I’d always known that Louis was impressive, but today … damn, he was unbelievable. Piece by piece he tore the previous argument to shreds. His voice was calm, his stance relaxed, and as always the power that rode his words spread throughout the entire room. He had alibis for three of the four – Maximus was keeping that day’s events to himself. Probably involved a woman. Louis then pointed out the obvious regarding evidence at the scene, which wasn’t even the kill spot. I could see Kristoff’s face darkening as each of his points were turned around. If the quads were cleared of charges, he would look like a fool, since he was the one to make the huge scene and arrest them on trumped-up charges. Finally, after a tense fifty minutes, all the facts were in, and all we could do was wait for the magical verdict.
It took forever. I fidgeted, twitched in my chair, and drove Mischa crazy by knocking into her.
Finally the book delivered the folded paper. Kristoff reached out and took it. He looked down for a second before flipping it open.
No expression crossed his features. He lifted his head.
“Not guilty,” he muttered, before throwing aside the white slip and storming off the stage.
The hall erupted with delight and uproar. I wanted to jump up and down and scream a little, but before I lost my shit I turned and took in the room. My eyes alighted on the many faces. Most looked excited, but there were a few with neutral or unhappy stares. Kristoff obviously, and Giselda, who’d been near the back of the room; also a troll, two pixies, and another vampire – who was vaguely familiar but I couldn’t remember his name. Strolling closer to them, I tried to scent the emotions, but there was so much going on in the room I couldn’t get anything clear. There were traces of guilt and anger coming from someone, but the mess of emotional resonance made it impossible to pinpoint who.
Finally I decided to just catalogue each face closely, for future reference.
As I turned around, the guards were removing the cuffs to free the quad’s hands. I strode back to where my family was excitedly waiting. Jo was practically vibrating on the spot, and only Jack’s hold on her kept her from flying off into the ceiling.
Then they were in front of us. Jacob and Tyson gathered their relieved mother into a hug. Maximus got to me first, wrenching me up and crushing the life from me, along with a few ribs and some happy tears. He handed me over to Braxton, and as his spicy, masculine scent wrapped around me, I felt the constriction on my chest finally ease. I wasn’t alone anymore. I buried my face in his hard chest.
“We have a shitload to tell you.” Braxton’s words in my ear sent ominous shivers down my spine. I could tell that this was going to be bad. “And don’t lose it, but I have to go back into the prison.”
He’d better be freaking kidding me. I just got them back from there. Pulling away, I narrowed my eyes at him, followed by my eyebrows. He just flashed me some dimple before turning away to join the celebrating crowd. With a huff I focused on the pair next to me. This wasn’t the place to start demanding answers. Maximus and Mischa seemed to be having some sort of intense, silent conversation, using only strange facial expressions. I watched them closely for a few moments. What the hell were they doing?
“Looks like you owe me a date.” I swiveled to find Louis at my side. His enigmatic features were relaxed, but lots was going on in his eyes.
I crossed my arms across my chest but didn’t move away. He was close, I could feel the power surrounding him.
“Looks like I do,” I murmured.
“I’ll collect soon,” he said, running a single fingertip along my cheek. His touch left the slightest burning path in its wake. And then he was gone, leaving via the now-open doors.
I blinked rapidly, clearing the vapidness his mere presence had created in my head. That sorcerer was way too powerful.
Braxton left his mother and was at my side. “What was that all about?” he said.
Jacob and Tyson were right behind him.
The boys hugged me, distracting from his question. Well, distracting me, Braxton never moved. He had me locked in his blazing blue eyes. I knew he would wait forever for me to answer.
I waved my hands at the stubborn ass. “Louis asked me out and I said I’d go if he got you four out of prison.” I shrugged. “It’s just a date.”
His nicely shaped black eyebrows narrowed in over his eyes. “You shouldn’t promise shit like that for us.”
What was his deal, it wasn’t like I sold a kidney. Which I would have.
“It’s no big sacrifice, he’s hot and powerful. Sure, I hate picking magic from my teeth, but I’ll cope.” I dismissed the conversation with another swish of my hand.
I heard an exhalation of breath but he didn’t say any more.
After the trial we convened back in our house. Jonathon had called a meeting. Maximus was explaining what had happened during their week in Vanguard. Finally he reached the moment this morning where they were led from the cells and thrown into a magical step-through – a portal that joined two places – and ended up at the hall for their trial.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they tried to have us imprisoned again,” Maximus finished, leaning forward from where he sat on the bottom step. “We met a sorcerer who converses with the dead, and word on the other side is that we’re a threat and someone will stop at nothing to keep us from taking over the council.”
Tyson was grim-faced as he stood near the doorway. He hadn’t spoken much, but I could feel the rage he was working to conceal. “Apparently if you’re convicted of a crime you automatically revoke your rights to being council leader.” He sucked in deeply. “But that’s really not the most important part.”