Court of Nightfall (The Nightfall Chronicles #1)(27)

I thought back to those dark times. The Nephilim War hadn't affected my life too much. We lived in such a remote part of the country that most of the drama occurred in far away places I'd never been to. But I'd seen the news, when my parents allowed it or when they weren't home. I'd seen videos on my computer. Many died in the war between the Orders and the Nephilim. I couldn't believe Jax had been involved in that. Had gone to war, seen so much carnage, and had never been allowed to talk about it, even to me. What that must have done to him.

"There was a time, back then, when you seemed out of sorts. Quieter, more withdrawn. You'd been sick, quarantined by your family because of a fever. I thought you were just recovering."

"I was, but not from a fever. I was injured during the war. They made me stay in hiding so you wouldn't find out."

Of course. Because it was so critical that no one tell me the truth about anything.

"Now that I'm no longer your protector," he said, "I can act publicly on behalf of my Order. It's what I've needed to progress, to become a Knight of the First."

"Most never make it that far." I'd only heard of a few who ever had.

"I will," Jax said with such determination I actually believed he would.

We made it over the bridge and drove through the small streets of Vianney until we arrived at the castle. Jax handed the keys off to one of the front gate guards and we walked back into what felt like my prison. "I need to see the Chancellor," I told him.

He nodded and walked me to the Chancellor's office as his e-Glass blinked. He listened, said "Okay" and then clicked it off. "I have to go, Scarlett." He kissed my cheek and the contact had a surprising effect on my body. Suddenly I didn't want him to go. I didn't want to feel so alone in this scary new world.

"In case I don't see you tonight, sleep well. I know they'll be setting you up in your own room, but you're welcome in mine anytime. I've already set the lock to your thumbprint."

As he walked away, I called to him. "Jax?"

He turned. "Yes, Star?"

My heart clenched again at that name. "Thank you. For defending me. I don't know what they would have done, but thank you."

He stared into my soul for a long moment, our eyes locked. "Star, I would never let anything happen to you. I would defend you with my life. Now and always. Never forget that. Never forget what we are to each other, no matter what else happens."

He turned and left, his footsteps loud against the stone floors.

I stood alone by the Chancellor's door, about to knock, when I heard voices raised inside. I put my ear closer to listen.

"I almost had them." It sounded like the Head Inquisitor.

"But you don't have them, Ragathon," the Chancellor responded. "And now the whole city is afraid." I heard someone pace through the office. "You should never have kept this from the Council."

So not even the Council knew of this plan. I'd wondered why the Chancellor, my grandfather, didn't stop us from going to the city today.

"I acted under my own discretion. The rebels have spies—"

"Not within the Council." The Chancellor's voice sounded loud, fed up.

"Of course, Chancellor." He almost sounded contrite. Almost.

"Ragathon, you push my patience. You may go and attend to the other matter we discussed, and we shall discuss the consequences of your actions tomorrow."

Footsteps. Then the door opened, and I nearly fell through it. I backed away quickly, but Ragathon noticed me, his beady eyes staring at me in contempt, a black scarf wrapped around his neck, hiding the evidence of my feeding. "Listening in on council matters is an offense punishable by flaying, girl."

I straightened my spine and stared him down, relieved he didn't remember seeing my face. "Do you still use a whip, or is it a hammer these days?"

He frowned. "You insolent—"

"Ragathon," interrupted the Chancellor from inside. "I'm sorry, but Scarlett and I have a meeting."

"So you called her here?"

"Of course I did. Now, if that's all?"

"That's all, Chancellor." Ragathon scowled, and I was pretty sure if he could have challenged me to a duel then and there he would have. And likely poisoned his blade for extra measure.

"Good. Come along, Scarlett." The Chancellor guided me into his chambers as Ragathon walked away, probably still scowling and plotting my untimely demise. No love lost between the two of us, that was for sure.

The first thing I noticed when I walked into his office was a giant sculpture of two Knights on a horse, which stood on its hind legs as if in a fight. I studied the details carved into marble.

"Godfrey de Saint-Omer and Hugues de Payens, founders of the Knights Templar," the Chancellor said.

"Why are they on the same horse?"

"An old Templar symbol. It reminds us of our humble beginnings, when two knights could only afford one horse."

I followed him to two chairs positioned before a large, blazing fire. On a rug between us sat a fat white cat, content to slumber in front of the warmth. The entire chamber had a sense of the original castle, with paintings and banners hung on the walls, and sculptures and old leather books stored in bookcases along the walls.