“I wanted one of equal power and who had an understanding of the magic involved for the things Zane is accused of.”
“You’ll find most witches have an understanding of the magic involved, even those who can’t perform it themselves.” He cast a glance at Zane. “And Zane’s magic is stronger than mine.”
I frowned at that. “Zane is a level two according to his files, and as I understand it, so are you?” At least that was what Gabriel had told me. Maybe there was a nuance to the levels I wasn’t aware of.
Nick’s expression didn’t change, but I sensed irritation. With either me or Gabriel, I couldn’t decide who. “Zane’s nearer to a level one. It might not say in hisfile,but his coven could’ve told you that.”
Zane snorted.
“Zane’s coven has decided to stop cooperating with us,” Max offered, expression as guarded as Nick’s, and far from the easy-going shifter I’d spent the morning with.
Interesting.
“Why would they do that?” I asked, watching Zane closely. “If they knew nothing of what you were doing, surely they’d want to make that clear to the police and help in any way they could?”
Zane shrugged, and I noticed he was far more on guard with us here than he had been with just Nick. Not that I was surprised. I couldn’t speak for Max and Gabriel, but as far as Zane was concerned, I was the enemy.
“Did they know you were helping Tombs?” I asked, sitting forward.
“No.”
I believed him. In just the short time I’d spent in his presence, I got the feeling he wouldn’t have involved anyone else. Familial loyalty was something we fae valued, and I saw the same when I looked at Zane. There was no way his coven knew what he’d been doing with Tombs. I doubted anyone did except Zane.
He went up another notch in my estimations.
“My coven had nothing to do with any of it.” Zane fiddled with his cuffs, fidgeting in his seat. “Just me.”
“Do you know why they’re refusing to speak to us?” Max asked, crossing his arms and sitting back in his seat. Whereas Gabriel seemed almost relaxed, there was a tenseness to Max’s shoulders. Nothing in the files had said he and Zane were close, but I got the feeling they’d been friends, at least.
Betrayal ran deep with this investigation. I needed to tread carefully.
Zane sighed. “I haven’t asked them to do that, if that’s what you’re implying. I haven’t spoken to my coven since you arrested me.”
“Is that normal?” I asked him. Coven etiquette wasn’t something I was overly familiar with. I assumed they were as good as family to each other, like pack was to shifters. If a member of my family was in Zane’s position, I couldn’t fathom abandoning them like that.
“I told them not to contact me,” he mumbled, looking down at his hands. “I don’t want to drag them into this. It’s my mess, not theirs.”
“How noble of you.” Max’s voice lacked emotion, but he exuded a coldness that filled the room. “If only you afforded the same courtesy to Axel and Talis instead of offering them up to Tombs on a plate.”
My gaze snapped to Max. “That wasn’t in the files? You said they were taken outside Midnight, and then Tombs sent a video to Zane to play for the others.”
“It’s not in the reports because we can’t prove it.” He leant forward, thick forearms resting on the table. “But you knew what was going to happen, didn’t you?”
Magic rippled under my skin.
One thought and my daggers would be in my hand. I could slit Zane’s throat before anyone realised what was happening.
Maybe Gabriel was more connected to his fae side than I realised, because his hand shot out and grabbed my arm, fingers tight. He met my gaze and gave a slight shake of his head.
Closing my eyes, I pictured Axel upstairs in the meeting room where we’d left him. Happily munching on baked goods and playing on his phone.
Safe and well.
I might have appreciated Zane’s loyalty to his family and his coven, but Axel wasmyfamily and, investigation or not, I’d kill anyone who threatened him.
Nick’s leg knocked against mine under the table. “You okay?” he whispered, but I was pretty sure everyone in the room heard him. He laid a hand on my thigh; the touch had an instant effect, settling me in a way Gabriel’s hadn’t managed.
I snapped my eyes open and turned to look at him, startled by my reactions as much as him touching me.
