Page 37 of Night Fall
“We have no guarantee that Erik is dead. We have not begun an investigation to ensure that he is, which is required before any vote for punishment,” Greg bit out.
Mya wanted to argue. She opened her mouth to do so, to accept the sweet gift of death, but Francois spoke first.
“And what then? What guarantee do we have that you wouldn’t hide your sister to save her?”
Greg took a step forward. “I would never—”
“You have a conflict of interest—”
Lily smacked the table with her fan. “Enough!” she ordered, and everyone fell silent. “Francois is correct. This was genocide, and it is not what we stand for, not anymore.”
Greg started. “Mya—”
Lily shot him a look that stalled the rest of his words. “Losing Erik has created a large void for all of us, but no one feels that void stronger than Mya. She is—was—his mate.”
Mya’s head snapped up at the word and she met Lily’s gaze. “His mate?”
Lily’s eyes widened. “He never told you?” she asked, sighing and pinching her brow as Mya shook her head. “By the gods,” she whispered under her breath. “Mya, immortals have mates, partners who they are the most compatible with. It’s different for everyone. Some are fated, destined to be together, while others can be rejected. But it is clear from what you felt, from what you’ve done, that Erik was your fated mate.”
This knowledge tugged at something in her, something dark and broken. This was just another thing she didn’t know, another thing she should have known, another secret. “W-What does that mean?” she asked.
“It means that Erik is the only person you would have ever loved or truly been happy with. He’s also the only person you could procreate with.”
Erik’s ring felt warm on her finger, the opposite of the coldness that swept through her body. Mya looked around the room dumbfounded, taking in the faces of sadness, anger, righteousness and pity. Then her gaze landed on Greg and Elaine. “But the blood witches—”
“They tampered with the immortal’s fated line,” Lily said.
“Which is dangerous,” a council member snarled.
“Mya saved us by killing those witches. We could have lost the ability to find our fated mates,” another member followed.
“And how will we be able to explain that to the witch council when one of us can extinguish their entire line? When a council member’s sister has already done so? Do you really believe they wouldn’t try to use this as an excuse for war?” Francois said.
Several members of The Council grunted and nodded in agreement.
“I’ve heard and understand your grievances,” Greg said sternly, causing Mya to shift her gaze to his. “I ask that you allow me to investigate Erik’s death, as written in our laws.”
“There is nothing to investigate! Erik’s reaction to believing his fated mate rejected him is understandable, but there has never been a record in all our history of a fated mate committing a massacre because of rejection. Those actions have only ever been committed when the mate has passed. And she said it herself, she tracked him over a cliff!” Francois exclaimed, his pale, powdered skin growing as red as a tomato.
“Regardless,” Greg said through clenched teeth, “if we must uphold the law for death then we must uphold the law for investigation.”
“And you plan to lead it yourself so you can use your position to hide information and run circles around the rest of us? No, I don’t think so,” Francois said.
“You’re absolutely correct,” Greg said, drawing a gasp from everyone, including Mya. “It is not fair that I should run the investigation while being a council member. Until this is adjourned, I will remove myself from the position.”
“Greg—” Mya began, but he held up his hand.
“Does that satisfy The Council?” he asked.
“And what guarantee do we have that this will be your top priority?” Francois asked.
“I will provide you with a report once a month.”
“Once a week,” Francois ordered.
“Fine,” Greg said, his body vibrating with tightly controlled fury.
“You will also explain your sister’s actions to the witch council. Should she ever do something so horrendous again, you will take her punishment.”
