Page 126 of Magic Claimed

On the national level, most of the staff of the Bureau of Idrian Affairs had been fired after an audit revealed extensive corruption and bribery concerns. Deverin was made the new head of the Bureau, and his first act was to ensure that the department hired equal numbers of human and Idrian staffers. He also established a response team that would work together with local law enforcement in cases of violent crimes involving both humans and Idrians.

And as for the one who’d sparked these changes?

Blake and all of his people who’d participated in the attack on Oklahoma City were arrested and charged with enough crimes to keep them in court or jail until the end of their lifetimes. While possessing or using stolen magic artifacts was not yet a crime by human law, all fifty states had begun the process of adopting such a law, while also making a comprehensivereview of their policies regarding the protection of Idrian refugees.

Someday soon, we hoped, Idrians would no longer be refugees, but something more. What that would look like? Well, that would take time to determine.

There would always be a need for the courts. Always be a place for Idrians to embrace their magic and their culture. And yet, we could also find common ground. It would be a long road, but we’d taken the first steps, and I had every hope that we would eventually find our way.

Hopefully, though, that road wouldn’t involve quite so many steps as it took to get from Callum’s apartment to the first floor of The Assemblage.

“Wait, aren’t you dragons rich enough to build a new elevator if you wanted to?” I grumbled as we made our way down the first flight.

“Of course.” Callum grinned evilly. “But far fewer annoying people tend to bother you if they have to climb five flights of stairs to reach your door.”

He had a point.

“It’s also excellent for defense. Funnels all your enemies into one place for easy incineration.”

I shot him another warning glare. “No setting anyone on fire either.”

His “who me” expression would have put my six-year-old to shame.

“You know you’re already pushing your luck with this ancient law business, so play nice.”

Not only had we waited the full twenty-eight days toanswer the shapeshifter summons, Callum had somehow uncovered an old law that required the Shapeshifter Council to convene at whatever location the king requested.

So of course—with Faris’s permission—he’d summoned them to Oklahoma City, where he’d declared he would be working remotely during the interim.

The council wasn’t happy, but they’d agreed, not least because of Callum’s role in ending the threat posed by Blake and his minions. It was hard to argue with a dragon who’d been injured while single-handedly defeating an enemy twice his size.

We finally reached the bottom of the stairs and pulled up short in surprise.

We’d expected a few people, but not the entire crowd that awaited us in the foyer.

Angelica guarded the door to the event space, but she was flanked by Ryker and Yolande, the bear shifter who’d helped to defend the city. Standing nearby were Faris, Logan, Kira, Draven, and Morghaine, who held Ari’s hand as she bounced up and down on her toes.

And that wasn’t all. All of my friends from The Portal were there—Seamus, Marilee, Niko, Oliver, Irene, Kyle, and Emberly—plus Hugh and even Waffles whining as he strained at his leash.

And standing somewhat apart but also curiously close together were Tairen-li-Corva and Deverin-ro-Finnbar.

“I thought you were in Washington,” I exclaimed, before glancing at Tairen in surprise. “And I thought you were in Arizona for your health.”

“I was,” she replied serenely. “And I found it… very healthful indeed.”

Well that wasn’t concerning or anything.

“What are you all doing here?”

“Moral support, duh,” Kira responded tartly. “And also to prove to the council that they should think twice before trying to bully you.”

I would have hugged her if we hadn’t already been late.

“Thank you,” I said, a little tearfully. “This means a lot. All of you…”

My heartfelt speech was interrupted by the front door opening to admit two more familiar faces…

“You’re back!”