Wicked Burn (7 page)

Simone shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Peter. Did they catch the attackers?”

“Not yet,” Nessa responded, shoving thick black hair from her face. Her deep blue eyes nearly glowed in the candlelight, and Nick made a mental note to have her investigated. “The Guard is hunting them, and we’re thinking of recalling the Enforcers.”

“After this matter is taken care of,” Peter said, his dark eyes somber.

Simone nodded.

Nick needed to follow up on his people’s search for the manufacturer of planekite, which was the only mineral in existence that could kill a witch. Somebody was after the witches, and he vowed he’d find out who, if the Enforcers didn’t track the bastard down first.

Simone cleared her throat. “Please send my regards to Louise and Frances.”

Nick didn’t like the subtext he wasn’t quite catching. “What about your mother, aunt, and cousin Brenna?” All three women served on the Council, and he’d counted on their votes to free Simone, considering they were her family.

Simone cleared her throat. “If they’ve been excused from this duty, there’s only one reason.”

Oh, he wasn’t going to like this. “What’s the reason?”

Simone’s chin lifted, but she kept her focus on the Council. “The accusers are seeking the death penalty.”

Simone kept her posture straight and her gaze inscrutable. The underground candlelight danced around, no doubt enhancing her beauty. She had no illusions about her looks and had used them often to her advantage. There were two men sitting in judgment and one woman, and she hoped it would be hard for the men to kill beauty. Punish perhaps, but not end. As for Nessa, she was a complete mystery.

A side door opened from nowhere, and Colman Foley, dressed in a slate-gray suit with red power tie, walked in with stacks of files in his hands. At about five centuries old, Colman had been the Coven prosecutor for several centuries. His hair was black and curly, his eyes a dark brown, his skin a smooth mocha, and he was a genius at building up a case to prove guilt.

He nodded at Simone and set the files next to her. “Here’s everything we were sent and the materials we’ve compiled. For your defense.” Then he took his place behind his table.

Nick leaned down. “This is all so civilized.”

She nodded. “Whoever is out to get me sent the materials to the Coven Nine, which had to investigate. Nobody here wishes me harm, but they’ll all do their jobs. Colman has a duty to follow the evidence.”

Nick drew out his phone and tapped the face. “I can’t get service.”

Simone gave him a look.

“Oh.” He glanced around. His tech guys had created devices that could broadcast from this far underground, and he needed to be more prepared next time. “Okay. Once we’re aboveground, I’ll have dossiers put together on the council members as well as the prosecutor. By tomorrow I’ll know every single weakness they have.” His voice rumbled with anticipation.

“You love strategy, don’t you?” she asked.

“Yes.”

The side wall opened again, and a burst of energy in the form of Moira Dunne-Kayrs rushed inside, curly red hair flowing and wild. Her sister, Brenna Dunne-Kayrs, entered more sedately, her brown hair up in a fancy clip. The two, Simone’s cousins, immediately flanked her, with Moira edging between Simone and Nick.

Simone glanced from one to the other. “What in the world?”

Peter Gallagher banged an ancient gavel on the stone. “Moira Dunne, you are an Enforcer and have not been called before the Council yet. Brenna Dunne, you have been excused from your Council duties for the duration of these proceedings. Neither one of you should be here right now.”

To Simone’s surprise, Brenna stepped forward first. “With all due respect, Peter, you forgot the
Kayrs
at the end of our names. We married brothers, you know.” Her voice was polite but direct.

Simone bit back a smile.

“My apologies. Sometimes I forget the vampires exist.” Peter was just as polite in his sarcasm.

“That’s unwise.” Brenna had dressed in a flowing gray dress the exact color of her eyes and appeared calm and serene. “I am here as the representative for Simone Brightston.”

Simone touched her arm. “You can’t do that, Bren.” Her heart warmed, and she shoved emotion away. Brenna had to remain neutral.

“Sure I can.” Brenna eyed Nick, who was watching the proceedings with a slightly bored expression. “Apparently there are two of us representing you.”

Simone shook her head. “You can’t take that risk. If things go bad, you’ll lose credibility on the Council.” Not to mention the emotional hit Brenna would take. “You’re pregnant, three months if I remember, and you need to distance yourself from this stress and turmoil.” Though Simone would always remember the sacrifice sweet Brenna was trying to make.

Brenna turned to face her fully, a gentle smile curving her lips. “Shut the fuck up, Simone. I have a job to do, and I’ll knock you on your ass if you get in my way.” She kept her voice low. “I love you, you’re family, and I’m going to protect you whether you like it or not.”

