Squeezing his hand gently, Mystia smiled at him. “No apology needed. I was less than candid with you and your anger was well justified. I’m very sorry for any pain my decision caused you.”
“Thank you,” said Brady. “Gods speed and please be safe.”
Nodding, Mystia joined Oracle and, with a wave of her hand, they disappeared along with Gerard.
Carson stared at the now empty spot, his mind processing Remy’s announcement about them moving to the Blackwood Pack. It caught him off-guard which, in the past, wasn’t something he dealt well with and he waited for the familiar feeling of panic to consume him. But it wasn’t there. In fact, for the first time since his family was massacred, he felt in control again and damned if that didn’t feel good. He would always miss his younger siblings but now, they lived forever in his memories and in his heart.
Going home to join his brothers, their mates, his nephews and nieces, his mother, and the ever-growing pack seemed like the best idea ever. His need to leave there was gone and, in its place, there was a deep longing to be part of the fabric of daily life at home. And he knew in his heart there wasn’t any safer place on earth nor one filled with more love that he and his mate could find to raise Galen, Eamon and Rune.
“Babe?” Remy said softly.
His mate’s voice stirred him from his thoughts. Glancing over at Remy, Carson smiled before asking, “Are you ready to sentence them?”
Returning his mate’s smile, Remy said, “I am.”
Brady held up his hand. “Before you do that, does anyone have any questions for them?”
“Like what?” asked Cody. “We saved the low-level magic users and their records…the bomb has been taken care of…the guards will wake up eventually…what else is there?”
“Well, for one, who else supported Zohar’s plan of targeting the low-level magic users,” Brady offered. “And there’s the bomb…did Zohar act alone or were there others involved.”
“Do you know something that I don’t?” asked Remy, frowning slightly.
“No…no, not at all,” Brady quickly assured him. “It’s just that…doesn’t it seem strange that Zohar was going to kill his accomplices without having a plan in place to make sure there’d be enough support for him to not only remain as head of the Witches’ Council, but to also assume the position of Ruler of the Mystic Realm?”
“You think there are more magic users involved?” Remy asked.
“I didn’t say…” Brady started.
“He has a good point,” Dylon interrupted. “We’ve been focusing on Zohar and his four henchmen, but if we’re correct about Zohar’s plan to kill them along with Remy and Carson and the guards, then who would be left to support his goal to become the new Ruler?”
“Doesn’t Zohar have the power to do it unilaterally as head of the Witches’ Council?” asked Cody.
“I don’t think so,” Brady replied. “While most of the other members would probably continue to support him as head of the Witches’ Council, asking them to go along with him becoming the next Ruler might be a bridge too far.”
“Unless he already has replacements,” Dylon said.
“Oh, fuck,” Carson muttered.
“No shit, brother,” Cody said. “Any ideas on how to find out who Zohar’s new bitches are?”
Brady thought for a moment before saying, “If indeed this is Zohar’s goal, he will need the court to rule in favor of him if there are any challenges to him being declared the new Ruler.”
“Would he needallthe judges to rule in his favor?” asked Dylon.
“Depends on how high the challengers wish to pursue their case,” Brady replied. “But in the end, I don’t think it matters. From my past experiences here, all the judges consistently rule for Zohar.”
Remy thought for a moment before saying, “Brady, would you please draft an order for me, informing the Mystic Realm, that on this date I have relieved all the current judges of their positions?”
“Of course, but may I recommend first sending out a proclamation to all magic users announcing you as the Great Warlock, Keeper of All Magic, Ruler of the Mystic Realm. Zohar should have done this when he received Oracle’s notice, but since he didn’t, I feel it best to do it now.”
“Good point,” Remy said. “Is there anything else I should do before I issue my order regarding the judges?”
“Yes, I also recommend sending out announcements to all governing bodies in the paranormal world that you are now the Ruler of the Mystic Realm,” Brady replied. “It’s important for each to know the Mystic Realm is protected—to forestall any hostile actions they may be considering.”
“Is that a possibility?” asked Dylon.
“I’m erring on the side of caution,” Brady replied. “Until all the demons are dealt with and Mystia delivers the magic users guilty of using black magic to the Ruler for punishment, there exists the possibility of it.”
