Page 100 of Hidden

“Lila,” her father cried, still struggling to reach his wife. “Lila, help her.”

“Halt.” The king held up a hand. “All of you, halt or I will make you.”

Malatest stepped back, raising his palms in a gesture of surrender. Izetta remained where she was. The vampire’s dark eyes never wavered from Galeeta’s face.

“We’re asking for justice,” Izetta said in a cool, even tone. “Not vengeance, but equitable payback for our imprisonment.”

“She put shackles on my son,” the Alpha said. “Wolves died.”

Malatest spoke up. “While we recognize that the two leaders of this treasonous scheme were dealt with tonight, one remains.”

“Lady Galeeta protected that piece of troll-dung,” Izetta said. “She knew full well what she was doing. And she tried very hard to hurt me.”

“Please. Please,” Lila begged. “You don’t know the full story.”

Izetta ignored her. “I demand justice, Your Majesty. That is my right.”

Malatest folded his arms. “What do you say, sire?”

Lila’s heart thundered. The accords between the supernatural species were simple. All players more or less observed basic principles of justice in order to avoid costly war.

“Galeeta of House Fernblade,” the king said. “Our allies have brought charges against you. How do you respond?”

“I did what I did to protect my family,” Galeeta said from her position on the ground. “And for the record, I truly believed my husband was in your custody, my king.”

“But—” Lila interjected, but the king held up his hand to silence her.

Rafe put his arm around her shoulder. Ademar went to their father, all but holding him upright. The others remained stock-still.

“Izetta of the Undead, though your charges are indeed grave, might we conduct this with all players on their feet?” Elroth asked with a drop of sarcasm.

“No,” Izetta replied, still as death as she loomed over Galeeta. “I’ve caught her. I keep her.”

Elroth exchanged a look with Malatest. “The rules of this proceeding state that all parties are equal, free to speak, and none shall stand on ceremony. However, this is beyond the bounds of civilized behavior.”

Malatest shrugged. “Izetta, give it up. You’ll get your chance if the verdict is a thumbs-down.”

Slowly, very slowly, the vampire stepped aside, sheathing her blade. Lila darted forward to help her mother to her feet. Galeeta barely glanced at the vampires as she smoothed back the hair that had escaped her elaborate braids. Her face was a pale, haughty mask that failed to hide her fear. Lila’s chest tightened with grief. There was no way her family would walk away from this unscathed.

The group—fae, Undead, and wolf—regarded Lila, clearly expecting her to retreat now that Galeeta was on her feet. She looked around for Rafe. His expression held the same fear and confusion she felt.

She stubbornly stuck by her mother’s side.

“Very well,” Elroth said. “Galeeta, what did you know of Farras’s plan to commit treason?”

“Nothing, Your Majesty.” Galeeta swallowed, as if still feeling the shadow of Izetta’s knife. “It was supposed to be a celebration. No one knew we would be attacked. No one knew you would come, Your Majesty. Whatever plans Lord Farras had, tonight he simply seized the opportunity. That is my guess, at least.”

The king looked unimpressed. “And what do you know for certain?”

Lila wanted to hear the answer and yet didn’t. She held her breath and lifted her gaze, meeting Izetta’s eyes. The vampire was close enough to touch. The look she gave Lila held a shred of pity, but she looked back to Galeeta with the intensity of a hawk.

“I knew he meant to deliver Lord Teegar into your custody,” Galeeta replied. “Lord Farras desired to win your trust.”

“And then once that happened, he would slit my throat?”

Galeeta swallowed again. “He did not say that to me. I would not doubt it.”

Silence hung over the group long enough for a wolf to howl in the distance. Another answered. Once again, she sought Rafe among the wolves, their gazes meeting. She took a shred of courage from the warmth and concern she saw there.

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