Page 69 of Descendant

A murmur of acknowledgement ran through the crowd.

“Thus,” Daniella stated, after a long, pregnant moment of allowing them to digest the information, “no law has been broken. The very charge itself is inherently false. Exposing the community to an outsider,” she repeated the accusation, “yet no outsider has been informed. If anything, a descendant has been brought rightfully home, if through unconventional means.”

Kane hovered close, eager to take back the microphone and the people, but Daniella held it a second longer, took up that space, and refused to move for the “alpha.” It was a subtle and brilliant defiance, and Violet’s heart soared with it. The answer had been in front of them all along.

“Thank you, Daniella,” Kane said, when Dani eventually stepped back. “While parts of your statement might be true, it also must be noted that during the investigation, a letter from Violet Davis was recovered, which we believe was given to the girl outside of the town limit, detailing information about our way of life. Interestingly enough, neither Violet nor her mate, Mikel Davis, have left the community, but you, Daniella, did so just a week ago.” His smile was sinister.

Daniella nodded like this was just another conversation, another day.

“I did.” She joined him beside the microphone again, shoulders square. “And I delivered that letter on my way to one of my fabric suppliers in Frankston. I didn’t vet the information or read it. I assumed it was a goodbye or a final attempt at closure for the family—not unusual for outsiders to do once they integrate.” She paused. The square was silent, stony. “I would also be interested to know exactly whatwasin the letter. Perhaps it can be read for the pack?”

It was an innocent request, but to an educated ear, it was calculating and brilliant. Reading the letter would set the stage for exposing Kane.

“The letter was accidentally misfiled and destroyed. The clerk responsible has been terminated from her position,” Kane assured her, and Violet could hear the snake in his voice, feel the shift in the air as he realized that Daniella knew too, and that he was up against more than just her and Mikel.

“Violet—” Lila’s grip tightened on her hand.

“I move to the council to pass a verdict—” Kane started.

“Pardon me.”

Violet’s heart dropped into her stomach at the sight of Margie shuffling her way down the aisle. She found Mikel in the crowd again. His eyes were fixed on Margie, shoulders tight and posture hunched. Not hunched, she realized, coiled. Foreboding prickled the hairs on the back of her neck.

“Pardon me, young man.” Margie shooed Kane out of the way with her walking stick and stopped in front of the mic, her short breaths audible over the PA system. Daniella steadied her with a hand on her shoulder. “Before we get to all that, I have a few things to share.”

Kane gritted his teeth, hands held tight together behind his back in fists.

“I believe this young lady”—she gestured to Lila—“is my granddaughter.”

The crowd’s reaction to that was palpable. Working on her own time, Margie began to shuffle toward them. Lila shifted her weight beside her, uncertain.

“Not to worry, child,” Margie said as she reached them. “Oh, yes. You look just like your daddy, darling.”

Violet watched as Margie’s hazel eyes flashed gold and the crowd reacted. When she turned to Lila, who was still looking down at the old woman, her sister’s eyes had turned golden too.

She closed her gnarled fingers around Lila’s pale arm and squeezed. “Welcome home, Lila Bard, daughter of John and Temperance Bard.”

“My—my mother’s name was Prudence,” Lila corrected her.

“Not here, girl. Here, she was Temperance.”

Apparently satisfied, Margie started her slow shuffle back to the center while Kane called for order.

“Mrs. Bard,” he addressed her as she approached. “Explain the meaning of this and its relevance to the trial.”

His face purpled when once again Margie shooed him out of the way.

“Always were an impatient one, boy,” she said. Kane opened his mouth, but she cut him off. “Now, that there is my granddaughter, daughter of John and Temperance Bard. We all remember when Tempy went missing. Well, she shacked up next town over with a human there. My boy had been in love with her since they were kids. Apparently, they made good on that after she left.” She gestured again to Lila.

Even Violet was starting to wonder where she was going with this.

“Back to these charges.” She paused, audibly wet her lips. “My John was killed in the incident you all call the massacre. Coincidentally, so was Tempy, and so was the mayor of Frankston at the time.”

“I don’t see how rehashing dark history is relevant.” Kane stepped forward.

Violet’s heart was pounding, because for all their stress and planning, Margie looked set to blow the whole thing wide open without a care.

“Oh, it’s relevant, young man, if you would have the patience to let an old wolf finish.”

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