Page 25 of Wicked Dove

Whispers spread around those seated in anticipation, each speculating upon my fate, no doubt.

“What does that mean?” I dare to ask, certain my heart is about to leap out of my chest.

“On this occasion, we have made the decision to place you in The Vale.”

The Vale?

Instinctively, I glance at Kael, but he’s ignoring me. He mentioned The Vale. I don’t really recall what he said, only that The Sanctum controlled everyone there, or tried to at least.

“She’s too dangerous for The Vale,” a woman yells from the worried audience, aiming a finger at me, and I almost choke on my breath.

“Miss Elodie Blackwood will be enrolled into Institute Thirteen, effective immediately, where we will continue to monitor her magic and her danger to the world,” Mr. Peppered hair declares, before slamming a gavel down on the podium.

Just like that, the gate behind me unlocks, swinging open for me to exit. I don’t hesitate, scurrying away from their scrutinizing gazes toward where Kael stands with Miss Torture.

I’m not dying today.

I’mnotfucking dying today.

It’s only when I reach them that I recall exactly where I will be going. I’m not going home. No. Institute Thirteen, that’s what he said, but what on Earth is that supposed to mean?

Spinning on the spot, I turn back toward the panel, hand raised as if I’m back in school, eager to ask a teacher a question. “Excuse me, I?—”

“Silence,” the angry black haired man snarls, launching to his feet with his hands splayed on the podium. “You mortals go about your work, your love, your wars as if your lives are all that matters, but there is another world that awaits you. One that will make you realize just how small you are in this godforsaken land. Mark my words.”

Before I can process his promise, the lights dim, only to relight a moment later. I gape in surprise when I realize Kael is no longer standing with us. He’s officially taken my spot in the center of the room.

“Mr. Kael Forrester?”

Just like that, I’m dismissed. I should be thankful I’m not dead, but there’s still a lot I don’t understand.

“Correct,” Kael answers immediately, as if he has been through this process before.

“Thirty-nine ninety-seven Barrack Hollows Court?”

“Correct.”

“Age.”

“Twenty-One.”

“Child of Yvette and Franco Forrester?”

“Correct.”

“Guardianship of a Mr. Freddie Forrester?”

“Correct?”

“I have here, Mr. Forrester, that you were taken under The Sanctum’s control for killing a female wolf aged eighteen.”

Chills run down my spine as I gape at the man I’ve been locked in a small space with. He killed someone? He could have killed me. I can’t talk, though. I killed someone, too, yet that still doesn’t feel real.

“Correct,” Kael confirms, making me stand a little taller.

“Some say an eye for an eye is the only solution to this matter, but others have implied it was self-defense. Was that the case?” The redheaded woman asks, and I quickly realize that the five people on the stand before me have decided my fate, but I don’t even know their names.

Kael looks at someone in the crowd, lips pursed ever so slightly, before he releases a small sigh and turns back to the woman in question.