The crowd parts away from me. Someone turns the electric lights on. The Grand Chancellor stares at me. Realizing I still hold the gun, I shove it back in my pocket and bite my lip. Can he tell she didn't die from being shot? Will he use it as an excuse to tarnish my newly freed state?
Then I realize he's not looking at me, but past me. I turn. The crowd didn't part to show me, they parted to show Father standing with his hood pulled back, a bruise forming on his head beneath strands of white hair. A bruise I caused.
“You're a part of this, Councilman Stephen?”
Father looks at me a moment. An expression crosses his face I don't recognize. He gives his attention to the Grand Chancellor. “I am.”
“Why have you destroyed my son's possession?”
Possession? She was a person. Someone must have cared for her more than as a plaything.
Father puts his palms together in front of his chest. “I didn't mean to. We were only trying to get rid of the Envadi. Ever since coming here he's caused trouble. My reputation and daughter have suffered because of him.”
The Grand Chancellor's voice is low. “This is because of Chancellor Zade?”
Councilman Daniel is close by. I catch his eye hoping he will defend Zade. My doing it would make things worse, but if he did it, it may help. Hope fills me as he steps forward.
“Grand Chancellor, if I may. There have been rumors that there's a price on Chancellor Zade's life. He's done nothing to break our laws. In fact, I think tonight has made it clear he's gone out of his way to follow our laws even if he wants things done a little differently.”
Just then Zade limps forward, pale with dark circles under his eyes, Chadwick behind him. “We lost them.”
Please don't take this out on him. I want to go to him, but my presence would only make this worse.
“Lost who?” The Grand Chancellor says.
“The rest of the warlocks that attacked me.” Zade's voice is strained, like just talking is an effort.
“How many were there?”
“Seven, counting Councilman Stephen.”
The Grand Chancellor says, much too calmly, “Who are they, Stephen?”
Father clamps his mouth together.
“Did they kill my son's possession because they were here for a bounty on Chancellor Zade's life?”
Still, Father refuses to answer.
“If that's the way you want it. Anyone found even discussing the price on Chancellor Zade will meet the fate I'm about to deal you. None shall break our laws. Councilman Stephen, you are stripped of your title and holdings. Your things will go to Chancellor Zade since he is the closest living warlock.”
My breath catches in my throat. If my family has to have an owner, none would be better than Zade. It can't be true.
“I believe, sir,” Zade interrupts, “that the closest free family member is Serena.”
The Grand Chancellor's mouth shrinks into a tight line. Did he just say what I think he did? Am I—? Could I—? Will I not only get to be with my sisters, but take care of them? Protect them? Or will the Grand Chancellor keep them from me?
Councilman Daniel steps forward. “If the law from earlier holds, then he's right. She has all the rights of a warlock. Everything would go to Serena.”
Another man from somewhere in the crowd hollers, “It's true.”
“Can they do that?” someone nearby says.
Everyone waits for the Grand Chancellor. My chest tightens. My sisters and mother. I might actually be in charge of them. My hand forms a ball and I put it to my mouth. Silently, I will him to uphold the earlier law.
He scans the crowd, pausing longer on those who gather around Zade. His lips turn down slightly. “It is as you say. The law stands. All of Councilman Stephen's holdings go to—” he waves his hand at me. He turns to his son and dead future daughter-in-law. “Someone clean this mess up.”
He storms from the room. I'm stunned into disbelief.
Those gathered begin talking. Several men help Nathaniel with his dead bride. Zade motions more servants over to help and talks with him.
Suddenly, Waverly is at my side. “Too bad I got knocked out when the fighting was just getting started.”
“Waverly, you're all right.” I'm more relieved at her safety than I expect. I may want her far enough away that Zade can't be in love with her still, but apparently I don't want her harmed.
“Course I am.” She rubs her temple. “Except for a headache.”
“A little headache never got you down.” Zade limps the rest of the way to us and gives her arm a squeeze. “Glad you're okay.”
She gives him a smile. “You, too. I was afraid they had you.”
“Not me.”
“You're hurt though,” I say. “Let me look at your leg.”
“I'll be fine. Chadwick will help me with it in a minute.”
Waverly purses her lips like she wants to say something but doesn't.
“Perhaps he should look it over right now.” Because Zade truly doesn't look well.
“In a moment. I'm more drained than anything else.” He takes my hand. “I'm glad you're not injured. When I saw you fly off the balcony, I thought you were going to die or be seriously hurt.”
I glance at the floor. “I couldn't let them kill you without doing something.”