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“This is dragging on already and it’s hurting their family. We don’t need the personal drama, but we do have a responsibility to do something about these reports. You saw the video of his giant destroying things and almost killing our members. You know what we should do.”
A sound came from Henry’s throat, crazed enough that it pushed through the magic lock and his chains rattled. A few of the present figures visibly winced while Ursula gestured at him.
“Someone check on him and make sure he doesn’t turn giant on us,” she snapped. “He’s—”
“No,” John said immediately, the order ringing in the air and shutting Ursula up. “He’s no threat here. But can someone check on Henry and see if he can talk already? We would like to hear his side as well.”
Gunther stepped forward to do so, but Ryan was faster than him and was already in front of Henry. Before Gunther could keep going, Ryan waved him off.
“I got this, cousin,” he said. “Let me do my part for the family.”
Gunther stopped moving, satisfied. Ryan turned back to Henry, expression stoic as his hands moved over Henry to check on his chains, then his eyes.
“He’s still the same,” Ryan announced. “Secured and no changes.”
Something was slipped into Henry’s hand, and only one person was near enough to do this. But Ryan was carefully looking away, even while his body hovered close. It was almost as if…
What are you covering, Ryan?
His hand could barely move, not even to feel what was snuck into his palm. But he knew the size of it, especially when he had been exposed to so much while he was with Pearl. He felt the liquid as it seeped into his skin and spread inside his body, the energy in it so recognizable that it sent him a momentary burst of joy. Then an equally familiar voice followed.
Ask for witnesses.
That was all she said, but the energy moved again, gathering and gathering until it was a thick layer inside him. When it ruptured, he felt the click of the lock and felt the blood flow return to his body. He also felt his muscles and mind strengthening, even while the physical chains kept a lid on his magic. It didn’t matter because he had enough arsenal at his disposal. Henry glanced at Ryan once more, partly for guidance and partly in astonishment. The small, imperceptible nod—while Ryan still wasn’t looking at him—was all the encouragement and confirmation he needed, reminding him of old words.
Not everyone’s like the Lyra’s.And that included his cousin.
Henry cleared his throat, stopping all sound from the room until they were engulfed in silence. When he spoke, his voice was cool, clear, and concise.
“I apologize for the delay and for not participating at the beginning, but it looks like this trial isn’t over—”
“He freed himself!” Gunther interrupted, pointing in accusation. “He broke free and he’s going to destroy us all!”
To counter that statement, Henry didn’t move at all. This time, it was Ryan who cleared his throat.
“He’s still in chains and they look pretty solid to me. Let me test it for everyone.”
Ryan did just that, poking and prodding until it was obvious that it was still intact. Gunther’s thunderous expression turned to the younger man.
“I don’t know what she’s been telling you or doing to you, but this is a betrayal—”
“He wasn’t done speaking, Gunther,” another Council member cut in, shutting Gunther up. They all looked at Liam Spirits, who was often quiet during sessions and had said nothing during the whole trial. But his voice was impatient now. “I meant Henry, not Ryan. I think Ryan’s done. Aren’t you, young man?”
Ryan nodded, effectively giving Henry the floor. Henry lifted his chin.
“I just have one thing to say.”
“What is it, Henry?” Liam asked.
“Pearl and I are innocent of the crimes accused of us and I would like to be given the chance to prove it. I don’t need magic or any fancy stuff. But I do have witnesses, and I would like to present them to you.”
“And as per our law after Silver Sutton’s mistrial, we have to exhaust every option and evidence so as not to make the same mistake again,” Ryan piped in, stunning everyone once more.
There was silence, then John and a few Council members—minus Ursula—finally agreed. That was all it took for the doors to open and witness after witness to march to the platform, each one introducing themselves and their role in the trial. A few spoke of Pearl’s good character, including Rex and some of her clients, while others spoke of his, including those he had worked with at some point in his life. The witch in charge of keeping a record of domestic disturbances on Broom’s Isle also came to the platform, reporting the lack of unexplained disturbances that could be pinned on a giant.
Ozak Mallory came to clear his name, even providing papers to prove that the only things Henry bought from him were related to keeping magical devices functioning and plants healthy. Even Phineas Marsh came into play, rambling about how Henry’s threats were related to his association with Gunther, and what they had been doing in the graveyard together.
“Robbery,” Phineas announced. “But it’s not exactly a crime because we were taking stuff from the dead and they’re technically no longer theirs. I checked before I came here, by the way, because I don’t want to get in trouble again—oh, and Mr. Henry Lyra had no involvement in the matter. He wasn’t even aware of what we were doing, just that we were in the graveyard while he and Miss Sutton were looking for clues to solve a Lyra family issue.”
