Chapter 17 #2
“Because I happen to believe that the shapeshifters need a better way. That our laws should change. Grow. Adapt to this new world we’ve found ourselves in.
And one of the things that most needs to adapt is the brutality of our leadership—the nature of our very concept of justice.
So, while I do not, in fact, need to provide proof”—here he pinned the gray-haired man with his gaze—“I can. And I will. Along with evidence that would convict at least three out of the four of you beyond all question of doubt.”
Somehow, they managed not to look at each other. Not to ask, even with their eyes, who the single innocent party might be.
Callum’s hand squeezed mine, as if reminding me to relax. Not to give away the reality that all of this was a bluff. Well, maybe not all. I had no idea whether he actually had any evidence on these four or not.
“So if you still wish to question my condition or my decisions, by all means keep coming. Bring me your complaints and your concerns. Bring me your assertions that I am unfit and your insistence that you are merely helping me recognize the truth. But”—his voice dropped again to a deadly near-whisper—“I suggest you also bring me the name of whoever hired Hector Ademar to deliver your summons. And…” He paused.
Weighing the risk. Testing the room. And then he went for it.
“…the names of whomever among our people conspired with the fae to ensure that I never returned home alive.”
They’d been watchfully still before, but now the four shifters turned coiled and poised—every muscle tensed, every sense on alert.
It was a reminder that these four were predators at heart.
Their eyes went hot, molten amber, and for an instant, I was certain they were about to shift and attack us both.
And Callum? I’d been awed before by his overwhelming aura of authority, but never so much as today. He commanded that room almost effortlessly, and to anyone watching, there would have been no doubt who the strongest was.
Only I could tell how much it was costing him.
How much effort it took just to stand there and face them with such confidence, when he could no longer truly enforce his authority.
Could no longer shift to prove that he deserved to rule.
In truth, he was as vulnerable as a naked child in front of hungry wolves, and if any of them realized it? We might both be dead.
It was a bluff as terrifying as it was awe-inspiring, and if it weren’t for Angelica, I’m still not sure if we could have pulled it off.
But with a gryphon behind them and an angry dragon in front of them, none of the four seemed to decide it was worth their lives to challenge their king.
“If this accusation is indeed true,” the black man said gravely, “then allow me to offer apologies on behalf of the entire council. I do not hesitate to admit that I was one of those who voted to summon Raine Kendrick for questioning. Her history, her actions, her abilities, and her proximity to you, ro-Deverin, are all concerning enough to warrant investigation. But an attempt on your life is not only grotesque, but treasonous, and takes precedence over all other concerns.”
“How comforting,” Callum said flatly. “As it happens, there is a way for you to prove that your apology is indeed sincere. There are only a handful of poisons effective against shapeshifters. I wish to know which one was used. If you can bring me the name of the poison and the one who provided it to the fae, I will consider this matter closed.”
It might sound like he was letting them off too easily, but in truth, it was a carefully worded trap. No matter their reaction, these four would eventually betray both their loyalties and their motivation. And if they did indeed turn in the one responsible for betraying him…
“I must also insist that the traitor still be alive,” Callum added coolly.
There was another moment in which any wrong move might have triggered a battle. Everyone was watching everyone else, waiting for a twitch that might reveal innocence or guilt, or telegraph intentions before it was too late.
“Of course,” the younger man agreed, his slight bow of courtesy a careful, brittle gesture.
“I must regrettably add one clarification. Since you have apparently read our laws carefully enough to understand the limits of your authority, you must also be aware that a summons cannot be rescinded, either by royal command or by vote of the council.”
It was my turn. Given his history, I wasn’t sure Callum could be trusted to respond to that one politely.
“I’ve never asked you to rescind it.” I looked each of them in the eye, holding their gaze long enough to establish that I was not intimidated. “Whether I agree with your baseless accusations and suspicions is beside the point. What I have a problem with is your underhanded method of delivery.”
The older man opened his mouth, but I talked right over the top of him.
“You went behind Callum’s back because you’re afraid of him. And you used a courier with a criminal history because you’re afraid of the Shadow Court. I understand your fear, but Hector Ademar didn’t just deliver a message—he smashed up the place where I work and tried to kill my boss.”
