Page 25 of The Death Dealer (Sentinels of Magic Book 2)

Trevor didn’t remember anything after Deni dropped the perfume bottle, but it must’ve beenhorrificbased on Soleil’s reaction to his touch. Although she’d been trying to keep the mood light concerning her trauma, her haunted eyes were breaking his fucking heart. How was he supposed to leave her in this state? For what? To have the Authority slap his hand? They could dole out their punishment later.

“Go, Trevor,”she said in a low voice.

“I can’t leave you, Dalli.”His voice cracked like adistraughtteenage boy’s, but he ignored the fact they had an audience.“I love you, and I need to make this right. Whatever it was I did.”

“You tried to kill her, son,”Ben said.

“No, he tried to erase her,”Damian corrected in a frosty voice.

The blood drained from Trevor’s head, and he felt dizzy. The confirmation was in Soleil’s tragic eyes. But not a single tear escaped the lids where they brimmed, and her expression was resolute.“You should go.”

Yet he couldn’t look away from her beloved face. In the furthest reaches of his soul, he knew if he left her, she’d find a way to keep him at arm”s length forever.

“No,”he rasped out.“No, Dalli, I’m not leaving you.”

“Trev—”

The shuffle of booted feet drowned her out.

His hourhadrun out.

Rough hands gripped his arms and drew his wrists behind his back. The crisp snap of a shackle clicking into place followed a rattle of chains.

“No!”Soleil flung herself at the closest Red Guard, shoving him away from Trevor. The ground trembled under her rage.“Get off him, asshole!”

The guard made the grave mistake of striking her.

Trev launched himself at the fuckwit and wrapped the dangling chain around his neck. He might not have his abilities, but he had a good amount of muscle—even as weak as they were—and a burning need for revenge.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake!”

The Aether’s explosive temper slapped everyone back, except his daughter. Gasps echoed throughout the room, and a few unfamiliar with the sting hissed in a breath.

“Release him, Blane.”When Trev hesitated, Damian narrowed his eyes. “Now.”

The chain dropped, and he shoved the fucker away, watching dispassionately as the man gripped his throat and fell to the ground before meeting the Aether’s gaze.“Happy?”

“Not in the slightest. But at least the Authority won’t make me kill you for your impulsive actions.”

Soleil sucked in a breath and gripped Trevor’s free wrist. His one consolation was that she’d momentarily forgotten her repulsion to his touch.

She whipped around and frowned up at him. “You don”t repulse me!”

Her outrage flooded his brain, and he winced.

“Well, you’re something,”he grumbled aloud.

Gripping his face between her palms, she dragged his head down and planted her mouth over his. A single swipe of her tongue over his lips urged him to open to her.To taste.To appreciate what might be their last moments if Agnes Vector sweet-talked her way around the Council.

“She won’t,”Soleil murmured, drawing back.“I’ll go with you as a witness.”

“You going to give them hell, Dalli?”he asked with an appreciative grin.“You’re good at that.”

Her chin came up at the same time her cheeks flushed becomingly.“I am rather, aren’t I?”

“The best.”

“Don’t mock me.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,”he assured her. Focusing all his attention on their telepathic ability, he asked, “Are you okay? Like truly okay? When I think of what Damian said…”

She leaned into him and allowed him to hold her. God, he neededto,so much.

“Yes.Hearrived in time to stop you. Your father reversed the damage, and Jordan healed my throat.”

“Throat? What are you saying? I tried to strangle you?”

“I’m positive Deni compelled you with enchanted perfume.”Soleil shuddered with remembered horror, and that emotion traveled throughout his body, becoming his own. “You only had one solitary thought, Trev.”

He picked the word from her mind. “Obliterate.”

It now made sense why Damian ripped away his abilities. After what had happened, Trevor wasn’t sorry for the loss. The idea of hurting her ever again was unimaginable, and he’d rather die than cause her a moment’s pain.

“Jesus, Dalli! I don’t know how to apologize for this. The magnitude…”Words failed him.

It sank in the people around them were arguing, or more accurately, Draven and Captain Ellis were. She was giving him what for, and the Guardian grinneddownat her furious face.

“Those two should boink and get it over with.”

Trevor sputtered a laugh as he gave Soleil an incredulous look.“Who says words like boink?”

“I didn’t say it!”she retorted.

