“It’s a requirement?” I whispered, waiting until several people nodded. I blinked at them and then threw back my head and laughed. I laughed, fully belly, had to wrap my arm around my stomach and lean on Colton, who was closest to me, to stay standing.
Except none of this was funny. At all, and tears filled my eyes as I kept laughing. Mel tried to comfort me but I shoved her, backing away from the group, I was so upset and worried that my magic could go off the rails.
Because this was all about my magic, and they had just tried for me, and it again. That bullshit with making me a ward and their tutoring they were going to give me. I didn’t need to even listen to Ainsworth’s thoughts to know they would have locked me up and done something to me to make me compliant, basically brain-dead, and a drone to do what they wanted.
And now I understood why.
“Seriously, explain what the fuck is going on and why she’s losing it,” a deep voice growled, pulling me back out of my hysterics.
Yeah, hysterics. I’d gotten hysterical, I could admit that. It wasn’t sexist or being a jerk calling a woman something when she opened her mouth. I’d lost it.
I quickly mopped up my face and tried to pull it together. “None of the current councilmen, not one of those warlocks, can create level ten crystals. I’ve heard it from their own minds. I didn’t know it was such a big deal, but now I get why. I also understand why no one who can do as high of tier crystals, or above, ever shows themselves, as the last two were forced to mate two of the councilmen.”
“You cannot be serious,” Councilman Brooks whispered in horror.
“You can tell I’m not lying.”
“We can’t actually,” Geoff muttered. “Your emotions are all over the place, and you’re wearing something that mutes you.”
I sighed. “It’s an aura muting charm. Mostly for the council and their goons who constantly harass me and try to gauge what they can from my aura.” I glanced at the guests. “Will you swear not to ask what you shouldn’t and cross lines?”
“Yes, we will respect your wishes to stay undeclared as I believe that’s the only way you are still alive, Ms. Vale,” Councilman Brooks declared firmly. His gaze told me he firmly believed I was a witch, and screwed if anyone really could prove that.
No, but I was extra really screwed if anyone learned I was a fairy now that I understood more about the warlock elders.
I took off the correct charm and handed it to Colton, taking a few deep breaths and focusing on Councilman Brooks. “The last two witches that were found to make level ten crystals on their own were forced to mate two of the current elders. Their mates make those crystals. I had no idea it was a requirement to be on the council. None of them can do it. I’ve heard it in their thoughts.”
“Because they didn’t start wearing the telepathy blocking runes around you in time,” he muttered, his eyes going wide at whatever reaction I had to what he said.
And he wasn’t the only one.
Fuck.
The charm was back on and over my head in a flash.
I shot Colton a weak smile, but then looked back at Brooks. “It’s not as bad as you might be thinking. I have a thing with being able to break metal if seriously upset. I’ve—at times—broken a few links in necklaces. I’d prefer that trick not get out though.”
His lips twitched. “I can see why. That is a good trick.”
“A smart one,” Councilman Chin agreed. He nodded to my charm. “Would you take it off once more? I have a few more questions I want to ask that I promise will not be over the line. I’m not actually asking anything about you even.”
I nodded and did as he wanted. Relief filled me as I spent the next ten minutes filling them in on just how dirty Ainsworth was and the evidence we’d found on the black market.
“Would you be willing to share this?” Brooks asked when there was a lull.
I snorted. “Would you like the USB drives we brought or hard copies as well? You want the dirt we have on the vampires also? We’ve also got—”
“This will suffice for now,” he chuckled. “Though, I am shocked you’re so willing to share it. As you said earlier, none of us are clean, and our people aren’t saints.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond to that, but I had a few moments to gather my thoughts as one of the hobgoblins announced dinner was ready. Then I realized they were the answer. The hobgoblins were.
“Security is welcome to join us and eat too,” I said when they were hesitating. “It’s dinnertime and there’s more than enough. If you feel better standing and eating in shifts, I won’t be offended but seriously, we’re good and just eat. You’ll upset the hobgoblins if you deny their meal.”
That made most chuckle, and about half sat while others stood with plates of salad with dried fae fruit in it.
I actually gestured to it with my fork as I looked at Brooks. “The one who created this salad used to live and work for a wolf shifter. He didn’t want to be there, and the wolf wasn’t particularly pleasant, but even your worst wolves were still nicer and more respectful to the hobgoblins than most of the vampires. Hawk and fox
