Smiling faintly, Yannoma said, “Based on my own reaction and what I know of my people, I think they will find it difficult to believe in a call to peace. However, if it is meant in earnest, the vast majority of my people would support it. Always having to suppress your true nature and living in constant fear is not pleasant.”
The fourth councilor said, “But that is what our citizens feel towards you. Do you think that would be eliminated when you’re out in the open?”
“I don’t know,” Yannoma answered honestly. “Some, I suppose, would react with the same uncertainty and fear that some of you display. Seeing me and knowing what I am alarms you. I have also encountered an oddly high number of humans recently who have treated the knowledge of what I am with no fear at all. They have accepted me as I am—and they believe so much in a possible peace between us that I am here speaking with you now.” She shrugged. “It’s more than I ever expected to see. It makes me hope that we could come to a place where neither group lived in fear of one another.”
The councilors asked more questions, confirming some of what they’d already been told. A few invasive questions about Yannoma’s sex life were asked—but the joke was on them, because she answered all of themin detail. It was hilarious to watch the councilors squirm.
The ninth councilor still looked angry, and a few of the others continued to look uneasy, but Cormal could see that being here in this room with Yannoma and having this perfectly rational conversation with herwasmaking a difference.
It was the third councilor who asked, “Could you seduce us all? I mean, if you wanted to?”
“It’s especially easy if you’re naturally attracted to me,” Yannoma said with a faint smirk.
The man flushed.
Yannoma continued, “But to answer what I think you mean, I could absolutelynotseduce this entire room full of people at once. Even if I did seduce one or two of you, that wouldn’t mean that I would kill you. In a setting like this, your friends or colleagues would notice the abnormal behavior and try to stop me, perhaps permanently. Alternatively, I could go to a location where sex is more likely to actually be desired, like a pub or a house of pleasure. I could find someone who was naturally attracted to me and wanted to have sex with me. We could have sex, which we would both thoroughly enjoy, and I could feed off their release, which would nourish me and do them no harm. Which of these two paths do you think I am likely to follow?”
The third councilor nodded thoughtfully.
The ninth councilor snapped, “So you want us to open our districts to demons who would be making that choice every day!”
Calmly, Yannoma said, “Just as your citizens decide every day to live their lives honestly and not commit crimes. Yes. That’s how society works.”
“Are there any more questions for Yannoma?” the Queen asked before it could devolve into yelling again.
The councilors conceded that was enough questioning for now, and Yannoma swept smoothly out of the room like she hadn’t just been interrogated by a dozen people.
Once the door closed behind her, Kinan strode forward again. His voice was full of passion. “We know this is no easy thing we’re asking. Yes, carnalions have harmed humans in the past. Equally, we’ve done real and lasting harm. There are reasons why we thought as we have. But we’ve been presented with ample evidence to challenge these beliefs. We’ve learned why Life Magic seemed to disappear from the world. We stand at a crossroads, and we have the chance to make our country a better place. To recognize our error and to correct it. We havethe chance to make life better for all our citizens: humans, Life Mages,andcarnalions. Do you intend to squander that chance?”
The room descended into a chaos of voices once more.
The Queen’s voice cut through it. “Have you any other questions for our guests?”
“I want to know—” the ninth councilor started.
Cormal barely suppressed a groan.
The Queen serenely interrupted, a hard glint in her eye. “Are there specific, pertinent questions related to anything we haven’t heard already?”
There were many exchanged glances, and then they reluctantly agreed that they had no more questions at this time.
“In that case, it is time for deliberation. Kinan, Cormal, and Molun, you will remain. The rest of you are dismissed.”
Never had Cormal wished more that he was not on the Council. Kinan reached out, and Cormal twined their hands together. He knew Kinan found it comforting—and to be honest, Cormal could use the comfort right about now, too.
Brannal offered an inclination of his head, Perian shot him a commiserating glance, and Trill looked like he couldn’t possibly get out of there fast enough, tucked up against Arvus’s side.
With a sigh, Cormal turned back to the Council, Kinan standing tall and proud beside him.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Trill
What if they decide against us?” Trill couldn’t help but ask anxiously.
They’d relocated to Brannal and Perian’s rooms, all of those who’d been allowed to leave. Plus, the Princess had joined them, putting two more Mage Warriors at the door.
Brannal and Arvus could defend them, too, and Trill knew that, but his stomach was churning, sweat prickling at his scalp, and he felt like he was going to come out of his skin.
