“To get your damages with the government since we left a trail showing you were the victims this whole time,” I said sweetly. “Not just you were innocent and they were pinning you with the crimes, but they were robbing and their inept officials turned a blind eye because of their own corruption. That part is true. I expect they will be gone too.”
“Councilwoman, this is—” Director Stevens cut in.
“I have diplomatic immunity, Phil, so stuff it,” I chuckled, giving him a wink to take the sting out of my words. “They screwed them over forgenerations. The loss of income and more is beyond millions. I’m getting them damages awarded by how we calculated the only way that’s viable in China. Supes can’t take things to court like we can.”
He muttered a thank-you when one of Kyle’s guys handed over a folder to him.
“Also, I don’t know the specifics—none of us do and we don’t want to, but I learned there’s someone you’ve been looking for a long time. We found Kristin Wright and…” I trailed off as the energy of the room changed and blinked at her. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to air dirty laundry or—”
“Where. Is. She?” the woman bit out.
“Oh fuck,” some whispered, and people turned to look at one of our demons bringing the woman.
Luckily, Dylan of all people figured out what was going to happen and separated them, the demon not fighting the bear. They landed together on the hard concrete floor before the super ancient leader made her move.
Which was for Kristin Wright to become liquid.
Likeliquid.
She was no more. Just splatter all over the place.
All overpeople.
I had a drop of something on my pants.
“I wouldn’t have killed your demon,” she told me firmly when I recovered from my shock and was about to react. She dipped her head to Dylan. “But I appreciate the quick thinking as…”
“This isn’t my fault,” I told Phil before anyone could blast me.
The woman snorted. “Arrest me.”
“I’m old enough to know the stories,” Phil mumbled. “She would have died anyways.” He met my gaze. “It’s a standing order to hand that woman over to any supe in China and never aid her unless you want death.”
“Why wasn’tthatin anything we fucking found?” Kyle demanded. “We have like fifteen more! Don’t fucking touch my people!”
“Don’t,” I warned the woman when anger filled her eyes. “We’re young, and even just moving that fast, he could have lost a limb or more when you did…” I glanced around. Did she move so fast that she obliterated her? Magic? “Whatever this was.” I looked over at Elijah and couldn’t hide my reaction.
“That’s why we never involved other ancients, Jasmine,” he growled. “That’s why you were only recently introduced to any, and only Rome because we had contacts. Your power cannot give you knowledge learned overcenturies.”
“Fifteen morewhat?” that wolf who first took a bracelet at the last meeting cut in loudly when people started talking. He caught enough from us when we didn’t say anything. “People we’ve been looking for or have scores to settle with?”
“That wasn’t all we did,” I defended when my ancients looked like they were going to throttle me. “I played some poker.” I nodded when Rita groaned. “And, well, there were afew things I interrupted.” I sighed when Kyle snorted. “Several. Like a lot. We had a lot of time and—”
“It’s been less than a week and I have been searching for that woman for a thousand years,” the woman demanded. “Centuries trying to get rid of those maggots who hurt mine and you have—how?”
“It’s what we do,” I told her honestly. “It’s how we’ve made so much progress and why you sensed from me that we’ll win and we’re the side to choose.” I decided to suck it up and deal with that wolf because he was a big deal.
Like could eat the whole wolf council easily if he wanted to.
“You have nothing to fear from me, young one,” he told me gently even as he was agitated. “I find your determination admirable. I will not act as rashly.” He cleared his throat when she was upset. “I have no one in my past as deserving as you did.”
“Yeah, I can’t imagine this isn’t worse,” I worried, shooting Elijah a look. “Okay, you need to stop saying I have the worst temper you’ve ever seen.”
The wolf was already gone though and I sighed. “So ancients can scent over magic. Awesome.” I let out a full scream when he was back in front of me and grabbed me.
Instantly, I was away from him and David was in front of me with all his angel goodness on display.
“I told you guys not to come,” I sighed even as I leaned against him. “He didn’t hurt me. It’s just because—”
