Simon didn’t acknowledge the censure in the mage’s voice, and Gray was relieved. “What can I do for you, Master Thomas? We were in the middle of dinner.”
Several of the wolves grumbled their displeasure, and Master Thomas glared around at them before returning his attention to Simon. “The Conclave requires your presence for a special hearing on your circumstances.”
Simon paused for a moment, looked around at the pack and then back at the mages. He reached over, took Gray’s hand, and laced their fingers together. “I’d be happy to set up a time to speak with them.”
Gray nearly howled his pleasure. Simon belonged with them, and it appeared he was willing to make his stand.
“They want you now, Simon.”
Feeling Simon’s hesitation, Gray spoke up. “Like he said, we’re in the middle of dinner. We’d be happy to set up a meeting on neutral grounds to discuss matters.”
Thomas laughed, and the sound chilled Gray. Simon shivered beside him. “Oh, Alpha, I know you think you’re in charge here, but I hate to tell you that you aren’t. Simon can certainly choose to remain here, and if he does, he will force the Conclave to come get him.” His eyes turned to Simon. “Is that really what you want to happen?”
The threat was clear. Gray and the rest of the pack tensed, ready for whatever the mages planned to do next. Simon looked around at them all and shook his head. “No, that’s not what I want.” He slipped his hand from Gray’s and turned to him. “I won’t put the pack at risk.”
“Simon, you don’t have to do this. My earlier option is still on the table.” Gray didn’t want to fight, didn’t want some big battle on his hands, but he couldn’t let Simon just walk away.
“I know. And when I get back, I want to talk to you about that.”
Master Thomas smiled triumphantly. “Come along, Simon.”
Gray growled at him, and his smile fell as he stepped back. “Know this, mage, if you harm one hair on his head, the fury of this pack willbe on you. I have your scent now, and I can promise you I won’t forget it.” The rest of the pack growled and snarled their agreement.
SIMON didn’t speak on the ride to his meeting with the Conclave. He thought about Gray and Garon and focused on keeping his magic centered and his anxiety from raging out of control. Master Thomas and the other two mages with him didn’t speak either.
When they arrived, Simon looked around in horror. They were at the house where he’d found the cubs. “What are we doing here?”
“The Conclave wanted to verify your story. I gave them the facts as you gave them to me, and they discovered this place.” Master Thomas looked at him with disgust. “It’s no wonder you’re worried. I would be too, if I were you.”
“I didn’t do anything wrong.”
“That is not up to me to decide.” The other mages came around to Simon’s door and held it open. He stepped out, eyes still on Master Thomas inside the vehicle, and was surprised when his arms were grabbed and held behind his back. The mages snapped something around his wrists, and Simon’s magic quieted completely.
“What did you do?” He struggled but quickly realized his arms were trapped behind him.
“Until the tribunal is over, your magic has been nulled. For the protection of the Conclave, of course.”
“I am not a threat to them, Thomas. You know that. You know me.”
“I thought I did, but clearly I was mistaken.” He led the way into the house, with the other mages dragging Simon along behind him.
Inside, three other mages waited for them. Their faces were hidden beneath the hoods of long black cloaks. Simon was forced to his knees in front of them. One of them turned to Thomas and spoke, his voice cold. “We’ve been waiting.”
“My apologies. I found Simon with the wolves and had to retrieve him. I’m afraid his deception is worse than I originally reported.”
“What?” Simon looked back and forth between them. “I told you what happened, Master Thomas.”
“You lied, Simon, and the members of the Conclave have their proof.”
The Conclave members approached Simon and laid their hands on his head. He jerked when he felt their magic inside him and tried to pull away. Crying out in pain, he struggled, but they continued their hold.
After a few moments, they jerked their hands away as well. “He has body magic inside him, as well as lingering soul magic.” The members of the Conclave all nodded in agreement, sensing the same thing.
“I can explain,” Simon began.
“There is no explanation,” one of them replied.
Another added his thoughts to the mix. “You admit that you have this Other magic inside you?”
