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“Okay, well, you got half of it.” I show her how to safely close it. Over and over again, she tries. We practice until finally the tines splay out when she flicks her wrist.
Both Castor and Holter applaud. I glare over my shoulder at them. They look anywhere but at me.
“All right, let’s continue. Do it again.”
After fifteen minutes, she can get it to open. “Okay, I can open it. Now show me some other things.” She smiles at me, but her eyes are drooping.
“That’s enough for tonight,” I say.
“Nico?”
“No.” I’m not one for over-explaining. Alder taught me “no” is a full sentence.
“Show me how to defend myself.”
I shake my head I can’t possible show her how to fight. I don’t want her to get hurt. I’m halfway to the door when I pivot. I’m not sure why I’m giving in. She didn’t even say please. “Fine.” I pick up the wooden spear and come at her.
“No, don’t really attack me. I don’t want to hurt you.” She backs up. Holter and Castor are finding all of this too amusing.
“Annabelle, you can’t hurt me. In fact, if you can even touch the spear, I’d be surprised. I’llbet ...” I have no idea what to wager with her. “What do you want?”
“You have to not frown for the whole day.”
“And if I win, you have to follow my directions for a day.”
“Deal!” The spunk in her voice is back.
“Nico.” Holter steps toward me.
I shake my head. I’m not going to hurt her.
There’s a knock at the door. “Excuse me.” Augustine is in his sleeping tunic. “There’s a representative from the magistrate’s office at the front entrance to the apartment.”
My chest falls.
15
Holter
Ihold Annabelle to my side as the magistrate representatives and guards take Nico down the elevator.
It could be the last time I see him. I expected one of us to not live. But I always thought it would be in battle. Taken out by a Viking battleship, not an elevator to a judge tribunal.
“You did good.” I kiss the top of her head.
She nods. There are tears pooling on her eyelashes. “Explain to me what happens next.” She turns to Castor. I miss the warmth of her side.
“They will hold him overnight,” Castor says. “He gets one representative who must be related.”
Belle’s lip quivers. “His father is unconscious.”
“His Papa would go, but he’s on theOmicron.” Castor holds her hand.
“So, that’s me.” Her shoulders are back. “Why didn’t he tell me?”
“No Annabelle. You can’t be hispara. The judges will have too many questions.”Parais a person acting on the defendant’s behalf. But it has to be a relative, and aviro.
“It will turn into a tribunal on you.” I shake my head.
