Swallowing heavily Shade shook his head and fervently hoped he had the chance to deal with whoever had taken Charm’s tongue and destroyed his body. Whoever had tortured him had known their work well. Shade couldn’t even see a glimpse of the charismatic Fionaveir that had been his partner and had risked his life to help him escape the city. “It’s ok Charm. You have nothing to be ashamed of, and I won’t even consider leaving you.” Shade said as he pulled on his Changeling talents to strengthen himself and lifted Charm’s wasted body to carry him.
Grim was waiting just outside the door with an impatient scowl on his face, but his expression softened the moment he saw Charm’s condition. His mouth flattened into a line and he nodded once for Shade to head for the door. “I’ll carry the woman, just concern yourself with him.”
“Faramir did this?” Shade demanded of Lex as he forced the Fionaveir to look at Charm’s wasted form. “Faramir destroyed him like this?” his voice was hoarse as he moved closer to Lex with more rage coursing through his veins than he could ever remember feeling before.
Eyes wide Lex nodded dumbly and took a step back from Shade as if he was afraid Charm’s injuries were contagious. “Faramir was the only one that ever questioned him.” Lex said quietly.
“Then I’ll see that she dies slowly and painfully.” Shade hissed through clenched teeth as he fought back the burning behind his eyes that spoke of unshed tears. “No one that can do this to another living being should be allowed to live. I don’t care what crimes someone has committed they don’t deserve this.” He added in a savage whisper and shook his head fiercely as he headed for the door.
“When the passive soul howls in rage villains cringe like babes.” Grim intoned in an almost musical voice. “Come along my passive soul we need to escape before we can plot vengeance.” He said with a heavy sigh as he shouldered gently past Shade to take point.
“Please don’t mock me right now, Grim.” Shade pleaded weakly as he fell into step behind the larger man.
Grim shifted Ingrid in his arms and glanced over his shoulder at Shade without a hint of amusement on his chiseled face. “I wasn’t mocking, Shade. That’s a line from a song and it seems very fitting right now. I see years of repressed fury in your eyes and I know how powerful you are. When you serve your penance on this Faramir it will be devastating.” He explained with a look of respect shining in his eyes. “I applaud, I approve, and most importantly I will guard your back while you do it. I agree with your words with every ounce of my soul. I may be coldhearted, but I have the decency to kill my prey when I hunt. Whoever did this to these two should suffer the same pain.”
“I’ve never felt this much anger before. I want to make her suffer for this.” Shade replied in a broken voice and could barely believe the words he was uttering. Never before in his life had he wanted to inflict so much pain on anyone, no matter what they had done to him. He couldn’t forgive what had been done to Charm or Ingrid however. Such things couldn’t be forgiven, they could only be punished.
Chapter 20
Sanctuary
The hall of the council chamber echoed with disgruntled murmurs and Neph could barely bite back his own sentiments on the matter. His wouldn’t be whispered however, his would be loud proclamations about what a worthless bitch their Empress had turned out to be. With a heavy sigh he glanced at Jala and leaned forward from the cushioned chair that had been provided for him. For the first time in his life Neph understood why his father had favored the uncomfortable wooden chairs. He had found in the past hour of waiting that it was impossible to look imposing when lounging in a feather stuffed velvet chair.
Neph’s gaze wandered across the assembled High Lords once more and to his amusement he saw echoes of his own sentiments on several faces. Elijah Arovan had opted to simply stand, while his General sat behind with a scowl on his face that did little to balance the fact that he was ensconced in light blue velvet that looked more suited to a lady’s drawing room. Jala herself even seemed uncomfortable though she was doing an adequate job of hiding it. He caught a glimpse of her violet eyes as they passed over the empty council seats and turned to stare at the banners himself. Rivasa, Nerathane, and Morcaillo were all absent, but then so was the Empress so there was no one to complain to about it, yet.
“Where are your buddies at?” Neph called across the room to Truce Avanti. He couldn’t keep silent any longer no matter how badly Jala might want him to be diplomatic.
Of everyone in the room Truce Avanti seemed to be the only one that actually looked comfortable, though Neph knew it was a mask. He had caught the High Lord of Avanti glancing at the empty seats at least twice. Frowning Truce raised an eyebrow at Neph and summoned an expression of bored annoyance. Tilting his chin up slightly Truce leaned over toward his wife and whispered something before silently scolding his son for fidgeting in the chair behind him. Apparently deciding it would be the most diplomatic to simply ignore Neph as one would a rude child.
“Perhaps you didn’t hear me clearly. I realize they sat you on the opposite side of the room to keep you safe so I’ll speak up. I asked where your friends are Avanti.” Neph repeated in a much louder voice that echoed off of the council walls.
“Neph, please.” Jala said with a hint of desperation in her voice. Her attention was fully riveted on him now and her violet eyes were filled with pleading.
“I find myself rather curious on that particular matter as well.” Arjuna Firym said in a casual voice that was only slightly louder than what was generally considered polite.
“How about where is the Empress?” The High Lady of Seravae intoned with an apologetic glance to Jala.