Hunted tgl-3 (37 page)

“So did the Order,” I snapped. “It doesn’t mean they are on our side. They just hate you more.”

“There is no need for him to testify, move on,” the Tribunal said.

That wasn’t good. I exchanged a look with Grampa. Was he worried about the way the proceeding was going too? “The second witness is Jethro. He is not a Guardian or a Guardian sympathizer. He will testify that Bran sought his help to find the Guardians.”

“Bran Llyr needed the Guardians’ help to rescue his sister, but he stayed only after he met Lil—your vessel, dearest sister,” Solange said with a sneer. “If it weren’t for her, Bran would not be a Guardian.”

The Goddess started to speak, but the Tribunal interrupted her with, “We will take everything you’ve said into consideration when we make our final decision. Next.”

Solange consulted with Valafar. “You should take one more thing into consideration before you make your verdict,” she said. “Bran Llyr won the battle on Jarvis Island, which makes him the rightful leader of the Hermonites.”

“He was lured to Jarvis Island the night of the mortal combat under false pretenses,” I snapped, speaking quickly to keep up with the Goddess. “The contract was between him and Damien, a person that doesn’t exist. As a result, he didn’t win the combat and is not the rightful leader of the demons.”

We waited for Coronis to object, everyone holding their breath.

The members of the Tribunal stared at her too, then the leader said, “Next item.”

Everything fell into place when the Goddess gave me her next orders. “With Valafar’s return, we want the orders given to the archangels to be withdrawn.”

Silence followed. All the other requests had been foreplay, nothing compared to this. The members of the Tribunal glanced at Valafar and Solange again.

“Any objections?” their leader asked.

Solange conferred with Valafar before she looked up. She didn’t look happy. “We agree to withdraw—”

A loud cheering came from the Guardians. Some hugged. Others laughed. No more Raphael and his tribe shadowing us. My gazes locked with my friends. They were laughing too. I couldn’t. The Goddess wouldn’t let me. It was as though she knew more was to come and it wasn’t good.

“Hold your applause,” the Tribunal spokesperson ordered. “She is not done speaking.”

Everyone stopped talking as though someone had flipped an off button.

“On two conditions,” Solange continued. “One, we want the children the Guardians stole from us. Some of their parents are alive. Is it not a parent’s right to raise his or her child?”

“It is,” the Tribunal leader said, and the rest nodded. “What is the second condition?”

“Valafar was denied a chance to be a parent, too. He wants a chance to change that. We ask that Lil should live with him for exactly the same number of years she has lived with her grandfather. If, by her thirty-fourth birthday, she wants to return to the Guardians, she can be free to do so.”

The silence was deafening, the shock absolute. Panicking, I waited for the Goddess to object or something. For the first time since she had possessed me, I couldn’t read her or come up with a snarky comment. Then she spoke, but I had a feeling it was all for show.

“The requests are ludicrous,” I repeated her words. “We don’t have the Specials. They are being raised by the Brotherhood. When they are old enough to decide, they can choose sides. As for the matter of Lil,” I continued, speaking quickly as the Goddess dictated. “She
did not
choose to be raised by her grandfather and therefore cannot be held responsible for the years she spent with him. She didn’t even know Valafar existed until she turned sixteen a year ago. A year has passed since she decided to stay with her grandfather and the Guardians.”

“There’s nothing ludicrous about our requests,” Solange yelled. “This is about a father who was denied his rights. Just like the Specials—those parents who are still alive want a chance to mold their children, Valafar deserves this. Lil lives with the Guardians because that is all she knows. Maybe after living with Valafar she might decide she prefers to stay with him.”

“She already heard what he had to offer her and chose to be a Guardian,” I retorted.

“Enough,” the Tribunal leader bellowed. “Move on to the next item.”

“We are done,” Solange said.

The Tribunal looked our way.

For a moment, I couldn’t speak, fear blocking my throat. “We are done.”

“We will adjourn and come back with the verdict.” Their astral images disappeared.

