“That’s unfortunate,” she said and there was nothing but relief in her features. No sorrow at the loss of life, and no regret that someone who had taught the next generation of Witches and Warlocks the past history of the Guild and had done so much with the archives and recording our history was now lost to us.
“Is it?” I asked as I watched her. “Every person in this Guild and the one in Spokane deserve to be mourned if they pass, and yet I can’t help but notice you look more relieved that she is lost to us.”
“You misread me. I’m relieved that our history didn’t fall into the hands of our enemies,” she said smoothly as her brown eyes watched me.
“I already know everything that she knew as a student at the Guild. I was taught what she was, but where she left us to learn the archives, I learned weaponry. If only Humans couldn’t lie to me. I wonder…If I asked if you’d been in on it, would you tell me the truth? Would you answer me honestly if I asked if you’d betrayed the Guild?” I whispered inside her mind.
“Get out of my head, Fae!” she growled.
“You were there, Caroline. I saw you as I was being tortured. Whatever your reasons were, you did nothing to save the lives of the people you are under oath to protect. Shame on you, woman,” Alden accused. “Harold?”
Harold was watching the woman. “Caroline?”
“They lie, they’re grasping at straws, and desperate to place blame on us!” she seethed.
“Still,” Harold said as he watched Ryder closely. “Another Elder has accused you, and the process and rules must be upheld. Take her away,” Harold said and we waited as the Witches took Caroline away for questioning.
By questioning, they usually meant torture and then retirement. Retirement to the Guild meant she’d be dead by morning.
“Alden, you have been accused as well,” Harold said and when I growled he held up his hand. “However, in light of the new information you’ve brought us, we will request some time to review what you’ve told us. You will be—”
“Think hard on that one,” I warned as I read his mind. He was not keeping Alden here to question him, or kill him.
“It is protocol,” Harold said as he narrowed his eyes on us.
“Then I suggest you start a new one,” I snapped.
“Synthia, allow me to finish, please,” Alden said gently as he placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Harold, I have given my time and my life to my Guild. I am done, and ready to start a new chapter. Synthia and friends are offering me a new start in a new Guild. One we can run together to police and handle the Fae. You’ve been infiltrated by creatures who can pose as us, and they are instigating a war against the Fae, one that could destroy their world and push them into ours. I am happy to give you a list of those who assisted in the slaughter; a list of those who remained loyal ‘til their deaths, as well. I don’t need to tell you just what would happen should they succeed. So I am stepping down. I will no longer be associated with the Guild. I would like to keep an alliance open, but first you need to flush out those who wouldn’t think twice about betraying the Guild. Caroline isn’t the only one who betrayed the Spokane Guild.”
“And the children; will they be returned or will you keep them from us?” Harold asked carefully.
“Most of them will be returned, but those who have no parents or a voice against the Guild will remain with me. I’ve been the only consistent thing in their lives. They will, however be given the choice to come back to you. That much I will concede. Trust me, Harold; this is so much bigger than either of us could have thought it was. If you need us, we will help you,” Alden said and then looked at me for confirmation.