“Why do you have to go?” Emily asked. She was sitting up in the bed, resting her arms in her lap.
“The Elders called Kyle and I to a meeting about the attack on the Valle. I have to go,” he explained, and continued to brush her hair gently.
“Then let me go,” she said, turning to him as he finished. She didn't have full use of her arms yet, any time she extended them past her waist her shoulders screamed.
“You're not ready for travel,” he told her, and put the brush down.
“I am too, there's nothing wrong with me,” she said, and set her jaw.
“Em, I don't know what all is going to happen at this meeting. I killed the lord of a large Valle coven, and I also let it slip that I'm bonded to you, and now the Elders know of your abilities… it's too dangerous to have you there.” He was getting frustrated that she couldn't see the danger.
Emily grinned up at him, “Fine… as soon as you and Kyle leave, I'll just go back to the mainland for a bit.”
Chevalier growled, “Emily.”
She smiled up at him sweetly.
“Damnit, Em, you need to stay here until I get back.” His hands were balled into fists.
“No,” she said. She knew she was winning.
Chevalier growled, “Fine.”
Emily kissed him lightly and smiled.
***
The helicopter taking off sent Emily's stomach into a spin. She turned away quickly before Kyle or Chevalier could see her face and she watched the ocean fly by. It seemed like an eternity to Emily before the helicopter started to descend into a good-sized city in the middle of a dense forest.
The helicopter was greeted by four large heku dressed in deep green robes with their faces hidden. Emily hugged Chevalier's arm tightly as they were led into the largest of the buildings. He smiled reassuringly at her.
The Council was already convened and waiting their arrival. Emily looked up, wide eyed, as the twelve heku looked down at them. The chair to the right of Elder Maleth was empty. The Council erupted in an odd murmur as they caught the scent of Emily. Members of the Council were turning in their seat, away from the enticing aroma.
Emily shifted uneasily and Chevalier glared at them as they turned back around. He was ready to spring if anyone attacked. These were the eldest and most respected of the Equites, and they were able to resist what others could not.
Selest stood, “Thank you for coming so quickly, Chief Enforcer.” She was speaking to Chevalier, but looking curiously at Emily.
Emily shifted nervously and grasped Chevalier's arm tighter.
“I see you brought your second in Command.” She nodded to Kyle.
She flashed a warm smile to Emily, “Good to see you again, Child.”
Emily looked up at her and fought to keep from running. She didn't realize how intimidating the council chambers were, with their bright lights pointed directly at whoever was addressing the Council and the way the Council looked so far down on them.
Selest sat and Maleth stood, “Let's get started. We have numerous complaints from the Valle Elders. We'll read them now.”
As Elder Maleth read the accusations, Emily could feel Chevalier tense.
Destroyed Valle coven city Debalih
Maliciously slaughtered innocent heku
Sought out and killed the unarmed Lord of Debalih
Freed two prisoners from the dungeons of the castle
Tortured and killed top Debalih officers
Kidnapped the granddaughter of the Lord of Debalih
Viciously tortured a mortal man found within the city of Debalih
Stole the city crest that was housed in the castle
When he was done, he looked at Chevalier, “You had a busy day.”
Chevalier glared up at him, “Lies, they are lies. Surely you know that.”
Maleth nodded and turned to Kyle, “Let's address each one, shall we? Begin with destroying the city of Debalih.”
Kyle stepped forward, “We didn't harm the actual city, but we did kill anyone we came across, as ordered.”
“Did you order such?” Maleth asked Chevalier.
“Yes, I did.” He stood tall.
“Under what power do you call upon to order the killing of innocent heku?”
Chevalier looked straight into his eyes, “Under the power I was given to do all I could to retrieve what we were after.”
Elder Selest grinned, “We did give him that power.”
Maleth nodded, “That also answers the second accusation. Did you seek out and kill the unarmed lord, Lord Ulrich?”
Chevalier looked up at him, “He wasn't unarmed, just over matched.”
“Easy enough,” Maleth said, then paused before continuing, “Did you free two prisoners from the dungeons?”
Kyle answered, “We freed one prisoner, the one who led us to Emily, and I'm guessing she was the second prisoner we freed.”
Maleth frowned, “Was she in the prison?”
Chevalier nodded, “Yes, hanging by her wrists from the rafters after having been beaten.”
Emily blushed and looked at the floor.
“Is this correct, Child?” She was too embarrassed and simply nodded to the floor.
“We will return to that,” Maleth said. “Did you torture high-ranking officials?”
Chevalier stifled a grin, “Yes I did, when they wouldn't give me straight answers.”
“I see, and the granddaughter?” he asked.
Chevalier looked at Emily, “I don't think it was a kidnap as much as a rescue.”
Maleth nodded, “We will make sure they understand that.”
Maleth turned to Chevalier, “I don't understand how you can justify torturing a mortal man, though, Chief Enforcer.”
Chevalier began to speak, but Emily interrupted him, “I think that was me.”
Maleth frowned at Emily, “What was you, C