Hunted

The members of the Tribunal stared at her too, then the leader said, “Next item.”

Everything fell into place when the Goddess gave me her next orders. “With Valafar’s return, we want the orders given to the archangels to be withdrawn.”

Silence followed. All the other requests had been foreplay, nothing compared to this. The members of the Tribunal glanced at Valafar and Solange again.

“Any objections?” their leader asked.

Solange conferred with Valafar before she looked up. She didn’t look happy. “We agree to withdraw—”

A loud cheering came from the Guardians. Some hugged. Others laughed. No more Raphael and his tribe shadowing us. My gazes locked with my friends. They were laughing too. I couldn’t. The Goddess wouldn’t let me. It was as though she knew more was to come and it wasn’t good.

“Hold your applause,” the Tribunal spokesperson ordered. “She is not done speaking.”

Everyone stopped talking as though someone had flipped an off button.

“On two conditions,” Solange continued. “One, we want the children the Guardians stole from us. Some of their parents are alive. Is it not a parent’s right to raise his or her child?”

“It is,” the Tribunal leader said, and the rest nodded. “What is the second condition?”

“Valafar was denied a chance to be a parent, too. He wants a chance to change that. We ask that Lil should live with him for exactly the same number of years she has lived with her grandfather. If, by her thirty-fourth birthday, she wants to return to the Guardians, she can be free to do so.”

The silence was deafening, the shock absolute. Panicking, I waited for the Goddess to object or something. For the first time since she had possessed me, I couldn’t read her or come up with a snarky comment. Then she spoke, but I had a feeling it was all for show.

“The requests are ludicrous,” I repeated her words. “We don’t have the Specials. They are being raised by the Brotherhood. When they are old enough to decide, they can choose sides. As for the matter of Lil,” I continued, speaking quickly as the Goddess dictated. “She did not choose to be raised by her grandfather and therefore cannot be held responsible for the years she spent with him. She didn’t even know Valafar existed until she turned sixteen a year ago. A year has passed since she decided to stay with her grandfather and the Guardians.”

“There’s nothing ludicrous about our requests,” Solange yelled. “This is about a father who was denied his rights. Just like the Specials—those parents who are still alive want a chance to mold their children, Valafar deserves this. Lil lives with the Guardians because that is all she knows. Maybe after living with Valafar she might decide she prefers to stay with him.”

“She already heard what he had to offer her and chose to be a Guardian,” I retorted.

“Enough,” the Tribunal leader bellowed. “Move on to the next item.”

“We are done,” Solange said.

The Tribunal looked our way.

For a moment, I couldn’t speak, fear blocking my throat. “We are done.”

“We will adjourn and come back with the verdict.” Their astral images disappeared.

The silence that followed was heavy, then telepathic buzz filled the room. I refused to turn around and look at my grandfather, Bran, or my friends. I didn’t need to. I heard their thoughts. They were willing to fight the archangels again and sacrifice more Guardians rather than let me live with Valafar. Seventeen freaking years. Stomach churning, my gaze connected with Valafar’s.

Why was he doing this? Did he really think he could turn me? From the smug look on his face, he believed it. He also knew he’d won because he knew exactly what I planned. I couldn’t live with myself if more Guardians died to save me.

Are you willing to do this? the Goddess asked, having heard my thoughts.

Do I have a choice? I snapped, so pissed I didn’t care about being polite.

Yes.

No, I don’t. Living with him is the only solution.

You are willing to sacrifice yourself for the lives of your people. That is one test you already passed. Be strong and stay true, Lilith, and all is and will be as it is meant to be.

The conversation I had had with Master Haziel flashed through my head. The warning not to show my powers to Valafar and the orders to go along with the Goddess’ decision. He’d known this would happen. What in Tartarus ‘pit does that mean?

It means that things that are meant to happen are happening, which will shape the future. I will leave you now, my child.

Why? They haven’t given us their verdict.

Their verdict will not change anything. You’ve already made your decision. Be strong, my child. I’ll always be with you whenever you need me.

Vertigo hit me and my knees gave away as she left me, but strong arms wrapped around me. Grampa’s earthy warmth enveloped me and mixed with Bran’s fresh pine scent as his hand wove into mine. Two men who loved me implicitly and who were willing to fight till death for me, yet they were helpless to stop the verdict the Tribunal was about to deliver. The problem was they weren’t the only ones. No one could save me but me.

The Goddess hovered to my right, her expression serene. The Tribunal reappeared and silence fell in the room again, eyes lifting.

“The verdicts read as follows.” Their leader unrolled a scroll and started to read. “First, Jethro will be released immediately, so he can return to his people.”

No one spoke or cheered.

“Second, no one influenced Bran Llyr to join the Guardians. He made that choice, so this matter should not be brought before this court again. Third, he is also not the leader of the Hermonites because the contract he signed was fraudulent.”

I glanced at Bran. His expression was dark, body tense, hand like a death grip around mine.

“Fourth,” the judge continued. “The orders given to the archangels will be rescinded effective immediately.”

Once again, no one cheered. I couldn’t breathe, my heart pounding so hard I was sure I’d faint. I gripped Grampa and Bran’s hands, and studied the faces of the members of the Tribunal as though their expression would give me a clue. They weren’t smiling.

“However, the matter of the Specials will be revisited at a later date. We will observe them first before making a decision.” He paused then continued. “As for the sensitive matter of Valafar’s request, Lil will not live with her father for seventeen years. It is an unreasonable request.”

The hall erupted in applause, but I heard the unsaid “‘but.” Stomaching churning, I waited for him to continue.

“Silence!” the Tribunal spokesman bellowed. “However, it is reasonable to have her live with her father for one year, the same duration she has lived as a Guardian.”

I exhaled, fighting tears. One year wasn’t bad. My gaze flew to Grampa, then Bran. They were furious. Sykes and the others were shocked.

They can’t do this, Bran ground out.

One year is not bad, I reassured him.

It’s a lifetime. I will find you, he vowed. I don’t care what they say, I will.

Bran had never had an off switch when it came to me, so I knew he meant every word. Unfortunately, to pull off such a rescue, he would put himself and everyone I loved in danger. No, I will find a way to escape, I vowed.

“After one year,” the judge continued, “she will choose whether to stay with her father or return to her grandfather. Once she chooses a side, her decision will be final and recognized by this court. The Guardians must not attempt to ‘rescue’ her or the deal is off.” The judge leaned forward and pinned us with a glare. “When I say ‘the deal is off, I mean she will stay with her father for seventeen years. If she attempts an escape, the deal is off too. On the other hand, Valafar must not mistreat her or harm her in any way, or she will be removed from his care and returned to the Guardians. This verdict is final and will not be brought before this court again.”