Morgan continued when the room remained silent.“She betrayed the core values of Calderre, not just the Lightning Teams.We’re a sanctuary realm.She threatened not only that, but also the refugee program and our military operations.It’s treason.”
“She deserves to die,” Cass argued.“Treason is a hard case to win.”
Thalia broke her silence finally, rage seething beneath her words.“The crown never authorizes death for criminals.The military does.If she’s tried for treason with the crown, she won’t suffer in punishment.I want her blood.Or at least her suffering.Very, very deep suffering.”
“You’re right,” Ryan agreed.“But there’s no way around it.We don’t have the evidence for the viper attack.There’s no way to prove it.”
“Jax died for these children.All of them,” Connor said, looking at Thalia.“Not just for Veda and Opal.Not just so that we could live and return home.It’s not the justice we planned, but it is justice.”
“You’re both right,” Morgan said.“Luckily there is another option—a trial by the Va’shana Council.”
The idea startled Connor.In all their debate and his never-ending thoughts on the matter, he’d never come up with that as a potential option.
The Va’shana Council was Calderre’s secret jury.Members were elected in secret and called on to judge extreme situations.Usually those when neither the crown nor the military could be trusted to be unbiased.Or when there was potential for severe repercussions for the jurors.The Va’shana met in secret, shielded by magic, to make their judgments.Operated from the shadows to keep their identities safe.
“The Va’shana can’t call for a death sentence though, can they?”Thalia asked.
“Yes, they can.”Ryan looked blown away, but the slight wrinkle between his brows showed how hard his mind was working.“It’s a protection, should the leaders of the realm turn against its values.Or for extremely volatile situations.”
Morgan smiled menacingly, a sharp glint in his eye.“I think this qualifies.”
“How do we secure their involvement?”Ryan asked, his tone filling with intrigue.“Not just anyone can call them.I’ve never heard of it being done.The process is totally secret.”
“I can do it,” Cass said.“There is a Wolflumen representative on the council.I can make the request to the clan and whoever it is can initiate the process anonymously.”
“It works that way in the military, too,” Morgan said.
“You’re not high enough ranked to submit a request,” Cass told him.
Morgan’s eyes narrowed in a glare.“No, I’m not.But I have people I trust who can call the council.”
“Cass.I want you to do it.You call the Va’shana Council,” Connor said, ending the argument he felt brewing between the two fierce warriors.“A lot of lives will be affected by our choices in this investigation.Saving them is a legacy Jax deserves.That has to come before vengeance.Hopefully, we’ll get both.But I think she would make the same choice.So would Drew.”
It was the best they could hope for under the circumstances and would be the best for the safety of the refugee program.
“Tals, are you okay with this?”Ryan asked.
Thalia made a stop gesture and then stood abruptly, walking away from the table to pace.
Connor exchanged a look with Ryan, unsure whether to let her fume or offer her support.Would he be okay in her position?Especially if someone else had made the call?
Daya’s warm brown eyes and rare smile lit in his mind.No.He definitely wouldn’t be okay.
“Tals,” Connor called softly after giving her a few moments to pace.“We need you in this.”
“I want her blood.”Thalia’s hiss bounced off the walls and echoed painfully through the shadowed room.
Connor rubbed a hand over his mouth to stop any falsely placating words.Knowing they were making the right call didn’t make it less painful for her.
“You deserve it,” Cass said quietly.“She murdered someone you love.There’s no redemption for that.She deserves to die on your blade.”
Thalia stopped and met Cass’s stare across the room.“There’s no way to get it.”
Cass shook her head.“Not if you want to stop the atrocities she’s supporting.”
“That’s a zevving awful choice,” Thalia whispered.
Silence weighted heavily with grief swirled around them.They all held their positions, still and silent.
