Court of Nightfall (The Nightfall Chronicles #1)(14)

The Chancellor turned to look at me, and the Council quieted down. To our left and right stood an unmoving line of guards, from the Teutonic Order, based on their armor. I couldn't decide if this made me feel safer, or more at risk.

"We bring this gathering to order," said the Chancellor in a commanding British voice. "We have come to hear witness and testimony of Scarlett Night on the death of Marcus and Violet Night and the theft of the weapon the Nights were tasked to protect."

Jax stepped forward. "I have brought her as instructed," he said in a formal tone.

The Head of his order nodded. "What's become of the weapon?" she asked, sitting forward on her chair.

The Inquisition Head gave her an irritated look. "It is the Chancellor's job to inquire, Gabriella. Can you not go through one meeting without speaking out of turn?"

The Chancellor pounded his walking stick on the ground. "Silence." He turned to the man. "And it is also my job to correct anyone on this council who speaks out of turn, Ragathon."

Ragathon bowed his head, but his eyes did not look contrite.

The Chancellor turned his eyes to me, and then they were all staring at me, each looking as if they would devour me with their questions. "Tell us everything that happened tonight."

With the fewest words possible, I recounted everything I could remember of the evening, editing out details I didn't feel entirely comfortable sharing. The chip I took. Shooting at the weapon. The man I vaguely remember seeing. The way I controlled that soldier and got him to kill the others and himself.

"And what happened to the weapon?" the Chancellor asked.

"I don't know. I was injured and lost consciousness, as I said. When I woke, the crystal box was empty."

Ragathon's head shot up. "The weapon was removed?"

"Yes."

"Where did it go?" Gabriella asked.

"I have no idea," I said truthfully.

The Head of Hospitaller, who had so far been silent, spoke. "Can you describe the exact details of the casing? What it looked like when you woke up? What was around it? Where it was? Anything you can remember, no matter how small or inconsequential it may seem."

I'd already said everything I was willing to, but I repeated myself. "It was in the back of my parents' truck in front of our house. The door was open. The case had been shattered, crystal pieces lying everywhere." I didn't tell them about the blood, because I couldn't have lost that much blood and survived. And my current wounds would not account for the amount of bloodshed I saw. Though they would find out if they had a team there. I thought for a moment and decided on the partial truth. "There was also blood everywhere. My blood. My parents' blood. Probably some blood from the soldiers my parents killed before dying. It was dark, so it was hard to tell."

Ragathon scoffed. "It's not that hard to see blood. Even in the dark."

"With all due respect," Jax said. "Scarlett is color blind. For her it would be hard to tell. She can't see any colors at all."

Ragathon ignored him and turned to the Chancellor. "With all due respect, Chancellor," though with the way his voice sneered, I did not hear any respect, "this does not add up. There's no way anyone could have penetrated the… box. Nor could the Nephilim have returned. I do not think the girl is telling the full truth."

Up until that point I'd been mostly numb. I'd wanted to find out what happened to my parents, and I'd hoped that answering all their questions would accomplish that. It was becoming clear that was not the case, and I'd had enough. Rage built in me, boiling up from the new holes in my heart. Before anyone could ask me another inane question, I spoke, my voice strong, firm, commanding. "I am not a 'girl', Ragathon, I am a woman with full agency and legal rights, and I do not appreciate being spoken to, or about, in this condescending manner."

I made eye contact with each of the council members. "As for the rest of you, I'm done answering your questions. I've told you everything I know. This morning, I thought I had a normal life and normal parents and then all hell broke loose. My parents are dead. I am standing here covered in their blood." At that I thought I saw the Chancellor flinch.

"I've been attacked, injured, beaten, and I've lost everything that mattered. I'm hungry and tired. I need a shower and time to mourn my parents and figure out what I'm going to do next. I don't owe you anything. I don't know any of you and you don't know me. Whatever arrangement you had with my parents died with them. So unless you are taking me prisoner," the Chancellor raised his eyebrows at that and I fired back, "and let me warn you if that's the case, I will be seeking legal action against you, this school and U.F.I. for condoning the capture and imprisonment of an innocent," I stared him down, then continued, "then I insist on being taken somewhere where I can shower, eat, sleep and grieve. Alone."

I could feel Jax stiffen next to me. A stunned silence filled the room and I waited, sensing that my life hung in the balance in that moment.

Then the Chancellor chuckled and tugged at his beard. "The girl…excuse me, the young woman is right. We've been treating our guest badly. We have enough information to start an investigation into this matter."

Ragathon interrupted. "But I have more questions—"