Courts and Cabals by G.S. D'Moore (best e reader for academics txt) 📕

***

The utility van parked across the street from Joe’s Pizza Place practically screamed law enforcement. First off, there wasn’t a sewer grate or electrical line within two blocks, so there was no reason for water and power to be there. Secondly, there were several antennas on top of the vehicle to shoot signals to satellites in orbit. None of those things were common in Vincent’s Hollow.

Becky knew it was a risk, but it was a risk they had to take. The targets had entered the pizza place just under ten minutes ago. The blinds were draw, and a sign said it was closed, but there were ways for the surveillance techs to get around that.

The enthusiastic young woman was situated in the driver’s seat, trying, and failing to casually point a directional microphone at the target. That was the easiest way to get a signal, but not the best.

“I’m getting a lot of static and yelling,” all the data flowed into a computer the senior tech was monitoring. “This isn’t going to be worth shit.”

After several more seconds, he gave a disgusted grunt, and started to unlatch a black square case at his feet. A sidebar opened on the screen and code started to run before a confirmation popped up.

“Use this,” he banged on the divider between the front and back, and slid the equipment through the opening. There was a break in the noise, but then things started to come through much clearer.

“What is that?” Becky asked as she looked for a name on the case.

“Runic transceiver paired with a better directional mic,” the tech replied. “It shoots a laser onto the window in the shape of a rune. Katie up there is a mage and can power it for a little while. The soundwaves will hit the glass, the transceiver will pick it up, clean it up with the help of the mic, and then give us solid audio and transcripts.”

Becky wondered why they hadn’t used it before, but the young surveillance tech had already lost her natural exuberance. She reached into her pocket and grabbed a power bar. Five minutes later, she was leaning against the door and eating another. That told Becky everything she needed to know about the magical costs of using the equipment.

She just hoped they could keep this up long enough to get some evidence.

***

“That’s bullshit!” Aveena shed her classy demeanor to sling insults at Lilith. “The half-blood whore and her murderous scum should both rot in an eternal pit of despair. You have no loophole, no way to dodge the charges I’ve levied. Cameron Dupree is guilty. Guilty!” she smacked her palm on the stone slab and broke a chunk off.

The Fae noble was breathing hard, her tiara askew, and her eyes red. Both Lilith and I had underestimated how close she was to Chloe. I don’t think they were eat-each-other-out close, but they’d clearly been in each other’s lives for a while. Time away from their home realm had created a bond that I’d shattered.

Lilith calmly took the onslaught before firing back. She detailed that I’d attempted to make restitutions. Aveena had rejected them. I’d been marked by the cabal, and Aveena had still ordered my life forfeit. While there was no question I took Chloe’s life, there was an argument to be made that Aveena broke the covenants. As a result, my own illegal actions were in response to her illegal actions. As my mom used to say, two wrongs don’t make a right.

“Enough!” Joe’s thunderous gavel silenced everyone. “It is clear to me that what you both say is true.”

Aveena glared at Joe, but the big shifter didn’t flinch.

“Cameron Dupree killed Chloe Clearwater. He did so as a mortal, and violated the covenants of taking a Fae life outside the proscriptions of war. Likewise, Lady Aveena Foxbelle violated the covenants by ordering the death of Lilith Venitas’s First. Both of you have standing, and the punishment proscribed is death upon the defendants.”

“That doesn’t work for me,” and judging by Aveena’s face, that ruined her weekend plans.

“I suggest you come to a compromise,” the shifter ordered, and sat back expectantly.

Aveena and Lilith turned to face each other, neither looking too pleased, but Lilith was the first to speak. “I can make reparations?” she suggested.

“Nothing you have will give me satisfaction except his head on a platter,” the Fae sneered back.

“Your inability to let go is what got you into this mess in the first place,” Lilith’s voice was calm, but her face was tight with irritation.

Aveena spewed several choice words in Fae, and I was sure I caught “cunt” in there. “It is clear this type of trial is not going to bring the resolution we seek,” the Fae continued. “I demand a trial by combat.”

“A what by what?” I blanked, and it seemed everyone else in my corner lost their shit.

Joe held up his hands and banged the gavel for order.

“You can’t be serious, Aveena. He’s a mortal,” Lilith countered, and I’d never been so happy to be called worthless.

“Yet, he killed one of my closest friends, a Fae, and proven warrior. If he can do that, I think he can fight for himself.”

“This is . . .”

“I don’t want to hear from the silver-tongued harlot,” Aveena cut Lilith off. “I want to hear from Cameron Dupree.”

All eyes fell on me. I wiped my sweaty palms on my pants as I stood. “As are all aware, I am a mere mortal,” I felt playing chicken was my best defense.

Aveena didn’t. “I want you to think very carefully about the next words that come out of your mouth, Cam,” the look on her face told me she wasn’t fucking around. “There is more than just your life at stake.”