“Attempted murder, conspiring against the Federation, and aiding the Resistance, which is an act of treason,” the Minister snapped, and a collective gasp rose from the rest of the delegates.
“This is preposterous!” Lord Cedris shouted, sounding on the edge of hysteria now. He tried to make a break for it, but several other mages hit him with spells, and he froze into place. I sat back in my chair and watched with supreme satisfaction as the Minister had Cedris and his delegates clapped in rune-covered irons. But as they were dragged out of the room, I knew in my heart that this was only the beginning, and our work was far from done.
28
Outrageously enough, the Minister and his Secretaries refused to allow me to attend the interrogation. I wasn’t even allowed to listen outside. Iannis attempted to argue on my behalf, but the Minister was adamant – I wasn’t supposed to be here anyway, and he’d already extended enough “liberties” by allowing me into the Convention to attend the vote. Now that he had his position back, Lord Zavian was rapidly reverting to type – the very kind of self-satisfied, rigid high mage that the Resistance wanted to overthrow.
Liberties, my ass, I seethed as the carriage took me back to the hotel. I wanted to take the liberty to punch the Minister right in his supercilious face. But that would probably get Iannis in trouble, so I’d tamped down on my rage and left the building as instructed.
When I got back to the hotel room, there was nobody there – the other delegates must have gone back to their own suite. Tears sprang to my eyes now that nobody was around to see them, and I blinked rapidly before they started trickling down my cheeks. It wasn’t fair. I’d rescued Iannis, we’d saved the Minister, and we’d captured Lord Cedris. I should have been on top of the world, dancing and celebrating and feeling triumphant. How was I supposed to exist in a world like this? A world where all sides consistently shunned and belittled me? How could I stand up for my ideals and fight for what was right, if the powers that be continued to stomp me into the ground every chance they got?
Fuck this, I thought angrily, shoving one of the couches against the wall. I wasn’t going to languish in this stupid hotel suite feeling sorry for myself. If I had to stay here and wait for Iannis, the least I could do was make good use of the space. So I pushed all the living room furniture up against the walls, changed into a tank top and pants, and I did something I hadn’t had a chance to do in a long time.
I trained.
Training wasn’t so much about keeping in shape – my job as an Enforcer, not to mention the grueling trip over the past week, did a good enough job at that – but about honing my skills and sharpening my focus. Nevertheless, I worked through the usual strength and flexibility exercises before moving on to basic punches, kicks, rolls, and stances.
By the time I started on my first form, my bare arms were covered with a light sheen of sweat and most of the stress had drained from my body. As I glided through the motions, striving for grace rather than power, my troubled thoughts drifted away, and Roanas filled my mind instead. I could almost picture his tawny lion’s gaze watching me, and the sensation made me ache with sadness and happiness all at once. I missed him more than words could convey, and there were many times I wished I could hop on my bike and ride over to his house so I could talk my cases over with him.
But even though I couldn’t visit Roanas at his home anymore, I could still draw comfort from my memories of him, and wrap them around myself in times of trouble. Training was the perfect way to do that – with every kick and punch, every pivot and crouch, I could feel my mentor’s presence and encouragement almost as if he really were here with me.
By the time the door swung open, I was in the middle of my fourth form, so deeply focused that I didn’t even stop. I ducked an imaginary opponent from one end, then spun out of my crouch to crescent kick the one behind me, my foot whipping through the air at inhuman speed.
The sound of my flesh slapping against Iannis’s palm as he caught my foot jarred me from my trance-like state, and I jumped, then lost my balance. Thankfully Iannis let go of my leg and caught me around the waist before I toppled to the floor.
“I see you’ve done some redecorating,” he murmured, his violet eyes sparkling with amusement as he drew me closer.
“Yeah,” I said, my voice a little breathless – and not from the exertion. His chest was nearly touching mine, and the heat from his body felt good against my sweat-slicked skin. “I thought you’d appreciate it if I refrained from adding smashed furniture to your hotel bill.”
“Indeed,” Iannis agreed. He reached up and brushed a damp curl from my forehead. “I apologize for sending you back to the hotel, but I am glad you found an outlet for your frustration.”
“It’s alright.” I licked my lips as his fingers trailed fire across my skin. “I know that despite your ‘I’m all-powerful’ attitude, you can’t control everything.”
Iannis scoffed lightly. “I never said that I was all-powerful.”
“No, but you sure act like it most of the time.” Grinning, I danced out of his reach, not because I didn’t like him touching me but because I liked it a little too much. Despite the fact that I’d thoroughly enjoyed the kiss he’d given me, I didn’t think it was a good idea to let him do it again after I’d given him an ultimatum. If he wanted me, he was going to have to make a decision before I’d let him take any more liberties.