"We find that the Council is not at fault for any of these transgressions. There is no proof besides what out demon swears they have found, but as we know they can't always be trusted. And so, I will rule in favor of the Council. You may leave, Madam Westworth, we will handle matters from here."What? How could any of this be possible? Trisha wanted to throw something at the smirking monarch of a woman. Why didn't they believe Sofia? And if she had more secret help, why hadn't they shown themselves? She knew better than to talk though."I believe I'll stay here and witness the punishment for these barbarians. It is my right." Westworth replied with a sly smile."No," Vanku responded with a click that confused Trisha. Had she made that sloshy snap sound with her mouth? How?"What?" Westworth demanded. "You're going against the rules. The Assembly does have to abide by them.""The rules only state that I would find if your words involving your organi

Logan moved like a bullet train. Trisha sensed the world flickering around her as he raced but she couldn't pull herself out of her spiral. Was she about to lose Ryan? Lose him before she could even truly get to know him? No. Logan slowed down and her head shot up. She prepared herself to yell at her husband, but the words died like ash on her tongue.Jace was in front of them. The lamia grunted and flicked a hand in greeting. Blood streaked all over his body and his tail was wrapped around Ryan's arm. A giant puddle of blood pooled under the two."Is he?" Trisha whispered not able to force the words.Jace rolled his eyes. "No, but you guys got here too late for the battle. The cowards ran off." He smirked. "Those that survived anyway."Sofia snarled. "What? They attacked you and then left? I hate vampires," she shook her head with a snort and a roll of her eyes."What are you doing here?" Kanda demanded. He h

Trisha didn't speak to anyone else until she was alone with Ryan. The pack had given him his own house as he recovered. As she entered, his eyes were on her. "It was about what we expected, wasn't it?" he asked. What was left of his arm was in a sling and the stench of burned flesh lingered in the air. "They're making you leave with the others," Trisha answered. "All of the Council has to leave, so after all this, you're just back at square one again."Ryan shrugged. "But you're safe, and you'll be safe. That's all I care about. I know that asking you to help me in the first place was selfish, and I ask for your forgiveness."Trisha didn't answer. His words had a tone of finality to them. A sense that she couldn't push aside. "They're going to kill you, aren't they?" she whispered the words.Would Liliana allow that? The crazy vampire was obsessed with him, there was no way she'd let him die, was there?"We shouldn't talk about t

A thousand years. Trisha tried to wrap her mind around the words but no matter how she fit them together, they didn't make sense. "Why would you do that?""I repay my debts. I admit I was not aware of the Council's other doings. And why they were stupid enough to bring them here, I am not sure. My guess is it was those children of Westworth's. Those twins never did have brains. You eliminated a threat to the Assembly."The vials. Trisha sat up and her body didn't scream at her for doing so. Vanku moved back as she did so. Vanku's eyes focused on hers, a challenge in their depths.And the pieces fell into place."It wasn't them being stupid," Trisha whispered. "They were going to attack you guys, that's why they brought it here."Vanku smiled, this time her teeth were kept hidden. "Yes, good job, Trisha. I admit I didn't think your kind were capable of critical thought. It's likely they were taking advantage of the situation.""I'm not going

Trisha's fingers flew over the keyboard as she nibbled on her lip. She paused to take a sip of her water before getting back to work. A step behind her made her freeze and glance over her shoulder. Ryan smiled down at her. "What's up?" she asked."You've been working hard here. We haven't seen you in a while."Trisha chuckled. "You know how Rachel is. I need to finish this coding for her before I can come downstairs. It's the least I can do for everything she's done for us."Ryan wriggled the fingers on his robotic arm in perfect mimicry as if he'd never had his arm ripped off, to begin with. "True, but you still deserve a break."Trisha rolled her neck from side to side. "I think you're right. Is Nakuni finished with lunch?"Ryan nodded. "Part of the reason I came to get you. I wanted to escort you down." He smiled. "Any chance to get to spend some time with you."Trisha's smile widened. "Which is why I'm working so hard. We almost have it