Page 212 of Bound By Fire
50
Robyn
I look up at the judge as she flips through the papers in front of her. She must be close to her sixties, and from her size and the vivid color of her eyes, I would say that she’s a shifter.
I keep my hands folded in my lap. My attorney sits to my left, a shifter male who looks nervous, which makes me feel nervous. The prosecution is at the adjacent table. I have not looked at them once since they pleaded their case as to why I shouldn’t be given bail.
My eyes prick just thinking of all the things they said. They made me out to be a criminal, saying that I planned on using my position to harm the shifters on Draig Island. They are calling for me to be charged with treasonandterrorism.
My heart is beating so fast that I have to force myself to breathe slower. When I start to gain control, I turn my head toward the gallery, needing a second away from staring at the bench.
It’s full, and I recognize many of the faces here today.
Carla is in the front, dressed in a black blazer. Her eyes find mine the moment I look over, and she gives me a smile. She looks like she hasn’t slept. Her eyes are red-rimmed, and there are shadows beneath them.
Behind her is Brody, and next to him, Lena, who gives me a short, warm nod when I catch her eye. There’s a member of the hospital board, and even a few nurses and orderlies. There are admin staff too. So many people came here today, and it looks like they’re here to support me.
Something tightens inside me, and my eyes prick.
The judge clears her throat, and the gallery settles into quiet.
“Dr. Keller.” Her voice is raised so that all in attendance will hear. “I have reviewed the evidence presented and taken into consideration the severity of the charges brought against you.”
Here it comes.
I stare at a fixed point on the desk in front of her and hold very still.
“This courtisprepared to grant bail.”
The air shifts in the gallery with the briefest of collective exhales.
“In the amount of one million dollars.”
The exhale becomes something louder. A murmur that rolls through the rows like a wave.
“What?” someone yells.
“Why so much?”
“Noooooo!”
There are more yells of surprise. More chants against such a high bail.
My attorney puts a hand on my arm, even though I didn’t react. One million dollars. It may as well be ten million because I don’t have that kind of money.
“That is ridiculous,” Carla’s voice rings out above the loud chatter in the courtroom.
“Order.” The judge’s eyes cut to the gallery. Her gavel comes down hard several times. “Order, please. I will have quiet in my court.”
Another wave of displeasure runs through the room, quieter this time.
“Order!” the judge shouts again, her eyes blazing. “I?—”
The door at the back of the courtroom opens, and something in the air shifts. A hush starts at the back of the gallery and moves forward, row by row.
My attorney looks over his shoulder and frowns.
I turn, my breath catching.
