Page 84 of Hart's Redemption

Lombardi stood, calmly smoothing his tie. “Objection. The prosecutor is testifying.”

“Sustained,” Senator Johnson said quickly, shooting a glare at the supernatural half of the panel, already leaning forward to interject.

Not remotely intimidated, the Ambassador of the Winter Court ignored the senator entirely and turned her icy gaze on me. “And yet, I would like to hear the response. The defendant will answer the question posed with the truth, as he is beholden to do.”

“If the prosecutor could restate the question for the court,” Senator Cowan said.

Much to my surprise, the Kisin Emissary leaned forward. “And kindly rephrase. If this tribunal wants your testimony, Miss Hightower, we will call you to the stand.”

I couldn’t really fault Camilla for needing a moment to compose herself. The entire Council of Supernaturals was terrifying in its own right, but Kisin demons held a special fear for humans. “Detective Hart, did you enroll in the Lycan Detective program to further your family’s mission?”

“No.”

She swiveled back to face me. “Excuse me?”

I stood up, and several guards stepped forward. “Being a Lycan Detective comes with a thorough oversight committee. In addition, I do not hate werewolves. I never have.”

Several members of the panel surged to their feet in outrage. “Lies!” Senator Cowan shouted.

“Lycan Detectives can only speak the truth,” I countered.

Senator McMillan cast a wary glance towards the Ambassador of the Winter Court. “Unless he has found a way around the oaths.”

The ambassador blistered with indignant rage and lurched to her feet. “If the viability of his oaths is in question, then his oaths shall be tested.” She snapped her fingers with a sound like a cracking glacier.

Instantly a wiry, well-groomed man in equally lavish attire as the ambassador appeared in the center of the court. He bowed low. “Your ladyship, to what do I owe the honor?”

“Robin, assemble the engravers at once.”

Mischief glittered in his eyes. “Is there to be a new detective already?”

“Our methods have been called into question. There is speculation that the oaths have been circumvented.”

The man let out an evil cackle that set every hair on end, then disappeared as abruptly as he’d arrived.

“Bring him to the Chamber of Fírinne. His oaths will be tested, and this tribunal will resume on the morrow.” The Ambassador of the Winter Court glared icily at the representatives of the United Federation of Humans before she too winked out.

Elijah

Literally nothing that was happening made sense. How had wegone from straightforward questions to believing Josh’s oaths couldn’t be trusted? I stood, joining the host of other people who suddenly found themselves too restless to remain seated.

Across the court, the group of soldiers advancing on Josh suddenly halted. A shout went up at the same time a bright light flared at the heart of the group.

“What’s going on?” I asked, blinking rapidly. As my eyes cleared, I realized Josh and half the escort of soldiers were gone, leaving the other half standing around in dazed confusion. “Where the hell is Josh?!”

“Shit.” Lombardi moved faster than I’d ever seen him. In one sweep, all of his notes and data tabs tumbled into his case. He scooped it up and encircled my upper arm in an alarmingly tight grip.

“What happened? Where did he go?”

“We’re leaving.”

“What about Josh?” I craned my neck to search for the man the bond in my chest told me couldn’t be there.

“I don’t know how much time we have.” Lombardi yanked my arm and pushed us through the milling throng of confused spectators. He refused to release me until we were in his hover car and the driver was speeding towards the hotel.

Back in the room, I rounded on Lombardi and returned to demanding answers. “What in the moon’s name was that all about? Where did they take Josh? Why did we just leave him?”

Lombardi walked over to the en suite bar and poured a sizable glass of whiskey. He shot it back, then refilled the glass along with another, which he held out to me. “Detective Hart has been taken to the Chamber of Fírinne, deep in the heart of ancient Fae land. There they will test his oaths.”