Page 46 of Truthfinder’s Promise

“I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be rude. But I’ve been performing a thorough analysis of our current laws, and Section Three Clause Fourteen states that any individual possessed of any magical persuasion must reveal themselves to the Society within two weeks of arrival. However, once revealed, they may not remain in Seclusion unless they petition to join Aspect Society. Only those who possess Aspect may join.”

Wait a minute. “What about the Oracles?” Meredith asked. Charles came and went in Seclusion as he pleased. “Wouldn’t that clause mean the Oracles aren’t actually allowed to be in Seclusion?” They had their own town on the outskirts of the city limits, but Meredith had always assumed that was because they wanted to remain separate. Questions thrown at Oracles tended to knock them out of present reality and into future what-if reality, so being around non-Oracles was difficult for many of them. “Charles is on your advisory council.”

“I am aware. The Oracles signed an agreement with us over a century ago that allows them to make their home at our borders, and they can come and go in Seclusion as long as they never spend more than a full day here, but I don’t like the legal exclusion.

“Why do you think I’m so familiar with the terminology? Anyway—” she turned back to Jensen “—given the wording and how archaic the laws are, I’m thinking it makes sense that clause might have actually been meant for you.”

“Can’t you just not tell the law and order we’re here?” Hel asked, speaking up for the first time.

“I sort of am the law and order.”

Dom’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “We might not want Aspect Society to know about us, but we do know about you. You’re run by a council.”

Siren nodded. “A council that has been indefinitely disbanded, leaving me as the elected interim head of Aspect Society.”

“How did you manage that?” Serenity asked. “What are you, nineteen?”

“Four years off the mark,” Siren fired back, “and I ‘managed it’ by exposing a long history of corruption, illegal magic use, and then holding the Council accountable for it. Ending up in charge was never my intention. It just sort of happened. And while I think this particular law is unreasonable, I won’t break faith with my people by bending the laws to suit my own personal whims.”

“No,” Random agreed, “but since things don’t have to go to a Council vote, seeing as how we don’t have one, you could grant them temporary clemency under Section Eight.”

Siren frowned. “The refugee section? I thought that was meant for people trying to leave Aspect establishments in other countries.”

“Probably was. But the actual wording states that anyone of any magical persuasion who is facing persecution or physical harm, to either them or their family, which might be alleviated by remaining within Aspect territory, may make the appeal and have it granted. Since the law does not specify biological family, I believe the term could be interpreted in a broader sense to envelop Shifters in general as a family.”

“And that section supersedes the other?”

“Yes.”

Hel looked at Random. “What are you, a lawyer?”

“Among other things, yes. I can pull up the necessary forms, which would require the signatures of Siren, all Shifters involved, and two good faith witnesses, of which any of the Aspecters in the room could serve as.”

“I’m willing to grant it, with stipulations.” Siren turned back to Jensen. “I can’t begin to imagine what you’re feeling right now, and I have the utmost sympathy for you, but my first responsibility is to my people. If you stay, you will be bound by our laws for the duration of your time here. Should you break any of them or harm any of my people outside of defending yourself from a direct attack, you will face an Aspect trial.”

“You have no authority over us,” Serenity protested.

“If you sign this agreement,” Random said, “you are agreeing to be held accountable by our laws.”

“Do we have another choice?”

“Not if you want to remain in Seclusion,” Siren said. “Random can provide you with a copy of the Aspect Charter, so you can review the laws. You may stay here tonight—” she looked to Meredith for approval. Oh, what the hell? Meredith nodded. “—and make your decision in the morning. Do not leave this house until a decision has been made.

“Should you opt not to sign, we can escort you out of Seclusion in the morning. Return, and you will be trespassing. With or without you, we will make every attempt to find those who were taken from your enclave and return them.”

Serenity, Hel, and Dom shared a look. It was Hel who finally said, “Signing a legally binding agreement might be difficult for us.”

Jensen groaned. “You don’t have Grams’ permission to be here, do you?”

Grams?

“She wouldn’t have given it,” Dom answered. “Better to ask for forgiveness, and all that.”

Random frowned. “Do you need your grandmother’s permission to sign a document as a legal adult?”

“Grams is our Siren,” Jensen said, “and our laws don’t allow any of us to reveal ourselves to non-Shifters who aren’t married into our enclave.” Here he had the decency to at least send Meredith an apologetic look. “They’ve shifted in front of Aspecters, and given your positions within Aspect Society the, ah, typical recourse in this situation is out of the question.”

So if you’re a Shifter and you reveal yourself to your enemy’s leader, the enclave is not going to try and assassinate said leader on your behalf. Good to know.