“They arrived a few seconds before you did,” Nathan said, casting an irritated glance at the group. “They’ve been most rude.”
“I see.” Thomas came to a stop in front of the council, sweeping a gaze over them. “The council must be less busy than I thought to have taken such an interest in the internal strife of a territory as unimportant as this one. Going so far as to grace us with their presence, even.”
Vitus’s expression didn’t shift at the mocking sneer in Thomas’s words, his gaze briefly landing on Liam and the other enforcers before roaming the room to find Connor and me. Satisfaction showed on face before he arranged his features in faux sympathetic lines.
Belatedly, I realized that if Vitus’s goal was to wipe out Ahrun’s entire line along with anyone who held a tie to us, we’d made things very easy for him by placing all of his targets in one location. Easy pickings for an attack.
Thomas’s gaze moved to Jabari. “I expected better from you.”
Jabari’s gaze was impassive as he watched Thomas, giving nothing away.
Vitus prowled forward in a predatory movement. “It is the council’s duty to bring criminals to justice. Even if those criminals are a Master of the City, and a former trusted enforcer of ours.”
Liam didn’t react as Vitus’s pointed gaze landed on him. A tiny smile played on Liam’s lips as if he was watching a fool.
“It’s funny you mention criminals,” Thomas drawled. “Perhaps you want to explain why your yearling conspired with hunters to destabilize my city in an effort to challenge me.”
Vitus’s features tightened at the accusation. He held himself very still, fury burning in his eyes as he glared at Thomas. “You must be very careful when accusing a representative of the council of a crime.”
“We have proof,” Thomas hissed, anger momentarily getting the best of him.
Vitus shifted forward, his muscles bunching as he hovered on the cusp of attack. Our side went on alert, Liam and the enforcers closing ranks to protect Thomas.
“What proof?” Jabari asked into the silence.
I glanced at his calm expression, reading something there that I hadn’t before. It seemed Thomas wasn’t without allies on the council. With that question, Jabari had offered Thomas a way out and showed that their silence had its limits.
Thomas recovered his equilibrium. “Aileen.”
I started, suddenly finding myself the center of attention. The worst place to be for someone with as many secrets as I did.
“Lay out everything you’ve found,” Thomas ordered.
I stared at him like he was crazy. What the hell was he thinking?
Reluctantly, I looked at the council. “Last night a vampire and a hunter were killed after placing a bomb under my car.”
“Why is a yearling speaking in front of the council?” Vitus asked with a curl of his lip as he waved at one of the enforcers to shut me up.
I braced as the enforcer started forward, palming my silver knife in case I had to defend myself.
It wasn’t necessary, as Connor put an arm in front of me, holding the enforcer’s gaze as he made it clear that the vampire would have to go through him to get to me.
“Let her speak.” Sophia’s clear, youthful voice rang in the air. “I want to hear what she has to say.”
The enforcer nodded, stepping back to rejoin his companions.
Connor didn’t relax, maintaining his stance as he watched the other side with a vigilant expression.
I cleared my throat. “Witnesses said the two were working together.”
Vitus scoffed. “Why are we listening to this? The bomb didn’t go off. I don’t see how it’s relevant to Thomas’s crime of murdering a representative of this council.”
“It’s important because the vampire in question belonged to Dominick,” Joseph announced, entering the room. He looked at Thomas. “I finished my examination earlier tonight but didn’t have the chance to inform you before the challenge. And all the rest of what happened.”
Thomas nodded, dismissing the apology.
Vitus’s expression had darkened at Joseph’s arrival. He glared at the healer like the vampire had murdered his wife. “You chose the wrong side, old friend.”
