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“I understand, Councilwoman Price,” he said aloud. “As my last request, I ask that you not reverse my cancer treatment on Lily Stockton and that you allow Jordan Brothers to remove the last of the disease from her body.”

After a rapid-fire discussion with the Council, Mattie agreed.

“Then I’m ready,” Trevor said gravely.

Soleil reached for him, but he sidestepped, crossed to the center of the room, and bowed his head, prepared for whatever they intended.

“Damian, please! Don’t let them do this,” she begged.

“Captain Ellis, remove Ms. Stephens from these proceedings.” Mattie’s voice, although crisp, held an edge of pain, and Soleil met her troubled eyes.She didn’t want Trevor to die,butshewas boundby her duty to the Authority.

“Mattie, please!”

“It’s his choice, Soleil,” she said, not unkindly.

Brooke blocked her view and touched her arm. “Ms. Stephens, please don’t resist. You’ll create chaos the likes you can’t imagine,” she saidin a quiet voicefor Soleil’s hearing alone. “The Aether and the Death Dealer will fight ifyou're forcefully removed.AsI expect the line of Sentinels against the back wall will, too.One look at their expressions should tell you all you need to know.”

“Will they do it right now?” Soleil asked her. “Will they kill Trevor here? I can’t leave him if they intend to. I can’t.”

Her expression softened marginally. “No.He’llhave three days to reconsider, and they’ll put the question tohimagain. If he maintains his position, he’llbe giventhree additional days to consider his options.”

“And then?” Soleil feared her reply. In her heart, she knew Trevor’s mind wouldn’t change.

“Then he will be executed.”

The air between them grew thick, or maybe she’d lost her ability to breathe asherworry expanded within her chest. Brooke also appeared sad at the prospect of his demise. Had they had a thing once upon a time, too? He’d never said, but he wasn’t a monkprior totheir brief association.

Soleil rose on her tiptoes to peer over the Captain’s shoulder.

With his back to them, Trevor stood with his hands fisted by hissides,as if it were taking all his strength not to come to her.

Next, she sought Damian’s reaction. His visage was stern, and his obsidian eyes held disappointment—for her behavior!

“Go,” he ordered with a firm nod.

Tears blurred her vision as she shook her head. “I can’t,” she whispered. “I can’t let this be his end. Our end.”

Comforting arms wrapped around her, and she buried her face against the warm leather of Draven’s duster. “I’ve got you,cher,”he told her. To Brooke, he said, “I’ll escort her out.” When Soleil would’ve pulled away, he touched her temple. “Sleep.”

The sensation of falling was halted by his strong arms, and the room grew dark as her conscious mind shut down.

CHAPTER33

“Ach! Why are you after being a stubborn eejit?” Fintan demanded. “Sure, and you’ve got a beautifulcailínawaitin’yaat home, but areyahappy for it? No!”

“The Authority’s reconditioning means a magical lobotomy, Fin! It’s not like I’ll remember her when it’s over.” Trev pounded the glass wall with the side of his fist, viciously swearing when he received an electrical shock for his display of temper.

Those closest to him had gathered to convince him to reverse his decision. They refused to adhere to his wishes.

“But you’ll be alive,yagobshite. And your wet personality will still be the same, yeah?”

“Why did I ever consider you a friend when all you do is insult me?” Trev growled.

“Because before today, ya weren’t acting the fool,” Fintan snapped back.

“Fuck off.”

Frustration drew the Seer’s mouth down, and his sea-green eyes darkened with worry. “Trev, I’m as serious as I’ve never been before, Iam. They’re after killin’yatomorrow if you don’t change your mind at today’s meetin’. Sure, and where there’s life, they’re’s hope.”