Page 19 of Midnight of Ashes
Oh, hell. I could hear the fury in Mad’s voice. He was seconds away from snapping.
I sent Easton a sharp look.
He quickly stepped up next to Maddox, so close that he could grab him if Mad were to truly snap. “Are you here to investigate Hal Corbett’s attack on Hayden?”
I had to give it to Easton. His question sounded so innocent, as if he believed the council would actually work against injustice. But we knew the truth. Their fancy clothes, expensive cars, and palatial homes were bought with bribes from hordes all over the world.
Nolan’s eyes flashed. “Hal did report an incident to us. One that we were extremely concerned about.”
Fionn set his glass of scotch down on the side table. “He said that you attacked him, Easton. That a female dragon got caught in the crossfire.”
Hayden surged forward before I could stop her. “That’s not true. Easton didn’t do anything. That monster attacked us.”
Pain streaked across Easton’s face. Agony at the memory and that she was still trying to protect him, even though he didn’t deserve it.
Interest flickered in Mona’s eyes. “I know it can be hard, being introduced to a whole new world. You don’t always understand the dynamics of the supernatural world.”
Hayden glared at her. “I know when someone shoots a fireball at us out of nowhere. I’m not an idiot.”
Our girl had fire. And I loved her for it. But in this situation, that fire could get us into a hell of a lot of hot water.
Arthur scoffed as he ran his hand through his perfectly coiffed hair. “You know nothing about our world, girl.”
Redness crept up Hayden’s throat. “I know that I’m happy here and that I don’t want to meet any other hordes or whatever else you had in mind. Just leave me alone.”
Nolan’s eyes narrowed. “Careful. I might take that as an insult.”
Cáel moved then, hauling Hayden back against his chest. “Back off.”
“You don’t get to make that call,” Nolan spat back. “Unless you’re challenging our authority?”
“No one is doing that,” I interjected. “But Hayden does still have free will, doesn’t she?”
A mixture of anger and agony bled into those words as I locked eyes with Nolan. He knew exactly what I meant. He was the one member of the council who had been in leadership all those years ago when I’d tried to file my report. When I’d told them of the atrocities my so-called father had committed. When I still believed the council did some good.
But Nolan hadn’t given one flying fuck. Because he’d been in my father’s pocket all along.
Mona stood, feeling the building tension. “Of course, she does. But a girl’s gotta know her options so she can make an informed decision. So, we’ve planned a little cocktail party for the weekend. All eligible and appropriate hordes have been invited. Then Hayden can make her own choice.”
But I knew what that meant. All hordes that had paid the council to be invited. Hordes that would do anything for a mate. Even if that meant taking her.
11
HAYDEN
“Are you sure you don’t want something to eat?” Knox asked for the sixth time.
I shook my head. “I’m not hungry.”
Cáel frowned. “You need to eat. It’s how you heal.”
I sighed. “It’s been a day, guys. I’ll eat a good breakfast tomorrow.”
How the hell was I supposed to have an appetite when bomb after bomb had been dropped, and it was clear there were a million secrets still being kept? It was clear as day that both Maddox and Cillian had a river of bad blood with the council. But both had disappeared the moment the council members had left. Easton had been close on their heels.
Knox and Cáel had stuck close, but I was honestly starting to feel a little suffocated. I pushed up off the couch.
They both started to rise, but I held out a hand to stop them. “Thank you. For being here. For supporting me. You both mean more to me than you’ll ever know.” Those three little words were on the tip of my tongue, but I swallowed them back. “I just need some time to process, okay?”
