‘I don’t understand,’ Bryn whispers.
‘It means that you can stay,’ Locke says through his clenched jaw, not looking at her.
I frown at him. Unless I’m mistaken, that’s not all it means. We need to explain. She doesn’t realize. I move closer to her to warn her, but Calder begins to yell.
‘But they… They’re fae! They aren’t even true members of the village, and I don’t even knowwhat sort of mongrelthat is.’Calder points at Morgan who, used to being seen as lesser by our brethren, ignores him.
‘Their lineages are immaterial,’ Dane says calmly, though I can see from his expression that his patience is wearing very thin.
Calder and Voss, especially, look more than a little annoyed that things aren’t going their way and continue to argue. I file that away to bring up later with Locke and Morgan. There’s clearly something more happening here. The two of them are much too invested in a single human female they didn’t know existed until this morning.
I watch them closely from the corner of my eye, their posturing and intrigues giving me a nasty feeling that I’ve seen all of this before. But it wasn’t here. It was in Varrik’s fold where we were ruled over by his Elites who were always playing these little games of power. My stomach twists at the thought of Calder and Tavish making decisions without the rest of the Council to keep them in line.
I see Calder and Voss’ eyes meet, and Calder’s jaw tightens.
‘There’s another issue with the human,’ he says snidely. ‘I didn’t believe it pertinent before but as there’s serious talk of herstaying, the rest of the Council should be made aware that she is Kismet.’
‘Fate Touched?’ Tavish’s gaze finds Bryn and he looks suddenly much more interested, and troubled.
‘That cunt being interested in anything outside of his business with the Underhill doesn’t bode well,’ I whisper to Morgan who’s eyes narrow at the human merchant.
Dane shrugs at Calder. ‘Her presence isn’t against the laws of Halsford. Kismets are rare but not innately considered Dark Realm as Fate itself is not Dark Realm. It has no bearing here.’
I practically see Calder’s teeth grinding. ‘Thiscreatureis a danger to the entire?—’
There’s a loud creak as the other side door opens and Lia enters the room with a pile of books. She stops short, looking surprised that there’s anyone in the room.
‘Apologies,’ she says, though she doesn’t leave. ‘I didn’t know there was a meeting this morning.’
She gives Dane a reproachful look as she comes toward him.
‘It was a sudden convening. I sent a message through to the Underhill for you this morning, my love.’
Her knowing eyes flick to Calder who gives nothing away. ‘It must have got lost.’
She comes to stand beside Dane, her eyes moving over us. She frowns at Bryn a little.
‘Fill me in, darling?’ she murmurs.
He bends his head toward her and murmurs in her ear. I see her eyes flash in anger more than once and by the time he’s finished, she’s clearly livid.
Gods, what wouldn’t I give to see her use the Harbinger on Calder or Voss? But I know she won’t. She doesn’t kill indiscriminately.
Pity.
Calder stands. ‘Thalia, you shouldn’t be wasting your valuable time with this,’ he waves his hand flippantly toward us. ‘Anyway, it’s finished. You will cast this woman back into the Dark where she belongs. The Law of the Fourth cannot apply.’
Both Tavish and Shore nod and I grit my teeth. If it comes to a vote, Bryn is gone.
‘Of course I would consider the village council’s affairs worth my time, Councilor Calder,’ Lia says, a false smile alighting her face. ‘I am a council adviser, after all.’
‘Of course, but we’re perfectly able to keep Halsford safe withoutbotheringyou, Harbinger,’ Calder says. ‘You need not worry yourself. These meetings are beneath one such as you.’
‘Not at all, Councilor,’ Lia answers far too pleasantly. ‘It’s no worry for me and as a protector of the Underhill and Halsford,nothingthat happens in the council chambers isever beneath me. Besides, as you said, I’d be the one opening the Breach andcasting her back, wouldn’t I?’
Next to Lia, Dane makes an odd choking sound. Lia’s expression isn’t malicious in the least, but Calder’s face pales.
‘I didn’t mean… O-of course, Harbinger.’
