The door to his office bangs open behind me.
I’m on my feet a second later, whipping around.
Councilor Reed walks in. She has two uniformed guards at her shoulders and two more at the door. She looks like she’s aged ten years. The lines on her face are deeper. Her jaw is set.
Her eyes widen as they land on me. Then they move across to him.
“You will need to stand up, please, Magma,” she says in a soft voice.
Magma does as she says, getting to his feet. His eyes dart around the room, a frown forming.
“Councilor. What is going?—?”
“I’m sorry, Magma. There is no easy way to say this.”
“No.” I shake my head. “Don’t!”
“Stay out of this.” She points a finger at me. “Magma, you are under arrest on charges of treason against Draig Island and against the Council.” She looks down, sighing, then back up at Magma. “You will be processed at the central holding facility. From there, charges will be formally read, and you will be permitted legal counsel.”
The bullpen has gone completely silent behind her.
Magma’s face has emptied of all color. He looks at me and then at her. Lastly, he looks at the guards at her shoulders.
“Treason?” His voice is rough. “Councilor, I… There has to be a mistake. I have done nothing wrong. I swear it.”
“We have evidence against you, and, Magma, it’s damning.”
“What evidence?” he barks. “Whatever it is, it’s a lie. You can’t possibly have anything on me because I didn’t do anything.”
“Everything will be explained and laid out for you.”
“I don’t want to see this false evidence. This is ridiculous. You can’t believe this, Reed. What about you, Ridge?” He looks over at me. “You believe me, don’t you?”
“Of course I do.”
“Did you know about this?” His eyes go wide.
“Listen to me,” Reed interjects. “You will have the opportunity to make your case. We are still investigating.”
“There is nothing to investigate,” Magma yells.
“Restrain him,” Reed instructs the guards.
The two guards move forward. Magma doesn’t fight them. He just looks at me as they pull his hands behind his back. There’s a click as the cuffs go on.
“You knew about this,” he tells me. “You knew! I can see it on your face.”
I feel terrible. Like I betrayed my friend.
Ididbetray Magma.
“Magma.” I find my voice. “I’m so sorry. I’ll get you a lawyer. The best one on the island. I will personally see to it. Do not say a word. Do you understand?”
“Why? What is this about? Why didn’t you come to me?” he snarls.
The guards turn him toward the door. One of them puts a hand on his bicep to walk him out.
He twists around to look at me. “I thought we were friends. What the fuck, Ridge?!”
