Chapter 5 #7
But, also, it means that Locke and I, at least in the eyes of the law, now have power over her once more.
‘Just two?’ Tavish asks. ‘Not enough. Where is the Harbinger? She must open the Brea?—’
‘I will claim her.’
I let out an inconspicuous sigh of relief that Morgan has come to his senses. He won’t like it either, taking her choices like this, but Dane is right. It’s the only way to keep her here, keep her safe.
I look back and see everyone moving away from the giant half-fae, letting him pass easily.
But the rest of the room is in sudden disarray, the loudest ones, Tavish’s men, are yelling, shaking their fists. The quiet ones are looking surprised. A few appear as horrified by all this as I am, and I assume Bryn is, though her expression is still confused.
‘I told you!’ Dane booms. ‘Everyone out! NOW! This session is now closed!’
The main doors open outward of their own volition with a bang. Half the people leave quickly, not enjoying another of Dane’s displays of power. The rest file out slowly, grumbling at being denied the entertainment of the rest of the meeting.
‘That’s three,’ I can’t help but say a little smugly in the Council’s direction.
‘I don’t understand,’ Bryn whispers.
‘It means that you can stay,’ Locke says through his clenched jaw, not looking at her.
I frown at him. Unless I’m mistaken, that’s not all it means. We need to explain. She doesn’t realize. I move closer to her to warn her, but Calder begins to yell.
‘But they… They’re fae! They aren’t even true members of the village, and I don’t even know what sort of mongrel that is.’ Calder points at Morgan who, used to being seen as lesser by our brethren, ignores him.
‘Their lineages are immaterial,’ Dane says calmly, though I can see from his expression that his patience is wearing very thin.
Calder and Voss, especially, look more than a little annoyed that things aren’t going their way and continue to argue.
I file that away to bring up later with Locke and Morgan.
There’s clearly something more happening here.
The two of them are much too invested in a single human female they didn’t know existed until this morning.
I watch them closely from the corner of my eye, their posturing and intrigues giving me a nasty feeling that I’ve seen all of this before.
But it wasn’t here. It was in Varrik’s fold where we were ruled over by his Elites who were always playing these little games of power.
My stomach twists at the thought of Calder and Tavish making decisions without the rest of the Council to keep them in line.
I see Calder and Voss’ eyes meet, and Calder’s jaw tightens.
‘There’s another issue with the human,’ he says snidely. ‘I didn’t believe it pertinent before but as there’s serious talk of her staying, the rest of the Council should be made aware that she is Kismet.’
‘Fate Touched?’ Tavish’s gaze finds Bryn and he looks suddenly much more interested, and troubled.
‘That cunt being interested in anything outside of his business with the Underhill doesn’t bode well,’ I whisper to Morgan who’s eyes narrow at the human merchant.
Dane shrugs at Calder. ‘Her presence isn’t against the laws of Halsford. Kismets are rare but not innately considered Dark Realm as Fate itself is not Dark Realm. It has no bearing here.’
I practically see Calder’s teeth grinding. ‘This creature is a danger to the entire?—’
There’s a loud creak as the other side door opens and Lia enters the room with a pile of books. She stops short, looking surprised that there’s anyone in the room.
‘Apologies,’ she says, though she doesn’t leave. ‘I didn’t know there was a meeting this morning.’
She gives Dane a reproachful look as she comes toward him.
‘It was a sudden convening. I sent a message through to the Underhill for you this morning, my love.’
Her knowing eyes flick to Calder who gives nothing away. ‘It must have got lost.’
She comes to stand beside Dane, her eyes moving over us. She frowns at Bryn a little.
‘Fill me in, darling?’ she murmurs.
He bends his head toward her and murmurs in her ear. I see her eyes flash in anger more than once and by the time he’s finished, she’s clearly livid.
Gods, what wouldn’t I give to see her use the Harbinger on Calder or Voss? But I know she won’t. She doesn’t kill indiscriminately.
Pity.
Calder stands. ‘Thalia, you shouldn’t be wasting your valuable time with this,’ he waves his hand flippantly toward us. ‘Anyway, it’s finished. You will cast this woman back into the Dark where she belongs. The Law of the Fourth cannot apply.’
