Page 15 of Choosing Jenny
When he sat, a whiff of his oceanic cologne drifted to me. I could not figure out why he would come back to Orhon—he had clearly traveled worlds. Why take a job on the council when he had so much going for him otherwise?
The next to introduce himself was Rasmine Vebber, a man I had hoped to never see again. He was built like Rex’s new body’s brother—tan with a blue shimmer, quite muscled—but otherwise, Rasmine was his own person. His gray hair was long and braided back, like most warlords wore their hair. Neither his braid nor his purple tunic did anything to hide the thick scar down his neck. Warlords wore their scars proudly.
The worst thing about Rasmine was his eyes. A strange blue, like ice. It was a birth defect that would have been enough to keep him from being invited to any classed person's home, but now that he was on the council, he would be welcomed anywhere.
It wasn't his scars or his eyes that bothered me. It was his unwanted affection for Discord.
He stood and cleared his throat, before he turned his gaze to me. “I am Rasmine Vebber, Councilor of War.” He sat again without another word.
Longshot rose next, with Rhonda wrapped around his arm. He had worn his green fatigues for the occasion. Quietly, he said, “Longshot Griel, Councilor of Truths.”
A nice way of calling himself a spymaster.
Then, there was Noc Prisberd. He was short and black-skinned, like me. But much thinner and his skin shown like a rainbow in the light. His black hair had a curl to it, tamed with a braid. His tan eyes penetrated everything they viewed. When he stood, even Thunder subtly leaned back. An unconscious pull away from something dangerous.
“I am the Councilor of Magic, also known as the Palace Magician. Noc Prisberd at your service.” He gave a slight bow. “Do let me know if there are any ailments I may attend to for you.”
When he sat, Thunder finally took a breath.
Rex popped up last. “Some of you may not recognize me in this body.” He paused for dramatic effect, as Longshot, Zavarion, and Rasmine frowned in confusion. Evidently, everyone else already knew. “I am Rex Terian, Councilor of—”
“Bullshit!” Longshot shouted, surging to his feet. Rhonda tensed, her eyes narrowed on Rex, and I wasn’t sure if she was going to launch herself at him.
I was so shocked by my friend’s outburst that I laughed, and Justice and Thunder joined me.
“Councilor of Bullshit does seem to be an apt title for him, Longshot,” Justice said, smirking. “But I assure you, that manisRex.”
“How?” he demanded, glaring at Rex.
“Do take your seat, Longshot, and you will learn how,” Justice continued with a grin, clearly entertained by his shock. “Rex, Noc, either of you want to take his question?”
Rex gestured grandly. “Since I had the floor before he reacted, I’ll do the honors. Noc is a highly skilled magician, asyou well know. He was able to capture my ghost before the ether took a hold of it, after my second death. Then he removed this body's original ghost and put me into it. Stellar work, I must say.”
“Thank you kindly, Rex,” Noc said with a nod and a grin. “I thought you'd appreciate that body's…qualities.”
“Any questions?” Rex asked the room.
“None,” Justice said, then he inclined his head at me. “Malice?”
I casually stood and introduced myself. “I am Malice Ripper, Justice’s ward, his Right Hand, and the Palace Executioner.”
Zavarion’s reaction was the most delightful. A slight gasp from his pouty lips. He caught himself quickly, recovering with a smile. “Forgive me, Malice. I was unaware the Palace Executioner was unmasked here.”
“Only within the council,” I told him. “My public identity is known as Justice’s ward and his Right Hand. Though many suspect my…other title.”
“Yes, and if his other title is ever made public, Malice gets to torture and execute whoever made it public,” Justice cut in, his voice rich with warning. “Understood?”
“Oh, of course.” Zavarion nodded, still smiling. “I would have to think revealing his identity would put him in danger from anyone connected to his…I’m sorry, how do you refer to those you’ve executed?”
“I don’t.”
A flicker of amusement passed over Zavarion’s handsome features. “We don’t have an executioner on Vaux, so—”
“You’re a Ladrian and you were living onVaux?” I asked judgmentally.
He didn’t look the least bit offended. “I am the Ruler of Vaux.” Then he paused. “Well, right now, my sister, Ephiny, is the ruler, while I assist here on Orhon.”
“How progressive of you,” Thunder said, sounding genuinely impressed, considering her brother kept women’s roles to the mundane.
