On purpose, was the key phrase here. She knew me surprisingly well. I was so grateful she’d spoken up.
Roger continued, wiping his dripping forehead with a white handkerchief. “Her direct supervisor also left a statement, however, it is inconclusive. The records of the Union Investigative Department show that 462 reports were filed and assigned to a Union contractor that same day, so her recollection of Miss King’s report are very slim. She only remembers handing the form to her.”
The Council leader was not moved. “I am afraid her evidence is insufficient. What Union standards are in place for matters such as this?”
My body went hot and cold all at once. How was that not enough? At least to provide reasonable doubt!
My insides felt like they were being wrung. He wasn’t going to rule in my favor. It was already over. I probably never had a chance to begin with.
Roger’s eyes bulged. He reached an imploring hand out to the shifter judge. “The contractor is individually responsible for all actions the moment they exit our premises. We require that they carry files and complete all necessary reporting to keep the processes safe, secure, and successful for the contractor, the clients and the Union as a whole.”
My teeth were clenched so hard that my jaw ached. That hadn’t been a defense for me. That had been Roger’s defense for the Union.
My own lawyer was throwing me under the bus.
The leader nodded in consideration. “Our time for this matter is nearly up. We have heard from both parties. We will review the evidence and deliver a verdict in ten minutes. Counselors, please bring the relevant documents and join us for deliberation.”
One of the witches lifted a hand, and a set of stairs appeared leading up from the ground floor to the upper level.
Roger and Iridian Morrow both walked up the steps. When they made it to the top, a glass shield appeared. It glowed a soft blue, so it was likely enchanted to block out sound.
The back of my neck prickled, but I did not turn around. There was no way I was facing my parents right now, and I had to focus on reclaiming my anger.
How was this a real court session? This was a sham of a trial. Roger probably wasn’t even sent here to save me, but to make sure the Union wasn’t punished for my actions.
I glared at the group of them, who had now gathered into a circle. Roger was smiling nervously and nodding as one of the vampires spoke.
It took everything in me to keep from stomping up those stairs and knocking on the glass. I still had more of my testimony to share! I hadn’t done any of that stuff to hurt Mr. Creed, and I would never have entered his lair had I known what it was.
As I stirred my frustration and indignation, movement from beyond Mr. Creed’s table caught my attention.
The strange, imposing shifter was still leaning against the wall. And yes, he was still watching me. I got the feeling like he was waiting for me to look away. But I didn’t relent.
Finally, he glanced up to where the Council huddled.
The instant he did, I asked, “Who are you?”
He didn’t look back. He didn’t speak or acknowledge that I had. He just examined the group above us as they determined my fate.
Mr. Creed did jolt to attention at my words, though. He swiveled toward me, and then noticed who I was speaking to. But no explanation came.
Nothing was going my way today, apparently.
I sat in silence for the rest of the time. Dissociating. Trying not to think of the worst possible outcomes and completely failing. Maybe they’d fine me so hard that I’d have to give up my apartment. Maybe I’d be blacklisted as an employee forever, and would have to go to the human businesses to get work.
Humans lived among us, but usually chose to stick with themselves. A lot like the supes did, I guess. I could technically work at a gas station. Or one of those human hotel resorts by the beach.
And the Union wasn’t the only place Cuts could work. There were restaurants in our neighborhoods. I could be a server, and just pretend like I’d never had a job before so they didn’t ask for references. And I’d cross my fingers and hope they didn’t perform a background check on me.
I’d probably never be a detective. Not after this.
Just as I rested my forehead on my arms, voices and sounds came to life around me. I looked up to see that the magical glass wall was gone, and the lawyers were coming back down.
Roger was mopping his forehead again, and contemplating his feet as he returned to the table.
“Well? What happened?”
He made some sort of grunting sound. “Don’t worry. We came up with a good deal. Options are good, yes? Options.”
Then why aren’t you looking me in the eye?
I slumped lower in my seat. The tight shirt dug into my armpits.
Councilman Hayes settled in his chair and waited as the other members did the same. Two of the vampires were smiling and whispering to one another like they were scheduling a dinner meetup. So unconcerned. The witches looked bored.
The shifter with the icy eyes had delicate furrows in his otherwise-smooth brow.
I concentrated on him, since he was the only one who seemed to hold a smidge of empathy, and since I couldn’t stand to look at Councilman Hayes’s skeletally beautiful face.
That’s why I noticed him sneak a glance at the man leaning against the wall. Just for a second. There was an ocean of meaning in that one look, one that I couldn’t deconstruct if I tried.
The Council leader spoke, jarring my notice back to him, “Mr. Creed. Miss King. Rise.”
We did so. My borrowed trousers stuck to my sweaty legs, but I stood straight. I would take my punishment like any Cut would. Chin held high, fully knowing that the cards were stacked against us. I didn’t need special treatment. I had a steel spine.
What was the worst that could happen? They could execute me, I suppose. But quite unlikely. Whatever punishment I was dealt, I’d deal with it.
“The Council has deliberated and agreed upon the verdict. Aster King II has been found guilty on 37 counts of felony charges and 12 misdemeanors.”
My lungs officially stopped worked. My brain lost all power.
“She will be given three options, not to be reconsidered or adjusted. The first: she may pay a restitution amount of 6.4 million to Mr. Derrick Creed for the damages she caused, which will be paired with 3,500 hours of community service to the shifter community and five years’ parole. Two: she may agree to 37 years in Union prison.”
The air vanished from my lungs. My thighs went weak, and I wobbled in place.
Hayes paused just enough to settle a particularly merciless smirk on me. “And lastly, the final option…”
9
There was an endless, fathomless silence that followed as the Councilman paused, letting me steep in my absolute shock.
“She may accept the offer of Indentured Employment for the length of 107 years. 57 if she fails to enter into immortality at the age of 23. The Indentured Employment opportunity had graciously been made available under Mr. Huxley Cayne and Vulcan Corp.”
I heard Mom’s gasp of outrage.
The Councilman’s suppressed glee melted into reproach. His nose turned up. “We will have silence in the audience!”
Normally, I’d have snapped at anyone who spoke to my mother like that, but his words echoed in my head like some demon delivering my doom.