Page 132 of Possess Me at Midnight

Chapter

Forty-Four

Sabelle

* * *

The next morning, I pace Ice’s caves, transcast mirror in hand. I’ve yet to see the stubborn warrior. After he collapsed at Blackbourne’s, Bram and Tynan carted him inside the Council Chancellor’s house. Tynan stayed with Ice. My brother insisted on escorting me here. No matter how much I protested and railed, Bram refused to budge.

Why? Granted, I’m not Ice’s mate, and Tynan is better equipped to protect Ice in case the Anarki strike on Mathias’s behalf. Though I feel certain the crafty wizard is too injured to do anyone harm—at least for the moment.

“Did you find the mirror, Sabelle?” Caden calls down the dark stone hallway.

Sighing, I follow the sound of the voice. In one of the larger rooms, I find Caden with an arm around his mate as Sydney puts the finishing touches on her lipstick.

They look so happy together, so secure in their love for each other. In my head, I know their road to happiness wasn’t an easy one. But my heart beats with pain and envy. I want that with Ice, have no question in my mind that I love him—and that he loves me. This nonsense about deserving me? Perhaps that’s true in Bram’s shadowed mind, but I don’t care anymore. I won’t sacrifice my future to please my brother. I’d rather give the rest of my days to the man I love.

But he’s avoiding me. Foolish, honorable wizard. Damn him.

“It’s here.” I hold up the mirror for Caden as I address his mate. “Ready?”

She nods. “Have you heard from…the others?”

As much as it pains me, yes. “Bram rang me a few minutes ago. It’s done. Officially.”

Ice is now a full-fledged Council member. Bram has no reason to stand between Ice and me, not that I would allow it. Yet the man I love still won’t speak to me.

“Then let’s go.”

I nod. No matter how my heart is breaking, magickind must be made aware of all the changes, not to mention the danger around them. As disappointed and miserable as I feel, I’m glad to have this opportunity to serve my people.

“Be sure to include this news, as well.” I hand Sydney a scrap of paper on which I’ve jotted notes from Bram.

Sydney reads them, eyes widening with each word. “Truly?”

“Indeed.” I smile faintly.

Already Ice’s involvement on magickind’s governing body is making a difference, and I couldn’t be prouder.

A few moments later, I put the mirror in place for Sydney, then cast the spell that allows her to transcast to all magickind. We wait a few moments, allowing the mirror in each household to draw its owners to the magical reflection.

“Good evening, magickind. I’m Sydney Blair-MacTavish with breaking news. Yesterday, Isdernus Rykard, the first Deprived to join the Council in over five hundred years, was sworn in, replacing the late Thomas MacKinnett. Rykard defeated Mathias d’Arc in a Council-sanctioned challenge. He takes his place beside another new Council member, Tynan O’Shea, who replaces his late grandfather, Clifden.

“In related news, the new Council met earlier at the home of Council Chancellor Carlisle Blackbourne. After a heated debate, they issued their first collective edict denouncing Mathias d’Arc’s return and ongoing violence against the Privileged, women in particular. The edict, proposed by new Council Member Rykard, passed by a narrow margin of four to three.

“Rykard delivered his first public statement after the vote: ‘The Council’s new resolution makes Mathias public enemy number one. His actions, including the rape and murder of many women, like my younger sister, along with the assassination of my predecessor, Thomas MacKinnett, should prove he’s the most menacing wizard among magickind. We will capture him and dispense swift justice.’

“I’ll bring you more details as they become available. Until then, safeguard your homes and families. D’Arc should be considered very dangerous. That’s all the news for now. This is Sydney Blair-MacTavish. Good evening, magickind.”

With a nod, I lower the mirror. “Good job.”

“The best, firecracker.” Caden kisses her, looking as if he’d like to do a great deal more to his mate.

“My pleasure.” Sydney tucks a lock of red hair behind her ear. “I hope your Ice and the others catch him soon.”

My Ice? I wish that was true. But no sense spilling my guts to Sydney—or anyone else. No one can shake sense into a hardheaded warrior like Ice. As soon as that wizard returns?—

In the next breath, gentle whooshes sound near the cavern’s primary door. Bram appears, then Tynan. Ice trudges behind them, watching the ground as he teleports in and makes his way down the rocky hall.