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NINE

The next morning, I shower and pull my professional clothes and my professional attitude back on.

When Connor collects me for court, he’s professional too, in his own way. He doesn’t mention last night, and there’s no kissing or over-familiarity. But there’s an unfamiliar smile on his face, and he can’t keep his eyes off me.

I say nothing either, but I smile back. He may not have been able to achieve the impossible and keep my twisted fantasies at bay, but it was good spending time with him. Both out and about, and in bed. It’s an experience I’d like to repeat, and hopefully, he feels the same way. But I’ll cross that bridge once I’ve today’s court session out of the way.

“Are you going to be okay today?” he asks once we’re in the car and heading out of town. “If Thornber’s in court, I mean?”

“I’ll have to be. If he tries something like that again, can you stop him?”

Connor turns towards me, ignoring the road for the moment. “Honestly? I don’t know. Maybe not.”

“That’s okay.”

“But I’ll do my best. And Brendan’s family will protect you. They’re not going to let their prize lawyer get hurt.”

This time, I go to the robing room like a proper lawyer instead of hiding away. I even manage to exchange a few pleasantries with Imran Usmani, as I’ve established the prosecution lawyer is called. He frowns when he sees me and insists I have a glass of water. His concern’s presumably due to yesterday’s performance in court, which I’d almost forgotten about in light of the later drama.

Bren is pacing around the sickly-green interview room waiting for me. “What the hell happened last night?”

He snaps the question out without giving me chance to sit down and without the slightest hint of pretence that I’m merely his lawyer.

“What do you mean?”

“What do you think?”

I honestly don’t know. He could mean Gabriel’s attack. Equally, he could mean Connor’s seduction. It’s hard to say which would infuriate my brother more.

“The story’s all over—it’s like those petty Thornber acolyte inmates got a telepathic memo or something. What did he do to you?”

“What are they saying?”

“The details differ from person to person, but they’ve loved rubbing it in my face.”

I lean over. “Are you checking I’m okay or worrying about your own reputation?”

He shakes his head. “A bit of both. Sorry. I just wish I wasn’t stuck wearing these blocker cuffs. That I wasn’t under constant surveillance. That I didn’t have to be on my best behaviour. I wish things were back to normal—that we were sitting on that old garden bench at Mum and Dad’s, and I could sketch a new portrait for you.”

“It won’t be long now. We’ve got this.” I make myself sound confident for his sake.

“So, are you okay?”

“It was just Greenfire. And I could have turned it back on him if I’d tried. He definitely knows who I am though.”

“Dammit. I knew this was a bad idea. I wish youhadturned it back on him. I’d have loved to see that. Even if you’d blown your cover and ruined my trial, it’d still have been worth it.”

I laugh. “Greenfire would be too good for him. I’ll save my moment until I’ve got a clear shot and Hellfire in my palms.”

“That’s my sister! Now, ready to be my lawyer again?”

* * *

Today, Imran will continue the case for the prosecution by starting to work his way through the hordes of witnesses who’d supposedly seen every moment of Bren’s murderous rampage. Hopefully, I’ll be able to pay more attention today. Scribble down notes furiously so I can use every detail the witnesses give against them when it’s time for my cross-examination. And if needs be, perform another round of deflecting Gabriel Thornber’s power.

Despite his earlier outburst, Bren is smiling serenely in the dock. Even with shadows under his eyes and a touch of stubble creeping in, he appears too delicately handsome to be a murderer. More victim than villain.

Up in the viewing gallery, my family are watching in rapt attention, quieter than they were yesterday. Mum and Chrissie have just completed a light core meditation. Dad’s gripping the barrier hard enough to leave a dent.