Page 74 of Fetch Me A Mate
"That's..." Bram leaned forward, studying the documents.
"That's fraud," Emmett said quietly. "Manufactured evidence designed to trigger ownership review."
Diana stared at the papers. Someone had tried to destroy her with lies, but the truth had found its way to light.
"The complaint is dismissed," Varric announced. "However, given the serious nature of this attempted manipulation, we're deferring final judgment for twenty-four hours."
"Why defer?"
"Because we want to investigate the source of this Backwoods Consulting. And because we want to speak with someone who can address the inn's security during this period of... elevated attention."
Varric looked directly at Diana. "We'd like Rowan Baneville to appear tomorrow evening to discuss protective measures for the inn and its guests."
Diana's chest tightened. "Rowan isn't here."
"Where is he?"
"I asked him not to come. I needed to handle this myself, prove I could defend the inn without supernatural protection."
"And you have," Miriam said firmly. "But the Council's request is reasonable. Security concerns affect the entire community."
"Will you ask him to appear tomorrow?" Varric asked.
Diana nodded, though part of her wondered where Rowan was right now, what he was doing while she faced judgment alone. She'd told him to stay away, insisted on fighting her own battle. But in this moment, looking at evidence of deliberate sabotage, she wished he were here beside her.
"Twenty-four hours," Varric announced. "We reconvene tomorrow at sunset."
As the Council dispersed and fae-lights dimmed, Diana walked back toward the inn with Miriam and Twyla flanking her like bodyguards.
"You did well," Miriam said. "Stood your ground, spoke truth, let the evidence speak for itself."
"Someone tried to destroy me with lies."
"Someone failed," Twyla corrected. "Because this community knows who you are and what you're worth."
Diana looked ahead to where the inn's windows glowed warm and welcoming. Tomorrow she'd have to find Rowan, convince him to speak for the inn's security. Tonight, she just wanted to go home to the place she'd fought so hard to keep.
But first, she had a question that couldn't wait.
"Twyla, how did you know to bring those signatures tonight?"
Twyla's smile turned mysterious. "Let's just say some people have very good instincts about when support might be needed."
36
ROWAN
Kael's wolf was smaller than Rowan's, built for speed rather than raw power. But he was quick, twisting away from Rowan's initial lunge and snapping at his exposed flank. Teeth scraped fur and skin, drawing first blood.
They rolled in the shallow water, a tangle of snarls and claws. Kael tried to use his speed advantage, dancing away from Rowan's heavier attacks, darting in to score quick hits before retreating. But rage gave Rowan focus, and grief had taught him patience.
When Kael lunged for his throat, Rowan was ready. He caught the smaller wolf across the shoulders, his weight driving them both underwater. Kael thrashed, trying to break free, but Rowan's jaws found purchase at the base of his neck.
Submit.
Go to hell.
Rowan's teeth pressed deeper. Not enough to kill, but enough to make his point crystal clear. Kael went limp beneath him, the universal signal of surrender.