“You thought it, and with our link, it’s much the same thing.”

“Link?”Deni, who had been unnaturally quiet and watchful until that moment, glared at the two of them.“You’re fated mates?”

Her disbelief was insulting.

Soleil thought so, too, and lifted her fisted hand to flip Deni the bird.“Fuck all the way off, Skankzilla!”

Trevor about busted a gut laughing when she promptly apologized to Sabrina for her language.

“Don’t ever say things like that, sweetie. It’s not nice.”

“Uncle Trevor likes it.”

He stopped laughing.“You’ve got to stop calling me that, kid.”

The girl’s elfin face turned sly.“Don’t you want to be Aunt Soleil’s boyfriend?”

She’d neatly trapped him.

“Checkmate, kid. Checkmate.”

With a quick curtsy, she faced her father.“I don’t want to go to the Council meeting, Papa. May I go back to Lily’s house?”

“Not alone, Beastie. Never alone. And I have to be present at the meeting.”

“Uncle Alex can take me.”

They all turned to view Castor, holding up a wall with his broad shoulders and studying his nails.

“Nope.”

“Please, Uncle Alex?”

“Sorry, Brina, my love. You’ll need to call Ronan. Isn’t he supposed to be your Guardian?”He jerked a thumb toward Deni.“I’ve got a prisoner to transport.”

Draven abandoned toying with Brooke and held out his hand to Sabrina.“I’ll watch over her. Lily will be recoverin’ and need company.”He winked at the girl.“We’ll teach her Texas Hold’em, but no cheatin’.”

“But you taught?—”

He clapped a hand over her mouth.“Do you want a Guardian or not, cher? Your father doesn’t need to know I’m a bad influence.”

“He already does.”Damian’s tone wasdroll, and he shook his head in resignation.

The Captain of the Red Guard visibly melted as her gaze locked on the roughened gambler holding the hand of the beautiful child. Trevor was sure he saw cartoon heart eyes pop out of Brooke’s face.

Soleil’s hand settled on his lower back. “Yep, I noticed her reaction, too. She’s going to lead him on a merry chase.”

“Or maybe I’ll lead her on one, eh?” Draven lifted a challenging brow when he looked at Brooke.

She blushed, and Trev suppressed his chuckle. They had more serious things to consider.

Addressing her, he lifted his wrist, causing the chain to rattle.“Can we dispense with the magical shackles? I would’ve shown for my hearing, but the timing was shit.”

“No one said it was a hearing, Mr. Blane.”

“No one said it wasn’t, and we both know whenever the Red Guardis sentafter Sentinels, a hearing ensues,”he countered. He turned to where his father should be and realized Ben was missing. Disappointment settled in his chest. Once more, Dear Ol’ Dad disappeared and left him holding the bag and facing the consequencesbyhimself.

Trev approached Brooke.“Let’s get this farce over with.”

Aftera moment spentstudying his face, she snapped her fingers and held out a hand. The man he tried to murder for backhanding Soleil produced a key with a grudging glance at Trevor.

“Johnson, you’re relieved of duty.”Brooke’s tone was as chilly as the look in her midnight-blue eyes.

“But—”

“Did I stutter?”Her coldness could cause frostbite in under five seconds.

“No, Captain.”

“Tomorrow morning, seven a.m. sharp, you’ll report to my office. Understood?”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Get out of my sight.”She waited for his nod, then unlocked the single shackle around Trevor’s wrist.“Let’s go, Mr. Blane.”

* * *

Soleil dressedwith care for the trial. She tamed her hair as best she could, adding a glamour to the mix to enhance the color of her eyes and give them a popular smoky look. For her lashes, she swiped on a thickening mascara but gave it a magical boost to separate and lengthen them. She was surprisingly happy with the look and earned a wolf whistle from Josie when she entered the room.

“You’re a sexy beast. Those Authority members won’t know what hit them.”

“Don’t make fun of me, Josie. Not today.”

Her sister frowned, not bothering to hide her troubled air.

“Lei, I understand why you’d think I might be, considering the Morgan/Morcant situation, but that was an act.”She gathered Soleil’s hands in hers.“I love you and only want what’s best for you. And you’re beautiful. The makeup gives you that extra va-va-voom, but you don’t need it.”

