“Tell it to be Arbiter, buddy.” With the help of Lucas, we magic Aldred out of his cage and onto his feet. Good sport that I am, I help Aldred walk away. Okay, that might be a bit of an exaggeration as technically my tail drags him away after I wrap it around his throat, but the same result is achieved.
The moment we hit the Chapel floor, our parents and friends are upon us. Dad is thrilled to have kicked Armageddon’s butt, family style. Mom’s relieved and a little grossed out about the snake demon blood on her tail. Octavia looks serene. Cissy asks me if I can train her in personal defense techniques. After years of trying to get her into fighting, it seems she may have family gotten the bug. Zeke says something dicky and I ignore him. Walker gives us both a quick hug before going off to help the House of Striga find anyone who’s hurt and ensure they are healed up with magic. Walker really is the best.
All through this, we don’t see Connor. Not that I care. In fact, very little could bug me at this point. Why? My tail remains wrapped around Aldred’s throat.
With all the greetings and regrouping behind us, Lincoln and I head off to court. We’re sorting this Acca thing out right now, one way or another.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
A few minutes later, Lincoln, Aldred, and I march into the courtroom. The cavern seems unchanged from our last visit—it’s still a massive cave with a ceiling that’s furrowed by stalactites. Wooden benches line the long stone floor. I let go of Aldred’s neck a while back. It was grossing out my tail. Now, Aldred keeps pace right before us, mostly because Lincoln’s baculum sword is pointed at the dude’s spine. Nothing like an angelfire blade to help you keep your focus.
Across the room, the Arbiter sits ramrod straight on her raised stone throne. Her gaze stays locked in profile. Huh. Maybe this is how she sleeps? Before we entered, there was no one else in the courtroom. The folds of the Arbiter’s long white robes don’t move an inch. Once again, it gives the illusion that she really is a statue.
All of a sudden, the Arbiter turns in our direction. A wisp of a smile curls her mouth.
Oh, she’s alive and awake, all right.
“I’ve been awaiting you,” says the Arbiter. Her deep voice echoes through the chamber.
Lincoln, Aldred, and I pause before the raised platform. I give the Arbiter a little wave. “We brought you something.”
The Arbiter’s features turn unreadable. “And what is this?”
“More testimony.” Lincoln extinguishes his baculum. Immediately, Aldred turns to haul ass to the exit door.
That’s so not going to happen.
I turn around to grab Aldred by his tunic and notice that half our wedding guests seem to have followed us here from the Chapel. A crowd is gathering inside the courtroom, silently filling up the many benches. Mostly, it’s thrax.
And man, do they ever look pissed.
I worry my lower lip with my teeth. Angry thrax could be good for us…Or very, very bad for us. I guess there’s only one way to find out. “Hang on.” I tighten my grasp on Aldred’s tunic and drag him back. “You’ve some ‘splaining to do, Al.”
I shove Aldred until he stands before the Arbiter once more. He clasps his hands together at his neckline. “Oh, great Arbiter. Have pity on a poor father. I’ve been so upset at losing my sweet daughter, Adair. I made poor choices. That’s not who I am. Not really.” He points to Lincoln. “This one has tricked me into looking guilty.” Next he wags his chubby finger in my direction. “And she’s even worse, using her lust demon wiles to clutter my mind.”
I snort. “As if.”
Aldred falls to his knees. “This is all a misunderstanding. Take pity.” He lowers his voice to half-whisper. “They’re both mad, I tell you. All these two think about is how to gain more power. You must protect us all from them.”
The Arbiter’s face stays totally devoid of emotion, which sucks. Because if she sides with Aldred, then we’re really screwed. Again.
The Arbiter focuses on Lincoln first. “And what do you have to say?”
“Aldred is the one who’s mad with power. He sacrificed his own daughter to his ambitions and never shed a tear when she died. He even made a pact with Armageddon to release the King of Hell into the realms of Earth and Antrum, all so he could rule.”
Lincoln’s parents break through the crowd. Connor is the first to speak. “Are you all right, son?”
“It depends.” Lincoln’s in total prince mode, which means he isn’t taking any crap from Connor. Good. “Why are you here? Because if it’s to help Aldred, then the answer is that I’m furious.”
At this point, I really, really, really want to cheer, but I think that might be bad form. I let my tail do a happy-dance instead.
“I’ll do whatever is best for you, son. I’m simply glad you’re not injured.”
“Hello?” I raise my hand. “Future daughter-in-law, right over here. I’m fine, in case you were wondering.”