King of the Underworld by RJ Kane

King of the Underworld

479

Adrik

I caught Sephie observing me as we got dressed to go downstairs. I could tell she was noticing new things, but she wasn’t sharing yet. Or the was talking to one of the guys and keeping me out of the conversation. It could go either way.

“Are you talking to someone else?” I asked before we left the bedroom.

She giggled. “No. You were right. I’m watching you. You feel different.”

“Different how?” I stopped her from leaving so I could hear her answer first before we shared everything with the guys.

She inhaled, thinking of how to word it. “Before, you were always hot. Like me. Even more so than me, I think. It’s one of my favorite things about you, if I’m being honest. Now, you feel hot and cold…”

“At the same time?” 1 finished for her. She grinned at me.

“You can feel it too?”

“I did when your dad zapped me. Normally, my anger is always present. It’s always hot, to varying degrees, like you said. But when your dad zapped me, everything got turned up. My fire was a raging inferno, but it felt cold at the same time. But the kind of cold that will burn you,” I said.

She chewed on her bottom lip, her eyebrows scrunched as she thought about what she was feeling and what I’d just said. She looked up at me, eyes changing to purple as I watched. “You’re the balance between good and evil now.”

“Did you look in my head for that answer?” I asked.

She looked confused. “No. It just popped in my head. Were you thinking it just now?”

her

“No, but that’s what your dad said to me. You, me, and Ivan. Eventually the Wonder Twins and Stephen, too. We’re all the balance between good and

evil.”

a new nickname for the three of them. It feels awkward to always say

gave her a quick kiss. I went to open the bedroom door and

that

one we saw when we came downstairs. He was in the kitchen, looking for something for lunch. “Have somebody get Vinny’s for everyone, if you guys haven’t eaten,” I said. “I’m

phone. He typed a quick message, then put his phone back in his pocket. “It’ll be her shortly,” he said. “Do I

giggled and hugged me tighter. “I think you should

te me now, princess?” he said, clutching his heart.

her skeptically, knowing full well that is

I filled it with water, drank half, then handed the rest to her. She finished it, handing me the empty glass along with her sweet smile.

our exchange with a devious grin on his face. “You two are extra di sgusting right now. And

at me, trying to be serious. “Squish feels left out!” she announced. She opened her arms toward him, but did not make a move to leave her spot on the counter. “Come here, Squish. Bring it in. Come on. You know you want to,” she said, trying so hard to not laugh,

them coming and walked to Sephie quickly, wrapping his substantial arms around her. “Gotta get in here before everyone else shows up.” he said, laughing along with

said in a very loud whisper as everyone else walked in the kitchen. She knew she would cause objections from everyone else. She might’ve enjoyed that

likely has a new level unlocked, but you look like it was you?” Misha asked, looking at Sephie clowning with Ivan

osmosis. It’s this new thing we’re trying out. I don’t know how it’s going to work with the red pandas though. Pancakes and

thought you said you ha ted school and never paid attention?” Stephen asked in his usual

said I ha ted school and never paid attention. I didn’t

the fridge to look for something to

bother, my adorable Russian guardian. Vinny’s is on the way,” she told

you so much right now,”

Love him. It was his idea,” she

then very seriously

the only ones that are di sgusting right now.

“Now that everyone is here, I want to

very impatient,” she said, still enjoying teasing him. She looked at him for a minute, much the same way she was looking at me earlier before we came

at me, saying, “now I