Page 26 of Bonded to The Boo Hag

That was damned unnatural coming from him.

“She sounds resourceful; I am glad she will live,” Soros stated.

“Me too,” Gatlin agreed, his skin returning to a more natural color.

Attwater chose that moment to arrive, opening the chamber doors with an unnecessary show of strength. The doors slammed into the walls, shuddering in their hinges with a metallic groan.

“Council members,” he greeted, strutting to the waiting table and pulling out one of the chairs before sitting.

“Where is your representative, Attwater?” Soros queried.

“I could ask Duvall the same question.” He looked disdainfully in my direction.

“I am not the one who has to defend myself from charges,” I replied, sitting back in my chair.

“No, I suppose, surprisingly, your partner there kept that from happening. Rest assured, I am more than capable of proving the innocence of my interaction with Councilwoman Duvall and drawing attention here to the real crime—the attempted assault against me by the human, Gatlin Rose.” He sounded sure and confident, and he probably believed every word he said.

That’s one of the things that made him dangerous; he couldn’t learn from his mistakes because he felt that he never made any. That, coupled with his power and standing, made him a necessary evil to have on the council. I knew that he would stay on the council, too. It was frustrating, but there was still value in every report, every violation, and every misconduct brought forward and documented. Justice wasn’t swift, but someday the monster that Attwater was would be known to everyone in our world, and his seat of power would be lost.

Gatlin stiffened beside me, and I put a calming hand gently on his knee.

“Very well, let’s begin,” Sable agreed. “I will be recording the proceedings since our secretary is indisposed.” She nodded to Tristan, who engaged the recording equipment.

“You may all affirm your consent to be recorded,” Tristan said, gesturing to the microphones set around the room.

Everyone said their name and stated that they understood and agreed to be recorded. Then the hearing began. Sable asked me what happened the night in question, and I gave my account. I nodded to Tristan, who pointed a control to a wall-mounted TV that hung opposite our council table. Photos I’d taken of the bruises from that night popped up on the screen. I noted that the time stamp and the date on the photographs, as well as the clothing I wore in the pictures, matched the previously viewed camera footage from the club and pointed out how his assault was so powerful that my glamour was unable to hide it.

Attwater’s eyebrows rose to his hairline. I could tell he was surprised to hear that bit of information.

“That is concerning,” Councilman Soros muttered, looking at the photos.

Once my evidence was shown, it was my turn to be silent and for Attwater to speak in his defense.

“I was of course at the club the night in question. It is plain on the recording. I often find creatures to feed from there, as do we all.” He gestured to all those assembled except Councilman Soros, who only had to step foot in Hell to recharge his inner reserves. Attwater gave him an apologetic smile for his slip. “When I saw an enchanting woman dancing in the middle of the club, I was entranced. She had quite a few hands on her while she danced; you’d never have known she had a partner at home.”

Gatlin balled his fists in his lap, his jaw ticking in annoyance. I squeezed his knee.

I wish I were gifted with the ability to speak in Gatlin’s thoughts. I’ve been called a whore outright so many times in my lifetime. Having someone allude the same simply doesn’t pack a punch anymore. Especially when it's from a spineless bastard.

Attwater continued. “I decided that if she was freely enjoying time with other partners, then maybe she would enjoy time with me too. I was surprised when I twirled her around to discover it was Councilwoman Duvall. I was genuine in my concern when I asked if she was having ‘trouble in paradise.’” He paused, looking at me with what was most assuredly fake concern. “I was aroused by the woman before I turned her around, and if it had been anyone else, I am sure my advances would have been accepted. Considering our history…” He trailed off meaningfully. “I didn’t know I had left marks, Merewynn. That was not my intention.”

Gatlin grabbed my hand, the barest waver in my fingertips soothed by his touch.

“I now understand why your partner thought I was a threat. I would like to withdraw my complaint against the human Gatlin Rose. He was only trying to protect what is currently his, and even a Bloody Bones such as myself can understand that emotion,” he allowed with a nod at Gatlin.

“Noted.” Sable hesitated as if to collect her thoughts. “Let us review the humans’ testimonies.”

We watched as Council Enforcer Tristan pulled up the clips. We watched two human women give testimony to what they saw, and then Tristan played Gatlin’s account. Because of Attwater’s powers, Gatlin’s testimony was also pre-recorded. He gave an account of events and answered questions from both Sable and Soros on his recording. He was only at the hearing today because he was bonded to me. If somehow Attwater had a significant other, he would have been allowed the same comfort.

“I could tell she was not okay with his touch the moment he grabbed her. All I could think about was she was an unwilling woman being manhandled, and I had vowed I would protect her from pain. I assume that also means emotional distress. Those vows might not have meant something to y’all, but to me, I was doing what I had sworn I would.” The confidence and the anger in his eyes as he looked at the camera made my heart beat a little faster. “He had his hands on my wife without her permission, and I do not regret my actions that evening.”

And I was done. My heart tumbled those last few inches over the line. I was in love with the man who called me his wife. The man who held me while I slept, when I cried, fixed me plates of food when I skipped meals, who shared his life stories with me, sketched me with the softest look on his face, chased after me into danger because he made vows and they mattered. He made me yearn for more time with him, and I knew a year and a day would never be enough.

I released a besotted sigh, and Sable shot me a bemused look. I could feel the blush on my cheeks, which deepened when he laced his fingers with mine.

Soros stood, addressing the room. “We will deliberate. Council Enforcer Drake, would you accompany Mr. Attwater to VIP Room One? Council Enforcer Tristan, will you take Mrs. and Mr. Duvall to VIP Room Four?”

Attwater stood, walking to the door and leaving without Drake, who rolled his eyes and vanished, most likely teleporting just outside to catch up with Attwater. Gatlin stood, helping me rise and slipping my arm into the crook of his. We followed Tristan to VIP Room Four, where he escorted us inside and touched the brass plate, locking us away from anyone but himself. Attwater probably wouldn’t try to murder us over this, but you never could be too careful.

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