Page 432 of Evil Hearts

Elder Two?I glance back at the cloaked figures and the faceless one that spoke. There were seven of them, so maybe each one was an elder? But an elder for what?

“We are not aliens, Ms. Hastings,” Elder Two says when it turns toward me. “We are the Council to the Almighty One.”

I blink several times. “I’m sorry, the council for the what now?”

“The big guy on a huge chair,” Quinn says, leaning closer to me. “Were you dropped on your head or something?”

I step sideways and glare over at him. “No, I was shot at by you.” I look down at my body. I’m wearing the same clothes, albeit there are blood stains, but there’s no wound on my left leg. I touch my right side and try to find the hole where I’d been shot, but it’s nowhere to be found. “I was shot at…” I trail off and look up at the Elders. “Where am I?”

“In the Council room,” Quinn says through gritted teeth, then scoffs. “Are you always this stupid? Weren’t you paying attention?”

I shoot him the bird, and he throws back his head and laughs.

“Enough!”

The force of the shout has me reaching up to clap my hands over my ears. It’s loud and vibrates throughout my entire body. I shudder and squeeze my eyes shut.

“Eva Grace Hastings, lower your hands.”

I open my eyes and obey. I swallow hard. My heart thumps painfully against my ribs. I rub my sweaty palms against my jeans.Were they mind controlling me?

Elder Two slowly returns to its seat. “Let’s begin the questioning. Eva, can you explain why you are here?”

“I-I don’t know,” I say in a small voice.

“Tell the Council the truth,” Quinn hisses in a low tone.

“I am,” I snap back and send a glare his way. “I don’t know why I’m here.” I turn back to the Elders. “You said I wasn’t in trouble.”

“You are not,” Elder Two agrees. “He is.” It points to Quinn.

My gaze darts to Quinn. He’s got his thumbs tucked through the belt loops of his black jeans and slouches as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. I guess when you’ve got wings, there isn’t much that can faze you.

“Quinn, you are hereby charged with the murder of Eva Grace Hastings,” Elder Two says in a booming voice.

My head whips to face the Elders once more. “Wait,what?” I can feel the blood draining from my face.

“Don’t act all surprised. Why else would you be here?” Quinn mutters under his breath but loud enough for me to hear.

I jerk my face toward him. “You actually killed me?” I swallow back the lump forming in my throat. The corner of my eyes burn with tears.

“Minor setback,” Quinn says, not even bothering to look my way. “I did warn them I was willing to do whatever it took.”

“To get a redemption,” I say in a bitter voice.

That gets his attention because Quinn pins his dark eyes on me. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, mortal, so I would shut up if I were you.”

I throw back my shoulders and glare at him. “You don’t scare me. Not anymore.”

“Lookie here, folks. Someone’s grown a backbone.” He chuckles and turns to address the Elders once more. “I told them I would do whatever it took.”

“Killing me was a waste of your time,” I shot back before the Elders can utter a word. “You’re a piece of sh—”

“We do not tolerate cursing in the Heavenly Realm,” Elder Two says.

I bite the inside of my cheek.

“Ms. Hastings, were you aware that you are lacking a Guardian Angel?”

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