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I don’t know why I’m trying to reason with her, she’s already made up her mind. Either she decided that I truly am a threat to the witches and the werewolves can help her, or she doesn’t actually care about her people and the council will give her what she wants—my death.
Clasping her hands before her, she gazes down at the ground as though in mourning, taking a deep, shuddering breath before looking back up through tear-filled eyes. “I’m doing what’s best for my people, and that’s eradicating you. This is the lesser evil.”
While her act is pretty good, I don’t believe it for a second. She’s doing this because it’s what’s best for her and nothing else. The witches who died at Haven were just collateral.
“Your Majesty, please join us,” Councilman Emerald calls, bored of the little show unfolding before him. Ruby seems perfectly content to continue watching us swap insults, but the other councilmen are shifting from foot to foot with impatience.
Irritation flashes across her face at the demand. She doesn’t like being told what to do. As quickly as it appeared, it’s gone, her expression serene as she glances back at them and nods her head. With one last intense look, the queen walks to the stage and waits by the steps. It takes me a moment to realise that she paused there for a reason. She’s waiting for someone to escort her up the stairs. A snort escapes me as she realises that’s not coming and she has to walk herself up. Low chuckles fill the clearing as the werewolves watch on.
Mustering as much dignity as she can manage, she tosses her hair over her shoulder, picks up the skirt of her dress, and climbs the five small steps up to the platform. The councillors welcome her with low dips of their heads, a motion she returns.
Now that the queen has joined them, Councilman Ruby steps forward and addresses us once more. “Laelia, we have discussed your crimes, and the only fitting punishment for you is death.”
He pauses, which could be for dramatic effect or because voices rise at the comment. My mates all seem furious, growls of varying pitches emanating from them and Atlas shouting denials. I’m surprised by the amount of dissatisfaction that seems to come from the watching werewolves. I’ve never been popular here, and given the fact I not only have magic but two mates who also possess it, I assumed they would automatically take the council’s side.
“However…” Councilman Ruby’s voice is amplified so loudly that many of us wince, but it has the desired effect as everyone falls silent and waits for him to continue. “We are a benevolent council, and we have decided to give you one more chance. A final trial, if you will.”
My ears are ringing, blocking out most of the noise around me. Another trial. I barely escaped the werewolf trials alive the first time, and I have no doubt that the trial will be rigged so I’m unable to win. Why are they doing this though? Either way, it will end up with my death, so why go through the effort of a challenge? Knowing the council, they probably just want to put me through as much pain and torture as possible while showing their power as a warning to the rest of our race.
“This is not what we agreed,” Syn roars, the noise breaking through the ringing in my ears. Everything seems to move in slow motion as he spins to face the council, gripping the edge of the stage and snarling up at them. Fear that I’m pretty sure doesn’t belong to me flickers down our muted bond.
Taking a deep breath and steadying my shaking hands, I clear my throat. “What do I get if I play along and complete your trial?”
“Your crimes are severe, so you will face death either way. However, if you win your trial, then your mates and your father will be allowed to go free.”
This is a better option than I thought they would offer me, adding weight to my theory that they are trying to make my death into a spectacle for everyone to watch as a reminder of what happens to those who choose not to follow the council. I’ll hand it to them though, they know how to motivate me.
“You promised she would be safe!”
Seeming to lose control of himself, Syn smashes his fists against the stage, the wood groaning and splitting. His eyes are wide with fear, and he continues to shout up at the councilman. “You promised!”
This is painful to watch, he’s tearing himself apart. He betrayed us, and it turns out that it was all for naught. Despite everything, I feel sympathy for him. He’s still my mate, and I’m convinced that there was a reason for his actions.
Councilman Ruby stiffens as Syn shouts at them and attempts to rip apart the stage one plank of wood at a time. With a growl of frustration, he tilts his masked head down. “You have fulfilled your usefulness to us. You are dismissed from our service.”
The words seem strangely formal, and when Syn falls to the ground as though he’s been struck, I realise they have severed the bond between him and the council. Brutal and instant, he’s been cut loose. Staring at the ground with wide, stunned eyes, Syn slumps, panting as he comes to terms with what just happened.
Ruby makes a noise of disgust, lifts his head, and looks in my direction. “Your trial will be composed of several aspects and will challenge your mind, body, and soul. As such, we will give you the night to rest.”
They’ve not told me what the trial will actually be, and I’m sure it will be the hardest challenge I’ve ever had to complete. However, the fact that they are giving me time to rest is odd for them. They wouldn’t do something like this unless it benefited them in some way, so I’m on edge, waiting for the penny to drop.
I’m not left waiting long.
“To ensure your return, your mates will be staying here with us.”
I am already shaking my head before he finishes, my mates shouting out their anger and refusal to be separated from me. Unfortunately, I don’t think we’re going to have much choice.
“No,” I begin, only to be cut off by my group of wolves freezing in place. Not with ice magic like Atlas’s, but something else entirely. Was this done by Ruby too, or one of the other councilmen?
All of them are trapped, even their bonds are sluggish, as though they are in a deep sleep—all except for one.
“You will see them in the morning, and they will remain unharmed as long as you do as we say,” Councilman Ruby instructs, making it sound so simple. He’s discussing my mates’ safety and has taken them away from me. Was my father not enough? I feel sick and want to argue, but I have no idea what to say.
The councilman looks down at Syn, shaking his head. “You can take that one with you. We have no need for him anymore.” Disgust tinges his voice, and mutters of agreement seem to filter up from the watching werewolves. Syn doesn’t have any friends here, and now that he’s been cut off from the council, they view him with even more contempt than they did before.
My skin tingles, and I get the impression that all five of the councilmen are watching me through their masks. The queen steps forward and stands beside Ruby with a wide, sadistic smile. “Your trial will begin in the morning.”
* * *
