Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)(19)
Simone drew in a sharp breath and stood.
“What?” Nick whispered, also standing.
She shook her head and visibly swallowed.
“Where are the other five members?” Nick asked, his back rigid. Even though Simone obviously couldn’t sit on the council right now, there should still be eight people passing judgment.
Peter sat in the middle at the head council’s position. “This is not common knowledge, but Council members Louise Fronts and Frances Murphy were attacked a fortnight ago with darts filled with planekite. Many darts, and they’re both in comas.” Anger lowered the witch’s voice to a growl. “The outlook is not good.”
Simone shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Peter. Did they catch the attackers?”
“Not yet,” Nessa responded, shoving thick black hair from her face. Her deep blue eyes nearly glowed in the candlelight, and Nick made a mental note to have her investigated. “The Guard is hunting them, and we’re thinking of recalling the Enforcers.”
“After this matter is taken care of,” Peter said, his dark eyes somber.
Simone nodded.
Nick needed to follow up on his people’s search for the manufacturer of planekite, which was the only mineral in existence that could kill a witch. Somebody was after the witches, and he vowed he’d find out who, if the Enforcers didn’t track the bastard down first.
Simone cleared her throat. “Please send my regards to Louise and Frances.”
Nick didn’t like the subtext he wasn’t quite catching. “What about your mother, aunt, and cousin Brenna?” All three women served on the Council, and he’d counted on their votes to free Simone, considering they were her family.
Simone cleared her throat. “If they’ve been excused from this duty, there’s only one reason.”
Oh, he wasn’t going to like this. “What’s the reason?”
Simone’s chin lifted, but she kept her focus on the Council. “The accusers are seeking the death penalty.”
Chapter 7
Simone kept her posture straight and her gaze inscrutable. The underground candlelight danced around, no doubt enhancing her beauty. She had no illusions about her looks and had used them often to her advantage. There were two men sitting in judgment and one woman, and she hoped it would be hard for the men to kill beauty. Punish perhaps, but not end. As for Nessa, she was a complete mystery.
A side door opened from nowhere, and Colman Foley, dressed in a slate-gray suit with red power tie, walked in with stacks of files in his hands. At about five centuries old, Colman had been the Coven prosecutor for several centuries. His hair was black and curly, his eyes a dark brown, his skin a smooth mocha, and he was a genius at building up a case to prove guilt.
He nodded at Simone and set the files next to her. “Here’s everything we were sent and the materials we’ve compiled. For your defense.” Then he took his place behind his table.
Nick leaned down. “This is all so civilized.”
She nodded. “Whoever is out to get me sent the materials to the Coven Nine, which had to investigate. Nobody here wishes me harm, but they’ll all do their jobs. Colman has a duty to follow the evidence.”
Nick drew out his phone and tapped the face. “I can’t get service.”
Simone gave him a look.
“Oh.” He glanced around. His tech guys had created devices that could broadcast from this far underground, and he needed to be more prepared next time. “Okay. Once we’re aboveground, I’ll have dossiers put together on the council members as well as the prosecutor. By tomorrow I’ll know every single weakness they have.” His voice rumbled with anticipation.
“You love strategy, don’t you?” she asked.
“Yes.”
The side wall opened again, and a burst of energy in the form of Moira Dunne-Kayrs rushed inside, curly red hair flowing and wild. Her sister, Brenna Dunne-Kayrs, entered more sedately, her brown hair up in a fancy clip. The two, Simone’s cousins, immediately flanked her, with Moira edging between Simone and Nick.
Simone glanced from one to the other. “What in the world?”
Peter Gallagher banged an ancient gavel on the stone. “Moira Dunne, you are an Enforcer and have not been called before the Council yet. Brenna Dunne, you have been excused from your Council duties for the duration of these proceedings. Neither one of you should be here right now.”
To Simone’s surprise, Brenna stepped forward first. “With all due respect, Peter, you forgot the Kayrs at the end of our names. We married brothers, you know.” Her voice was polite but direct.
Simone bit back a smile.
“My apologies. Sometimes I forget the vampires exist.” Peter was just as polite in his sarcasm.
“That’s unwise.” Brenna had dressed in a flowing gray dress the exact color of her eyes and appeared calm and serene. “I am here as the representative for Simone Brightston.”
Simone touched her arm. “You can’t do that, Bren.” Her heart warmed, and she shoved emotion away. Brenna had to remain neutral.
“Sure I can.” Brenna eyed Nick, who was watching the proceedings with a slightly bored expression. “Apparently there are two of us representing you.”
Simone shook her head. “You can’t take that risk. If things go bad, you’ll lose credibility on the Council.” Not to mention the emotional hit Brenna would take. “You’re pregnant, three months if I remember, and you need to distance yourself from this stress and turmoil.” Though Simone would always remember the sacrifice sweet Brenna was trying to make.