Chapter 33
Pausing for a moment, Oracle spotted Penn, then, smiling, headed over to his table. “Sorry I am late, dear.”
“Thank you for coming,” Penn said, before ushering her to the witness stand. Penn addressed the Court. “Your Honor, I’m ready to proceed.”
“I object,” shouted Walker, who nearly knocked over his chair in his hurry to stand. “This woman is not a relative nor does she know the minor.”
“Your Honor, ‘this woman’ as Mr. Walker calls her is Oracle, the voice of the Fates on earth and has knowledge pertaining to this matter. As you, yourself said, ‘Any and all evidence will be considered today’. Oracle has received special permission from the Fates to testify here today.”
Fionn watched the judge stare at his uncle before finally overruling Walker’s objection, giving Penn the green light to proceed.
“Oracle, for the record, please tell the Court who you are,” Penn stated.
“I am the voice of the Fates on earth.”
“So, the Fates speak directly to you. What do you do with that information?” asked Penn.
“That depends on what the Fates tell me to do.”
“Can you give the Court some examples of the kinds of information the Fates tell you?” asked Penn.
“No, not unless I have been given prior permission.”
“Have you received permission to speak about the date of birth of Fionn MacDùghlas who is present in court today and is the subject of this custody hearing?” asked Penn.
“Yes, I have.”
Penn handed her the midwife certificate he had entered into evidence. “Does this contain the correct birth date of Fionn MacDùghlas?”
“Yes, it is accurate.”
“Just to be sure, please point out who you are speaking about.”
Oracle pointed at Fionn, then said, “This midwife certificate belongs to that young man.”
“Let the record show Oracle identified the minor Fionn MacDùghlas,” said Penn. Then he continued, “You are also testifying, then, that Fionn MacDùghlas is of legal age and is no longer in need of a guardian?”
“Yes.”
Jumping up, Fionn’s uncle shouted. “She’s lying!”
“Mr. Walker, control your client,” ordered the judge banging his gavel several times.
Fionn’s eyes widened at the unexpected drama of Walker pulling his client back down to his seat, then leaning over and whispering furiously in his ear.
Continuing after the outburst had been quelled, Penn asked Oracle, “Just to confirm…the source of your knowledge comes directly from the Fates, is that correct?”
“Yes, it is,” replied Oracle.
“No further questions, Your Honor.” Walking back to his seat, Penn smiled at Fionn.
“Mr. Walker, your witness,” the judge said.
Rising, Walker buttoned his suit jacket, then strolled over to Oracle. “You claim to be an Oracle, but how do we know you are telling the truth?” Walker smirked.
“The chairman of the Universal Paranormal High Council will vouch for me, but if that is not enough, Mr. Walker, the Fates gave me another piece of information about you that should confirm my credentials.”
“Really? And pray tell, what is it?” Walker asked, but then held up his hand, stopping Oracle. “But then, you should know my life is an open book and well documented.”
“I can assure you, Mr. Walker, there is only one other person who knows this about you,” replied Oracle.
“I doubt it, but by all means, go ahead,” smirked Walker.
“Twenty-five years ago you rejected your Fated Mate whose name is…”
“Your Honor, I have no further questions,” Walker interrupted, turning abruptly and walking back to his client.
“You may step down, madam,” the judge said, then glancing down at the file in front of him, cleared his throat.
“Based on the evidence and testimony given today, this Court finds Fionn MacDùghlas is of legal age, with all the rights, and responsibilities it entails.” Then he banged his gavel and left the bench.
Stunned at how fast it happened, Fionn looked at Penn, then Dylon who was grinning at him. “That’s it? I’m free now? No one can tell me what to do?”
Penn chuckled. “Someone can always tell you what to do, but you get to decide if you want to do it. And yes, you’re an adult now.”
“C’mon, let’s get out of here,” Dylon said.
Fionn rose, surrounded by enforcers and, spying Oracle standing off to one side, told them, “Just a minute.” Walking over to her, he said, “Thank you very much, Oracle. You saved my life.”
“You are welcome, sweetie. I am so happy I could help.”
“Oracle, can we give you a lift?” asked Dylon.
“No, I am meeting Mystia, but I will go with you down to the first floor,” she said.
“Good, let’s go.” Penn ushered them out of the courtroom and to the elevator.
Taking a backward glance before leaving, Fionn saw his uncle gesturing wildly while Walker ignored him as he put all his files back into his briefcase.
~/~/~/~/~
Eideard MacDùghlas was pissed—at his snot-nosed nephew, at his lawyer—and most of all at the judge.
