Page 98 of A Fate of Blood and Magic
Brenton snorted.
“Our hope in meeting with you today was to discuss opentrade between your kingdom and the human realm,” Cierra said, pulling her shoulders back.
“The shifters that remained back home have taken over the compound you raided several nights ago,” Evander said. “As we did at the first compound, we offered the civilians there a chance of survival. Once all your fae are returned to you and the compounds are under our control, we would like to establish regions as you did and give both my people as well as humans the opportunity to live without the confines of the compounds.”
“Why would you help us-humans?” Donnie asked, his tone skeptical. “What do you get in return?”
“The very thing King Elias is after,” Cierra said, tucking a strand of her black hair behind her ear. “Peace.”
Donnie scoffed, and she lifted her dark brows in question.
“Shifters have lived in the human realm for thousands of years, hidden from the world,” Evander said. “Cohabitating with humans allows us to live out loud. Our ancestors left this realm because they were against violence. They didn’t want to join a fight that would kill innocent lives. While we’ve lived hidden from humans, we’ve watched them and, on a few occasions, have spoken to them. They are not collectively bad any more than fae or mages are bad. There are of course exceptions, but our decision to help humans isn’t based on the exceptions. Just as our ancestors wouldn’t partake in killing the mages, we cannot sit idly by and watch humans die when our magic can help them.”
“What would humans be expected to do for you in return?” Donnie asked.
I ground my jaw to keep myself from turning the conversation toward what I’d originally planned. This wasimportant to him, just as I was certain it was important to Teddy.
Cierra huffed out a laugh and raised a toned shoulder. “Not try to kill us?”
“What if they do try?” Donnie stalked forward, his shoulders pulled back and chin up.
When he stood in front of her, only a few inches taller than her, her eyes scanned him from the tips of his toes to the top of his head. Donnie rubbed his clean-shaven chin.
“Are you inviting me to dance with you?” One side of her mouth ticked up.
Surprised, Donnie drew his brows together before he laughed. “I don’t think I could keep up with you.”
That earned him a toothy smile. “Smart man.”
“I’ll tell my grandma she did a good job raising me.” He ran his hand across the back of his neck.
“Is he flirting?”Teddy asked in my mind.“I think he’s flirting.”
“He’s your longtime friend,”I answered.
“He’s definitely flirting.”There was a touch of humor in her voice.“Look at how red his neck is getting. This is too cute.”
I huffed out a laugh, which drew Cierra and Donnie’s attention to me. I waved a hand in front of me. “Please ignore me. What would you do if one of the humans tried to kill you?”
The shifters kept their gaze on Cierra rather than their leader, who seemed content to let her take the lead.
“What would you have us do?” she asked, tipping her chin up.
“Normally, we get a trial,” Donnie said. “The accused should be allowed to prove if he is innocent.”
“And if he isn’t?” Cierra asked.
“We have jails,” Donnie said.
“Jails?” she questioned.
“If the consequence of killing is more killing, how are you any better than those who attacked?” he asked.
“I believe the answer is clear if the reply to my offered aid is an attempt on my life.”
Donnie stammered. “Given the right rehabilitative resources, a person can change. Killing them cuts that chance away.”
“Killing them also prevents them from harming others.”
