Page 18 of Awakened and Betrayed
I can’t get a read on what he wants to do right now, but I can tell he’s itching to do something. My magic slowly starts to extend itself from my center into my limbs, responding to the potential threat. I zero in on Pebble, reading every twitch and tightening of his body and features.
“So, today was a clusterfuck of epic proportions,” Kallan announces.
Chuckles sound off around the room, and a smile slowly stretches across Pebble’s face. He looks over at Kallan, losing our staring contest, and it allows me to relax a little.
“Paladin Ender does have a lovely way with words, doesn’t he,” Nash admits, an amused smile fixed on his face, but it’s not lost on me that there’s no amusement evident in his eyes. “Those were his exact words when everyone stopped fighting after you ran off. Well, that and… what else did he say Pebble?”
Everyone turns to Pebble who rolls his eyes and snickers. “I believe it was something along the lines of: well done — pissing off the strongest caster we’ve seen in centuries.”
I don’t know if I want to laugh or groan at what Paladin Ender said. It’s nice to know he stood up for me, but I’m pretty confident that’s not going to be seen as a good thing in the elders’ eyes. Then again, I was doing a pretty good job all on my own of convincing them I was the threat Lachlan thought I was. I doubt thethey started it firstargument is going to carry much weight with them, regardless of how true it is.
“For what it’s worth, the elders were incredibly sorry that things ended the way that they did. Caster Sawyer was distraught that you didn’t want to work with him anymore,” Enoch states.
I snort at his declaration and narrow my eyes at him. “Do you think that matters at all to me? They’re sorry? For which part? Sorry they let someonetheybrought here attack me? Sorry they got caught lying about it? Or sorry that there’s no chance I will do anything they want, now, or in the future?”
“Vinna, it’s not like that,” Becket insists. “They really are just trying to do what’s best for you.”
“Thank you for your propaganda, oops, I mean opinion. But how is any of thiswhat’s best for me?” I gesture wildly at them, at their house, at the world in general. “I’ve been threatened, dictated to, attacked, and moved around, all without consultation or consideration. What’s best for me isn’t even a fucking afterthought at this point.”
“Who threatened you?” Enoch questions, moving to the edge of his seat like he’s getting ready to take action against anyone I name.
“Lachlan for starters. I was told if I didn’t come here willingly the elders would bind my magic and force me to cooperate.”
Enoch scoffs and shakes his head, a look of disgust on his face.
“Don’t go getting all high and mighty, Enoch. Your dad and the other elders have taken away my decisions just like Lachlan did.”
Becket opens his mouth to argue, but I cut him off.
“Is everyone here just going to pretend that the elders didn’t give their permission to attack me with magic today? How can you still buy thecasters care about females more than anything elseline after witnessing what happened today? Nothing I have seen here so far has convinced me that females are anything but a fucking commodity to be traded, cashed in, and destroyed when convenient.”
I shake my head in disgust. These guys have sat in a position of power in this community because of who their fathers are and who they’re connected to. How do they not see the truth? I can tell by the looks on their faces that they still honestly believe the elders have pure motivations and intentions. My gaze flits between all of them.
“Theyletthat instructor strangle me.”
I shudder at the memory and take a moment to compose myself.
“I watched each of you try to break through the barrier that was erected to get to me. But did any of you see what the elders were doing?”
“They were arguing about what to do,” Pebble offers.
“Arguing. But which one of them lifted a finger to stop what was happening?”
Pebble’s eyes drop from mine.
“Who erected the barrier? Was it Caster Sawyer, or was it one of them? Did you bother to ask, to connect the pieces, or is it normal to swallow the bullshit they feed you without question, and then ask for more?”
Becket scoffs. “Ifmy fathersaid what Caster Sawyer did was the only way to confirm your ability, then I believe him. I’m aware that you have issues with your uncle, but not all casters are like him, Vinna. You can trust the elders; you can trust us.”
“Like the shifters trusted you that day at the cliffs. When each of you stood by and watched your friends bully them.”
“We can’t go around policing everyone. Shifters have their own rules and ways. We can’t step in when their own should be,” Kallan tells me.
“I thought you guys were paladin conscripts? Isn’t that in your job description, to police and protect, or does that only apply to your own kind?”
Becket scoots to the end of his seat, frustration coloring his features. “We aren’t paladin yet, and we don’t have free reign to do whatever we want. We follow the rules, just like everyone else! Well, maybe not you, since you seem to have no loyalty or respect for anyone.”
I tighten my fists and fight not to take his bait. “I give respect where it’s earned.”