Both Tavish and Shore nod and I grit my teeth. If it comes to a vote, Bryn is gone.
‘Of course I would consider the village council’s affairs worth my time, Councilor Calder,’ Lia says, a false smile alighting her face. ‘I am a council adviser, after all.’
‘Of course, but we’re perfectly able to keep Halsford safe without bothering you, Harbinger,’ Calder says. ‘You need not worry yourself. These meetings are beneath one such as you.’
‘Not at all, Councilor,’ Lia answers far too pleasantly. ‘It’s no worry for me and as a protector of the Underhill and Halsford, nothing that happens in the council chambers is ever beneath me. Besides, as you said, I’d be the one opening the Breach and casting her back, wouldn’t I?’
Next to Lia, Dane makes an odd choking sound. Lia’s expression isn’t malicious in the least, but Calder’s face pales.
‘I didn’t mean… O-of course, Harbinger.’
‘Again, my most sincere apologies for not being present for the proceedings,’ she replies with another saccharine smile, ‘but, as advisor, I’d like to know, what does the human requesting sanctuary have to say? Has she even been heard from at all?’
‘She has been interviewed,’ Calder’s face now reddens. ‘But it hardly matters, Harbinger. She is Dark Realm.’
‘Everyone gets their turn to speak, Councilor. You know that.’ She looks at Bryn. ‘Do not fear…Bryn, was it?’
Bryn nods, but when she speaks to the room, it’s not to Dane or Thalia. It’s to Calder. ‘It’s true, my lord, I am Kismet. Fate smiles upon me. Luck guides me. I should have died a thousand times in the Dark, but it has always protected me. I could be an asset to the Underhill...’
She’s making a deal, I realize, dread filling my gut. That’s what Bryn does when she’s backed into a corner. And it’s too late to stop her.
No. No. No. No. No. NO! Not with him!
Calder’s eyes narrow as he reassesses our human. ‘Go on.’
‘I could be of help to the fae realm and Halsford if I was allowed to remain here in the Light.’
I close my eyes as she pledges herself to the Underhill.
Fuck Calder and Voss and even Dane for making her feel she must do this!
Calder strokes his chin, pretending to deliberate. A look passes between him and Voss, that has me even more sure that there’s more going on here. This may not have been what they wanted, but they’ll make this work in their favor.
‘Perhaps,’ he says quietly, ‘but your kind are known to be devious by nature, so the Underhill would still require the Law of the Fourth, as well as other assurances of my choosing.’
Don’t agree, I say silently.
But she shrugs as if signing herself away to the fae is nothing to her.
Oh, Bryn.
‘I’d have your vow aloud,’ she says.
Calder’s smirk makes my blood boil.
‘I vow that if you give yourself in service to the Underhill to do all you can to find the enemy of the Underhill known as Fiana, you may remain in this village so long as you are bound to these three…residents.’
‘Done.’
Lia’s shoulders sag a little at Bryn’s final word. Dane’s eyes close for a moment before he stares at his mate, shaking his head very slightly as he brings the gavel down hard.
‘It’s finished. Bryn, you can stay.’
Then his eyes find the three of us. ‘Jak. Locke. Morgan. You’ll need to bind her to you. In every sense.’
Next to me, Bryn nods. She still says nothing, but the tension has drained out of her.
‘Next item on the agenda?’ Tavish asks.
‘I wasn’t aware there was one,’ Dane says, sitting down hard and sounding wearier than I’ve ever heard him.
He looks at us. ‘You may go.’
‘They may wish to stay,’ Calder replies. ‘This concerns them. We’ve had a report from our eyes in Merediea.’
Lia’s eyes narrow. ‘Why wasn’t I told?’
‘I’m afraid you could not be located at the time,’ Calder says airily. ‘At any rate, the mission with the human spies has been unsuccessful…just as I said it would be.’
‘What?’ Dane snarls. ‘Where are Soreno and Tori?’
‘Soreno is dead. I know not how as yet. Tori was retrieved in the Fourth Circle at a human farm. She lives, though I’m told she wishes she had not. She’s in the Underhill for the moment with our healers. They’re not sure if she will recover fully.’
He taps the side of his head, his meaning clear.