Dragon Marked_ Supernatural Prison #1(30)

“I’ve been waiting a long time for you to make a mistake.” The magic leader’s lips curled into a sneer. “You think you’re untouchable, all powerful, you show no respect, not even to the council members. But you made an error in not cleaning up your kill site.”

“Come on, Kristoff, doesn’t this seem a little convenient,” someone shouted from the back of the crowd. It sounded a lot like Torag, the demi-fey council leader. “No one would be this stupid, and we know the Compasses have the power to hide anything they want.”

Kristoff growled. “That’s up to the investigators and the trial. For now the men need to be held in our cells at the prison.” He straightened. “As an added incentive, I’ll wipe Jessa as a suspect if you promise to go quietly and behave in Vanguard.”

I wanted to shake my head at them, but I couldn’t move. I had to keep fighting my wolf, she wanted to rip Kristoff’s face off. But attacking a council member would be a very bad move. Even if he’d started it.

All four pairs of Compass eyes were locked on me, and one by one they placed their arms behind their backs. From the crowd, ten wizards emerged, as if they’d been lying in wait for this movement from the quads. I recognized the red bands they wore around their right biceps. These were our magic users skilled in offensive powers, like supernatural police. It took no more than ten seconds for the unbreakable magic cuffs to be slipped around the Compass’ wrists. They were threaded with silver and gold links, and then infused with spells that cut off our access to the energy inside, rendering the boys as close to human as we could ever get.

Kristoff released me. I coughed a few times, finally free to breathe deeply. I didn’t think or pause, I swung at him, throwing my shoulder and full weight into it. Okay, so I said attacking him was a bad idea, but really, who gave a shit? The sorcerer clearly had not expected for one second that I would hit him. He never even raised his hands. My shifter strength flooded down my arm, and as I connected bone crunched under my fist. He flew backwards and slammed into the ground. I heard his yells and knew I’d broken his jaw. With one last sneer I turned away from the pathetic lump.

Braxton called my name. They were already leading the quads away. I ran to catch up. They were being marched along at a rapid rate, but we had enough time for a few murmured words.

Braxton locked me in his gaze, there was something cold in his dark blue depths. “Jessa, this scene is complete bullshit, there’s no way for it to make it through a trial. I’m not sure why, but watch your back.” The cold changed to a hot fire in his gaze. “If someone is gunning for you or Jonathon, now would be the perfect time.”

“Remember your training, Jessa babe.” Maximus was leaning toward me. “We’ll get out soon and come for you.”

All four of them looked pissed, but I was also picking up tendrils of fear. And from men who were never afraid – that was the most worrisome. They were trying to tell me that this whole setup was probably just to get them out of the way to get to me or Dad. And they didn’t even know about my dragon mark. If they did, I doubt they would have gone as quietly, because all of this seemed to be happening conveniently right after I found out about my heritage. It felt like too much of a coincidence. My heart ached as I followed them all the way to the edge of town, where they were thrown into the back of two Hummers. I didn’t know where they would be taken, all I knew is that they’d be gone at least a week.

“Stay safe!” I screamed as the doors slammed on the vehicles. I raised a shaking hand to cover my mouth. I didn’t know what to do. Who knew what was going to happen to them?

Kristoff’s words kept running through my head. They’d deliberately left that scene there, using my presence and the crowds to be able to publicly arrest the boys. My heart felt as if it were going to burst from my chest as I watched the cars disappear. The Compasses were gone. I must have stood there for a long time. Eventually I found my feet leading me back to the scene. I had no idea what I was looking for – evidence, a clue of who might have created the murder scene.

The crowd was still gathered around. There was much noise and chaos as I stumbled into the forest area.

“Jessa?” Jonathon ran up to me, his strong arms wrapped around my shaking torso. “I was showing Lienda and Mischa around Stratford when I heard.”

Kristoff stormed across in a wave of power “Your daughter broke my jaw.” I could see the healer behind him. His face had been mended. Bastard. “I want her punished.”

Jonathon swung around and in one movement wrapped a hand around the sorcerer’s throat and lifted him into the air.