“You should contact your Pack Alpha immediately, my boy,” he says softly. “And your lawyer. This is deadly serious.”
Jay
Rewind
In most cities, magical law enforcement is centered on the Guarda. Like all such institutions, it is hidden from the human public, folded neatly into the world they’re meant not to see.
Jay has driven down this street more times than he can count. He’d idled at these lights, cursed the traffic, glanced at the courthouse steps without ever really seeing what stood just beyond them. Nashville’s Guarda sits near city hall, and despite its centuries-long history, it looks as modern as any building around it.
Today, Jay notices it because he has an appointment inside.
When Jay and Leo park the Lexus, Jay spots Antonio Costas and his new partner, Blair Shepard, standing outside on the sidewalk, deep in conversation. Neither lawyer looks stressed, and it could be that their excellent “courtroom faces” are already in play, or there really is nothing to be worried about. Somehow, he thinks it’s the former rather than the latter.
“Jay, Leo. You remember Blair Shepard?” Antonio greets them, landing an affectionate pat on both their shoulders. Antonio’s ability to treasure his family, no matter the situation, has always been something Jay has admired and continues to try to emulate with his own family.
“Ms. Shepard. Thank you for being here today,” Jay offers her his hand.
“My pleasure, Mr. Rhodes.” Blair Shepard is tall and broad-shouldered, built like someone who learned early how to hold her ground. Her hair is pulled back in a high ponytail, practical and severe, but her smile is sunny and welcoming.
She is human, a skilled magic-user snapped up by Antonio’s law firm the moment they realized Rosie was magical, and she wears her formidable court experience as easily as she does her power. What makes her invaluable, though, is not just her knowledge of magical law, but that she belongs to a Were pack. Blair lives in the narrow space where the two cultures overlap, and she knows exactly how to navigate it.
“How are our friends?” Leo asks.
Antonio buttons his suit coat, neat and unhurried. “Quite well. The Guarda is following every law to the letter.”
Jay exhales, tension easing just enough to matter. Whatever else this day brings, Ignatius, Nimue, and Elysia are not being treated like criminals.
“We should head in,” Antonio continues. “The inquiry will begin in a few minutes. They allowed one consultation when we arrived, but there will be no more before the hearing.”
“What do you mean? You’re their counsel. They have rights.” Jay doesn’t like the idea that he won’t have eyes on the trio before they’re standing in front of a judge.
Blair shakes her head. “Magical rights are a little different. They haven’t been charged with anything yet. So, as far as the Guarda maintains, they’re being held for their protection.”
“Protection against what? Who?” Leo asks. They’re mounting the steps to the front doors, and Blair stops them before Leo can get the door.
“Wait. Anything we say within these walls may be overheard and used as part of an inquiry, so let’s keep questions or sidebars until after we leave.” She points to a sign posted discreetly on the door.
“Do we know how this happened?” Jay suspects they’re in this mess because of the pack, but he wants to hear that Dahlia Kirwan’s contact reported their entry.
“They’re adhering to every statute, but they’re not forthcoming about how they heard about your friends.”
“Dad, how much trouble are we in?”
“That’s going to depend on who oversees the preliminary hearing today. Blair?”
“We can document our numerous requests to have your visitors here, which is certainly in our favor, but I believe we will have to play our full hand here.”
“Are you prepared to do that, Jay? It’s a huge responsibility.” Antonio’s question is moot because the deed is already done, but Jay doesn’t hesitate.
The pack has discussed it already, circling the idea until it felt less like a risk and more like an opportunity. He knows what this choice will bring with it: the reshaping of their pack, the way their lives will widen to make room. But they’re his people. That’s the simple truth of it. If this is what keeps them safe and together, then he welcomes the change with open arms. He only wishes he’d thought of it first.
“I am,” Jay says. “And Ignatius, Elysia, and Nimue?”
Blair’s smile is small but genuine. “They know it’s likely that it’ll be the court’s business rather than just ours. Ignatius is rather…”
“Enthusiastic?” Leo offers with an indulgent smile.
“Exactly that,” Blair agrees. “They understand what it means.”
