“She said recent experience,” Elder Merrick grunted, shaking his head. “I haven’t had that much action in two years.” He blinked. “Maybe three.”
“Fine,” the One drawled, leaning back on his chair. I turned a victorious smile on him…until he flicked a flagrant hand, stating, “I can’t go into detail, but I’ve fought and killed more than that in the past month.” He paused. “And it was all done within spirit Laws. Plus, I give you my word, I will do as you order on the mission should you task me with it.” He then pointed to Brann, his gaze still on me and his lips slowly curving. “Mr Johnson, if you would, please?”
Brann growled, “Truth to all.”
My jaw instantly clenched.
Merrick muttered, “Can I get in on that action?”
“You have got to be kidding me,” I muttered, glaring first at the abnormally chatty Elder Shifter feening for a killing and then to my King. “If I hand it over to him, he’ll keep it. And he won’t even tell us its real power.” My lips pinched. “It’s mine.”
King Collins peered up to the One. “Will you tell us its true power? Will you give it back to her?”
“No, it’s mine,” the One drawled, his head tilting lazily back on his chair. “I will tell you the Primal Diamond can be used for malicious purposes, but I have no intention whatsoever of using it as such. The Mage who found it and gifted it to me is a good man, and he wouldn’t have left it in my hands if he believed me foolhardy enough to use it as such. Furthermore,” he shrugged a shoulder, “I’m the One.”
Elder Merrick instantly stated, “Truth to all.”
Well, hell.
My nostrils flared, and I glared at King Collins. “He. Hid. It. In. A. Sock.”
King Collins sighed heavily, glancing at the One. “A sock? Really?”
The One countered, “The only reason I believe she even made it into my room alive is because of the protection over her.”
My lips twitched. “You’re wrong.” I glanced to King Collins. “It’s your choice.”
He rubbed his forehead again. “No, it’s not just my choice.” He inhaled and sat back on his chair, glancing at the group. “Elders, Rulers, Prodigies, we’re going to take a vote.” A glance to me. “You’re not allowed, so keep your hand down.” Back to everyone else. “All in favor of the One using the Primal Diamond to search out Philip Masterson and Jacob Angel, raise their hand now.”
Brann, Aria, London, King Zeller, and Elder Farrar didn’t raise their hands.
The rest did, including my King.
I fumed silently, a haze clouding my vision. I kept my eyes on the table where my hands sat palms down, and I didn’t show any outwardly emotion. There was no need for King Collins to ask the other way. I had lost.
In my peripheral, I saw King Collins glance down to me. He ordered softly, “You need to hand it over, Caro.”
“Right,” I murmured calmly. “I understand.” I scooted my chair back, consumed with the betrayal of those around me who had raised their hands. Not to mention that it scared me not to have it. It was my real escape if I needed it. And now for the sake of, yes, possibly the world, I was handing it over. Handing over my life for the better good.
It fucking sucked.
I went to the corner where a small bar and sink were and opened my palm, using the tiniest smidgen of my power so I didn’t have to retrieve the diamond the hard way. I proceeded to clean the Primal Diamond in the sink and dry it, carrying it in my fist. When I held my fist out to the One, he opened his palm. I let it drop onto his hand.
Everyone at the table leaned forward. The One bent his head down.
All stared.
He muttered, “It’s…” He glanced up to my face, gazing for a long moment, and then back down. “It’s your nose ring.”
“Yes, I had it spelled to size by an old Mage at a jewelry shop.”
His attention tilted up to me as his fist closed over the Primal Diamond. “You lied about where you hid it.”
I nodded once and gestured at the table. “And no one, not even the Shifters at this table, realized it.” My eyes roamed his nose. “I hope you didn’t twist your words too, since I’m fairly sure you now hold what could be the destruction of the world in your hand. They trust you over me, after meeting you for only a few hours, even after I saved their asses and have been nothing but faithful to them.” I flicked a finger at his palm. “Not to mention, you now hold my life in your hands. You probably don’t understand that, but it’s the truth.”
Roselle captured my regard. “Ms Jules, this is one of the exact reasons—”
I held up my right hand, stopping her. “I know.”
I turned, and when I trekked by Elder Farrar, I stopped and squeezed his shoulder. “Thank you for keeping your hand down to make the vote a little closer.” I kissed his cheek lightly as he patted my hand on his shoulder. I moved out of the room, ignoring King Collins stuttering at me to stop. I needed a little solace after giving them everything they needed on a fucking platter, including, quite possibly, my very existence in this world.
And getting nothing in return but crushed disappointment.