Chapter Twelve #2
Kiera walked toward the front stairs, then turned back to look at tiny Meryn again. She shook her head and kept going.
*****
Hunter joined her upstairs after her shower so he could get ready as well. Before she knew it, they were walking into the Elder Council building. Augustus met them at the door. “You two ready?”
She nodded as Hunter took her hand and led them inside.
Once inside she was surprised to see that there was an expansive waiting area outside the large double doors that led to the council chamber. Her uncle and his assistant were already waiting to enter.
Her uncle gave a short nod. “Kiera.”
“Uncle.” She then smiled at Augustus. “This is my uncle’s assistant Bryson Resho.”
Bryson also gave a curt nod, saying nothing.
Just when Kiera thought she couldn’t handle the awkward silence anymore, the doors opened. They walked inside. She, Hunter, and Augustus walked to the left, her uncle and his assistant to the right.
On a dais in front of them, the four Elders sat at a long wooden table.
A robed attendant announced the Elders. “Elders Marshall Ironwood, Kal Galloway, Arnaud Barrat, and Geon Vi’Ilrey will now hear the petition from Kiera Sorrel for custody of Keran and Nicol Sorrel.
Both children currently live with their paternal uncle. ”
Elder Ironwood looked at the paperwork in front of him. “We have the original petition before us. Does either party have anything to add to their argument?” he asked.
Augustus stepped forward. “Elder, since the original petition hearing, we have secured the bank accounts held in trust for Keran and Nicol. I am submitting paperwork from the bank showing Kerr and Islay Sorrel’s desire for their eldest daughter to act as Trustee for the children.
We believe this aligns with their wishes for Kiera to look after them as their guardian. ”
Arnaud picked up the papers. “Why was this not included in the first petition?”
“Elder, we only just found out about the trust. For some reason when the bank tried contacting Kiera, none of the messages got through.” Augustus said, not quite implicating her uncle.
The vampire elder’s eyes narrowed. “I see.”
The fae elder looked to Kiera with a softened expression. “When did you lose them?”
“Five years ago, sir.”
Geon’s eyes went to Ellar. “That is an awful long time for messages to continue to go awry,” he observed out loud.
“Can you elaborate when you say you have secured the accounts?” Marshall asked.
Augustus passed more paperwork forward. “There were multiple attempts made by Ellar Sorrel to access the accounts resulting in the accounts being locked until Kiera could meet with the bank directly and seize control. She has been named not only the Trustee, but also the Beneficiary to the accounts set up for Keran and Nicol.”
Ellar turned to them, his face dark. “You what?!” he demanded.
Kiera fought to keep her voice even. “It makes sense, uncle. If something were to happen to either one of the children, I would be able to move the funds over to the remaining sibling. The bank has all my current contact information now. Ms. Leclair has promised to work with me one on one to create a growth plan for them both.”
“Ellar can you explain why you tried to access the accounts meant for Kiera?” Kal asked.
Ellar raised a shaking hand to cover his mouth. “As I had custody, I needed access to those funds to ensure that both children were taken care of. Kiera was gone most of the time, so she didn’t see how much it cost to feed and clothe two children.”
Kiera gritted her teeth. “I was away, taking jobs to earn money for my brother and sister. I worked for five years trying to help alleviate the burden of care for them. Had I known about our accounts I could been home the entire time, possibly meeting my mate sooner,” she snapped.
Only because she was looking right at her uncle when she said that, did she catch the look of utter hatred he shot at Hunter.
Hunter simply moved to the other side of Kiera, so he stood between her and her uncle. Augustus wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
Elder Ironwood straightened the papers in front of him.
“In light of the ambiguity surrounding the history of the accounts and how they were structured by Kerr and Islay Sorrel showing the intent for Kiera to watch over her siblings, I find in favor of Kiera Sorrel for full custody of minors Keran Sorrel and Nicol Sorrel.” He looked down the table. “Any opposed?”
The other elders shook their heads.
Marshall passed the paperwork back to Augustus. “We’ll send a runner this afternoon to deliver the household registration for the kids showing Kiera as their new guardian.”
“Thank you, sir,” Augustus replied.
The attendant stepped forward. “All adjourned.”
Her uncle and his assistant walked away without saying a word.
“Why do I feel like it’s not over?” she whispered, as the door closed behind them.
“Think of it this way, if he tries anything with the kids, we can legally kill him now,” Hunter said, rubbing her back.
Behind them Marshall coughed into his hand and Augustus stared at Hunter flatly.
Hunter straightened. “Hypothetically and all.”
Marshall shook his head. “I feel like some of that was Meryn’s fault,” he observed dryly.
Geon chuckled. “Not our princess.”
Kal looked at Hunter and gave a slow wink.
Augustus placed one hand on her back and one on Hunter’s. “Time to go home,” he said, pushing them from the room.
*****
When they walked back into the kitchen, Meryn looked up from her laptop. “The Bad Uncle neutralized?”
Kiera gave her a thumbs up. “We couldn’t have done it without you. You finding those bank accounts probably tipped the odds in our favor.”
Augustus sat down looking tired. “More like, gave them a reason to side with you.” He glared at Hunter. “Next time we’re in council meeting room, please don’t allude to murder.”
Meryn turned to Hunter. “You too, huh?”
Hunter looked a bit contrite. “I was trying to make Kiera feel better by threatening her uncle.”
Aiden clapped Augustus on the back. “How much to act as a retainer?” he asked, shooting looks at Meryn.
Augustus just buried his face in the crook of his elbow.
“I’m actually not that bad, because I kill people before we have to face the Elders, so it’s always a non-issue,” Meryn refuted not realizing that made her sound worse.
Augustus simply hit his forehead against the table repeatedly.
“Augustus, sit up straight,” a female voice chided.
Augustus straightened, a pitiful expression on his face. “Aunt Myra, you have no idea what I have to do to keep everyone out of jail.”
“Kiera!”
Kiera turned as her brother and sister slammed into her, wrapping her up in a hug.
Myra went to Hunter. “I hear congratulations are in order.”
Johann walked in carrying a huge basket of vegetables. “How about grilled veggies for lunch?” he offered.
Genevieve’s eyes lit up. “Grilled, home grown vegetables!” She turned to her mate. “Caiden, set up the grills.” She paused. “You have grills, right?”
Caiden rolled his eyes. “You’ve seen how the guys eat, of course I have grills.”
He and Genevieve took the basket and went to the sink to start cleaning.
Pip looked to Nigel and Neil. “Have we had grilled veggies?”
Nigel thought it over. “I think we had some in éire Danu.” His eyes cut to Caiden and Genevieve. “But I think these might be better.”
Keran looked up. “Is it true? We don’t have to go back to fake uncle anymore?”
Kiera ran a hand over his hair. “It’s true. You officially have me and Hunter to bug you from now on.”
Nicol took her hand and kissed it, then ran to Hunter. “Dad!”
Hunter scooped her up. “Yes, my baby girl?”
Keran groaned. “She’s gonna get whatever she wants now.”
Kiera ruffled his hair. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
Myra pulled Keran back into her arms for a hug. “Like you’re not getting spoiled as well?”
Keran blushed. “I know,” he mumbled.
Nicol giggled. “It’s because Grandma knows little boys best.”
Myra winked at her. “Nicol helps me keep these boys in line, don’t you?”
Nicol nodded in an exaggerated fashion. “I help with Keran and Grandpa all the time.” She then tilted her head. “And Eoin, Rory, Connor and Augustus when they’re home.” She heaved a huge sigh. “So many boys.”
Genevieve turned from the sink. “What do you guys want as a snack before lunch?”
“Fries,” Meryn answered.