Page 94 of Hart's Redemption

“No!” Elijah’s shout rang through the courtroom, only to be quickly stifled.

I checked the reflex to flinch at the heartbroken sound. Meanwhile, murmurs filled the room like a babbling brook when a side door opened and a woman wearing a thick shawl that hid her face was escorted in. My own mother’s dry cackle from where she sat unrestrained joined the noise and raised the hair on my arms.

“Sentencing is to be carried out immediately. Do you have any final words?”

I love you, Elijah.

“Yes.”

Coven Leader Lily Albright’s eyebrows climbed in obvious surprise. “Please, regale us.”

I waited three heartbeats to ensure that every camera, lens, and streaming device was trained on me. “Per Article 75, §N ¶33 of the Richat Treaty of 2070 signed by both the Coalition of Supernaturals and the United Federation of Humans, a Lycan Detective shall be bound to their oaths until such time as they are no longer a part of the living world. Furthermore, the position shall not be beholden to either faction and will exist in its entirety beyond the reach of both.”

Outrage erupted from the panel. Their angry voices joined by several others in the audience.

Coven Leader Albright’s words cut through the increasing din. “You brazen—”

“Andlastly,” I shouted to be heard, “as a lycanthrope myself, I am not subject to the laws of either the United Federation of Humans nor the Coalition of Supernaturals. Per Article 57 §B-9 of the same agreement: only lycanthropes may police their own.”

Senator Johnson surged to his feet. “By your own admission, you are subject to the purview of your own agency.”

I couldn’t help but smile as I wrapped my hand around victory and squeezed. “I have never harmed a human outside the obligations of my position.”

Senator Johnson went apoplectic. His face turned purple as he choked on his words and continued to point angrily at me. It was Senator McMillan who found their voice first. “Arbitrary. You have committed violence against lycans and will suffer for your crimes.”

At their words, Direct Starling stepped forward. “The Lycan Detective Agency strictly observes the guidelines set forth in the Richat Treaty of 2070, which firmly dictates that Lycan Detectives only hold jurisdiction in lycanthrope on human violence and vice versa. Detective Joshua Hart will face justice at the hands of the Klamath Pack and their Alpha, as they are his rightful pack. The Lycan Detective Agency has no legal standing to take action at this time.”

Absolute chaos erupted. The senators of the UFH turned on the representatives of the CoS. People surged past the barriers, everyone shouting. Soldiers moved to intervene, but there weren’t enough to hold back the tide short of using deadly force. Furious voices demanded that I be executed anyway. Others cried for new laws to be written and the old to be cast aside. More asserted their own grievances at the hands of these governing bodies. And the media broadcast every single second around the world.

Director Starling gave me an appraising look before slipping through the throng to be closer to the representatives of the CoS. My own mad laugh bubbled out of me just as hands closed around my arms and spun me around. I came face to face with Elijah and laughed harder. “It actually worked.”

“You’re certifiable. Now come on. We’re getting out of here.” He grabbed my hand just long enough to get me going in the right direction, where Lombardi waited, anxiously clutching his briefcase. Last time he’d been surrounded by such a volatile crowd, he’d almost died.

I made it all of five steps right beside Elijah when an inhuman scream split the air. My feet stopped dead, and I instinctively sought the source. I didn’t have to search long. Pushing through the crowd, her face a mottled canvas of indescribable rage, was my mother. I quickly took stock of my surroundings even as she shoved an irate vampire out of her path. Despite the slew of bodies separating us, she was gaining ground and quickly.

I grabbed Elijah’s arm. “Did you file charges?”

“What?” he questioned, oblivious to the threat bearing down on us.

“Quickly, did you file charges against my mother?”

“Y-yes,” he stammered. “Yes, okay?”

In one fluid motion, I released Elijah, stole the nearest soldier’s sidearm, and spun to face the woman that had just broken free of her retainers.

Beatrice Harker stepped clear of the nearest mass of frantic people and right into the line of fire.

I had just enough time to register the sheer animal fury on her face before her head snapped to the side. There was a split second where I stood there, my arm stretched to take the shot, my ears still ringing from the crack, then she crumpled lifelessly to the ground amidst a fresh chorus of panicked screams and shouts.

I lowered my arm and replaced the safety as Director Starling emerged from a group of stalwart soldiers. “Beatrice Harker, for your confessed crimes against the Klamath Pack and lycanthropes around the world, I find you guilty and sentence you to death.”

My stolen weapon fell to the ground from numb fingers. Any lingering remorse I’d anticipated wasn’t there, just an incredible feeling of lightness, of freedom.

Director Starling’s cold, calculated gaze lifted from where she stood not ten meters away to meet mine. “Detective Hart, I fully expect you to report for duty once your leave of absence terminates.”

“Yes, Director.”

She gave a sharp nod and signaled for the soldiers to take care of the body. A warm arm circled around my waist and lurched me out of my mindless stare at the corpse of the woman that had tormented me for thirty-four years. I looked to the side and was greeted by the soft compassion in Elijah’s eyes.