Soleil stared, thrown by the honesty radiating from her.“I don’t know what to say.”

“Say that we can begin patching up our relationship.That movingforward, you’ll believe me when I say complimentary things because they’re all true. Say you forgive me for being a total shit.”

“If you say it was an act, I believe you, Josie.”She kissed her cheek.“Thank you.”

Smoothing her hands down her Ecru-colored dress, she let out a shaky breath.“Be honest, does this make me look?—”

“Don’t say it.”Josie turned her toward the full-length mirror.“You’re wonderfully full-figured. Your boobs areenviable, and those hips…Girl, you’ve got it going on! Add a little shimmy to your steps, and men will fall at your feet.”

Soleil laughed.

Hugging her from behind, Josie pressed a cheek against hers.“Love looks good on you.”

And in an instant, she was thoroughly stressed again.

“It all happened so fast, and I’m not sure I believe in fated mates. I mean, I want to, but how can someone who looks like him love me, Josie? He’s gorgeous and could have anyone he wants.”

“He wants you, Lei. Why do you feel undeserving?”

“How can it last? He lost his powers because of me. Resentment will set in.”

“I don’t have an answer.”She stepped back.“You know I’m not a role model for a healthy relationship. Maybe Viv can help.”

After delivering a tender smile, her oldest sisterandcaregiver for most of her growing-up years glided toward the door.

“Josie?”

Her hair flowed in a perfect arch as she spun back.“Yeah?”

“You’re a great role model. You kept us together after Mom and Dad died. Made sure our shop ran smoothly, even when you pretended you didn’t want to be bothered with it.”Soleil smiled at her arrested expression.“You have always been readily available for advice or to go toe-to-toe with teachers or those in charge, all on our behalf.”

She rushed over and hugged her sister tightly.“It didn’t go unnoticed. And I love you, too.”

“Thank you. I needed that today.”Josie returned her embrace.

“Do you want to talk about it?”

“No. Just feeling my age and perhaps a little lonely.”She smoothed the fabric at Soleil’s shoulders.“Knock‘em dead at that trial today. And hurry, or you’ll be late.”

Soleil arrived with two minutes to spare. She’d never seen the Authority’s main chamber, but it seemed similar in style to that of the Witches’ Council, though larger in scale. Twelve members gathered around a thirteen-person, U-shaped wooden table. It took up the entire raised dais and had aged oak panels with each of their last names engraved on the front.

She surmised that an appointment was for life, and the surname would magically change to another member’s when a new member took their place. The place behind Councilwoman Vector’s nameplate was missing.

Good.

That mad cow needed tobe removedfrom office.

From his seat behind the defendant’s table, Trevor glanced over his shoulder and met her gaze with a warm one of his own. A small smile teased his lips, and it became apparent he’d heard her unspoken insult.

“I adore you, Dalli,”he mouthed.

Overcome by his lack of embarrassment in a packed room, tears welled in her eyes. Although the building moisture blurred her vision, his frown was deep enough to see.

“I’ll never be embarrassed by you, Soleil Stephens. Do you hear me? Your beauty eclipses everyone in this fucking place.”

“I’m glad you think so,”she replied.

“I don’t think. I know.” His face softened. “Not only are you sexy as hell, you’ve gotan incredibly lovelysoul.Everyone who meets you is blessed by the encounter, Dalli.And for me, who you chose to give your heart to, I’m doubly so.”

Before she could respond, Mattie Price stood up.

“This meetingis calledto order!”she intoned.

A gavel banged, and Trevor paused a beat to press home his point before turning away.

Beside him, Damian stood, looking dapper in his Dior navy blue suitwitha thin black turtleneck underneathin placeof a standard shirt and tie. One hand was tucked in his pants pocket, as if hewasattending a casual event and having a friendly conversation.No worry lined his perfect visage.

“Stop drooling over him,”Trevor admonished.

“He’s hot as fuck. What can I say? But I’m only interested in doing the nasty with you. Pay attention to the trial.”

Damian half turned to cast her an amused look.Hisobsidian eyes were twinkling ashewinked at her.

Shit!

She’d forgotten his ability to read minds when it concerned him. As hot as her skin felt, her face had to be as dark as a Cymbidium Royal Red orchid.

Trevor snorted.Damnhis hide!

A commotion in the hall had all heads turning toward the doors.