The silence that followed was heavy, then telepathic buzz filled the room. I refused to turn around and look at my grandfather, Bran, or my friends. I didn’t need to. I heard their thoughts. They were willing to fight the archangels again and sacrifice more Guardians rather than let me live with Valafar. Seventeen freaking years. Stomach churning, my gaze connected with Valafar’s.

Why was he doing this? Did he really think he could turn me? From the smug look on his face, he believed it. He also knew he’d won because he knew exactly what I planned. I couldn’t live with myself if more Guardians died to save me.

Are you willing to do this?
the Goddess asked, having heard my thoughts.

Do I have a choice?
I snapped, so pissed I didn’t care about being polite.

Yes
.

No, I don’t. Living with him is the only solution
.

You are willing to sacrifice yourself for the lives of your people. That is one test you already passed. Be strong and stay true, Lilith, and all is and will be as it is meant to be
.

The conversation I had had with Master Haziel flashed through my head. The warning not to show my powers to Valafar and the orders to go along with the Goddess’ decision. He’d known this would happen.
What in Tartarus ‘pit does that mean?

It means that things that are meant to happen are happening, which will shape the future. I will leave you now, my child
.

Why? They haven’t given us their verdict
.

Their verdict will not change anything. You’ve already made your decision. Be strong, my child. I’ll always be with you whenever you need me
.

Vertigo hit me and my knees gave away as she left me, but strong arms wrapped around me. Grampa’s earthy warmth enveloped me and mixed with Bran’s fresh pine scent as his hand wove into mine. Two men who loved me implicitly and who were willing to fight till death for me, yet they were helpless to stop the verdict the Tribunal was about to deliver. The problem was they weren’t the only ones. No one could save me but me.

The Goddess hovered to my right, her expression serene. The Tribunal reappeared and silence fell in the room again, eyes lifting.

“The verdicts read as follows.” Their leader unrolled a scroll and started to read. “First, Jethro will be released immediately, so he can return to his people.”

No one spoke or cheered.

“Second, no one influenced Bran Llyr to
join
the Guardians. He made that choice, so this matter should not be brought before this court again. Third, he is also not the leader of the Hermonites because the contract he signed was fraudulent.”

I glanced at Bran. His expression was dark, body tense, hand like a death grip around mine.

“Fourth,” the judge continued. “The orders given to the archangels will be rescinded effective immediately.”

Once again, no one cheered. I couldn’t breathe, my heart pounding so hard I was sure I’d faint. I gripped Grampa and Bran’s hands, and studied the faces of the members of the Tribunal as though their expression would give me a clue. They weren’t smiling.

“However, the matter of the Specials will be revisited at a later date. We will observe them first before making a decision.” He paused then continued. “As for the sensitive matter of Valafar’s request, Lil will not live with her father for seventeen years. It is an unreasonable request.”

The hall erupted in applause, but I heard the unsaid “‘but.” Stomaching churning, I waited for him to continue.

“Silence!” the Tribunal spokesman bellowed. “However, it is reasonable to have her live with her father for one year, the same duration she has lived as a Guardian.”

I exhaled, fighting tears. One year wasn’t bad. My gaze flew to Grampa, then Bran. They were furious. Sykes and the others were shocked.

They can’t do this
, Bran ground out.

One year is not bad
, I reassured him.

It’s a lifetime. I will find you
, he vowed.
I don’t care what they say, I will
.

Bran had never had an off switch when it came to me, so I knew he meant every word. Unfortunately, to pull off such a rescue, he would put himself and everyone I loved in danger.
No, I will find a way to escape
, I vowed.

“After one year,” the judge continued, “she will choose whether to stay with her father or return to her grandfather. Once she chooses a side, her decision will be final and recognized by this court. The Guardians must not attempt to ‘rescue’ her or the deal is off.” The judge leaned forward and pinned us with a glare. “When I say ‘the deal is off, I mean she will stay with her father for
seventeen
years. If she attempts an escape, the deal is off too. On the other hand, Valafar must not mistreat her or harm her in any way, or she will be removed from his care and returned to the Guardians. This verdict is final and will not be brought before this court again.”

