Page 96 of Flock This

Ruben furrowed his brows, a deep line etched there, and I knew this was the last thing he wanted. I wanted to tell him it was okay, that came here knowing what would happen. I wouldn’t say that I’d accepted my own death, that I welcomed it, so much as I recognized I didn’t have any other options.

That was the same helplessness I saw on Ruben’s face as he waited, as though he still hoped something would happen, that someone would speak and come up with another path.

I knew better than to hope for that.

I nodded at him, trying to tell him I didn’t blame him.

“Grey Keystone was accused of the murder of William Garrison by the temporary councilman for the Graves. No one has presented evidence to the contrary. This leaves me in the position to render a verdict.” He took in one last, shaky breath before facing me.

It almost made me laugh, that he could have faced off against Kelvin without so much as a moment of hesitation but one look my way and he seemed nervous. Then again, at least he had the balls to look me in the eyes. I could appreciate that.

“Grey Keystone, in the matter of the murder of William Garrison, I find you—”

“Hold that thought.” The new voice, spoken cooly and with no worry, caused me to twist so fast I might have pulled a muscle.

“Who are you?” Ruben asked, placing himself between the newcomer and me. It was a brave but rather stupid move, like some white knight bullshit.

I mean… I was minutes from getting executed. What exactly could this person do?

The man smiled that same mischievous grin I’d seen countless times before, his bright red hair as messy as ever, before he winked at me. “Me? No one important. However, I wasn’t about to sit back and let you destroy my little crow.”

Which meant, for the first time since that first night, I actually stood in the same room as the man who had turned me into this.

Better late than never, huh?

Chapter Twenty-Four

I stepped forward, toward the man who had shown up, but ran straight into the barrier. It zapped me, holding me in place, and I was pretty sure I had a red mark on my nose, now.

Still, it felt impossible to see him here. For a moment, I wondered if I’d lost my mind finally, if everything had become too much and it had just snapped.

Except, Ruben’s reaction and the way the others at the table all stood told me they saw him as well.

And boy did he not look worried about any of them. I’d known he was powerful, but for him to pay so little attention to the clear threats around him?

He was either extraordinarily dangerous or extraordinarily stupid.

Or maybe both?

Both sounded pretty likely from what I knew about him.

Ruben pulled his shoulders back, rising to his full height, his expression hard. “This place should be secure. It is only open to council members and Justices. How is it you’re here?”

The man smiled widely, looking as though he were having the time of his life. “Oh, trust me, I know I don’t belong here. This place”—he waved at the room—“was made by people who like rules and order. Those things aren’t really my style.”

“Then you should leave before you find yourself in a position you don’t want to be in,” Ruben said, leaving no doubt to the threat of his words.

The door to the room opened, and four others rushed in wearing the uniforms of guards. They headed straight for the man, and even I had to admit, I doubted he stood much of a chance against four Justices.

However, as soon as they neared him, he flicked his hand like swatting an annoying bug, and all four sailed away from him. They flew, then slid across the floor, slamming into the wall and not moving again.

And holy fuck, was that impressive. While I rarely saw the Justices do much, I knew well that they were a tough opponent for anyone, yet this man had knocked four away like they were nothing.

Maybe calling him Daddy wouldn’t be so bad.

He twisted as though he’d caught that thought, then winked at me. “You were just thinking that was pretty hot, weren’t you?”

“Absolutely not,” I said, but despite my lips moving, no sound escaped.

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