Edan’s chair scraped across the floor as he stood. “Delara,” he shouted.
She ignored him and continued. “It’s our law to protect one another. But what if we’re given no option but to decide who to protect? An ultimatum. One or the other. Who decides? Who is more worthy? Is a Scar more worthy than a human? And if so, why?” Delara hesitated, her gaze shifting to each one of them. “Balen took the risk. He saved a woman who was being tortured. He sacrificed himself. Drank Ryszard’s blood in order to save her life. If he hadn’t, she would have become a slave. A fate worse than death. The Goddess Azzurra made us to protect humans, and Balen did that.”
“And he led an enemy to the Healer’s location. His own fucking sister,” Edan refuted.
“Yes. A risk. But it paid off. It wasn’t betrayal. He took a gamble, but there was no malice in what he did. It was a sacrifice. And you’re all making him pay for that sacrifice by punishing him.”
“Delara,” Edan warned. “Return to my room. Now.”
I jolted. What the hell? Edan and Delara?
I noticed Waleron flinch, but he remained seated. The guy looked ready to ignite into a fireball. And he was made of ice.
“Who brought this Scar to the realm?” Urtzi repeated.
“Oh, I think that’s fairly obvious,” Mariana said with a smile and then licked her tongue across her lower lip.
“You hide here in your fantasyland realm and dare to make judgment on him?” Delara shot at them, hands on her hips.
“Ah, shit.” I immediately went on alert for a fight. We’d have no chance against the Wraiths in their realm, but after that speech, I’d fight to protect her ass.
Edan’s hand on the table clenched into a fist. “Delara, leave.”
I felt her tremble beside me.
“Just because I sleep with you doesn’t mean you can order me around,” Delara said in a calm, cool voice.
A low murmur of voices and tension erupted amongst the Wraiths. Edan went beet red and came out from behind the table.
Waleron stood.
“Let her finish,” Tor said. “Edan, sit.”
Mariana spoke, looking at Edan. “I hope she was worth it. Cause you just got played.”
“Shut up, Mariana.” Edan returned to his seat, his eyes like flames of fire ready to burst the room into an inferno.
Waleron sat.
The friction in the room was thick. Powers were heightening and the fountain bubbled, and the ground shifted beneath our feet. All it would take was one power to surface and a war would erupt.
Delara avoided looking at Edan as she continued. “This matter should’ve never been brought here. I believe the Deaconry is to decide matters when a Scar has broken a law or has killed or harmed an innocent. Balen killed no one nor did a Scar die. Anstice is alive and well. Danni is as well. Who are you sentencing Balen for?”
“He broke his oath. He assisted a vampire,” Urtzi said.
“No,” Delara said. “He gave Ryszard information as to where Anstice was hiding. A simple plan to lure him into a trap. It led to Ryszard’s demise. If he hadn’t taken the chance, then we would be still chasing that bastard.” She shrugged. “Balen managed to do the impossible. He saved Danni, Anstice, and trapped Ryszard so the other Scars could kill the bastard. In actuality, he saved the day. Oh, and Danni also says that if Balen doesn’t return ASAP, she’s starting a rebellion. And just so you know, that girl is the strongest telepath there is, so she can reach Scars everywhere.” Delara smiled and cocked her hip. “I told her to start with Jasper.”
My gaze darted to Delara and she smiled.
Silence.
I’d never had someone stand up for me as Delara had just done on behalf of herself, my sister, and Danni. Delara risked a lot by pissing off the fire Wraith. She had nothing to gain from this. So why do it?
Zurina spoke in her usual calm, soothing voice. “Delara has made valid points, all of which should be taken into consideration. Technically, Balen didn’t harm anyone. Therefore, his case should never have been brought to the Deaconry.”
Genevieve’s eyes glowed golden as she chewed her lower lip, obviously to keep from smiling.
Edan slammed his fist onto the table. “Bullshit. He drank vampire blood. That’s enough to send him to Rest.”
Delara glared at him. “You promised.”
Edan sneered. “Yeah, that went to shit the moment you walked in here, sweetheart.”
“Was this your so-called plan?” Mariana asked me, raising her brows. “Were you setting a trap for Ryszard all along?”
Delara kicked me in the side of the calf when I hesitated.
I glanced at Waleron, who gave a diminutive nod.
“Yes,” I replied.
Tor nodded his approval then looked at Waleron. “Your Scar, despite her uninvited entrance, has made compelling points. Balen has proven his loyalty with the issue with Ryker and, since his case is rather unusual . . .” He hesitated, looking to each of the Wraiths before receiving a nod from each of them except Edan. He continued, “If you wish to take this matter into your own hands, I don’t believe you will have any objection from the rest of the Deaconry. Besides, a rebellion with three Scar women is not something any of us want.”
Waleron bowed his head. “Of course. And I request a change to the law. Balen has proven that vampire blood can be defeated once consumed. We must acknowledge this and make the appropriate amendment.”