Page 179 of Huntress

“The more serious charges are aiding and abetting the escape of a deserter sentenced to death, aiding and abetting the escape of a demon, desertion, fraternization with a demon, and demon sympathizing,” Trenton finished. He’d stuck to the facts, but the anger in his voice and movements felt like being repeatedly struck by a battering ram.

The silence that fell when he finished was so electrically charged that a single spark would cause an explosion. Perrie opened her mouth to speak, then shut it again, the shock and hurt on her face reflecting the emotions of several comrades. Steve stared at Elsie in horror, but Trisse, Banks and Marley stewed in their personal outrage.

“I did not invite Albright to give his witness testimony for obvious reasons. We need to conduct an internal review and come to a decision on our plan of action before choosing whether to involve people from outside our squad,” Trenton said.

Elsie’s heart thundered in her ears. He’d just given them an out, if they chose to take it. If their loyalties to her were still strong enough, they would judge her themselves. It was within a squad’s right, since their chosen punishment could sometimes be even more severe than what a court-martial would hand out. But in many cases, an internal review ended quietly for all involved.

“Morgan, please tell them what you witnessed on your latest mission.” Trenton took his seat.

Morgan stood, throwing an apologetic look in Perrie’s direction before choosing a spot on the tiled floor to stare at as he spoke. He told them everything, from Elsie allowing Riven to join a classified mission to the moment she’d let Angela go.

“I’ve been in denial these past couple of years, willing to overlook the peculiarities of her behavior since Mutt’s arrival.” He looked Elsie in the eye. “I stood up for you, even when you weren’t around. I trusted you.”

His gaze fell on Saint, and any softness on his face evaporated. “When I insisted we fulfill our duty and complete our mission, the captain restrained me in order to prevent me from carrying out our target’s sentence. We’re all aware that she’s physically stronger than the rest of us, and she used that to her advantage.”

Morgan’s jaw worked, and he steepled his hands. “Our captain finally crossed the line. I was adamant with the rest of you that she wouldn’t, but she did. Elsie used Mutt against me.”

“What do you mean?” Marley demanded, her head whipping to the demon so fast it was a miracle she hadn’t given herself whiplash.

“Mutt pinned me to the ground and held me there for half an hour, giving the woman and the demon time to escape. During that time, the captain fabricated the woman’s burial.”

Morgan had just thrown a spark into a room thick with toxic tension. Tempers exploded.

“You let that demon put his hands on Morgan?!” Marley bellowed.

Each person shouted over everyone else, demanding the opportunity to be heard. Elsie stared at her hands, letting their anger slam against her, accepting their rage without internalizing it. She hadn’t done anything wrong according to her personal morals, and she’d stand by it.

Saint let out a long, loud growl and all eyes turned toward him. “The truth seer is not being entirely honest.”

“What?” Morgan barked.

Saint leaned over Elsie, eyes narrowed. “She didn’t ask anything of me. I stopped you from killing that woman of my own free will.”

“As if that’s any better?” Trisse reached for the weapon he’d left at the door, settling for glowering at the demon.

More pandemonium. Saint settled back into place, and Elsie pinched the bridge of her nose while they argued about whether or not what Saint had told them was actually worse.

“She isn’t even trying to control him anymore,” Banks seethed.

Eventually Trenton returned to the center and mean-mugged the squad until they settled down. “Hold your energy for now, you’ll have your chance to speak,” he reminded them. “Grady, it’s your turn.”

“Should he be allowed to speak after what he’s done?” Perrie sniffed. “How can we trust that Grady’s testimony is impartial? He may sway in the captain’s favor if he still has feelings for her, or he’ll sway too far in the other direction if he holds a grudge after his punishment.”

“I’ll make sure he stays impartial,” Morgan stated, meaning he’d play human lie detector. Saint snorted, and the sniper served him with a death stare.

Grady’s shoulders rounded into a slouch as he shuffled to the inner circle. The big man spoke to the ground, describing Elsie’s growing paranoia, the information she’d asked him for, and why. He told them of her failed attempts to figure out what Cornick was up to.

He nodded at Trenton. “Her suspicions weren’t hers alone. We talked extensively about the chimera and where it potentially came from. Especially when a second, and then a third, popped up, and other squads were sent after them. All three were not terrifically far away from Dominion, the research facility the captain was brought to.”

He barely looked at Elsie as he spoke, wallowing in the guilt of his honesty. But even as he testified against her in front of his peers, he still tried to give context and reason for her behavior.

She wasn’t sure how to feel about the kindness he offered after his assault. It was a queer surrealness to be grateful to a man who’d acted without her consent while others in the room were ready to tear into her. A few weeks ago she’d have thought Grady was genuine, but now it felt like he was simpering at her feet while seeking favor from her accusers.

Grady sat down, and Trenton took the floor once more. “Since I haven’t brought Albright into this, I’m going to tell you verbatim what he witnessed when he left to bring the captain back because she was discovered missing after leaving the research facility.”

Fuck. She’d been confident that Albright wouldn’t say anything about what he’d seen that day. Her mentor didn’t want his only student dead. At least, that’s what she’d thought.

Perrie leaned closer to Marley. “Did you know she was missing?”