“Councillor,” protested Oz, “you said she could have a break and something to eat, it’s been five minutes, give us a chance, please? She’s still processing all of this, we all are. It’s facts and threats to you, but these were people that she loved that died here. Have some compassion.”
“You have another five minutes, but I can’t give you any longer. You’ve just given the very reasons why we must continue. They were people she loved, how can I tell which side she’s on? I need her answers before she’s had time to think them through and process them. I also need to make a report to the American Council of Witches, because they need to decide the best course of action, and sooner rather than later. We cannot allow her aunt to gain any more power, and it will need to be a decisive strike against Bestia. How many more lives are going to be lost over this?” He shook his head. “You have five minutes to feed her, then we resume.”
Ryan got up and stalked out, Trent going with him, Oz hesitated, his eyes a little glazed before his gaze sharpened and he too left. Melody looked around her in confusion. Was this it? Did they finally understand what a monster she was to shifters?
“Relax, Mel,” said Nick. “I sent them to get food. One of them will return with something for you and the others will wait for the rest of it.”
Melody sagged, and Mrs Hardinger finally released her, pausing only to wipe her eyes before giving her a stern look.
“Those boys are yours, don’t doubt them now, Melody. Nobody here hates you for what you were forced to do, so don’t even think like that. They’re yours, and they’re not leaving.”
There were growls from around her as the men registered what was being said.
“How …?”
“Because that’s my gift, Melody. My strength is beast taming, but a close second was healing arts. I have a gift for sensing emotions. Sometimes I can even understand the thoughts that go with them. It’s why I make such a good counsellor for the students. I know when they’re bullshitting me, when they’re honest and when they feel broken.” She cupped a trembling hand to Melody’s cheek.
“Right now, my dear, I’m not grieving for my friend. I cannot even begin to process what losing her and Jonas means to me. That’s something for Toby and I to deal with later.” looked over her shoulder and the shifter in question kissed her cheek. Mrs Hardinger sighed and leaned back against him.
Beside her, Dean and Asher stirred, both of them snuggling to her more closely, prompted by the obvious closeness between Mrs Hardinger and her familiar.
“Melody, right now I’m grieving for you. I can feel your pain, your loss, your confusion and even a sense of betrayal. Although I’d guess that was for the shifters who fought for your aunt, even though they couldn’t help it, would that be correct?” She paused and Melody nodded. “I’m overwhelmed by your losses, and for all that you’ve yet to face, because you know this isn’t over, don’t you? She’s not done yet, not until she’s been executed. What you’ve told us amounts to treason, and the High Council won’t let her survive that. She’s got nothing left to lose.”
“No, we won’t,” said Councillor Argrum. “A threat like your aunt can’t be allowed to continue. Your coven will likely be disbanded as well.”
“Ex-coven,” Melody snarled, and he blinked at her. “You must not threaten Canticum, they’ve done nothing wrong, so I assume that you mean my ex-coven. Disband it, burn the compound to the ground and salt the earth. Let their name be forgotten and their crimes be remembered as a tale of warning. I want nothing more to do with the evil that they’ve become. I’m free of them and I’m never going back.”
A plate of food was shoved in front of her, and Melody looked up in surprise at Ryan. She hadn’t heard him enter, but by the grim look on his face, he’d heard the last bit.
Melody had no idea what was on the sandwich, her mouth refused to taste it, instead she chewed on it steadily, choking it down with a bottle of water, because her mouth couldn’t seem to produce saliva.
When the last bite had gone, Councillor Argrum drew his chair in front of her, his stern expression telling her that he was about to begin again. She wondered how long it would be before they were done. She was already desperate to go back to sleep. Surely this whole nightmare had to end soon.
20. Oz
It had been sheer fucking torture. First of all, watching his witch lie comatose for two whole freaking days. Just how many times was he going to have to do that? Stand there on the outside waiting for an in, while she healed from life threatening injuries.
Today, she’d barely been conscious before this fucker was all over her, giving her attitude and making out like it was all her fault with his questions. He might not have said as much, but watching her shrink in on herself as the day droned on? It was driving his wolf mental.
The morning had all been about her role in Bestia, how her aunt treated her, where she slept, how the coven operated in general terms. Then there had been questions about the shifters, what kind did they prefer to bond, how were they treated, where they slept, what training they had. Her relationship with them after enslaving them for the coven.
There had been questions on how the shifters were even recruited, but apparently the old reputation of Bestia had stood them in good stead. They were careful not to let the word get out about how many of their shifters died. It was just assumed that the witches were so strong there,
