Page 7 of Fighting the Lies

CHAPTER FOUR

Scott fidgeted in his chair. He couldn’t get comfortable. The wound in his side was already healing, but it still hurt, and the waiting for more news was so frustrating. He was as lazy as they came. Well, he was a male lion; it was in his genes, but when mixed with the fact that he did not have anywhere near the patience of a saint, it made for one irritated shifter.

"Here, have this." Jane handed him a leg of pork. It was part of the banquet that she'd prepared for Brayden’s and Selene's mating ceremony. He couldn't actually remember the last time he'd eaten. His stomach thought the connection to his mouth had been cut. The delicious smell of the marinated joint caused him to dribble a little, but then he thought of Emma. Would she have any food? It certainly wouldn't be on a par with Jane Dillon’s cooking. He shook his head.

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“Scott Frazier. Now you listen to me." The little whirl wind that was Brayden's mother placed the leg of pork down into his lap. Thankfully, she'd brought it over on a plate and then proceeded to waggle her finger in front of him as she spoke. A collective hush settled in the room. "You may be a lion, and a particularly docile one at that, but you are also an adult and not a child. I don't need to tell you that you need energy, and the best way to get it is through eating. Now I want to see all that pork eaten and the bone licked clean. Do you understand me?"

“Mom.” Brayden, who must still have had fresh memories of Scott’s earlier breakdown, was there in an instant and pulling his mother away.

“It’s ok.” He picked up the joint of meat and took a mouthful. “I’ll eat it all, Mrs Dillon.”

"Good boy." Jane smiled and shook her son off with a frown at his over protectiveness. Brayden rolled his eyes.

The air suddenly fizzled with energy; Jessica and Kas appeared. Jessica held loads of papers in her arms and Kas a sullen look of anger on his face. The mouthful of meat stuck in Scott's throat. Emma was in big trouble.

“What’s happening?” Brayden stepped forward and took the papers from Jessica. “Is Emma alright?”

“She’s in a private cell. She had some privileges, extra bits that Ethern gave her but…" Jessica looked down at the floor, and a tear fell from her eye. This was hard for her. She was a sensitive person and through her magical abilities always kept a part of each of them with her. She felt the emotions that they did. Zain came up to her and brought her into a big bear hug before settling her down on his lap. Jane poured her a cup of green tea and gave that to Zain who helped Jessica to drink it. Scott was on the edge of his chair. He understood the time the witch needed, but equally, his first thoughts were of Emma. Kas hadn’t moved, during this entire time. His fists were tightly balled, and the muscle in his jaw ticked.

“Kas.” He placed the leg of pork down on a nearby antique wooden table. The fat would soak into the French polished wood, but at this moment, Scott couldn’t care less. Something was happening. Something deeper than Emma just being arrested. “What does Jessica mean by had?”

No answer.

“Kas.” Jane put her hand on the polar bear’s arm. The look that his alpha gave Jane damn near broke Scott’s heart.

“Ethern was doing all he could. He’d given her a private room and improved the sleeping arrangements.” The bear silenced again.

“Kas, please.” Scott was on the edge of his seat, pleading.

"She is charged with murder and being held in the lowest dungeons. Conditions are not good there. The other patrons are shifters who have gone wild. The whines of savage animals haunt the rooms. Ethern protected her from all of that as best as he could. He doesn't believe the charges; he knows Emma and our pack. But his hands are tied now that Ciaran is employed to oversee the magic at the Reichstag." The women in the room let out a heart filled gasp of compassion for their friend.

“He’s what?” Scott was on his feet in an instant. The wound in his side sending a sharp shooting pain up his side, which he ignored in favour of the fury that was raising within him.

“All investigations into Nuka’s pack and the incident with Selene have been shelved. Ciaran is responsible for ensuring magic is not shown to the humans. He and Nuka are working with Emma’s brother on her conviction.”

"Emma's brother?" Scott's mouth fell open in surprise. "She never said she had a sibling."

"She didn't know, not until today. The pack fell silent, when her father died. I did not think they would be an issue, so I kept the news from Emma. Her brother is behind the accusation. He is saying that she murdered her father with an old family sword; her prints are all over the weapon."

"Bullshit!" Scott thumped his fist through the table. Wood and pork splattered everywhere.

"Don't you think I know that?" Kas' eyes narrowed upon him warning him to keep his temper in check. He had a moment to decide if he was foolish enough to stand up to his alpha.

"How do we get her out?" He backed down and bowed his head. Even without the hole in his side, Scott wasn't stupid enough to go against the superior strength of the polar bear.

"I'm guessing we go through this lot." Brayden leaned with legs crossed at the ankles and his hand on the pile of papers that Jessica had brought.

"Correct. These are the evidence and background information for the trial. We should not have it all, but Ethern has supplied it to us for Emma's defence. Katia, Jane, you'll help Jessica and me start going through it all." Brayden handed the mountain high pile of papers to the Tigress.

"We'll set them out on the table in the dining room. It's the biggest one." Katia and Jane left the room together.

"Tyler and Brayden you have the best noses. I want you to investigate the scene of the crime. This is the address." Kas pulled an address from the pocket of his suit jacket and handed it to his beta. "You'll need to be careful. Emma's brother, Nicholas, has Ciaran's magic and my brother's mistrust on his side. It will not be easy to get in or out undetected, but for Emma's sake, you must. Take Selene with you."

"We'll go and suit up." Brayden kissed his mate on the lips, and then, he and Tyler left to find an arsenal of weapons that they may need for any fight.

"Zain, I want you to go to Ethern. He will allow us a look at the sword. See what you can get from it. You've always had a sixth sense about these sorts of things. Use it now, and I'll give you an extra honey pot this month.

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