I shook my head. “Any one of you could have done the honorable thing, spoken to Faris politely, and looked me in the eye while you delivered your summons. But you didn’t, because at heart?
” I felt my lips curl with disdain. “You’re cowards.
Which means I don’t very much care what you think of me.
I will answer your summons because the Shapeshifter Court matters to Callum, and therefore it matters to me.
But I will never beg for your approval. Not when you’ve made it clear that my past, my pain, and my safety mean nothing to you. ”
“Fairly spoken.” Once again, it was the younger of the two men who spoke up, and as he did so, he offered another slight bow.
Possibly an acknowledgement of the justice of my accusations.
“But I hope in turn you can see the basis for our fear. You are an unknown human with powers previously believed to be impossible. You have a past connection with a man who seems determined to destroy our kind, and our king is now so suddenly under your sway.”
“Oh, believe me, I have no difficulty understanding why you’re scared of me,” I replied, and was shocked when his lips twitched in response.
“Well, it would appear that our trip has not been wasted,” the younger woman said briskly, speaking for the first time, and with an authority that surprised me, considering her age. Made me wonder who, in fact, was the most powerful among the four.
“We will look forward to seeing you back at court, Your Majesty, and you, Miss Kendrick, when you have a moment in your schedule to accept our invitation.”
I wasn’t sure how Callum would react to this characterization of my summons, and thankfully he didn’t have to, as Angelica stepped seamlessly into the conversation.
“If you have any further concerns, you may address them to me directly, and I will convey them to His Majesty as appropriate. And you may rest assured that he will rejoin the court as soon as his business here is concluded.”
It was a dismissal, and the four of them were sufficiently wise to hear it as such. I watched them go, searching for any hint of disappointment, or any indication that they might choose to attack instead of retreat, but an attack never came.
Angelica followed them out, but returned only a few moments later. “They’re gone,” she reported. “And I’ve asked Ryker to tail them to make sure they leave the city.” Her glance at Callum was transparently worried. “Do you think they were convinced by your threats?”
“I think they weren’t sure enough of anything to make a move,” he responded grimly.
“And I genuinely doubt that all of them were in on it. Without access to my dragon…” He cursed under his breath.
“I couldn’t quite read them. Raine?” His gaze burned with anger and frustration, though I could tell none of it was aimed at me. “Did you sense anything?”
I had to shake my head. My hunch magic still wasn’t that reliable, and activated pretty much only when it wanted to.
“Nothing for sure. The younger of the men… I didn’t feel any kind of hostility from him.
Or guilt, now that I think about it. Just caution.
He might be really good at hiding his intentions, though. ”
Angelica tilted her head thoughtfully. “No, I think you’re correct.
” For once, she didn’t even seem disgusted by the necessity of agreeing with me.
“I don’t think Landon knew about any conspiracy, if there truly was one.
He was clearly in agreement with the summons, but he reacted pretty strongly when you mentioned Hector and the attack on Faris. ”
“A problem for later.” Now that our unwanted guests were gone, Callum sounded somewhere between exhausted and relieved. “Let them take that back to the court and stew on it for a while. See if it stirs anything up. We have plenty to do here while we wait for their next move.”
Wait to see if they would reveal the traitor.
Wait to find out whether we would learn the name of the poison in time.
“How are you feeling?”
I could tell he didn’t want to answer that, but he did anyway.
“Like I’m missing a limb,” he said honestly. “Like a sixth sense I’ve always used but never fully understood is just… gone. I don’t think I could go for a run or punch through a wall, but”—he offered me a lopsided smile—“I can help find a couple of missing kids.”
“Are you sure?” I stepped towards him until I could rest a hand on his chest, feel his heart beating beneath my fingers and wonder… How much longer did we have?
Callum covered my hand with his. “I’m sure. Whatever happens… However much time I have, I’m going to spend it with you.”
I’d never dreamed that a single sentence could be so utterly romantic… and so utterly heartbreaking.
“If that’s all,” Angelica interjected a little sarcastically, “I think I’ll go drown myself in coffee and tackle my emails.”
She was already stalking off when I called after her.
“Angelica.”
She paused.
“Thank you.”
I heard her breath catch, just before she huffed and walked away.