Page 138 of Last Gift: Supernatural Battle

I peered around the others, who had been silent through our exchange. “We go about our days. Please pass the word to Huxley also, and Varden. When the moment comes, none of you are to interfere. This is between me and the coven.”

Wild may be part of me now, but ultimately it came down to leader and coven, to demon and magus.

Rooke wiped her face. “They’re acting like they don’t know you.”

I smiled, then walked to the door. “They don’t, really. I never gave them the chance.”

35

A few of my advisors entered with Frond and a few of his die-hard supporters in tow.

Wild stood across the training mats from me. Calm, I sent him as fury flashed across his face.

The advisors approached, and I whipped a hand up, feeling and seeing Wild’s hand raise in unison. A gold beam sliced between us, erecting a barrier of magic. The advisors and Frond shied back.

Yeah, I knew where today was heading. And no, I wasn’t above reminding the coven—including the advisors, Frond, and all the other training battle magus in here—of my power.

“How can I help?” I asked Delta, whose hand rested on the hilt of her dagger. Not in response to me. I had a feeling she was contemplating sinking the blade into Frond’s thigh.

Varden replied, “High Esteemed, we are embarrassed to bring you the news that one of our own has sought to usurp your authority. Frond has invoked a trial against you and says that he has evidence of your practice of dark magic.”

I struggled not to grin. “I see. Is it to be a witch trial then?”

The advisors appeared confused.

“A human thing,” I explained.

“Over 50 percent of the coven agree with me,” Frond said, a wide smile upon his face.

Varden was white-lipped with anger but managed to say in a mild enough tone, “Frond’s push for a trial would be disregarded if he hadn’t managed to coerce signatures from over half the coven to support such a challenge, yes.”

Over half.

I’d felt the coven’s suspicion against me building since the demons first attacked. I’d known and dreaded this moment for what felt like an age.

Now, I wanted it done.

“We will hold the trial with chosen representatives from the coven along with an equal number chosen by yourself,” Winona told me.

I’d do this trial on my terms. “This trial won’t occur behind closed doors.”

“It’s in your best interest,” Frond sneered.

“Or yours, Frond? I don’t fear the truth being known.” I walked to stand in front of him. “Do you?”

He searched my expression, and I could perceive his sudden worry that as many of his secrets would be revealed as mine in the coming hours.

“The meeting will be held in the eating chamber,” I announced. “Varden, please summon the coven to gather aside from our forces at the gates. Barrow, please contact the other covens and let them know that the late morning training here has been canceled, and training will resume this afternoon if they wish to join us then.” The other supernaturals weren’t due here until tomorrow.

“Would you like a chance to bathe?” Opal came close to whisper the words.

I glanced down at my training attire. I returned to my fighting clothes of old now there was no reason to hide my runes. I was dressed in a black training bra with matching shorts. Sweat covered me. “This is fine.”

Her expression hinted that she disagreed.

I walked forward, and Frond instinctively moved out of my way. Ha! Loved a petty win like that.

Wild fell into step beside me, and my advisors behind him. I cared not where Frond ended up. Varden’s voice boomed through the tunnels, and soon they were filled with some confused—and some knowing—magus on their way to the eating chamber.

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