Magic Forged (Hall of Blood and Mercy #1)(39)

I bristled at the implication and started to shift in my chair, before I remembered who I’d been placed next to and froze.

But I was too late. Killian—seated at the head of the table, with me directly next to him, though I had voluntarily scooted against the corner of the table—glanced over at me.

I kept my eyes on the teacup and pressed my lips together.

Why was I even in this meeting? Killian meant to make me into a soldier, but this was Drake Family business. I absolutely didn’t want to be here—but Celestina hadn’t given me much of a choice. As soon as my hair had dried enough that it wouldn’t soak the collar of my suit, she had dragged me here and forcibly served me tea before the other vampires had arrived.

She probably had been ordered to by Killian, given my spot, but I understood even less why he would want me present.

Killian blinked slowly, and kept staring at me as the heated discussion continued.

“Obviously the murderer is backed by the Night Court,” Rupert said, naming one of the biggest local fae Courts. “For too long they’ve threatened us and opposed our movements in the Regional Committee of Magic. It’s time we finally teach them a lesson.”

There were murmurs of agreement from the other vampires.

“The Night Court,” Josh said, his voice simultaneously speculative and wistful. “The darkest of fae Courts who embrace the breath of death into their lives.”

The female vampire standing on Josh’s other side, sighed. “That lacked sense.”

Josh morosely studied his dagger. “For those who do not share the burden of life, yes.”

The vampires all stared at him for a moment, before collectively turning the discussion to a new point.

“If the others would help us, we could get this murderer much more quickly,” said one of the vampires I’d seen at the gym.

“They said they would help,” Julianne—the vampire who had reported to Celestina right before we found the body—sourly said. “The problem is they won’t prioritize it.”

“And they never will,” a vampire snorted. “Everyone is too concerned with holding onto their own power—that’s why the wizard is here.”

I felt like a bunny in a bear den when the vampires all shifted their glittering red eyes to me.

Though my heart pounded and my survival instinct screamed at me to run, I carefully set my teacup down and did my best to look angelic.

It seemed to appease them, and they looked away.

“The other members of the Committee don’t help us out of concern for themselves.” Rupert slammed his fist into the table with enough force to make my teacup rattle. “They’re happy to see us struggle. It’s why they won’t try and rein the Night Court in even though they must be behind all of this!”

I frowned at my teacup as I listened, not sure how much I liked hearing all of this. (But I didn’t think trotting around Drake Hall in ignorance was great for my health, either.)

“Hazel.” It was the first time Killian had spoken since sitting down, and it brought an instant and smothering silence to the room.

I hid my hands under the table and made myself meet his eyes. “Yes?”

“What do you think?”

Agog, I stared at him.

What did I think? What did it matter what I thought? Why was he asking me this in the middle of a heated discussion I had no right to be a part of!

My heart beat faster and faster, and I finally understood how it was possible for wild animals to die of fright. “What do I think about what?” I asked in a surprisingly calm and solid voice.

Killian motioned to the table. “The discussion.”

I stared at him for a few moments longer, waiting—and hoping—for him to laugh at his own joke.

He didn’t.

He was serious.

Whhhhyyy? I never wished for powers of telepathy as much as I did then. Why, why, why was he throwing me under the bus? If I said the wrong thing one of his little minions was sure to kill me—at bare minimum Rupert would give me a weightlifting workout spawned from Hades, and I’d die in my sleep.

I cleared my throat. “I think the pattern over the last few decades has been that the various magical races will keep to their own. I wish it was different, but it’s the way things have become—as I’ve learned.” I paused and sucked in a breath before I made myself soldier on through. “I think what’s most worrisome is that the murderer is going after vampires and those they associate with—servants and blood donors, too. The killer isn’t doing this just out of political motivation, or they’d choose their targets more carefully. Besides, everyone wants to avoid getting the humans worried. The more humans killed, the less likely you’ll be able to keep this out of the public eye, and this will have a domino effect on everyone.”

I glanced around the room and was met with thoughtful and surprised gazes. Celestina gave me a faint smile, and Josh a nod of approval, but everyone remained silent. I snuck a peek at Killian—who was still staring at me.

“And?” he said.

He wanted me to keep going?

I frantically pulled my stray thoughts together, trying to come up with a conclusion that would get me out of this. “It means whoever is doing this doesn’t care about that possibility,” I said. “Humans greatly outnumber us and are more than capable of killing us off in masses. So I guess a serial killer is possible, unless…” I wanted to suck my neck into my shoulders, but I made myself sit straighter instead. “They’re doing this on purpose—killing the servants and blood donors—to make you look weak.”