Simone blinked. Had Brenna just said “
fuck
”? “Geez. Being mated to a vampire has turned you raunchy, Bren.”

“You have no idea.” Brenna leaned in even more. “Are you going to allow me to help you? Or do I get nasty?” An odd purple flame danced down her arm to sputter out.

Simone frowned. “What in the world was that?” Bren’s flames were usually green or blue.

“Pregnancy.” Brenna rolled her eyes. “It has totally messed with everything. So stop ticking me off, or I’ll accidentally start shooting plasma.”

“Enough of this. I appreciate the offer, but I don’t need help.” Simone turned her voice curt and her gaze arrogant. “Now, toddle home to the vampires and prepare your nest for that baby. Or whatever occupies your time these days.” She turned away to face the Council, her stomach roiling. While she hated to hurt Brenna’s feelings, there was too much at stake to allow the pregnant witch to stay.

Heat and sudden pain flared along Simone’s arm. She yelped and edged to the side, her gaze widening as she turned back to Brenna.

“Oops,” Brenna said, no remorse on her face, reaching out to snuff out the fire she’d lobbed.

Simone rubbed a round burn on her forearm. “You’re supposed to be the nice one,” she hissed quietly.

Brenna lifted a graceful shoulder. “Eh. Nice is overrated. The bitchy act won’t work with me, so knock it off.” She turned to face the dais. “I love you and I’m here to help. Deal with it.”

Simone’s mouth opened and then shut with a sharp
snap
. Brenna had always seen through her outer shields, which was why they were close. Her insides tried to turn all mushy with love and gratitude, but she kept her face set. “Fine, but if it gets dangerous, you’re leaving.”

“Uh-huh.” Brenna smiled for the three council members and raised her voice. “Simone has accepted my offer of representation.”

Peter cleared his throat. “That’s unwise for you personally, but not against the rules. The Enforcer hasn’t been called, however.”

Moira stepped forward, irritation all but buzzing from her. “The Enforcer has a name, Pete. While the remaining Enforcers are in Seattle tracking down the main distributor of Apollo, I’m here in official capacity to protect Simone Brightston.”

Peter blinked. “Excuse me?”

Simone moved to stop Moira from speaking, but the wild witch held up a hand to halt her. “Simone is a member of the Council Nine, and if she’s innocent, which I believe she is, then somebody has gone to an enormous amount of trouble to set her up. She’s in danger, and it’s the Enforcers’ job to protect Coven members in danger. Thus I am here.”

Nick leaned in to Simone. “Isn’t family a pain in the ass?” Somehow, although he probably tried to hide it, he sounded a bit melancholy. The poor guy had never had a family, having lost his parents centuries ago.

Simone nodded. “There’s no way to get them to leave.”

Peter studied Moira, who met his gaze levelly. Finally, he nodded. “Very well, but if the Coven Nine decides to send you on a mission elsewhere, do not forget your alliance.” Peter banged the gavel down. “Let’s get this started. Please read the charges.”

The prosecutor nodded. “The charges are simple. Simone Brightston is guilty of committing treason, the first-degree murder of humans by using planekite darts, and the attempted murder of witches. The charges are made more serious by the fact that Coven Nine members have been attacked with planekite, thus requiring imposition of death on the guilty party.”

Simone’s head buzzed. At least all the charges were trumped up and not based on the actual laws she’d broken. Yet. It all seemed so casual and normal, yet the prosecutor, in following the law, was asking for her head to be removed from her body. She should be terrified or even angry. But shock drew her away from the proceedings in a way that felt impersonal.

“This is bullshit,” Moira muttered beneath her breath.

Brenna smiled. “We demand a proffer of proof.”

The prosecutor clasped his hands at his back. “I’ve compiled all proof and handed the papers over in manila files, but I’m willing to give a brief recap. For more than a century, Simone has transferred money through different accounts and funded various endeavors, the latest being the mining of planekite, which, as you know, is the mineral that kills witches.”

“You’ve traced Simone’s money to the planekite mining and distribution?” Brenna challenged.

“Yes. The mineral has been used to create Apollo, the drug killing humans in Seattle, as well as inserted into darts and shot at our Coven Nine members.” The prosecutor rocked back on his designer loafers. “We have signatures, e-mails, texts, and other records that show Ms. Brightston was not only aware of the mines but actively set this plan in motion.”

“Why?” Moira demanded. “Why in the world would Simone do such a thing?”

The prosecutor shook his head. “Our theory as to motive will be revealed at trial. For now, every bit of evidence we’ve collected has been turned over to the defense. We request a trial date.”