Sitting, he waited until the courtroom was empty and the bailiff had left for lunch before marching to the judge’s private chamber and opening the door.
Scowling, he stood before the asshole who’d wrecked everything.
Looking up from his lunch, the judge grunted. “What the fuck are you doing here?”
“We had a deal. You broke it.”
Chewing his food, the judge ignored Eideard. Picking up a pickle spear, he pointed it at him. “You didn’t tell me your evidence was fake. That fiasco is on you.”
“Bullshit. I paid you to rule in my favor.”
“Right. So what the fuck was I supposed to do when an Oracle testified? Ignore her?” asked the judge.
“Yes!”
“Fuck off. I’m not losing my job for you, asshole, which is what would have happened if I did that.
Anderson would have filed an emergency appeal to the High Council and when they listened to court transcripts, my head would be served to me on a silver platter.
Then I wouldn’t be of any further use to you. ”
“Further use? How the hell can you help me now? My fucking nephew is an adult.”
“Look, you told me you wanted custody to gain control of your brother’s hoard and businesses. That can still happen.”
“How? He’s a fucking adult.”
“That part is settled but I still have control of the estate. All you have to do is submit claims against it and I’ll order them to be paid using your brother’s assets to do so.” The judge smirked at Eideard, then resumed eating.
“Claims for what?”
“I don’t care. Just make sure you don’t fuck it up this time.”
“I won’t, but you make sure you deliver this time or I want my money back.”
“I’ll deliver, all right, but don’t fuck it up,” the judge reiterated. Then he put the remains of his lunch into its paper bag before tossing into a waste can. “Now get the fuck out and make sure no one sees you.”
~/~/~/~/~
Sitting in the SUV’s back seat, Fionn’s gaze shifted from the Courthouse to Dylon who was behind the steering wheel. “When are we leaving?”
“Soon.” Dylon watched as Eideard MacDùghlas left the building, noting the smug smile on his face.
What a fucking asshole! Shifting his gaze back to the courthouse, he smiled as his mate shoved the door open, and descended the steps.
Jumping out, Dylon circled the SUV, opening the front passenger side door, giving Cody a kiss. “Well done, babe.”
After buckling his seat belt, Cody turned around, grinning at Fionn. “Happy?”
“That would be a big fucking ‘yes’. I can’t thank Oracle or you guys enough. I was fucking furious when my uncle was up on the stand lying and if it weren’t for you two, I’d have blown it.”
“You’re welcome. That’s what we were here for.” Cody shifted in his seat, searching the surrounding area. “Did your uncle leave already?”
“Yeah, just before you came out.”
Dylon climbed in on his side, kissed his mate, then glanced back at Fionn. “Jackson wants to meet you before Mystia takes you back to Scotland. Okay?”
“Yeah, fine, as long as it doesn’t take long because I don’t want to miss the treasure hunt.”
“Does this have to do with Brian’s mate?” asked Dylon.
“Yeah, we’re searching for a humongous green diamond called Serpent’s Teardrop. This is going to be so much fun. I’m on Theo and Norm’s team.” Excitement filled Fionn’s face, anticipating they’d be the ones who found it.
“Shouldn’t take too long, Jackson just wants to welcome you to the pack.” Dylon pulled into the below-ground parking garage. “C’mon, the helicopter is waiting for us up top.”
~/~/~/~/~
Flying in a helicopter was almost as good as flying as a dragon Fionn discovered and, on the way back from the Courthouse, he decided to buy one as soon as the estate was settled.
Imagining the fun he and his friends would have flying to San Francisco for a night out, Fionn texted Penn, asking him how soon the probate case to get his late father’s assets would be over.
After landing, Fionn followed Cody through the Blackwood Pack house and the power he’d felt earlier grew stronger as he walked.
Stopping at the door to Jackson’s study, Cody knocked, then entered. “How were the twins?” he asked, looking over and seeing them playing with Daniel on the soft chenille rug Logan had picked out.
“Very good. I was even able to get some work done.” Jackson stepped out from behind his desk. “Hi Fionn, Welcome to the Blackwood Pack. Glad to hear everything worked out for you.”
Speechless, Fionn stared at Jackson. The power he’d felt in the house came from the Alpha—his Alpha—and it was more powerful than anything he’d ever sensed.
“Fionn, are you all right?” Jackson exchanged glances with his brother who shrugged his shoulders. Wondering what was causing Fionn’s deer-in-the-headlights freeze, Jackson waved his hand in front of the young dragon’s face. “Fionn?”
