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‘I’ve never heard anything like it,’ Kendrew said. ‘Disgraceful.’
‘What’s disgraceful,’ Sirius told him, ‘is you lot doing nothing. I want answers! I want—’
‘Oh, I know what you want,’ Bob yelled suddenly. ‘Always stirring up trouble you St Clairs. Always in bother, causing problems for the rest of us. Zephyr spent the last few years of his life cleaning up your messes, and what did he get for his trouble, eh? Death. Death in a Whitby street, far from home and his loved ones. Do you think he deserved that?’
There was a stunned silence for a moment. Then Killian said curiously, ‘And how do you know where he died? I don’t believe anyone’s got round to telling the High Council that information yet, have they?’
We all looked at each other. No one spoke. The other High Council members looked deeply shocked. ‘We only knew Zephyr’s body was found here, on your doorstep,’ Aveta said. ‘Is it true he was killed in Whitby?’
‘It’s true all right,’ Castor said. ‘So explain that one if you can, Bob.’
Bob waved a hand. ‘Don’t be having a go at me. I see you all, looking at me like I’ve done something wrong. It’s not my fault he was in Whitby. It’s yours! It’s all because of you St Clairs.’
‘Us?’ Sirius demanded. ‘How is this our fault?’
‘Isn’t everything your fault?’ Bob yelled. ‘You want to know how I know he was in Whitby? Because he told me he was going there, that’s why. And the reason he was going was to keep an eye on your bloody wife!’
‘He was what?’ Kendrew gasped. ‘What on earth for?’
‘And why didn’t you tell us?’ Amlodd blustered.
Bob rubbed his face. Cos he told me not to. We heard what she was planning when you were all discussing it at that wedding,’ he admitted. ‘Zephyr was worried. He told me she shouldn’t be out there looking for this woman on her own. Well, this nun or whoever she is—she could be a madwoman for all we know. And Trinity St Clair had no background in magic. She’d only just found out who she was, after all. So Zephyr decided he’d follow her, make sure this Sister whatever-her-name-is could be trusted.’ He glared at Sirius. ‘So if she hadn’t decided to go off and play Hercule Poirot on her own Zephyr would still be here! Think on that.’
‘Bob!’ Aveta cried.
‘No, it has to be said,’ he replied. ‘This lot needs to stop stirring up trouble. Isn’t one death enough? You don’t mess with the Pendragons, and if they keep banging on about Trinity it’s going to fire up people like the Crossleys and then we’ve all had it. Just leave it, will you? Let’s face it, she’s probably already dead anyway.’
Sirius leapt to his feet, and I honestly thought he was about to kill Bob. Luckily, Hector stepped in front of him and grabbed hold of his shoulders, murmuring something to him. I don’t know what he said but it worked.
Sirius sat down as if in a trance and Bob, who looked visibly shaken, said, ‘I’ve had enough of this. I’m going home to mourn our leader in peace.’
With that he was gone, leaving the other three Council members looking dazed, and as if they were at a loss what to do or say next.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Aveta said at last. ‘I really don’t know what’s come over Bob. He’s taken this very badly. He was very fond of Zephyr.’
‘We were all fond of Zephyr,’ Iliana said. ‘That doesn’t mean we should give up on Trinity.’
‘Of course it doesn’t.’ Aveta took Iliana’s hands. ‘We’re old friends, and I hope you know that I would never give up on finding her. Everything possible is being done to find her, I promise you that. We will bring her home, safe and sound.’
‘We should leave,’ Amlodd said, standing up, a distinctly uneasy expression on his face. ‘We have a lot to arrange before the funeral.’
‘I suppose it’s up to me to tell Aurora what’s happening with that then,’ Raiden said crossly.
‘I’m sorry,’ Amlodd said. ‘Honestly, his wife said she’d let his children know. We just assumed—’
‘When it comes to Titania Ambrose, one should never assume anything,’ Raiden said grimly. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll tell my wife. It’s probably better coming from me anyway.’
The three remaining members of the High Council of Witches took their leave, much to our relief. Raiden said he’d go home and break the news to Aurora. Hector checked Sirius was okay—he still seemed dazed and not quite himself so I had a feeling that Hector had done something to him to calm him down—then asked Emrick if they could have a word in private.
I saw Romy giving them alarmed looks as they headed out of the living room together, and I knew she was worried they were going to discuss the future of Blaise St Clair.
‘Are you okay?’ Keely asked.
I merely smiled in response. Honestly, I was so far from okay that I simply had no words.
Chapter 13
Trinity
