Page 102 of The Aether

“I still intend to attend tomorrow’s tribunal, my dear. Buttagier will answer to the others, and you’ll be off the hook.”

“You don’t understand,” she said. “We all face elimination if we return unsuccessful.”

“So you’re slated to die either way,” Creed said flatly.

“There’s another way,cher.” Draven shoved a few soldiers aside as he made his way to her. “You can disappear.”

“Like you?” She scoffed. “Like Caldwell? Become traitors to the Authority?”

His expression hardened, and he stepped into her space, but Brooke didn’t back an inch.

Whatever he’d intended to say would’ve been scathing, and for the sake of future relationships, Damian decided to defuse the situation.

“Or you can join our side, Ms. Ellis.” Placing a calming hand on Master’s shoulder, he recognized her false bravado as a ploy. Others were watching. Damian smiled at Brooke. “It’s far more lively and entertaining if you decide you want to.”

“Never going to happen.” A flash of discomfort crossed her visage, and she touched a hand to her temple. With a nod for someone the rest of them couldn’t see, she swirled her hand in the air.

“Return to base,” she ordered in a hard voice. “Immediately.”

One by one, the soldiers fell into line, forming two columns and marching in unison toward the door. Brooke lingered long enough to say, “Tribunal. Tomorrow at nine a.m. sharp. Any later, and a kill order will be issued, Mr. Dethridge.”

“That isn’t what this little show of force was?” Castor asked, his eyebrows at his hairline.

As she shifted to leave, Damian glimpsed her lips twitch. “It’s all fun and games until someone gets on my bad side, Mr. Castor,” she called out, not bothering to turn back.

“Now that’s over, let’s get to Ravenwood. I need to check on my children,” Damian said heavily. He prayed this foolish stunt by Buttagier hadn’t cost him his wife. If it had, the man would be unable to hide. Whatever rock he scurried under, he’d be found.

CHAPTER35

Vivian waited, not so patiently, for her husband to revive her. There was no way in hell she ever intended to leave her children despite the draw of the Otherworld. And it had been strong. The allure of peace and love, of no troubles, could tempt even the most resistant.

Yet the instant she died, she’d seen it all clearly. Her children needed her guidance. Especially Nate. Without her, he’d be tempted to ignore Damian’s sage advice and run wild. Worse than his sister already did. That recklessness would lead him down unredeemable paths. Eventually, he’d square off against his sister, and they’d all lose out.

If Sabrina defeated Nate, her self-hatred would be limitless. Her father’s affectionate nature would disappear, and their relationship would be strained for the remainder of their long lives. If Nate won, he’d make the Enchantress’s reign look tame by comparison. Delaney, the only other person bonded to Vivian’s son, would be unable to reach him on her own.

However, if Damian and Trevor Blane could resurrect her, if they could restore her mind and make her soul whole, the chances were better for Nate and the magical world as a whole. That went the same for the next day’s tribunal. Damian and Sabrina had to survive it. The alternative was bleak.

“Why the delay?” Damian snapped, bringing Vivian’s attention to the ceremony taking place.

“I have no fucking clue, man.” With a shrug and a swipe at his forehead sweat, Trevor leaned his head against the wall where he sat, weary from the restoration process and hurting from the electrocution. “What did your kid say? Longer for her?”

“Yes.” Grimness tightened her husband’s features. “But you can’t take another bolt, Blane. It’ll kill you.”

“I refuse to believe we can’t bring her back. What are we missing?”

Josie, who’d been lingering in the hall, entered the room and sashayed over to Damian. Placing a hand on his bicep, she smiled. “The spark.”

“I don’t understand.”

Vivian smiled. “Good girl, Josie!”

Her sister looked her in the eye and grinned.

Vivian nearly fell over. Or she would’ve if she had been inside her body. “You can see me?”

“Yes, Viv.”

“You can see her?” Trevor and Damian parroted in surprise.

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