“What will happen to the House?” Sunshine asked.
Sarge leaned back and planted his hands on the carpeted floor. “I imagine the Wizard Council will scramble to try to find a new wizard family to bond with it and take it over. A House that isn’t tethered to a wizard family will eventually die, which would be a big blow to the wizarding community.”
I couldn’t say I’d be sorry for the wizards. The Wizard Council had made a pest of themselves when I’d investigated the Telliers in October for creating catastrophes and then ‘saving’ humans from them.
But the House…that’s a different story.
As a slayer, I didn’t understand exactly what the Houses shared with their wizards, but I knew Houses treasured their wizards just as much as wizards treasured them.
It’s impressive, in hindsight, that the House took a stand and kicked the Telliers out. Surely it must know that it could crumble as part of this.
“It’s just as well,” Sarge continued. “The Telliers will be going to Ghast Prison for their crimes of kidnapping and holding an oracle against her will, so things were going to get messy either way.”
I allowed myself a nod of satisfaction. The Telliers hadn’t been punished as harshly as they could have been considering they’d endangered humans, and that was something supernaturals generally came down extra hard on as we couldn’t risk frightening humans for our continued well-being.
But now—between losing their House and facing Ghast Prison—they were facing real consequences for their actions.
And hopefully the wizards will learn not to let things go this far in the future…
“How is Iris?” I asked.
We’d brought her to the Cloisters, and she’d stayed with us in the assembly hall, watching the visiting slayers with big eyes—until Elite Bellus came for her.
The Elite was Hazel’s boss, the top wizard in the Midwest, and he was the wizard representative on the Midwest Council of Magic. Kind and well groomed with a stately goatee and tidy silver hair, Elite Bellus had been reassuring enough that Iris allowed him to lead her off, accompanied by Hazel and a team of House Medeis wizards.
“She’s…adjusting.” Sarge stared up at the ceiling as he picked out his words. “It’s required that oracles register with the Curia Cloisters and the Cloisters protect them because of situations like this. But sometimes oracles find the subsequent protection…stifling.” Sarge lowered his silvery eyes and met my gaze. “To put it plainly, she’s not thrilled that she was found out. But when I last saw her, she again expressed her thanks to the two of you.She seems to think you both will be very important figures to Magiford’s safety in the future.”
“Does that mean we have good job security?” Considine joked.
“Yes,” Sarge said. “I’ve had a talk with your parents, Blood. They explained the price you’ll pay for calling a slayer stake. The Curia Cloisters will work with you to make sure you are free to leave whenever necessary, as mentioned earlier.”
“Thank you,” I said.
Sarge shook his head. “You’re the prized member of our task force. We are thankful for your work in the department.”
I struggled, trying to pick the words that would express just how grateful I was. “Thank you, Sarge,” I said, unable to say anything grander.
Sarge—a naiad of few words—nodded to me, before a twinge of a smile played on his lips, highlighting his fae looks. “However. This does not mean you are out of writing a paper.”
Too well trained to groan, I tipped my head back, resting it on Considine’s shoulder again.
“You can’t ignore me just by looking away,” Sarge scolded. “And the topic of your paper is changing.”
I abruptly sat up, almost smacking Considine in the jaw in the process. “Pardon?”
“After the fight with Gisila, and witnessing the actions of other slayers, I can understand why you operate the way you do.” Sarge hesitated. “Our original policy—to retreat even if others were in danger—was originally adopted because supernaturals didn’t get along well enough to expect the different races to serve as backup for one another. I’ve seen firsthand that is no longer the case. So…Captain Reese and I are requesting you report on slayer policies—with the understanding this is not a carte blanche to sacrifice yourself.” He emphatically stabbed his pointer finger at me multiple times.
Sunshine clapped, a smile breaking out on her face that made her as bright and beaming as her namesake. “Way to go, Jade! Saving oracles, kicking dragon shifter butt, and changing Cloisters protocols!”
I dimly registered her cheering as I once again slumped against Considine, too shocked to do anything else. “Yes, sir. I’m…I’m glad.”
Sarge eyed me. “Good. And don’t eventhinkabout starting your report until after your mandatory one-week vacation is over.”
“That won’t be a problem,” Considine said. “I have a great many plans for our vacation.” Considine playfully bit my ear.
“Yes,” I agreed. “We have to clear out one of your bedrooms for Orrin.”
“That’s not at all what I was referring to,” Considine said.
