Page 61 of Fallen

“Alex,” Nathan warned.

“What was that, Hawk?” Sloan asked.

“I said he helped me!” Alex said again. “This guild promised me years ago that I could hunt down the thing that killed my family, and when it finally resurfaced, I was told to let it go. Well I couldn’t do that, and it wasn’t fair for you to ask that of me. So yes, I went to In Extremis. I met a demon there who agreed to do what you wouldn’t—help me find and kill it. That demon helped me track down the monster that made me an orphan. We killed it last night. Those pictures you have there? That’s gratitude—for a man who showed me more respect and kindness than anyone in this guild ever has.”

The council exploded. Someone was screaming about how ungrateful he was. Someone else was calling him an abomination. Maxwell was the calmest one, but even he was saying something to Alex with his hands out in earnest confusion, gesturing to the photo behind him.

Sloan slammed his hands down on the bench and stood. “Enough! I’ve heard all I need to know.” The rest of the council went quiet, and Alex braced himself. “Alexander Hawk, you have broken your oath to protect the innocent by letting selfish desires for revenge rule your actions. You’ve endangered your soul by fornicating with a demon. You have allowed the darkness to tarnish your heart and are no longer worthy of bearing the insignia of the paladins. If any on the council oppose this judgment, let them speak now.”

Silence reigned. Alex squared his jaw. He would not let them see him shaken.

Sloan nodded, accepting the silence. “You are hereby stripped of your title and your rank. Remove your ring.”

Alex ripped it off so hard he nearly dislocated his own finger, slapping it into Nathan’s palm, who carried it over to Sloan.

“I will allow you to keep your weapons, only because I believe you’ll need them if you continue to associate with that demon, but all other effects belonging to the guild will be returned to us. You are no longer welcome at the guild or permitted within the boundary wall. This banishment is witnessed by all on the council and the representatives present for the hearing,” he gestured to the witnesses standing by the wall, “and effective immediately. May God have mercy on your soul.”

His shoulders hunched. This was the only home he’d ever known. Even if he’d begun considering leaving this morning, it was one thing to leave of his own accord and another to be banished and unable toeverreturn.

Nathan’s hand blanketed his shoulder. “Come, Alex,” he whispered urgently. “I’ll escort you to the gate.”

He raised his gaze, but instead of glaring at Sloan, he found himself staring at the photo on the wall, remembering how good Talon’s arms felt around his body. He wanted that feeling again. Wanted it right now.

Nathan led him from the room. When they were down the hallway, well out of earshot, he said quietly, “I’m sorry it came to this, Alex. You say the guild’s never done anything for you, but I’ve always liked you. I hope… I hope you’re safe out there. I don’t blame you for wanting to kill the monster that killed your family, but this business with the other one… I just hope you know what you’re doing.”

Guilt slithered through him. That statement was made in anger, and it wasn’t fair for Nathan to be lumped in with everyone else. Nathan had always been kind to him. But saying as much now felt pointless.

“I guess it doesn’t matter now, does it?” Alex said hollowly.

Nathan kept a hand on his shoulder as they strode through the administrative building. Everywhere they turned, people stopped and stared. Even after they made it outside, people walking on the pathways between the buildings gave them a wide berth, gaping at them as they passed. Word had spread quickly about him, it seemed. Even if they didn’t know yet that he’d been banished, they all likely knew he’d been held in the old jail for a while.

The sun was high and unfairly bright. He didn’t have a watch and had no idea where his phone was—it was paid for by the guild, so they’d probably confiscated it—but it looked like early afternoon. He’d been gone for hours. What would Talon be thinking? Would he still be waiting at Alex’s apartment?

The gate opened when they approached it, so he assumed someone had eyes on them.

“Listen,” Nathan said, pulling him to a stop. “Do you still have my number memorized?”

It was one of the first things they’d told him to do when he was placed in Nathan’s squad, as a precautionary measure if he ever got separated from the group and had to call for help.

He nodded dumbly.

“I know they said banished, but if you ever need anything, call me. Officially, I can’t help you, but unofficially, you’re still my friend.”

He wasn’t sure what to do with that information right now, but he was certain there would be time to process it later.

Slow steps carried him through the gate. A part of him didn’t want to turn around and look at what he was leaving behind, but he couldn’t resist. The gate was swinging shut, and Nathan was already walking away, his broad shoulders sagging. The red brick buildings stood tall and imposing, their windows gleaming in the sunlight. He’d grown up there. Learned the truth about the world and all its monsters there. It seemed surreal that he was never allowed to set foot beyond the gate again. As easily as a snap of Sloan’s fingers, everything Alex had was stripped away.

Setting his jaw, he turned away. There was nothing left for him there.

With no phone and no money to pay for a cab, he had no choice but to start walking. While he walked, he had plenty of time to think about how screwed he truly was. His car and phone were guild-issued. He received his paycheck from them. They even provided the laptop he kept at home, as it came with access to their encrypted servers. They would come for all of it, and when he couldn’t pay his bills, he would lose his apartment.

He had nothing. No job, no marketable skills except hunting monsters, no money. The guild had given him everything, and now, suddenly, he found himself orphaned once again.

His only hope now was to find Talon. All he had left was Talon. He didn’t know how he’d figure anything else out, but he was certain it would all seem less daunting when Talon was by his side once more. He needed to find him, and he hoped the paladins hadn’t hurt him.

It was going to be a very long walk back into the city.

Chapter 21

---