The Council members had left a while ago, leaving us alone to chatter among ourselves. Gabe had come to stand next to us, “Did I say something wrong?” He asked after a while. Adam shook his head, “No. Gabe, you didn’t. Beta Cass just knows when to call his objections.” Adam rolled his eyes, “Cocky prick.”  “This could work out in our favor,” Lachlan shrugged, scooting back on the table to grab one of the folders in front of Adam. “if the Queen tries anything inside the circle, then she admits to her guilt.” He murmurs, “if she doesn’t, then she looks guilty as well.”  “Wait, wait, circle?” I asked, glancing between Alexander and Lachlan, who looked up at Alexander from under his lashes. “Oh, c’mon. You didn’t te

I watched as Maggie began to fall, but I caught her before hitting the ground. “Maggie,” I whispered, looking down to see a vertical slash in her abdomen. “Hey there.” She chuckled, grimacing. I felt blood warming my thighs as I cradled her. “What were you thinking-” I began to say but she stopped me. “I couldn’t let you come in here empty-handed,” she patted the pocket of my slacks. I followed her hand to feel something inside. I frowned and dug inside the pocket to feel cool metal against my fingertips, “Maggie, you didn’t.”    “Alexander’s always prepared. So this time, I came prepared. Call it a mother’s intuition.” I pulled out the metal bracelet that I had given her as a kid. “Nothing in the rules about regifting, bitch.” Maggie raised her hand to the Queen, flipping her the bird. She laughed to herself before grunting, coughing up blood. “The barrier will be up in a few minutes, j