Finally I found my voice. “I’m sorry, I should have told you. I couldn’t leave them there.” It was killing me right now to think that those poor souls were still in that disgusting room. I squeezed my eyes closed tightly. I was a freaking failure. I’d failed those babies.
Braxton reacted then, as if my voice had cracked the anger he’d been projecting hard enough to break something. He moved faster than I could see and I was in his arms. He was everywhere, his expanses of silky skin pressing into mine and his heat encompassing me whole. The hug was hard, almost to the point of pain, but still there was a tenderness to the embrace. He could have crushed me in an instant if he wanted to. Instead he held me as if I was precious. I wanted to wrap my arms around him, offer some comfort, but of course the cuffed hands made that difficult.
“If you ever do something like this again,” he murmured, “I will fucking kill you, Jessa.”
I pulled back, unsure if he was kidding or not. His expression wasn’t giving much away.
Tyson’s head flew up then, golden eyes gleaming in the half light, although they were starting to bleed back to their honeysuckle color. Jacob’s head followed.
“The rest of the council members are coming,” they both said together.
Kristoff must have run off and gathered the others. He would have needed their power to even have a hope of stopping the Compasses.
Speaking of, I needed to tell them something. “Listen, I don’t know if he was talking shit or not, but Kristoff just pretty much admitted to me that he framed you four, sending you into Vanguard. I don’t think his plan is over yet, you have to watch your backs.” I needed them to be extra careful. They were so confident, they thought they could never be taken down.
Tyson nudged me gently. “Two steps in front of you, babe. Jonathon told us they’re gathering evidence against Kristoff. Have been since the trial. Apparently he used the fey to kill the vampire. They had the sucker stored until they could set up the scene, but then the fey had second thoughts, so Kristoff had him killed also. It’s all starting to unravel for him, we’re going to nail his ass soon.”
I took a step back to see them all better. “Dad … and you all have been investigating him? Why didn’t you tell me? And why did he do such a bad job with the crime scene.”
Maximus narrowed his eyes, his fangs had retracted enough for him to speak clearly again. “We do not want you involved in this. It’s dangerous and Kristoff is desperate to keep his role as council leader. In reality, the frame job was not too bad. If we hadn’t had Louis step in and gather that magical evidence, well, it probably wouldn’t have went our way.”
I blinked a few times. “It doesn’t make sense though, if it’s not you as leaders they’ll just bring in someone else.”
“Apparently there’s an old law: if they can usurp three of the five council members, then a vote can be taken to extend out the current rule another term,” Maximus said. “He’d have an even better chance if he got rid of four of the five.”
I’d never heard of that law. But if it was correct, then if Kristoff imprisoned or killed the Compasses, he’d have removed the majority and could rule for another twenty-five years. Our conversations were cut off as the power of the leaders washed over us.
Braxton moved close enough for me to feel the heat of his skin. “What do you want to do now?” he asked. “If you want to run, hide, or fight. We have your back.”
The other Compasses nodded. My heart filled and overflowed in the form of a few tears. Which thankfully I got under control immediately. Jonathon was wrong. I’d never believe my boys would hunt me one day, dragon marked or not. Never.
“I don’t want to run or fight. Not yet at least. If I’m found guilty at trial … well, that’s a different story.”
Mischa nodded, scooting closer to me. “Yes, we’ll face the punishment.”
Power was scooting through the forest now. I could feel the five races mingling, which was the mark of the leaders. The group stepped into view. There was at least ten of them now, with the council and the guards who had detained us. The Compasses moved in front of us, leaving only small gaps between each of them, effectively blocking us from the group.
“How did you all know we were back so fast?” I asked their broad backs.
Maximus swung his head and found my gaze. “Ty had an alert set up for you.”
“The council did the same, but mine’s bigger … I mean faster.” Tyson definitely had a grin on his face, I could hear it in his voice. Cocky mage.
“Why did you come in dragon mode?” I asked Braxton’s broad, bare back. “And what was with the flame?”
He didn’t answer me, his gaze firmly locked on the council. I peered around his side and was relieved to see Jonathon front and center, Lienda at his side.
Tyson distracted me. “Braxton’s been in his flaming dragon form since the doorway shut without you and Mischa.”