“I’ve been awake for less than seventy-two hours after being beaten and knocked unconscious. It seems like you’ve put more thought into how to use my power than I have, Councilor.” His cheeks flush.
Oh he big mad. Oops.
“Councilor,” Brandt interrupts before Soren can continue. “Ms. Byrke has asked me to act as her Guardian Ad Litem until such time that she has the knowledge and power to advocate for herself.” I have? “If there comes a time that the Council requires her assistance between now and then, I will happily assist her in reviewing the request. However, I must remind the Council that not only do we not yet understand the full extent of her powers, but that Ms. Byrke has only just begun her education. If the Council has exhausted all other options to address a problem, then I fear there are greater issues at hand.”
Soren’s face is frozen in this weird grimace. Behind him, Thane’s lips are parted in surprise. Roth and Killian are whispering behind their father’s chairs. Amadeus is smirking,Corvus hasn’t moved, and Armand’s eyebrow is quirked. Vivica, though, she looks proud. Not of me. Of herself.
Nope. Really don’t like that.
“Councilor, your time has ended. Councilman Hastings, you have ten minutes.”
Preston thanks Renard and turns to me, his leering grin replaced with a perfectly practiced one that I’m sure puts everyone at east. Except, of course, anyone who bothers to pay attention.
“Ms. Byrke. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, though obviously I would have wished for better circumstances. I was quite impressed to hear that you’d petitioned the Board of Trustees for advanced placement—how are your classes going so far this term?”
I soften my smile, just a bit. Just enough to make him think I’m buying his little song and dance. “I’m really enjoying the challenge.”
“Did I read correctly that you’ve maintained a grade point average that places you in the top three percent of the entire student population of Dreadhurst? That’s quite an achievement, particularly for someone who was raised outside of our community.”
My eyes flick to Marcus, because in my heart of hearts, I really am a petty bitch. “Thank you, Councilor.”
“Powerful, smart, beautiful—truly, our community can only benefit from your inclusion.”
Killian crosses his arms as his father ramps up, but I play along with his game. “That is very kind of you to say.”
“You’ve more than earned it, if Fate saw to bless you so. Did you receive any other blessings from your epiphaneia?”
Okay Preston, I see you. “Blessings?”
He chuckles. “Perhaps you haven’t studied this yet. I was fortunate enough to be blessed by Fate, who saw fit to give mea soulmate, my wife.” As Preston waxes poetic about his wife, Killian’s lip curls up in a sneer.
I smile warmly. “Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Ms. Bryke. When my epiphaneia revealed her existence, I was astonished at my luck. Did your epiphaneia reveal any soulmate marks?”
Nope. Still not ready to think about those. “What does a soulmate mark look like?”
“They typically begin as white lines that darken once the soulmate bond is sealed between the two marked individuals. I ask because for some individuals with powers that are particularly hard to control, sealing the soulmate bond can stabilize their otherwise volatile magic. If you were to have a soulmate mark, the Council would have a vested interest in helping you unite with him to better control your power.”
“I can’t say I’ve noticed one of those.” Which isn’ttechnicallya lie. Because there arefiveof the fucking things.
“That’s a shame, though I’m sure the boys at Dreadhurst won’t be disappointed,” he chuckles and gestures to Renard. Behind him, Killian relaxes infinitesimally.
“Thank you, Councilor.” Renard nods, and turns his soulless, mossy-green eyes on me. “Ms. Byrke—to Grandmaster Brandt’s point earlier, are you willing to cooperate with the Council to determine the extent of your powers?”
Okay cool, going right for it. Gotta admire that. Sometimes. “Isn’t that what I’m already doing as a student at Dreadhurst?” Both Roth and Renard narrow their eyes at the same time. If I wasn’t literally playing with fire, I might even laugh.
“Given the rarity of Bloodwitches, it is vital that we understand how your powers can be used for the benefit of our community at large?—”
“Councilor,” Brandt interrupts. “I must insist the Council refrain from acting as if Ms. Byrke is an asset merely due tothe nature of her powers. This line of questioning is beyond inappropriate given the circumstances.”
Renard smirks. “I disagree, Grandmaster. It is precisely these circumstances that warrant this line of questioning. Ms. Byrke here is the first Bloodwitch in two thousand years. When she dies, it very well may be another two thousand years before magic like hers is seen again. We have a responsibility to our community to document exactly what she’s capable of and make use of her power while we can.”
“Why do you assume I want to use my powers to benefit anyone else?”
Renard turns his glare on me. “Excuse me?”
“You’re talking about my powers as if you have any say in how I use them. You don’t.” I get the feeling Renard doesn’t hear the word “no” very often, if the silence in the room is any indication. “I can’t stop you fromaskingme to use them, but you can’t stop me from declining.” A vein starts to pulse in his forehead, but I’m more unnerved by the slight twitch of Roth’s lips behind him.
