Page 23 of Immortal Bastard

Adam pinched the bridge of his nose and finally gave him his full attention. “I was there, in the meeting today. It was terrible.”

“Why didn’t you stop them?”

“What kind of authority do you think I have?” Removing his hat, he swept a hand over his hair. “Some want her executed, others want her kept alive. It’s an ongoing debate and my opinion has little to do with the outcome.”

“They’re doing more than burning her. She has bruises all over her body.”

He frowned. “How do you know?”

“I saw her…when I was visiting Cybil.”

Adam eyed him skeptically. “Talk to Eleazar. If the bishop permits Anna to visit her and provides the necessary precautions, I’ll allow her to go. But I intend to accompany her.”

“Go where?”

They both turned and found Annalise holding a tray of food at the entrance to the barn. “Ainsicht,” Adam said, moving to greet his wife with a kiss. “We were just talking about you.”

“So I assumed, until I heard the word allow.” She looked at Dane and smirked. “Sometimes Adam forgets that I’m my own person, capable of making my own decisions. What did you need, Dane?”

“The witch—”

“Absolutely not.” Cain glared from the door. “I told you to leave her out of it.”

“Out of what?” Anna asked.

Cain shoved off the wall and entered the barn. “Caring for the plebe. Her feet are injured and Dane stupidly thinks you’ll risk your own safety to care for someone who tried to kill our father.”

“What happened to her feet?”

“Nothing,” both brothers snapped.

“They burned them!”

“What?” Anna’s face contorted in horror. “Who?”

“The Council,” Dane explained.

“Why?”

“To see if she would use magic.”

“That’s barbaric! What is this, the Salem witch trials? Adam, you have to do something!”

Her husband rubbed his temples.

“Does anyone care that this woman tried to kill our father?” Cain barked.

“She’s barely an adult, Cain. Show some compassion,” Anna snapped back.

“All right, enough.” Adam held up his hands, defusing the debate. “Anna, I will speak to Eleazar and request that he let you examine the girl, but only in my presence and the presence of other guards.”

“I can’t believe they burned her,” Anna muttered.

“That’s not all they did to her.”

“Enough,” Adam snapped, his eyes darkening with unspoken threats.

“What else did they do?” Anna turned to him, but he hesitated. “Dane? Tell me.”

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