Beneath the Fallen City, Jamie A. Waters [ebook reader .TXT] 📗

of the High Council nodded in agreement. Alec continued, “I formally declare it is my intention to claim Mistress Kayla Rath’Varein as my wife and partner. As such, I ask that she also be exempt from this request.”

Many people in the audience gasped at this news. Kayla could see the shocked expressions of many of the High Council members. Wife? Oh, shit. Seara wasn’t kidding.

The reality of the words made her want to bolt. As though sensing her panic, Alec gave her hand a reassuring squeeze.

Keith rapped the desk to bring everyone’s attention back to him. “She didn’t grow up learning our ways. Does she even understand what this means?”

“She does,” Alec replied confidently. “I have explained it to her. Her mother, Mistress Seara Rath’Varein, has also explained it to her.”

“You haven’t known her more than a few days,” someone else argued. Kayla recognized him as Marcus, one of the dinner companions from the previous night. “ How can you be sure you’re compatible?”

Alec smiled at the question. “When Kayla was born, it was our parents’ intention we eventually marry and the Rath’Varein and Tal’Vayr families merge together. As far as compatibility is concerned, we have already determined our energy levels are highly compatible. A bond has already been formed, it just has not yet been completed.”

Several of the council members looked shocked by this news, and Edwin leaned forward and demanded, “Calson, verify this so-called bond.”

Kayla could sense Alec’s annoyance when a middle-aged man with dark hair stood. He left the council table and walked toward Kayla and Alec, holding out his hands to each of them.

Kayla looked at Alec questioningly, and he nodded. They each placed one of their hands in Calson’s, and the man closed his eyes for a moment. Kayla felt his energy float around her and Alec. She didn’t like it but resisted the urge to pull her hand away.

After a few moments, he opened his eyes and turned to Edwin. “There is definitely a bond. As Alec indicated, the bond is not complete, but it is there. Even now, there’s an energy connection established between them.”

Edwin frowned at the news and studied the two of them. “Kayla, you’ve been silent during this appeal. I can’t help but wonder if this is an elaborate ruse to get out of your duty as an Inner Circle member?”

Kayla hesitated, cognizant of the lie detector field pulsing around them. She may not be able to lie, but misdirection was part of the life of a ruin rat. She lifted her chin to meet Edwin’s gaze, refusing to let him intimidate her. The man was nothing but a bully and had been using his position to take advantage of innocent people just like Ramiro. “Elaborate ruse? I’ve been in these towers for less than two days. During that time, I’ve been attacked, imprisoned, and hunted down.”

Alec shot her a warning look, but she ignored him, focusing solely on Edwin. “Alec, with the exception of my mother, is the only member of the Inner Circle who’s tried to do what’s in my best interest. If you’re asking if this is a ruse, I’ll tell you this much: I don’t want that damn bracelet on me. You use those things to imprison the Inner Circle and force them to your will without regard for anyone else.”

Several members of the High Council looked nervously at Edwin. His eyes narrowed, and he warned, “Those are dangerous accusations to be making.”

He was probably right, but after everything she’d been through over the last few days, Kayla wasn’t going to stand by and let some big shot Omni dictate to her. Someone needed to stand up to him. If this meeting was being broadcast throughout the towers, all the better. “Don’t piss me off, Edwin. I’m running out of places to put the bodies.”

“So this entire charade has been nothing more than an elaborate attempt to avoid doing your duty for the people of these towers? You don’t intend to allow Alec to claim you?”

Kayla glared at him. As far as she was concerned, it wasn’t any of his or the Council’s business who she slept with. Unfortunately, telling them that wouldn’t help get her out of the current situation.

“I’ve asked Alec to claim me twice, and he’s refused twice because he wants to make sure I fully understand what I’m asking.” There. That was honest and yet, in true ruin rat fashion, she’d dodged the question. Kayla tossed her hair back, not finished making her point.

“As far as the people in these towers are concerned, and for all the people who live outside of these towers, I’ve always been willing to help.” On her terms, but he didn’t need to know that. “I’ll do whatever is necessary to protect these people. But your methods suck ass, and forcing people to wear those stupid bracelets so you can get your little power trip is out of line.”

“Enough,” Edwin hissed, and the vein in his temple throbbed. “This is a public forum. Your accusations have no basis in fact.”

