She was right, although the boys weren’t officially hunters – we hadn’t even finished school yet – they’d been involved in a few arrests. As future council members they were not supposed to take part in risky missions, but hey, they were the Compasses, they lived for dangerous shit. Generally, they didn’t hear the word “no” much. So all of them at one time or another had left the protections of Stratford. I’d been waiting to reach twenty-five to be able to head out with them. Jonathon had laid down the law. I couldn’t leave Stratford until I was legally a supernatural adult.
The Compasses used to go out together, but the last time all four of them left the community the vampire had tried to usurp my father from the council. It was then we realized their presence added some protection to the Lebron home. They never left me alone again; at least two of them were in Stratford at all times. Which made it doubly hard right now. I felt their loss like a missing limb or organ. No wonder my chest hurt. It felt as if my heart had been ripped from its cavity.
I jumped to my feet, both of my hands flying to my hips. “You have to tell me where the prison is.” I was trembling as I raised my chin at Jonathon.
He shook his head. “I won’t. Firstly, it’s forbidden and I’m spelled to prevent unauthorized location revelation. And secondly, I will not enable you to get yourself killed trying to free them.”
I huffed in and out. Each breath felt strained, like my lungs weren’t filling. I narrowed my eyes. “I can’t leave them there. I will find the prison. Don’t you think for a moment you can keep me from helping the boys.”
Jonathon and I locked eyes, neither of us backing down. I could not let him dominate me this time. I loved and respected my father, but if he didn’t fight for the Compasses then we were going to have a big problem.
He finally sighed. “We’ll get them out, Jessa, but we have to be smart about it. Going in guns blazing to one of the highest security prisons in the world is foolish.”
His words had my heart rate slowing a little. Was he saying they weren’t giving up, they were going to get them back?
“What do we do first?” Mischa seemed almost as anxious as me, which I found odd, but was too stressed to really think about.
Louis spoke then, and like magic everyone froze and locked in on him. “They’ll hold the trial in six days.” His voice was low, and energy seemed to float through the air following each note. “We know it will be a farce. I have no doubt that Kristoff is involved. His cravings for power is reaching dangerous levels, and he knows his time on the council is almost over. He doesn’t want to lose the boost from his people.”
Jonathon nodded. “Desperate people do despicable things, and right now Kristoff is more desperate than I’ve ever seen him.”
To become council leader you had to be the most powerful of your race at the time of choosing. Then, on top of already having incredible power, the leaders also received small portions of energy from everyone under their lead. Which, as you can imagine, increased their power monumentally. This was what Kristoff was afraid of losing. Louis had been the mages’ council member fifty years ago, and now he was a chief, an honored place for those who had served as leader.
“I will defend the men,” he said, his voice calm and smooth, and it seemed he was staring right at me when he said it. “I have gathered evidence from the scene and have no doubts that this was a staged murder.”
“I will also defend,” Torag said. “The trolls not like this deception.”
Ignoring the sorcerer’s probing gaze, I strolled across the room and hugged the small, robust troll tightly. “Thank you … thank you.”
Over his shoulder I met Louis’ eyes. I didn’t know him well enough to hug him but I gave a single nod. Which he returned with a wink … which was curious. His features definitely softened and he looked … friendly. Was he flirting with me? I couldn’t scent interest, but he’d only reveal what he wanted to.
Jo was on her feet too. “Where are they holding them? Will we be able to see them before the trial?”
Jonathon attempted a reassuring smile. It fell far short of the mark. “The prison has a special cell for those awaiting trial. They boys won’t be in with the rest of the sentenced criminals. The trial will be in the town hall and you’re permitted to attend. The morning of the trial, we’ll meet here at 8am, the doors will be secured at 9am. That gives us plenty of time.”
I felt a little better knowing that the Compasses weren’t in with all of the hardcore criminals. I could only imagine the fights they’d get into there.
After an hour or so of discussion and comforting for Jo and Jack, everyone left.
Except Mischa and Lienda.
Louis said the privacy dome on the house would last until the morning, so we spoke freely.
Jonathon stepped over to Lienda, reaching out and linking their hands together. “Your mother and sister will be staying here from now on, Jessa.”
Even though I thought it was for the best, I still bristled. I hated being told things instead of asked. But I couldn’t begrudge him his mate back, and to be fair the four of us needed time together to try to learn to be a family. If that was even possible.