Nick tilted his head to the side, as though he was listening. Melody looked around but couldn’t hear anything, but then, she didn’t have shifter hearing.
“See!” shouted the provost in triumph. “What on earth is he listening to? He is mad.”
“Actually,” replied Councillor Argrum, stepping out from under some sort of cloaking spell. “He was listening to me. I was telling him to try once more to reason with you, but it seems that you refuse to be reasoned with.”
All the blood drained from the provost’s face, before returning in a flush that would have glowed in the dark. Her dark gaze fixed on Nick in a glare full of accusation.
“You did this!” she whispered, low and fierce. “You went behind my back and managed to corrupt a member of the American High Council itself.”
“Provost,” warned Argrum. “Think very carefully before you speak. Accusations of corruption are taken very seriously, and if they are found to be made without basis, then the spotlight shifts to the accuser and exactly why they sought to lie to the High Council.”
The provost’s mouth shut with an audible click.
“I was the member brought in to gather Melody’s testimonial after the battle with Coven Bestia,” he explained. “Through that, I came very quickly to learn of the honour and value of Melody and her bonded shifters, and those who wait patiently for her to be healed enough to accept them. As for Janet. I think you also underestimate her value. I’m sure your dismissal of her was due to the heat of the moment. You couldn’t possibly be foolish enough to dismiss the best counsellor the academy has had in its history. I think you will find that if you spend a little time with them all, they could be of great assistance to you in your service here at the academy. ”
The threat that there was a limit on that time, was unspoken but clearly implied. Melody hadn’t thought it was possible for the woman to look any angrier, but she did, although now she wisely held her tongue.
“As for Nicholas’ claims. They’re true. I have the documentation and eyewitness accounts. Unfortunately I’m only three hundred years old myself, but I can attest that Nicholas was here at the founding of the academy and that he did fight in the war. My ancestors fought alongside him. Something I’m proud to admit. That we saw the injustices against the shifters and fought for their freedoms.”
The provost brushed her hands down her clothing, as though removing any evidence of what had happened. What had almost happened.
“Very well, if you are willing to vouch for the mental stability of this shifter, I will not force the issue,” she said, primly.
“As for the expulsion of Nicholas,” the councillor continued. “Let me make it very clear, Provost, that his continued presence here, until such time as he bonds a witch, is part of the accords. Should he bond and leave the academy, then Justin would be required to take on his duties as the ambassador to the Witch High Council.”
The provost’s eyes widened as she looked at Nick.
“Ah, I see you were unaware. Yes, Nicholas is an important factor in the relative peace between witches and shifters. When he was assigned the role, it was not expected that he would have to wait for so long before bonding. However, many good and strong witches and their bloodlines were destroyed during the wars, and it has taken us some time to breed up to a similar level of strength again. It is quite possible that Melody is the only witch alive who could bond and hold not only one dragon but two.”
The councillor gave her a slight bow. “You’re the strongest witch in over five hundred years Melody. It is a blessing from the Goddess that you were gifted with Beast Magic. Our strongest shifters have waited a long time for you. How are your bonds? I believe you have acquired three strong shifters in less than a year. That is a considerable burden even for a witch of your standing. I would hate for you to burn out by taking on too much too soon, no matter how badly you wish to aid those involved.”
He gave a significant look to the shifters around her, warning them to be patient, before turning his stern gaze on the provost. “Forcing Melody to bond is not only against the law, Provost. But against her best interests, and therefore the interests of the American High Council itself. There will be no second chances if you cross that line again. Have I made myself clear?”
The provost gave him a stiff nod.
“I need to hear you verbalise it, Sienna,” he insisted.
“Yes, Councillor Argrum,” she spat.
He stood, watching. Waiting.
Finally, the provost lowered her gaze, her shoulders slumping. “Yes, Councillor Argrum,” she said, more quietly.
“Excellent. Well, if you will excuse me, there are still forty-seven shifter students unaccounted for after the incident here. Melody, I beg your forgiveness for remaining here, I forgot how distressing it would be for you.” He sighed sadly. “For all of us.”
“Thank you, Sir, for coming and helping us with this misunderstanding,” she said, trying to smooth things over. Melody knew the fact that they had all witnessed the provost’s humiliation by the councillor would be held against them. Her aunt was the same way. Whatever damage control she could do now, was worth sucking up her pride for. She already had enough on her plate.
“I know that the provost was genuinely concerned for the wellbeing of the academy. It is a good sign for our future here that she was willing to do whatever it took to protect us all.”
Everyone stared at her, but Melody stood her ground, calmly waiting for them to respond. Under her aunt, she’d learned to lie
