“He was just defending me,” I told them. “Once Ez found out about the— the rape— he couldn’t let John get away with what he’d done. But I still feel so bad about it, because he’s at the Institute now.”
“I shouldn’t have been so hard on him,” Daddy said quietly. “It’s my fault he doesn’t want to speak to me.”
Mama had pressed a hand over her lips again. I wondered if she was trying to keep in a scream.
“You shouldn’t feel bad about Ez coming to the Institute, pidge,” Charlie said softly. “He just told me the other day he loves it here. Yeah, it’s a prison, and it’s kind of a shithole, but he wouldn’t have met Opal if he hadn’t come here, and the classes are better tailored to his magical skill level. He’s happy.”
“I guess so.” I didn’t know how anyone could be happy at the Institute… then again, I was happy here, and so was Charlie, so was it really that incredible that Ez was, too?
“But why’d you feel like you had to keep it a secret?” Daddy asked softly. “You could’ve told us.”
“Because I was ashamed. I didn’t want anyone to know, and who would believe me, anyway?” I asked. “I have a terrible criminal record. Everyone would just assume that I’m lying.”
“But you have evidence,” Mama insisted. “The kit—”
“Big deal.” I gave a teary laugh that had no humor in it. “I’m already the laughingstock of the tribe. No matter how much evidence I have, I’m a criminal, so people will think that I deserved what I got. Worse, they’ll say it was consensual, and that I waited so long to come forward proves it. There’s no justice for me.”
I dropped my head. “Besides. I’m the daughter of a chieftain. Stuff like this isn’t supposed to happen to us.”
“You didn’t want to tell us because you were worried I’d lose myjob?” Daddy’s voice was aghast.
“Well, yes,” I admitted.
“You could’ve come to us. We are always here for whatever you need,” Mama insisted.
“You were the hardest peopletotell. I respect you both so much, and I love you. I didn’t want this to cause you any pain. Daddy had so many health issues the year before, and I didn’t want him to be in the hospital again—”
“Don’t worry about me.” Daddy knelt in front of my chair. “I can handle scrutiny at work, and I’ve been dealing with my illness for years, but I will make any sacrifice to be sure you get whatever you need.”
“I’m so sorry. I was so mean to you after it happened. I just didn’t know what to do with my feelings,” I sobbed.
“Don’t worry about it,” Daddy insisted. “You don’t have to ask forgiveness for anything.”
My tears finally dried. “At least you guys know now, and I don’t have to hide it anymore.”
“I’m sorry you went through such a terrible thing,” Mama said gently. “We know it’ll take time to heal, but we are here to help you through it, no matter what.”
I had such great parents. I knew they’d stand by me. If I hadn’t been so concerned about protecting them, I would’ve said something sooner.
“I just want you to know that you have options,” Daddy said. “If you want to prosecute, you can.”
“No,” I said immediately. “He can’t come to the Institute. I don’t want him near me.”
“Hell, send him here,” Charlie said darkly. “He’ll need a body bag when I get done with him. Problem solved.”
“John won’t be sent to the Institute,” Mama said quickly. “His crime was an offense against another Hawkei, which means it’ll be handled within the tribal system, and if convicted, he’ll be sent to the Elementai prison on tribal land.”
“Oh, he’ll get convicted, all right,” Daddy growled.
“But wasn’t Ez’s crime the same?” I asked.
“Your father had some pull with Ez. Your brother was to be put on trial and sent to the Elementai prison, but he convinced the other chieftains to send Ez to the Institute, as a favor to him and so he could be closer to you,” Mama explained.
“And this bastard won’t be so lucky,” Daddy seethed. “He’s going straight to the Hawkei penitentiary.”
“It’s Ava’s choice,” Charlie said firmly. “This has to be what she wants to do.”
I remained quiet, pondering the possibility. I really wanted John to pay for what he’d done, and I thought the women of the world would be safer if he was behind bars, where he belonged.
