Page 53 of Protected by the Fallen
“Master Nate,” Sarah addresses the Fallen, ignoring her son’s demand. Master Nate stands on the end of the Council’s long table, farthest away from me, but his malicious and untrusting eyes are pinned on my face.
“Yes, Lady Sarah?”
She spares me a glance. “Care to explain your accusations against my son’sbashert? You must know, this situation is highly peculiar. We would all love an explanation.”
Does she not know?
I observe Sarah and realize she can’t possibly know Master Nate is aware I’m not Nephilim. She can’t know he’s about to blow my secret. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be so willing to have him voice his suspicions in front of so many witnesses.
“I observed Veronica Messenger,bashertto Ezekiel and Adrian, bring a Fallen angel back to life.”
Murmurs rise among the council members. Several frowning faces turn contemplative, as if rethinking whether or not I am worthy of their sympathy.
“Jude was not dead,” Zeke snaps. “Veronica used her powers to heal him. That is all. This entire debacle is a disgrace, and my brother and I will never forget the mistreatment of ourbashert.” The sheer force behind his words makes some of the council members slink back into their chairs. Knowing what I do about Zeke’s unparalleled power, I’m not surprised. I shift my feet, and grimace when the movement causes the cuffs to chafe my wrist. They are laced with a stinging spell, enhancing their discomfort.
The raspy voice council member, Paul, I believe is his name, clears his throat. “You speak of Resurrection power, Master Nate.”
“Yes, Your Honor, I do.”
“Resurrection power is not found among Nephilim.”
“No, it is not, Your Honor.”
The council member lifts a cloaked arm. “Do you have any evidence to back your claim?” The first time I met The Council, I thought Paul was a tight-ass. Now, I cheer him on. Master Nate doesn’t have any evidence. Without evidence, they have no reason to keep me locked up. I’ve done nothing wrong. Confidence renewed, I straighten my spine. I’m sure my hair is a mess, and I still wear the tattered gown from the banquet, but I refuse to look meek or guilty. I saved Jude’s life. I did nothing wrong. I will maintain the Nephilim façade, and Master Nate cannot prove otherwise.
“The only evidence I have is what my own eyes have seen.”
“Eye witness accounts are notoriously flimsy,” a female Fallen speaks up. I really should have learned the council member’s names, especially the ones who are reasonable.
“Master Nate is our most notorious scholar,” the male standing beside Sarah states. “He is not some mortal walking along the street who witnessed a crime. If he says the girl raised Jude from the dead, I believe him.”
My stomach plummets, along with my rising hope.
Didn’t Sarah say she believes some council members are working with The Darkness? What if she’s right, and my fate is in the hands of the bad guys?
“Without any evidence?” Zeke asks in a dangerously calm voice. “You will believe that male’s words over my own?”
Several hoods turn as council members murmur their reactions to one another. Zeke’s question is no small matter. Does The Council side with Master Nate? Or do they side with the Fallen they desperately want to join their ranks?
“Let’s put it to a vote.” Paul’s raspy voice speaks, silencing the side discussions among his colleagues. “In order to move forward with this gathering and discuss the ramifications of Master Nate’s claim, we must decide whether or not there is sufficient cause to believe him.”
“A unanimous vote?” the male beside Sarah asks.
“Yes,” Paul replies. “As always, the vote must be unanimous. If it is not, we shall reconvene at a later time, should additional evidence manifest.”
Oh, thank God.
There is no way Master Nate will get a unanimous vote in his favor. Sarah will not go against me, or rather, she will not go against her sons. Adrian and Zeke would never forgive her. Even if the other eleven Fallen are evil, I have one on my side.
Still, I’m nervous, and my legs tremble as I wait for the crucial vote.
Sarah lifts a hand in the air, and two orbs of blue and red light float in front of her. “The orbs of light know the truth of one’s opinion. Should you find Master Nate’s words true, a blue orb will appear above your head. Should you not believe his claim, the red orb will appear. Are we ready for the vote?”
Sarah waits for every council member to lower their hood. My eyes are drawn to Paul. He looks as attractive as other Fallen, it’s only his voice that grates on me. The female is lovely as all female Fallen, and her blue eyes are noticeably kind as she senses my attention. She gives me a supportive nod, and I know she doesn’t believe Master Nate.
Scanning the table, trying to gauge who else may vote on my behalf, I nearly fall on my face when I see Roxy seated at the table. Her luscious brown hair is twisted into a simply braid, and she is just as stunning as she’d been at the banquet. Her hard, cool eyes meet mine, and I know she is not an ally.
Sarah mutters in angelic. The orbs fly across the table, dividing into multiple balls of light which position themselves above the council members.
