AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Bastian stopped in front of Cassia and bent at the waist. She acknowledged his respect with a reverent nod. Already, Romy noticed the creature was different from anyone she’d ever seen. But there was something else, something more to him that Romy couldn’t identify. It was familiar and peaceful.
A young fae woman with long blond locks fluttered beside Bastian and landed directly to his left. “High Priestess, it is an honor to be here with you this evening. I apologize for my tardiness.”
Had the faerie just spoken to Romy’s mom as Bastian?
Weird.
“Thank you, Monsieur Marchland. It’s no problem, really.”
“Hell yes, it is.” One of the younger lycan males spoke up. A brother or cousin to Silvan, perhaps. “The vamp’s always fucking late. Don’t guess he has to follow the same ru—”
“Silence,” Cassia hissed. Frigid water droplets peppered the arena. “This is my domain, and my judgment is law.”
Romy watched Asa attempt to keep his family quiet. He seemed to be diplomatic, a quality she admired. Silvan, on the other hand, hummed with rage.
“High Priestess. Forgive us. We’ll remain quiet throughout the remainder of our time here.” Asa leveled a glare on the pack. “Won’t we?”
“Yeah, yeah,” came the chorus of wolf men. Silvan lingered in their shadows with an ever-growing scowl.
“Thank you, Asa. And, Bastian, thank you for coming. Please take your place so we can get started.”
Romy tilted her head toward Loren. “What’s with the faerie chick?”
“Oh, Bastian cannot, under any circumstances, speak to a witch. It’s a part of hismystery.”
What an odd rule. Romy wondered who had mandated that vampires couldn’t speak to witches? And why? “Yeah, totally.”
“Thank you all for gathering tonight in our nine-hundred-seventy-fifth convening of the Witches’ High Council. I, Cassiopeia Delacroix, call this convocation to order. We honor the fallen with peace…”
She paused and waited for the assembly to all stand and join in. “With justice. With truth and our commitment to never allow history to repeat itself. By Blood and Flesh, we were divided. By Blood and Flesh, we are also joined.”
“Thank you. You may take your seats. Asa Rincewind, the High Council will hear your complaint.”
With as much hostility as he’d had earlier, Asa stormed to the center of the ruins. “It’s like this, ma’am. My uncle isn’t here with us, his beloved family, because we found him dead last night. The great Claude Rincewind was murdered.Murdered. On his own land, where he’d run since he was a pup, near his children and all his grands and great-grands. We’ve come forjustice.”
“Yeah, justice,” the pack echoed, except Silvan, who was quiet, arms folded across his chest.
“I’m truly so sorry for the loss of Claude. I have years of fond memories of him participating in our council.” Cassia’s face relaxed. “He was a noble lycan. Let us take a moment to remember him now.”
The congregation followed her direction and closed their eyes.
“Such a terrible loss…” Cassia continued after several moments. “But murder is a formidable crime, Asa. What evidence have you compiled?”
“Claude had puncture wounds to his neck.” Asa’s hands encircled his throat, then he pointed at the center of his chest. “No blood. No heart. I’ve never in my years come across any other criminal who leaves such a signature.”
“None except fucking vamps,” Silvan growled despite his father’s frown. “What? If you won’t say it, I will.”
A collective gasp sounded, and after a few seconds, it happened again.
“Asa Rincewind, the penalty for slander is death by the hooves of a centaur. Does your son want to recant his statement?”
Silvan twitched his nose, glaring.
“Of course he does,” Asa said reasonably, the warning flashing in his eyes as he leveled a hard gaze on Silvan. “Right, Son?”
“Do you want to recant your statement?” she asked again, louder.
“Fuck if I’m recanting anything,” he spat. “Not a damn word of it.”
