Antebellum Awakening (The Network Series #2)(47)
“Don’t try to impress me.”
“Send her away,” Clive said, his voice sharpening, now both demanding and tight. “At least until such time as she can prove herself in control of her emotions.”
Clive met my eyes again, and this time, he did not cower. My fists tightened. So that’s your game, I thought. He hoped that by sending me away Papa would go with me; that he’d break under the pressure and give up his job.
Sneaky, underhanded snake.
The High Priestess turned to Jansson without a ruffle in her composure. “As Clive’s supervisor, do you agree with his grievance and expectations?”
My heart stalled in my chest while Jansson thought over his reply.
“Clive is free to make any grievance he wishes,” he said slowly, “but I feel that there is enough evidence that she acted in self-defense to say the punishment may be too steep. I recommend that Bianca be restricted to the castle grounds and asked to do work hours with Mrs. L.”
My heart both lifted and fell at the same time. Work hours with Mrs. L? I’d prefer exile.
“Your Highness, the real question here is whether Bianca is receiving the attention she needs in order to deal with her grief,” Clive interjected. “With her mother gone, it’s only natural that her father should step up and fill the empty spot in her young life. Quite frankly, I doubt that’s happening and this uncontrolled temper is the result. Perhaps we should look at giving Derek more of an opportunity to take care of his daughter.”
Both Tiberius and I started forward, but Stella yanked me back before my foot touched the floor. Tiberius snarled low in his throat. Clive didn’t move, but looked for all the world like a small animal trapped in a cave of lions.
“Your opinion was unsolicited and therefore not received,” the High Priestess said with a withering gaze.
“Does that have anything to do with the fact that Bianca is a favorite of yours and has received your official pardon before?” Clive asked.
“Silence, you fool!” Jansson hissed under his breath.
Papa stepped forward, his face hardening into furious lines. My powers surged, gaining more strength than should have been possible. Stella reached over and put a hand on my arm. A cool feeling flooded my body, settling me.
“Be still,” she whispered and the magic obeyed.
“This is the third time you’ve spoken out of turn during one meeting, Clive. Should you feel the need to speak one more time in my presence without invitation, you will be placed under impudence and banned from your position as Coven Leader for the rest of your life,” the High Priestess said in a calm, dangerous tone. “I am, quite frankly, insulted at your insinuation.”
“I didn’t mean it in that way, Your Highness,” Clive stammered, shuffling back a step under the terrible power of her beady eyes. “I would never wish to insult you.”
“I’m not convinced. You are banned from Chatham Castle for one month and will not be allowed to attend meetings or events. Should we have this problem again, I will exile you without hesitation. We’ll see what you think of your own opinions then.”
Clive’s face fell. He opened his mouth to respond, but Jansson put a hand on his shoulder.
“In addition,” the High Priestess continued in a cold tone, “I recognize four names from this petition as wanted witches from the Factios. I expect your full cooperation in finding these criminals. Bianca is hereby restricted to the grounds at Chatham Castle. Leave my office this instant.” She turned to Jansson. “If I have any further problems from him, the responsibility for it rests on your shoulders. I suggest you control him if you want to keep your job.”
Jansson nodded once and steered Clive from the office with a bit more force than necessary. Tiberius flexed his hands and wrists, trouble brewing on his face.
“Spineless coward,” he muttered, ensuring it was still loud enough for Clive to hear. Papa drew in a deep breath, and the tense muscles in his shoulders relaxed. The High Priestess removed the incantation that held my throat hostage.
“I’d like those names, High Priestess,” Tiberius said. “I’ve got a hankering for a Factios bust, if you don’t mind.”
“What’s a Factios?” I asked.
“They are a recent problem from within the last year or two, possibly connected to Mabel,” the High Priestess said in a weary tone. “Factios is just a name. They are a group of organized criminals living in Chatham City stirring up trouble. They’re also a bunch of sodden idiots, although they must have some kind of intelligent leadership amongst them.”
She waved a hand at the scroll with a disgusted look and sent it flying to Tiberius, who tucked it into his pocket with a happy little pat.
“Always glad to plan a raid, Your Highness,” he said in a jovial tone. “It keeps the captains and me happy. There’s nothing more fun than busting the ugly mug of these Factios members.” Tiberius shot me a wink as he gave me a light slug on the shoulder that knocked me into Stella.
“Maybe I’ll have you teach the Guardians how to fight since you fended off an entire crowd.”
I couldn’t even smile, but Tiberius didn’t notice. He nodded once to Papa before swaggering out of the room and shutting the door behind him with a violent slam that rattled the paintings on the walls.
“I’m sorry this happened, Bianca,” the High Priestess said in a voice that was—to my surprise—calm. “I was not angry at you, you must understand. It’s not safe for you outside the castle anymore. Your restriction is a safety measure, not a punishment.”