MAX
The first coupleof sheets in the folder listed Zane’s convictions. I read them aloud, aware of Mase flinching next to me when I got to the part about Zane aiding Caleb Tombs in the kidnapping of Rys and Axel.
Moving swiftly on, I read to the end and looked up. To his credit, the guilt and regret coming off Zane was heavy. I knew he was sorry for what he’d done. Obviously not sorry for keeping his family safe, but for the pain he’d caused in doing so. Honestly? I wasn’t sure what I’d have done in his position. I liked to think I’d have asked for help, but then… I glanced at Jake.
His eyes met mine, and I felt that tug deep in my belly. The quick flash of a smile I knew was only for me made it ten times worse.
I hadn’t asked for help with the situation we were currently in. Not at the start, anyway. And not that it was in any way the same as Zane’s, but people were going to end up hurt because of it. Not physically. But emotionally and mentally, at least four people were going to suffer if we did nothing.
Focusing on the next sheet in the file, I pushed everything else to the back of my mind. Now really wasn’t the time. “In light of your cooperation with the police and the information you provided that resulted in the successful infiltration of Yates’s hunter compound and the Blue Alhuirn refinery, your sentence has been reduced accordingly.” I read out the terms of Zane’s release, all of which he knew already.
“Any questions?” I closed the file and sat back, waiting.
Zane drew his bottom lip between his teeth, his fingers fiddling with the edge of his handcuffs again before setting his palms on the table and looking me in the eye. “I’d like to meet with Axel and Rys. To apologise in person for what I put them through.”
Fuck me, that was about the last thing I’d expected him to say.
But maybe I shouldn’t have been so surprised. Zane had been my friend before all this. I’d liked him a lot, and underneath all the anger I felt on Rys and Axel’s behalf, maybe I still did. That didn’t mean I was going to grant his request, though.
I pressed my thigh against Mase’s, where it had started to vibrate under the table. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“I know there’s only a slim chance that either of them will want to see me, but this isn’t exactly a big town. Odds are we’ll run into each other at one point and, if possible, I’d like to talk to them alone before that happens.” His gaze switched to Mase. “I’m sorry,” he said, and I wondered if Mase’s fae magic was working. If he could feel Zane’s emotions, if he knew the sincerity and regret in Zane’s voice was the real thing. “I wasn’t thinking about anything else other than keeping my family safe. In doing that, I know I caused you immeasurable pain, and I’m so fucking sorry for what you went through.”
Silence settled in the room, thick and heavy to the point it was almost stifling. Mase stilled, his leg no longer bouncing against mine, and I had no idea if he was about to accept Zane’s apology or launch himself across the table. His scent was all over the place, so it could go either way.
After what seemed like an age, Mase released the heaviest sigh I think I’d ever heard from him and he sagged in his chair. “I want to hate you. I did for a while. You’re not my favourite person, and I’m not sure if that will ever change, but if Rys can rationalise what you did and not hold a grudge, then it seems wrong for me not to do the same.” He hesitated, as though it still pained him to say what he was about to say. “Apology accepted. But,” he added, “I don’t trust you Zane, and I’m not sure I can forgive you for what you did.”
Zane nodded. “Of course.”
Mase’s fingers tapped on the edge of the table, knee back to bouncing underneath it, although not as vigorously. “I have a question of my own.”
“Go ahead.” Zane shrugged. “Can’t guarantee I’ll answer though.”
“Fair enough.” Mase sat upright. “Will you be returning to Midnight? To take over from Nick?”
“Ahh.” Understanding dawned in Zane’s gaze, followed quickly by a look so fond, it took me by surprise. “Nick.” His smile was bittersweet when it came. “No, I won’t be returning to Midnight. Not in that capacity anyway. I don’t think my return would benefit anyone. Besides.” His voice softened. “Nick has flourished these past few months. I’d never take that away from him.”
Another silence threatened to take hold, and I’d had more than enough of the awkwardness. “I can ask Rys and Axel if they’d be willing to meet with you after you’ve met with the witches’ council.”
Zane flinched, understandably. I doubted he was looking forward to that. “Can’t we do it now? I doubt I’ll be in the best frame of mind for a while after…that.”
I gave a pointed look at Zane’s cuffed hands. “Protocol dictates that you are to go directly from the police station to your coven leader in a warded van. You’re not allowed out in public until your magic has been bound.”
He flinched again, but it was his own fault for making me spell it out. No pun intended. Zane was well aware of the restrictions placed upon him.
“Can you ask them to come here?” His gaze flicked between me and Mase. “Please.”
Goddess, I felt the pain, the anguish in that one word, and Mase must have too, because he gripped my wrist and nodded to the door behind us. “Give us a minute,” I said, standing up, Mase following suit.
As soon as the door closed, cutting us off from the interview room, Mase shook himself and rolled his shoulders. “Of all the fucking times for my magic to kick in,” he grunted. “I didn’t want to feel anything towards him, and then, bam!” He tapped his sternum. “Fuck, I felt every ounce of sorrow and regret, and Ihateit.”
I snorted. “Now you know how I feel sometimes.”
Mase sighed. “It’s overwhelming. And inconvenient.”
“It can be,” I conceded. “It’ll get easier as you learn to control it.”
“I hope so.” He stared down at his feet for a moment, hands shoved in his pockets. “Sooo… about Zane’s request.”
