None of them expected to capture the head of the djinn out in the open, and on siren land of all places, but come on, you didn’t carry a weapon on you when murder was youronegoal?
“Oh my gods, here,” Ezra called, hand out in offering.
A perfectly shaped knife rested in his palm, made entirely from ice. It was poetic as fuck, and what was better, Frederick didn’t even hesitate to grab it. Now Soloman was really sweating. Swirls of shadows tightened around him, then cleared in only a small section, right over his heart.
I didn’t look away. I didn’t so much as flinch. I watched with eyes wide open and heart locked down as Frederick slid that knife into his uncle’s chest and twisted it. It wasn’t flashy or epic or drawn out like a movie finale. The end of the worst chapter of my life came neat and quick. What came next was a mystery to me, but as long as Ezra was by my side, I could face it.
CHAPTER 32
Ezra
Carrying a dead body through the center of town would have been a hell of a lot harder without a djinn on our side. Andthatwas something I thought I’d never say. Soloman’s heavy-ass leg was dead weight—ha!—on my shoulder, with his other limbs spread between Cova, Frederick, and Kai.
Under a heavy illusion, we made it to the tribunal meeting chamber without interruption and set Soloman’s body on the long table in the middle. I’d never been in here before. It was set up like an amphitheater; a flat center with raised seating around the edges. I knew the extra room was for open meetings in the community, but I wasn’t allowed in those either.
Something public? That risked putting a spotlight on Aunt Mira’s dirty secret of a half-human nephew?Blasphemy.
My fingers dug into the mahogany table, the tips bleached white as I gripped the wood hard enough to splinter. Rani stepped up to me and wrapped her good arm around my waist.
It’s just their parents,she assured me.With Soloman gone, I’m not in any danger.
I let go of the table and maneuvered us back, allowing the heirs to stay near the evidence of our crime. After years of experience, I’d learned to trust my gut, and this wasn’t going to go over as easily as the others thought. Definitely not for me.
Even if that bastard burned to a crisp right here, I’d never trust that you’re completely safe. Sorry, babe. You’re stuck with my overprotective ass.
You promise?
I heard the smirk in her tone without even looking. Reaching down, I clasped her hand on my side and squeezed. A loudbangpierced the stiff silence of the room, and we collectively glanced up at the open double doors above the rows of seats. They led to the oracle’s office as well as private passages deeper into the reserved faction, if rumors were to be believed.
As it was, the oracle herself easily made her way down the steps to where we stood; a feat considering her eyes were milky white and entirely blind. A young woman walked dutifully behind her, head downcast but gaze tilted to catch everything. From what I could see, her eyes were cloudy, but not yet completely white. An acolyte. Rare.
The last time I saw one, I was at my own seeing ceremony to find my bond; which, of course, was an utter failure. I guess the gods didn’t scan humans as potential partners, or they would have found Rani years ago.
Is that the heir to the oracles?Rani asked, awed.
The two women stood at the head of the table but didn’t address the group. I guess we were going to wait for everyone to arrive, then. Goody.
It’s possible,I replied, and watched the young woman blanch at the dead body before her.But I’m not sure. They’re more secretive than the sirens.
Another door slammed open, with far more noise and a wave of displeasure. Aunt Mira led the charge. The other faction headsstormed in behind her, but none of them held a candle to her rage.
“Tell me you didn’t!” she shouted, finger pointed at Kai.
She marched right up to him, barely giving Soloman’s body a passing glance, like not acknowledging it would allow her to claim inculpability for her son. Kai didn’t give in to her show of outrage. I couldn’t see his face, but his back was set and shoulders tight. The stare down lasted all of thirty seconds before my aunt turned her head and glowered at me. Like this was my fault somehow.
When her calculating eyes narrowed on Rani, I took a less-than-subtle step forward.
“She’snot allowed to be in here,” my aunt bellowed, her voice echoing through the rounded chamber. “And neither are you!”
Her finger pointed like an accusing arrow, right at my face, as she marched over. I was taller than her, but I never felt like it. She had a way of making me feel like I permanently lived under her heel. Kai moved too and planted a hand on his mother’s shoulder when she pressed too close.
Let me at her, Ezra! I can take the bitch!Rani snarled, fighting to stand at my side.
But I didn’t want her to bear the brunt of it, and setting Rani loose would not end well foranyof us.
“Why do all my problems center around the unwanted welp of the family?” Aunt Mira’s voice was deadly soft, and more hostile than I’d ever heard it. She curled her fingers, probably imagining them around my neck. “My son’s trial for the death of the vampire heir, the mental breakdown of the djinn heir, and now this.Youwere present at all of those events, and I swear to the gods, I will make sure this pins on your unwanted, pathetic,insignificant—”
“Mother!” Kai snarled. “Sit the fuck down.”
