I was on him before I even realized what I was doing. People were too shocked that I’d have the balls to do it in front of every council member that they didn’t react right away. I got in three good shots before guards came for me.
And somehow I was able to use magic to block them without even having to focus. It was as easy as breathing, especially since Quinn was there right on Bevin’s shoulder protectively.
It was Link Oliveria and his uncle who broke through. Link grabbed my arms and held them behind me while the councilman moved in front of me.
“I understand, Son, but you’re not doing our side any good this way,” he said as he made sure to block my view from Conrad. “And when the argument is that the power and more is being managed by people too young.”
Bevin snorted. “He’s a few years older than Tracey. It’s hispenisthat people care about, not his age and his tie to a council member. Enough lying!”
“Agreed.” I smiled evilly at Conrad when he pushed to his feet. “And what I did was legal. I’m her named priest and you tried to take the position from me—forcibly. What is the punishment for that?” I focused on his father. “What is it, Councilman?”
Link realized there was more going on than he knew and let me go, mumbling no more violence because he wasn’t my enemy, but he made an oath to keep people safe at the council. Fair enough.
But if I ever saw Conrad Hanson alone, he’d be dead.
4
“Why is he free and not restrained?” I demanded, glancing around and meeting Councilman Reid’s gaze. “Why is he just standing here like he has avotein any of this? There should be charges filed and—”
“You weren’t here to file the charges and we were informed this was all a teenage, hysterical blowup,” he told me, his voice tired. “And how you handled things with the media made it clear that it was why you needed a trusted priest named to handle what you couldn’t be trusted with.”
Conrad was bound on his knees and gagged in my next breath, my magic so much easier to call now that I was aligned with Wyatt. I met Councilman Hanson’s gaze and didn’t hide my rage. “You promised me that you saw that he was disgusting and like the criminals you put away. You promised you would handle this, but you didn’t. Now you want to leash me?
“Well, that’s not happening. Not ever. I’d rather drink bleach than let someoneyou picklead me around by the nose, especially someone as vile as that filth over there.” I glanced at Taylor. “I thought there was a witness? Why is this up for debate and some sort of he said, she said? We have confession magic and—”
“You know why so time to throw down,” he bit out, shooting a death look at those standing with the Hansons. “I asked you togive your all for this war, but I never thought it would start inside the council, but that’s where we are.”
“So be it,” I hissed, completely disgusted. I glanced at every councilman in turn. “Pick a side. Right now, and I’ll know if you’re lying.”
“I agree we can’t just force you to mate who we want, but you cannot order us around either, Ms. Millen,” one snapped.
“No, I can’t, but here is the line in the sand. Pick a side of this—everyone and on the record, doing it honestly, or I’m out. Familiar Treasures is out and wepublicly stateConrad Hanson forcing an eighteen-year-old to date him and demanding sexual favors is the reason.”
I didn’t even see Winter, Sergey, Kelton, and even Nigel there until they tried to get at Conrad.
Whoops?
“Enough!” Councilman Snyder of all people shouted. He was right in the middle of where people stood on the council. He wasn’t like Hanson, but he wasn’t all in like the Reids either.
And he mostly kept his mouth shut and stayed out of things, treating being on the council like a job… Which it wasn’t and he was kidding himself. He was the oldest of the council members and the closest to retiring—probably wanted to, but that left trouble since the top-tier families wanted one of theirs on the council.
“No, I will speak now,” he snapped when someone told him to hold on. He moved towards me and let out a heavy breath. “I’m not a fan of you dividing us when we need to work together, Ms. Millen. I think you know my position fairly well.”
“Yes, but the problem is staying silent is troublesome as Hanson and Perry think you agree with them,” I told him firmly, glad when he physically recoiled at the idea.
“This could have been handled better,” he stated, his tone still bitter.
“Yesterday, I would have said that as well,” I countered. “Buttoday, I was informed there have been sealedhearingsabout me being a goddess witch and more. Recorded hearings that Conrad and others probably have access to. So the writing is now on the wall, Councilman. I won’t die for greed. I might die in this war, but I won’t take friendly fire.”
He studied me for several tense moments. “Nor should you.” He let out a long breath. “Yes, we had two—I’m not sure I would call them hearings, but notes were taken just like anytime we convene. The fact Conrad knows about this infuriates me, and if he truly saw anything, then I’m with Oliveria and it’s time for changes.”
I nodded, not giving my ace away yet. “Now you understand why we’re where we’re at. Please make your position clear to the others.”
“You will hold it against me,” he said, not thrilled about it.
“No, I won’t.” I shrugged when he raised an eyebrow. “I don’t findfaultwith your logic. I think your reservations are rather fair, and most importantly, you’re open to changing your opinion with new evidence. You’re also honest that you’re sexist. I put you in the camp of being on my side.”
“I’ll take you at your word then, Ms. Millen.” He turned to stand next to me and faced the others. “I have reservations with entrusting the brewing war to an eighteen-year-old. Yes, girl, but I would a boy as well. She was a Shaw—there is alist, and too many are losing their damn heads that she is the answer. She is not.
