Page 43 of Blood Lord

My lips tremble, but I firm them, refusing to beg them. I'm almost certain they're here to torment me, and no amount of crying will change their mind.

But as they drag me forward, my feet unable to keep up as my body tries to give out on me, I realize we are going back before the Council. My heart thunders at the thought of standing before Brinda again. Does she want to torture me?

As we come around the corner, I spot Raziel. His face is impassive, his hands clasped behind his back, but I can see the flicker of concern in his eyes.

Behind him, the Council is seated, and I hate the calculated gaze of Brinda as it scalds my skin. I want nothing more than to run into Raziel's arms, and to my relief, they drop me as soon as we reach the center of the room.

My knees nearly give out on me, but Raziel is there, catching me. He's always there to make sure that I am okay.

When his gaze meets mine, there is fear and worry there. I can tell that we aren't safe, yet. Just because I've been brought back in here doesn't mean that all is forgiven.

"Human."

"Selene," Raziel murmurs.

To my surprise, Brinda doesn't stiffen at his correction. She raises her eyebrows and then a slightly amused smile touches her lips. Maybe that's a dangerous sign with her.

"Selene, what are you worth?"

I blink. Out of all the things I thought I was brought out here for, it is not this.

I don't know how to answer that, either. I want to ask her what she means, but that doesn't seem wise, so I just stand there staring at her in confusion.

She sits up taller, nearly shouting, "Explain why you deserve to live freely and now beneath the vrakken!"

Behind me, Raziel's arms tighten around me, and I can feel his whole body stiffen. He seems nervous, and I want to proceed cautiously.

I wrack my brain, trying to remember if Raziel told me about this at all. I can't recall this being an answer we had prepped, and I know that if Brinda is expecting something specific, he would have told me.

Raziel had been so precise and thorough before we came here that I know he wouldn't have left anything out. This is an impromptu question, and I fear that it may determine what happens to us next.

So, I do what I can to prepare. I take a deep breath, rolling my shoulders back and drawing from my performer's well. I find that center, that calm and confidence that allows me to command a stage as my mind runs through everything I know about the vrakken.

"I am human," I start, and that ghost of a smile touches Brinda's lips again. I'm starting to think it is not a good thing.

"While you might see that as a disadvantage, something that makes me weak, it actually gives me more knowledge and abilities than you would have on the surface."

And just like that, her smile drops. I take it as a good thing and press on.

"Not even the most powerful vrakken would survive on the surface. We both know that. That's why you sent Raziel to scout instead of just emerging there again. You know you can't thrive there, and you don't want your race to die out."

"What does that have to do with you?" she spits.

"While I think the underground tunnels are impressive, and they have definitely served their purpose, don't you think that it's time the vrakken return to the surface? The dark elves have overrun the planet, and while their magic is inferior, their numbers will cause a problem, especially if you are wanting humans back. They will be all too eager to attack you."

Brinda barks out a laugh. "And you think you will be helpful in a war? What makes you think we can't bring the dark elves to their knees on our own."

I purse my lips. "For one, if you thought you could, you wouldn't be down here anymore. For two, I know that most of your newer generation vrakken can't sun glamour well, and no one can sun glamour for that long when using their magic, especially outside of a wildspont."

She blinks at that, seemingly surprised at my knowledge.

"With vrakken being so vulnerable and limited on the surface, having a human, or multiple, to partner with will give you the freedom you need. We blend in easily, have no problems in the sun, and know a lot about dark elves, think of all that we could offer you."

"What if I just kill you for causing all this trouble and get a few new humans?" Brinda arches an eyebrow like she has just come up with an ingenious plan.

I arch my eyebrow back. "If you want to enslave a few humans and hope that you can trust them enough not to tell your hiding spots, share intimate knowledge about the vrakken, and bring in supplies so that no one has to blister in the sun, be my guest. Kill the person who is willing to help you and has no desire to see any harm come to any of you, unlike a slave without a freedom."

Her lips press into a firm line. "I see your point."

---