Page 3 of Shadow Caster
Something was wrong. The blood was tainted. This wasn’t right. But I couldn’t stop.
Fight, dammit. Fight and—
My primal brain took over, and then there was nothing but crimson glory.
* * *
The cuffson my wrist reflected my angry face. I’d been cocky, distracted. Hungry. I should have known when Earl backed off so easily that something was wrong. I should have stopped and listened to my gut.
Too late now.
The room was small. Six by six, with a bolted-down table and two Formica chairs—one either side.
Idiots, a chair was probably a better weapon than a table. Should have bolted that down too, not that it would do me any good, not while the cuffs were cutting into my flesh. I knew what these were—electrocharged restraints used on prisoners.
Prisoner.
Me.
Murderer.
Me.
My stomach rolled with nausea. I’d killed the human. I’d drained him, and now the powers that be had me. Locked in a pretty cell with a fake mirror while they decided what my fate should be.
This was all him, and this was his power.
Fuck this shit. I was done waiting. I stood and approached the two-way mirror. “I know you’re there,Dad. Stop fucking about, and let’s get this over with.”
Less than a minute passed before the door opened and my father strode in. Dressed to impress as usual—some tailored shit for a suit, hair slicked back, slate gray eyes flat and unemotional as he stared down at me.
“You killed a human, Indigo. That’s a crime punishable by death or lifetime incarceration.”
“You put something in his blood. You drugged him.Youdid this.”
He sighed. “Interesting accusations. You believe your loss of control was due to a substance in your victim’s blood?” He tapped his chin, mouth turning down slightly. “It is a possibility, but unfortunately, since the human body has been incinerated, pursuant to Watch Code 301, there is no way to test your theory.”
My insides tightened in panic. There was no doubt in my mind that my father was responsible for my being here. Earl had planted that mark. He’d offered me the chance to leave with him, and I’d turned him down. The human had been their plan B.
Arguing with him was pointless, though. He had me here, where he wanted me. Question was, why? “What do you want?”
“I want to save my only child.”
My throat pinched. Damn, why did my fucking heart pulse harder at those words? Why the hell did I still want to believe him?
I grit my teeth. “Since when have you given a damn about me? You care about your reputation and your name. You’ve got no need for a daughter. You’ve made that abundantly clear over the years.”
He stood tall, looking down his nose at me. “Regardless, you are a Justice. And you belong with us. I’ve spoken to the council, and they’ve agreed to a deal. They’ll waive a trial and sentencing in lieu of you pledging yourself to the Nightwatch.”
My ears buzzed with the implication of his words. “You want me to … to join the fucking Watch?”
“I want you to enroll at the Academy. I want you to graduate. That is the deal. If you accept it, you’ll enter the Academy tomorrow. You will, however, be cuffed during your training and will not be able to leave the grounds. If you attempt to circumvent this, then the deal will be dissolved. In the event this occurs, you’ll be brought straight to the council for sentencing. Do you understand?”
“Why are you doing this? You never wanted me. You never wanted a daughter. I left so we could both be free, so why the fuck can’t you just let me go?”
His expression was unreadable, distant, as usual. “There is no escape from heritage, Indigo. You were born a Justice, and you will die a Justice, and it’s my job as your parent to make sure your life and death honor that name.”
I could call his bluff. Tell him to stick his deal and take my chances with the trial, but hell, there was no upside to that. They’d probably execute me as an example. My father had played a dangerous game to get me here, one that probably involved greasing palms and making promises, and if I went against him now, I’d be throwing myself to the mercy of the members of the council that hated him. Hated the Justices. Because despite being the crème de la crème of society, we were also the most despised.