Blinking his eyes, Fionn focused on his Alpha, voicing the first thought that came to mind: “Are you going to hurt me with your power?” Then his eyes widened at his faux pas. “S-s-s-sorry, I didn’t mean that.”
Keeping his eyes on Fionn, Jackson asked, “Cody can you take care of the pups so I can speak with Fionn alone?”
“As soon as Dylon gets here…he’s on his way.”
Guiding Fionn over to the loveseat, Jackson said, “Have a seat. Do you want something to drink?”
“Water, please.” Fionn leaned back, trying to gather his thoughts so he wouldn’t embarrass himself again.
After Cody and Dylon left with the pups, Jackson sat down kitty-corner from the young dragon.
“Fionn, the Fates have sent you to me for safe keeping and to answer your question, my power will only protect you. My goal is for you to live your life, free from those who want to use you because you’re a white dragon.
From what I know of your life, there haven’t been many people you could trust, but that’s now changed.
Everyone in the Blackwood Pack will protect you and fight anyone who threatens your well-being. ”
His Alpha’s words were a balm to his wounded soul but he’d been fooled before. Hoping it was true, Fionn said, “No offense, but others have promised me that, too, and I found out they were liars. Shit, sorry. I’m not saying you are, but…”
“That’s all right Fionn, I didn’t take it that way. Why don’t we start at the beginning? Trust takes time to develop and it helps if you know about the other person. I know only a tiny part of your life story, but if you’re willing, I would like to know all of it.”
“What about your story?”
“I’ll tell you first and you can ask any questions you want, okay?”
Nodding, Fionn listened carefully as Jackson began to speak.
~/~/~/~/~
“Here, babe,” Cody said, handing his phone over to Dylon.
“I can’t believe you recorded all of it.”
“It was simple. Eideard walked into the judge’s chambers and left the door open so I just followed him in.”
“Are you good here?” Dylon asked his mate. “I need to get to my office.”
Cody looked at the three pups, now sleeping in a pile and nodded. “Go ahead. I got this.”
Sending the recording to his father as he walked to his office, Dylon shut the door behind him when he got there. Sitting at his desk, he pulled up the judge’s profile on the High Council site, took some screen shots and sent them, also. Then he waited.
Within five minutes, his phone rang. Picking up, Dylon said, “Hi Dad, how’s it going?”
Frank chuckled. “Interesting recording.”
“Isn’t it? The judge is a real asshole.”
“How are you involved with him?”
“Cody and I were appointed guardians of Fionn, a dragon whose father was trying to kill him. Well, the father died shortly thereafter. While the father’s estate was in probate, some of Fionn’s relatives filed an emergency petition for custody.
But, when he was going through some of his father’s files, Fionn found proof that he was born earlier than he was told.
Long story short, the court declared Fionn an adult after Oracle testified. ”
“She did? Most unusual,” Frank mused.
“Why is that?”
“The Fates have never given permission…at least not that I know of…for an Oracle to testify in legal matters.” Frank fell quiet, trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together.
No matter how he shuffled them, nothing was making sense.
Using Oracle, the Fates had interfered in earthly matters—something that would shake the High Council to its core once they learned of it.
But why would the Fates do this? Oh, fuck, it’s the dragon! “Where’s the dragon now?”
“With Jackson,” Dylon replied. “Why?”
“Is the dragon a member of your pack?”
“Yup. Jackson made him a member after Logan and Kieran rescued him. What’s with all the questions, Dad?”
Everything leads back to the Blackwood Pack. “Son, what do you want me to do about the recording?”
Shaking his head in disbelief, Dylon wondered if he understood his father correctly. I thought he’d be sending an order for the arrest of the judge, but instead he’s asking me what to do. What the fuck? “Dad, I’m missing something. What do you mean?”
“Dylon, the Fates have never done this before so I’m figuring there’s something special about the dragon that forced them to testify in a legal proceeding on earth.
Now, two things will happen if I order the arrest of the judge; one, the members of the High Council will demand to know who the dragon is and why the Fates appeared on his behalf, and two, they will also do a thorough investigation on every member of the Blackwood Pack.
And somehow, I don’t think you want either of those things done.
Remember, the pack is already on the High Council’s radar because of the High Priest the gods sent them. ”
Shit! Shit! Shit! The last thing Jackson needs is the High Council breathing down his neck. “You’re right, Dad. I’ll handle it myself.”
“Whatever you do, just don’t get caught, cause your mother will never forgive me if you do.” Frank chuckled, knowing full well his son understood what would happen.
“Don’t worry Dad, I got your back.”
“I appreciate that. How are my grandpups doing?”