Page 75 of Hart's Redemption

I stepped inside and held my wrists out to the soldier in charge so the manacles could be removed. He still hadn’t given his name, and I didn’t ask. Once free, I stepped deeper into the room, offering no signs of hostility or weakness. The gate slammed shut with an eerie finality that sounded more like a death knell than metal meeting metal. Without a backward glance, the soldiers left me to my fate, disappearing through a modest archway off to the right.

I let out a breath of air and almost immediately sucked it back in as the burn of ozone returned and three figures entered the room. The tallest among them wore long, flowing robes of the palest blue that seemed to drift behind him, while the shortest, a woman with a clean-shaven scalp and penetrating stare, walkedas if dominating each step. The most unassuming and least decorated of the group, an austere man with sun-dark skin and hollows under his eyes spared me a brief glance as they passed.

I eyed the three and strove to keep my rising anxiety in check. My crimes mandated being brought before the Coalition of Supernaturals as well as the United Federation of Humans. I expected to be grilled without mercy, to have all my past misdeeds brought forward to be examined in an unforgiving light. I expected every case I had ever worked to be scrutinized and picked apart. I even expected my current condition to be called into question. I expected all of that and then some. What I hadnotanticipated was that the Chancellor of Elementals, the Ambassador of the Winter Court, and an emissary of the Kisin would be in attendance.

Elementals weren’t known to get involved in the affairs of mortals, and neither were the Fae. As disturbing as that was, though, the last was perhaps the most troubling. The Kisin were demons of death, once commonly known as soul-stealers, in ages past had been forced into servitude to dispatch soldiers dying on the battlefield. His presence created a sizable wrinkle in all of my carefully crafted plans. I’d have to make sure Lombardi was aware of this alternative means of dispensing with me.

As abruptly as they arrived, the trio exited the cavernous room. I shivered as the cold seeped into my bones and longed for Elijah’s warmth. While I’d been in this peculiar place that existed between worlds previously, I’d never been unable to leave. I peered into the open room, devoid of life once again. Though beautiful, the temple looked more like a tomb than a place of worship. I could only thank whatever deity was listening that this wasn’t where the trial would take place. That honor was reserved for the stately courthouse just beyond the impressive double doors that served as yet another portal and barrier to prevent the worst of the worst from ever seeing the light of day.

Preventmefrom seeing the light of day.

With a force of will I’d only ever used in combat, I dragged my gaze away from the bronze behemoths separating me from the rest of the world. Dwelling on the uncertainty that awaited me would do nothing. I needed to focus my energy on a plan of attack. My skin itched from the magic-imbued silver running through the walls. In an attempt to distract myself from the discomfort, I allowed my gaze to wander the familiar space beyond the bars. Across the mosaic floor were busts of what one might have assumed were representations of forgotten deities or perhaps individuals of renown. I knew better.

Each alabaster figure was the actual likeness of a supernatural convicted of egregious crimes against supernaturals and humanity. Their meticulous depictions weren’t the result of superior carving or even magical imprinting, though.

I shivered again and stepped away from the cell door. Death by Gorgon was a terrible way to go, though arguably better than having your soul literally ripped from your living body. Despite myself, I looked back at the statues mocking me. There was only one lycan up there. I didn’t expect that to last for long.

Elijah

I wrung my hands and tugged at the cuffs of my dark gray suit. Several curious gazes found their way to me, but no one questioned my presence. Thanks to Lombardi and one document, not a soul could evict me from the room, not that several hadn’t already tried.

“Calm yourself,” Theodore Lombardi said without looking up from his organized stack of files and data tabs. “You would do well to remember that lycanthropes are not the only beings withenhanced senses. Are you sure I cannot convince you to take the potion?”

I thought of the thin vial still sitting on the nightstand in the hotel. “No. I know how hard it is to have a partner’s scent withheld. I won’t do that to Josh.”

Lombardi made a soft, exasperated sound and turned in his seat to face me. “Then perhaps you should be more diligent in quieting your nerves.” Flames seemed to burn in his eyes, matching his irritation and prompting my inner wolf to hesitate.

“I’ll try harder.”

“Good.”

A sharp, hollow sound filled every nook and cranny of the spacious courtroom. In its aftermath, a hush descended over the crowd gathered. I glanced around at the accumulation of people. It seemed as though every supernatural being in existence was present, as well as a fair number of humans. Despite the common cause that had brought them all here, the factions continued to eye each other with distrust. A nearly eight foot tall woman dressed in a uniform that wouldn’t have been out of place in Ancient Rome stepped forward, holding an intricate staff. She rapped it on the marble floor twice, and everyone in attendance stood.

I scrambled to do the same and followed Lombardi’s gaze to an imposing set of bronze doors. Light seeped through the cracks as the doors groaned and slowly opened. Contrary to what I would have expected, there was no blinding flash when the doors finished separating. Silence gripped the room as nine people emerged with all the pomp and circumstance their positions afforded. I’d seen pictures of the high seats of the Coalition of Supernaturals and even news reports around the key players of the United Federation of Humans, but nothing could have prepared me for seeing them all in the flesh.

My anxiety skyrocketed as I took in the collection of stony expressions. Even the supernaturals on the panel seemed to have already reached a decision, and the trial hadn’t even started. I forced myself to take a deep breath while they found their seats along the massive half-circle desk dominating the front of the room. After a few minutes, a single representative stood and broke the quiet.

“We are brought here today to bear witness and judgment on one of our own. Per the agreement between the Coalition of Supernaturals and the United Federation of Humans, these proceedings will be publicly broadcast. As such, any disturbance of the court will be considered an imprisonable offense. May the actions of this tribunal serve as an example to all.”

My hand clenched at my side as the representative resumed his seat. Of course the entire trial would be internationally broadcast. None of these people would pass up the opportunity to make an example of someone.

The lead speaker, whose nameplate proclaimed him Senator Stevens, gave a subtle nod to the bailiff. “Would the accused please be escorted in?”

The woman whom I strongly suspected might be part giant rapped her staff against the floor once more. I hadn’t realized the bronze doors had closed until they reopened again. Only this time, there was not some stately appointed room on the other side, but a massive cella replete with columns reaching up and out of sight. A dozen soldiers, all outfitted in combat gear, stepped through the gateway. At their heart stood Josh, shoulders squared, back straight, and head held high.

I squeezed the railing of the banister separating me from the table where Lombardi sat. The soldiers brought Josh to the center of the room, then withdrew several paces. My hackles rose at seeing the manacles wrapped around his wrists. Even atthis distance, I could see the skin blistered beneath the spelled metal.

“Lycan Detective Joshua Hart, you stand accused of egregious crimes against the supernatural community. You will be tried for criminal negligence, the unsanctioned deaths of fifty-three Lycanthropes, abuse of position, crimes against the Klamath Pack, and attempted genocide. How do you plead?”

“My plea is irrelevant.”

Senator Stevens glowered openly at Josh while another member of the panel stood. The woman wore a heavy green robe embroidered with a bejeweled trim and had a decidedly golden complexion. “Detective Hart, in the course of these proceedings your guilt will be ascertained via testimony and irrefutable evidence. The world will witness every step of this trial.”

“I would have it no other way.” The woman’s face pinched at Josh’s casual reply.

I barely suppressed a groan. Was it even possible for the man to speak without pissing someone off?

Josh