Page 107 of The Aether

“When this is over, you will explain to me why you laughed, yes?”

“I will, indeed, Exalted One.”

“Excellent.” With a regal nod of her dark head, she lowered her voice. “Ask them of what Sabrina is being charged. They cannot take her magic without formally charging her.”

Damian followed her lead. “Sisters of Fate, I’ll need you to clearly state what the charges are for this tribunal. So far, it seems like you are a bunch of scared children.”

Isis cast him a sharp look, and her tone was irritated when she said, “I didn’t tell you to elaborate, Aether.”

“That was on me. My bad.”

Compressing her lips, she nodded, and Damian received the distinct impression she was trying to contain her humor.

“She is charged with issuing magic without license,” a council member called out.

“To whom?” he asked.

“To the Guardian,” the Fates intoned.

“You’ll have to be more specific. My daughter has restored powers to only two Guardians with the express permission of the Goddess Isis and the Goddess Anu. Those Guardians are Ronan O’Connor and Dubheasa O’Malley.”

Sabrina patted his chest, a signal for her to get down.

It went against every fiber of his being to release her, but he did anyway.

Fearlessly, she approached the Fates, and Damian’s heart swelled with love and pride.

“You aren’t talking about Ronan and Dove,” she said, not intending it to be a question. “You mean Mr. Draven.”

“Draven Masters, yes. He is a traitor of the Authority, and you have aided him in eluding us, Sabrina Dethridge,” they told her.

She laughed.

Christ Almighty, she had the nerve to laugh in the combined face of the Fates.

Dropping his head back, Damian looked to the heavens and prayed like he never had before. If there was another being overseeing this farce of a trial, one with greater power than all who resided here this day, he hoped they could hear him and grant mercy.

“Why do you laugh, child?” one of the Sisters asked curiously, stepping forward to meet Sabrina.

“Because you’re funny. Mr. Draven isn’t a traitor. He will answer your challenge and save the Authority.”

The dainty Sister who’d questioned Sabrina frowned and returned to the other two. “What is this she has stated?”

From nowhere, a thread appeared. It was rope-like in thickness, but it sparkled with an iridescent glow from within. Markings resembling slashes and symbols peppered its entire length. As Damian, along with all the attendees, watched with rapt attention, the thread grew longer and additional marks burned into the new section.

Expressions varied in their shock, they faced Sabrina.

“Did you do this, child?” the taller Sister to the right demanded.

Sabrina shrugged one shoulder. “It will happen, but only if he isn’t put in jail.”

“You cannot alter the future, Sabrina Dethridge. This is forbidden and why you must have your abilities removed at once.”

Obstinate to the end, his daughter crossed her arms and lifted her chin. “No.”

The wind was knocked out of him, and Damian’s first instinct was to fall to his knees and beg.

CHAPTER37

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