The silence was deafening. Whatever plans Bran and I had had just gone down the tube. After our encounter with the archangels, I knew the Tribunal’s punishment would be swift and merciless if we disobeyed them. Tears prickled the back of my eyes, but I fought them back. This was not the moment to cry and indulge in self-pity.

I clung to Bran and absorbed his warmth, his love, let his energy blend me with mine and take me to that special place where nothing could hurt me. When I tried to lean back, he refused to let me go. Tears threatened to flow again.

Promise me you will not come after me, Bran
.

Don’t make me promise something I won’t keep
, he warned.
You have no idea what Valafar is capable of
.

I can handle him, and it is only a year. Please, don’t go against the Tribunal
.

We are mated, Lil. No one, not your father or the Tribunal, will ever keep us apart
.

Then wait for me
, I begged.

He didn’t say anything, his arms tightening around me, both of us shaking.

“Lilith Falcon, cross the floor,” the judge ordered.

Someone rubbed my back. I knew it was Aunt Janelle without looking. Over Bran’s shoulder, my gaze met with Sykes, then Remy, Kim, and Izzy. They moved closer, their expressions so easy to read; they were ready to declare a war. I knew then they’d do something stupid if I cried or indicated I needed their help.

This is bull
, Sykes said.

Damn right
, Remy added.
We are willing to take on the archangels again
.

You can’t. This was meant to be
, I reassured them.
The Goddess said so
.

The lead judge said something and Bran stiffened. Grampa put his arms around us both. “It is time, Bran,” he said in a voice that wasn’t steady. “You have to let her go.”

I will be at our spot in Maui every day
, Bran vowed, then kissed me. Branding me. Giving me something to think about for the rest of the year then he stepped back. I was still reeling from the effects of the kiss when Grampa hugged me.

“You will do this and come back stronger than ever.” Grampa’s voice broke.

A tear escaped and I swiped at it. “No matter what happens, I’ll always be a Guardian and I’ll always love you, Grampa.”

He stepped back and Aunt Janelle took his place. “You will make it,
Luminitsa.”

“I know, Aunt Janelle. Take care of him for me,” I whispered. “Bran too.”

One by one, I hugged the Cardinals, even Cardinal Seth, then my friends. Izzy cried. Kim had a better grip on her emotions. Remy and Sykes made vows I couldn’t afford to acknowledge. I don’t remember whether I walked or teleported, but one second I was having a group hug, the next the Goddess was leading me away.

Every step that took me away from my loved ones was like a stab through my heart. I shivered even though I wasn’t cold, wept though no tear rolled down my face.

Look at me
, the Goddess commanded.

I did, but all I saw was Grampa’s face. He didn’t look sad anymore. He was smiling. Or maybe I wanted to remember him smiling.

You’ll be fine, sweetheart
. Imagined words or not, I believed him. His face was replaced with Bran’s. My heart contracted and tears rushed to my eyes. I loved him so much and would miss him with every breath I took.

Yours always, mine forever
, he vowed. Again, whether imagined or not, I heard him and my heart ached.

Yours always, mine forever
, I repeated his words, then made the trek to my father’s side.

THE END

T
hanks go to my girls, Jeanette Whitus, Catie Vargas and Katrina Whittaker for taking time to read and give me wonderful feedback on the raw and unpolished version of this book. Your honesty, constructive comments and generosity is astounding. I couldn’t have asked for truer friends and supporters.

To my teen beta-reader, Morgan Leishman, thank you for not cursing me out when I sent you chunks and kept you waiting for the next installment. To Merab, who continues to feed me information and listen to my crazy ideas, your insight into how teens think and act are invaluable as always.

To my agent, Leticia Gomez, you are truly my champion. Your enthusiasm and ability to fight for me is humbling. To Kate Kaynak and her team of editors at Spencer Hill Press, thank you for believing in my work and investing in me. Rich Storrs, my very humble and insightful editor, we make a formidable team, don’t we? Your input always put a smile on my face. You are a funny guy. The final package would not be perfect without you.

Last, but not least, thanks to my family for their infinite patience. Your love and support means everything to me.