Page 122 of A Dose of Agony
My brow pinches. So much of this is word against word. “Is there no way to test it?”
“Only one,” the witch says. “And no ruler has ever agreed to participate.”
I swallow. “What is it?”
“A demon will never allow harm to come to their mate. That is one element that can be tested.”
I swallow, afraid to ask for more specifics. Isn’t that what happened in the caves with the council? Too bad this tribunal wasn’t there to witness it.
“I am not willing to harm either girl to prove him wrong,” Jarron says. “My mate would not allow me to harm her sister.”
My eyes flash to Liz, something I’d noticed before, in the caves, comes to my mind. Again, it would be word against word, except maybe I could use Liz’s word to defend us instead.
“Then, indeed there is no way to test the soul of the demon.”
Silence stretches. I can feel the tension beginning to build higher as we all realize today’s meeting was fruitless. No conclusion has been made. I’m not sure we even budged the tribunal’s mind a little.
“Liz,” I say softly. Her eyes meet mine. Vandozer clearly has some control over her right now, but from what I know, it’s verbal control. She must do what he says. But he cannot let the witches know she is a full slave to him or it would weaken his case.
This means he had to have given her a long list of demands before the meeting. If I ask something he’s not expecting, will she tell the truth?
“Can you show me your arm?”
Liz’s gaze flashes to Vincent.
He frowns. “We do not bow to the requests of the enemy. No matter how innocent they seem.”
My eyes flare then shift to the lead witch. She studies me for a long moment before nodding. “Elizabeth, could you please show us your arm?”
Vincent growls in frustration, but Liz does as asked. She holds out both arms. Her dress has loose sleeves that flare at the wrists, exposing a slight bit of her glowing skin.
The witch gently grabs her right wrist and turns her arm over, examining the skin. I allow her slow exploration without comment because I know if I expose my intention, Vincent could shut it down quickly.
The witch frowns, clearly unsure what she’s looking for. She shifts to the next arm and pauses at the long scar on the underside of her forearm.
I barely manage to hold back a wild grin of success when the witch runs her thumb over the scar. “Where did you receive this wound?”
Liz frowns, looking down at it. Vincent leans over, like he has no idea what they’re talking about. Had he never noticed it? Never cared to ask?
“Jarron—” she whispers. “Jarron gave it to me.”
The whole cavern stills at those words.
For several beats, no one speaks. Most don’t even breathe.
“I don’t—what does that mean?” Liz asks finally. A growl rips from Vincent’s chest.
“More manipulation from liars and thieves!” he screams. His wings flare, and his roar shakes the foundation of the caves. “You will regret this moment, little human. You are no one. Nothing. And you sister will pay for your misdeeds.”
Suddenly, my feet are off the floor, hard arms around me, but conflicting feelings of alien determination and complete safety fill my chest. Dark leathery wings cocoon me, and as things settle, I realize that I am in Jarron’s arms far from the meeting table.
“You’re a genius,” he whispers in my ear, pride swelling in him.
But something is wrong. I should feel pride at my success.
I know better than to think this is over just yet.
The room settles finally, and Jarron retreats from his protective stance, allowing me to see Liz sitting oddly still, her eyes wide.
