Page 55 of The Queen’s Shadow

I glanced over at Dossidian, his neutral expression softened into something gentler and more tender as he watched Meredith. Sofia looked as if she were going to unleash on her, when Mr. Abbey stepped forward, his own face stern and serious. He put himself slightly in front of his daughter, smiling at Sofia in his disarming way.

“If the opposing argument has daemon representation, we are within our rights to also come with a representative of our own. Dossidian will assist us in our case if needed.” The tone he used implied that everything was settled and there was no room for argument.

Sofia’s eyes flashed, but she took a subtle breath, and her aura suddenly retreated and returned to its natural state.

“Fine.” She snapped. “The brute can stay. However, if he causes even one disturbance or makes anyone feel uncomfortable, he will need to go.”

“His name is Dossidian.” Meredith snapped, her eyes flashing as she took a step forward to move past Mr. Abbey. Dossidian reached out and gently touched her shoulder, successfully distracting her from whatever it was she had been about to do.

“It’s okay, Little Witch.” He murmured to her softly. “It will take time to build trust.” He smiled at Sofia over Meredith’s shoulder.

“I agree to your terms, Sorcerer General. You will have no trouble from me.”

Sofia nodded, though her eyes narrowed at Meredith. I didn’t miss how her gaze dropped to Dossidian’s hand, which was still resting gently on Meredith’s shoulder.

“Good.” She said finally. Taking another calming breath. She was pissing me off, and being extremely rude, but I could tell she was stressed. This wasn’t entirely about us. She was angry and upset in general and we were just an easy target for her rage.

“Opposing council will be arriving in a few hours. Both parties are expected to be civil towards each other under this roof. The Board’s opening meetings are this evening. I suggest you rest beforehand, as the meeting will likely run all night, and you need to account for the time change.”

“Opposing council is staying here? In the chalet?” I asked, surprised. I wondered if Kieran would be staying here as well. The thought of Keiran being anywhere near my friends without me here to protect them made my stomach churn. Sofia nodded.

“Yes. I will get you set up in your rooms.” She said, looking at Conrad, Meredith and Mr. Abbey. She turned to me and Cerenah, who was still standing by the table filled with food. I noticed she had not helped herself to anything. She was wringing her hands together nervously, watching the interaction unfold between the daemons and the magick folk.

“I trust you two can see yourselves out.” Sofia dismissed us, waving Conrad over to follow her to the desk by the entrance.

I bit my tongue and forced myself not to retaliate. I glanced at Dossidian, who was still watching Meredith. Meredith and Mr. Abbey followed Sofia and Conrad out to get their room keys.

“Are you going to be alright?” I asked him quietly. Sofia’s hostility made me nervous, and I didn’t like that the team would be sharing a roof with the enemy.

“Sofia is not the first angry witch I have had to deal with in my life.” He smirked at me, chuckling.

“She’s being a huge bitch.” I grumbled, and he laughed quietly.

“Aye.” He said, his eyes twinkling with amusement, before turning his gaze back to Meredith. “Somehow I feel like Meredith will keep her in line.” He commented, clearly enamored with how she had stood up for him.

“Yeah, who knew?” I asked, laughing with him, and he smiled.

“Even roses have thorns.” He commented, before pulling me into a big bear hug.

“Be careful.” He said to me, and I nodded, hugging him back.

“You too. If things get bad, you take them home.”

“I will.”

I stepped back, gesturing for Cerenah to come closer as my shadows began to peel themselves off the ground, before bounding toward me.

“Alright,” I said, glancing at Cerenah as the shadows began to crawl up our legs. “You ready to steal some guns?” I asked her, and she grinned at me, nodding, before my shadows pulled us through space and back to Toronto.

Raven

‘Alexa, play Like a Villain by Bad Omens.’

It was dark out when we materialized across the street from the precinct. The downtown city street was packed with rushing pedestrians. I pulled Cerenah out of the way to avoid the bustle of people on the sidewalk.

“I have never been to a human city before.” Cerenah said, glancing around, wide-eyed.

“Oh, no? What do you think?” I asked and she cocked her head to the side.