Peter leaned forward. “Pursuant to Coven law, a trial date is set for Monday.”

“Five days from now?” Nick shook his head. “That’s ridiculous. Five days isn’t enough time to go through and counter this stack of nonsense.” He pointed to the files. “This is a death penalty case.”

Simone jabbed him in the ribs and winced as her elbow ached. “It’s our way.” She cleared her throat. “I accept the trial date and enter a plea of not guilty for the record.”

“Plea so entered,” Peter said.

The prosecutor stood straighter. “Through Councilwoman Brightston’s tenure on the Coven Nine, she has pursued progress and her own personal vision in a way that has undermined other council members and the organization as a whole. We don’t have evidence yet, but we are investigating her in this area, as well.”

Ballocks. Simone remained stoic. Sure, she’d gone for right over tradition more than once. Had she broken a law or two? Maybe. Okay. Definitely.

“Very well,” Peter said with a short nod.

Yeah, they’d butted heads more than once. Simone lifted her chin. “I look forward to answering those charges. In the meantime, members of the Guard kidnapped a human female and a bear shifter when they took me in. The shifter, Bear, and the human, Tori Monzelle, need to be released and returned to Seattle,” she said.

The prosecutor placed both hands on his table and leaned forward. “Both the bear shifter and the human female attacked our soldiers. They must stand in judgment.”

Simone fought to keep her fire at bay. “The bear shifter was protecting his territory from attack, and the human female was protecting a friend. Bear is the leader of all bear shifters, and if you try him, the entire shifter community will declare war on the Coven Nine. I believe we’re under enough attack already right now?”

Nessa leaned and whispered something to Peter, who then nodded. “Good point. The record reflects that the shifter didn’t actually attack anybody before the guards shot him. He is so released,” Peter said.

Simone nodded. “Good. The human is a friend of mine, and she saw me unconscious and being taken. She acted accordingly. In addition, she has no idea the immortal world even exists or that she attacked a witch soldier. Finally, her sister is mated to Kellach Dunne, one of the Enforcers. If you harm her, you’ll have to deal with Kell and probably his brothers. Also something we can’t afford right now.”

“Is that a threat?” Sal asked, his booming voice filling the chambers.

“No. It’s a fact,” Simone said simply.

Brenna tapped the files in front of her. “The human and the shifter aren’t part of Simone’s case, and thus, the entire Council would need to be consulted before bringing them to trial. You’ve already taken care of Bear. Now, dismiss any charges against the human, and we can get on to Simone’s case.”

Peter didn’t look to either side this time. “Did the human female see any evidence of immortal species?”

“No,” Simone said.

Peter nodded. “The charges against the human female are dismissed, and she is released. Simone? You’re responsible for getting Bear and the female out of Dublin within the night. You, however, are ordered to remain in Ireland until after your trial.”

“The prosecution requests a planekite bracelet,” the prosecutor said.

“No!” Moira burst out. “We’re in a battle against that deadly mineral right now, and putting it on one of our own is ridiculous.”

Peter’s eyes glowed somber and regretful in the chamber. “The effect of the bracelet is very mild and only inhibits power. It won’t harm the accused.”

“Bullshit.” Brenna pressed both hands on her hips.

Simone jumped and turned in surprise to view her cousin. All three sitting council members gaped.

An angry red flushed up Brenna’s pale skin. “I’ve worn a planekite collar, as you know. There’s nothing harmless about it.”

Simone reached out and rubbed Brenna’s arm. Years ago, the younger witch had been kidnapped and poisoned with planekite. She’d nearly died before mating a vampire to negate the effects. Good thing she’d fallen in love with the wild Kayrs brother. “Bren? It’s okay. I can handle it.” Her voice cracked at the end.

Peter began to answer, but Nessa leaned forward. “Simone? Do you give your word you’ll stay in Ireland without a bracelet?”

“I do.” Simone eyed the brunette. “Although I could leave town even wearing the bracelet, as a matter of fact.”

“True, but having your powers reduced would make you vulnerable,” Peter countered.

Nessa sat back. “I’m against the bracelet. Even though Simone is accused of a terrible crime, right now she’s innocent in our eyes and deserves the respect of her Council position. A bracelet is an insult. A dangerous one.”

Peter glanced at Sal, who just shrugged.

“Fair enough. No bracelet. See you in trial.” Peter banged the gavel one final time. He stood and followed Nessa and Sal through the opening in the wall. It
snick
ed shut.

The prosecutor nodded at Simone. “Good luck.” He pivoted and soon disappeared through the side doorway.