Page 84 of Empress of Ruin
“Now that we’ve all gathered,” Raegan, or as her title card says,Crowintones, “Let’s get started. Now, we’ve already heard cases and defenses from defendants and witnesses advance, but to summarize: there was an incident some months ago during which Killian alleges that Silas released a false, AI-generated intimate tape of his then-fiancée, Lyra. The distress of seeing such falsehoods about her paraded through the internet contributed to a miscarriage, after which she and Killian decided she needed to travel for a time.
“After the release of said material, Killian confronted Silas and demanded a blood-debt, or a pound of his flesh, threatening to kill Silas otherwise, Shortly afterwards, he filed a request with us to see Silas dead, and Silas later filed a request to see Killian dead when we held upKillian’s request in committee—”
“Now, now, Crow,” Vladimir interrupts. “That’s a rather one-sided recollection of events, is it not? I think you’re playing favorites. According to Silas, Killian has been actively attempting to complicate his life, drain his finances, and see himkilledfor years prior. His violence escalated to a point where Silas could no longer rely on our rules to keep him safe, so he’s bravely come forward. I think the court has found ample evidence of the truth in these allegations—”
“We’ve found ample evidence to support amutuallong-standing rivalry,” Spencer interjects, the fuckingtraitor. “Try to reel in your prejudice against self-starters, Bull. The two have had some healthy battles, as all youngsters should, but nothing that escalated to violence until a woman joined the picture.”
Both Silas and Killian are eerily quiet throughout this conversation, as if they’ve either anticipated this or know that talking will risk losing precious organs.
“There’s much speculation around this case,” Spencer says. “The facts that we’ve been able to confirm through blood sampling and security footage of the gala when Silas mutilated himself are the following. Lyra Stewart miscarried the night that a sex tape with her likeness leaked. Whether the two are correlated incidents are up to personal view, but the blood provided by Killian confirms the loss of a child that was indeed his, and the date of the sample aligns with his story.”
I swallow hard, squeezing my eyes shut. Killian… saved some of the blood? My god, what sort of twisted world must he live in? He had to have seen this coming and known he needed someproof. He never told me this, probably to spare me the pain of thinking of that night.
“We’ve also confirmed that Killian did in fact demand a blood-debt of Silas that very same night,afterLyra’s miscarriage. Now, whether he was justified in doing so is the question we must vote on today.”
“Of course he wasn’tjustified,” Vladimir sneers. “He was angry and vengeful and lost his head, like the stupid, in-over-his-head boy that he is. If he wanted a blood debt, he should’ve gone throughus.The rules on that are perfectly clear.”
“What’s rather less clear is the morality surrounding a grieving man and how much allowance we’ll make for the madness that accompanies loss, especially for one of our most senior members,” Raegan says.
“Our senior members ought to know better than losing their heads and going on bloodthirsty sprees!” Ryan pipes up, impassioned. He’s a stout man, not particularly attractive, and sounds rather like he’s reading from a script.
“Who among this panel has actually experienced what it is to lose a child?” Griffin queries pleasantly. “I’d wager rather few of you. Take it from someone who has experienced such loss; the accompanying madness is all but assured, and is righteous in nature. Silas’s blow to Lyra caused unthinkable consequences—
“There’s no proof that Silas’s actions caused anything. She could’ve had a condition that would’ve caused miscarriage in any case,” Ryan volleys back.
Being spoken of as if I’m not here, while rows upon rows of men and women cast me curious glances from the gallery, is surreal—and the calm that I felt walking in here fades. This really might be it.
“Perhaps, perhaps not,” Spencer speaks again, tilting his head from side to side. “Killian and Silas—forgive me for stripping you of your Eyes honorifics for the time being—do you have anythingmore to add to your cases? I believe we’ve had enough debate and it’s time to vote.”
The outcome of the vote is unclear. Raegan and Griffin are sure to vote with Killian, Vladimir and Ryan will vote with Silas, but Spencer hasn’t given indication either way.
“No,” Silas says simply. “I trust you’ll do the right thing and put this wild, begging dog down. His bitch, too.”
Killian’s jaw twitches, but he says nothing until Spencer poses the same question to him.
“Some weeks ago an assassin sent by someone I suspect to be a member of the Eyes set off a bomb in my workplace lobby, then attempted to slit my throat.” He pulls his shirt aside, exposing the scar that still makes my heart thud each time I see it. “This is my souvenir. The attempt is extremely well documented. While I do not yet have concrete proof, I know the assassin was sent by proxy through a Russian oligarch. I have many reasons to suspect it was either a judge or someone else with interests in this case that sent him. I’d like to request a few more days to investigate from the court—”
“Absolutelynot,” Vladimir snaps. “The time for waiting has passed, boy. You won’t delay your fate any further. We’ve all had near-misses with assassins—that’s the price of power. Accusing someone onthispanel is obscene. No, we will votenow, and hopefully rid ourselves of your ilk.”
“Is there something wrong with self-made men?” Spencer queries mildly.
“Everything,” Vladimir hisses.
“Hmm.” Spencer turns to look at me, then Killian. “Do you haveanyproof in connection with this assassination attempt that might aid your case?”
It almost sounds as though he’s hoping the answer is yes. As if hewasn’tthe one to send the assassin, and hewantsto vote in Killian’s favor, but can’t as things stand now—because hebelieves Killian broke the rules and is therefore in the wrong.Could he be innocent?I suppose many corrupt individuals could have connections with oligarchs.
When Killian shakes his head, I realize with a sinking feeling that I’ll probably never find out. Spencer shoots him an almost apologetic look, lips flat, and nods. “Let’s vote.”
“All in favor of granting Silas’s petition and ridding this word of that feral dog,” Vladimir says, far too hopefully.
Three hands slowly begin to rise in the air—Vladimir, Ryan, Spencer. My knees buckle with a wave of fear. Raegan looks down, shaking her head sadly. Silas shoots me a victorious look.
“He’s a slippery little fuck, I’ll give him that,”Vladimir’s voice echoes out, only it doesn’t come from the man. It comes from arecording devicethatCarter’sholding up. “His security is unlike anything I’ve ever seen. I’ve sent men after him three times over the last six months, and they never ever getclose. We’ll just have to keep trying until something works.”
Is he talking about Killian in this recording? What thefuckdid Carter manage to dig up?
“Spencer’s always had the best security of all of us.”Now it’s Ryan’svoice that rings out, and holy fuck, they aren’t talking about trying to kill Silas—they’re talking about trying to kill Spencer. Even worse, all things considered. Surely an offense punishable by death. A quiet laugh bubbles up my throat.