Seara stood, holding up her wrist to display the bracelet to the entire forum. She moved toward the front of the room and announced, “My name is Mistress Seara Rath’Varein, and my daughter is correct. For the past nine months, the Inner Circle has been imprisoned. What started as an attempt to locate resources for the people of this tower has turned into a power play by some of the members of the High Council, namely Edwin Tal’Vayr.”

The audience gasped in shock. Edwin reached into his pocket, fumbling for something. His head jerked when Seara didn’t react. “What’s wrong, Edwin? Your leash isn’t working?”

She turned back to the audience, gesturing to Kayla. “My daughter has discovered a way to remove these bracelets. Earlier today, my bracelet was deactivated. To my fellow Inner Circle members, if you stand with us now, your bracelets can also be removed. It’s time we returned to our old ways and use our skills collaboratively to locate new resources.”

Several members of the Inner Circle stood. A man called out, “Is it true, Seara? She can remove them?”

Seara nodded. “Yes, Fredo. Edwin Tal’Vayr no longer has the power to control me.”

As the din of voices in the audience grew louder and more agitated, Alec’s shoulders tensed, and he shot Kayla a worried look. “Connect with me now. This may get ugly.”

Kayla did as he asked and connected all of her threads of energy to Alec. He asked her to send a large stream of energy to him. She watched in amazement as he forged a powerful shield around them.

Edwin looked at Kayla in shock. “You deactivated the bracelet?”

“Yes, and I intend to deactivate all of the bracelets. No one should have that sort of power over another person. If the Inner Circle wants to use their talents to help the towers, they should be given the option. You have no right to make the decision for them.”

“I have every right as the leader of the High Council,” Edwin sneered. “And as for you, your appeal is denied. Take her into custody and have her equipped with a bracelet.”

Some of the other council members looked alarmed, shifting in their seats uncomfortably. Keith pushed up from his seat and held up his hand to stop the security officers from approaching. “Edwin, our laws clearly state we have to vote on whether or not the appeal is denied.”

“Forget it,” Edwin declared, banging his fist on the table. He turned to the rest of the Council members, some nodding at Keith’s objections while a few others seemed to support Edwin’s ruling. The remaining few looked apprehensive about the entire discussion but not willing to take a side yet. “This woman is a nuisance and threatens the towers. The bracelets were implemented to discover untapped resources. She’s threatening our existence with her claims and causing dissention amongst our people.”

Kayla blinked. She’d been blamed for a lot in her life, but this was a little much. Before she could formulate a reply, Seara spoke up on her behalf. “You’re wrong, Edwin. Your intentions may have been honorable in the beginning, but you’ve taken away our people’s free will. We should be given a choice about how our abilities are used. Kayla can help us correct the mistake.”

Edwin glanced at Kayla, and she felt a suffocating pulse of energy press against the wall of the shield. Her eyes widened. She’d known he might try something, but she never dreamed he’d attack her in front of the entire room.

Alec squeezed her hand, reminding her she wasn’t alone. “Keep the flow constant, if you can. We’ll need to maintain the shields. If he takes you out of the equation, he can bring the room back under his control.”

When the shield didn’t crumble, Edwin’s focus turned to Alec. Kayla had a sinking feeling in her stomach. Awareness and betrayal flickered in his eyes as his nostrils flared. He’d realized Alec was shielding her, and it only seemed to ignite his fury. Kayla flinched as another attack pulsed against the shield, stronger than the last. She gripped Alec’s hand tighter, increasing the energy flow she was sending him to reinforce the weaker areas of the shield.

Some of the other council members stood in concern, realizing what was transpiring. Keith turned to the Council leader. “Edwin, what are you doing? This isn’t how we handle things.”

Enraged, Edwin ignored him and reached into his pocket. Kayla looked at Alec, and he warned her, “He’s tapping into the pooled energy now.”

Kayla closed her eyes, gathering up the loose energy around her. She channeled it toward Alec and reached for more. Loose energy floated throughout the room. Kayla grabbed at it and pushed it toward Alec.

Someone cried out in the audience, but Kayla couldn’t stop to look behind her to see what was happening. Two of the Council members—a sharp-eyed, middle-aged woman and a younger man with a sculpted face—moved to stand next to Edwin and linked arms. The woman’s face was blank and emotionless as she whispered something and then placed her hand on Edwin’s shoulder.

The push on the shield became even more powerful, and Kayla felt Alec falter trying to maintain the defense even with the additional energy she supplied. Someone