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A soldier called Leora up for questioning first.
Thessa tensed, but Leora’s graceful stride and smile were there.
A soldier turned the podium around to face the Supremes and stepped aside, gesturing Leora to stand before them.
The Botanical Supreme asked, “Ms. Leora Saint Jamith, where were you at approximately six in the evening on June twenty-first?”
Leora spoke eloquently, “I was walking toward the Mabelton Library.”
“And with whom were you walking with?”
Leora turned, eyeing Thessa, and then the males, before turning back to the thrones. “The witches behind me.”
“Please point for the Troika,” one guard barked.
Leora turned to point to each of them. Guilt laced her eyes when her finger landed on Thessa.
“Now clarify your purpose in walking toward the library.”
“The purpose was to get to the festival before it began.”
Leora had never been short for words before. She had to be protecting them the only way she could. The Elemental Supreme was visibly agitated, rolling her hand for Leora to elaborate.
She did. “The males, their wagon broke down near the bay. Thessa and I offered to help carry a barrel, that’s all.”
The Botanical Supreme asked, “And did you know what was in the barrel you offered to help carry?”
“Honey mead, it’s a sort-of wine made of?—.”
“Enough,” General Valstrom snapped. “Did you know about the serpents? The spell?”
“Of course not. If I’d known, or if they were in the barrel I was carrying, I would’ve screamed and ran the opposite way, just like I did when I saw them at the festival.”
The Botanical Supreme exchanged glances with General Valstrom before she spoke again. “You may be seated. The Troika will take a momentary pause for discussion.”
The three thrones swiveled, facing away from the court.
A soldier escorted Leora back to her seat.
The room was so quiet, Thessa wondered if anyone could hear her heart galloping.
When the thrones turned back, the Supremes stood in unison.
General Valstrom spoke for the trio. “Ms. Leora Saint Jamith and Ms. Thessa Skiafer, you are hereby dismissed fromthe court. Mr. Emiel McPorter and Mr. Soren Whitfield, you are hereby seized by the court for a later trial to discuss your sentencing.” She eyed the soldiers lining the room and said, “Take the seized back to the dungeons.”
Without another word, the Supremes left the room.
That can’t be it?
Soldiers were caving in, though Soren growled loud enough to shake the space. “You’ll have to kill me first.”
In the next instant blue magic was pulsing from every soldier in the room.
The soldier nearest him retorted, “Don’t tempt us,” as flames streamlined toward the males, wrapping perfectly around their wrists—fire-cuffs.
These were the kind of shackles that burned when you struggled, and Soren was not holding still.He launched his flaming fist into the soldier’s nose, then kicked his leg back like a horse, fending off the one behind him. Outstretching both his arms, with a force Thessa had never seen before, he took out the two soldiers barreling towards him.
Every soldier collapsed on impact, but it wasn’t enough.