist in front of my mouth, staring at him with amused eyes at his blatant lie. He shrugged his shoulder. “I did say usually.”