But maybe they hadn’t seen her enter. Maybe they simply saw the lights in her apartment go on, and called on that alone.
And maybe the little knot in her stomach was pure nerves and this sense of uneasiness was simply a remnant of a horrible night best forgotten, nothing more.
Maybe…
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Nalith stood out from amongst the crowd who were waiting, striding toward Terak even before his feet hit stone. “What is this, you imprison the future Meyla?”
His council member was walking a dangerous line. “You will not question me in such a way. I am sure you have heard of her crimes.”
Larissa did not need to know this was the reason he was called away. Malek contacted him through the same magic means as the silver ball he had given Larissa, to say Nalith was inciting discord and close to advocating open anarchy, putting blame on Larissa and questioning why Terak was with her.
Nalith’s voice rose in contemptuous rhythm, the level such that all the surrounding warriors could hear him. “I heard no crimes, only how the future mate of our Clan Leader was fulfilling her responsibility to us, in looking to make treaty with those who can assure the future safety of our Clan. You say we should not question you? I say the time for questioning you has been left for far too long. You have abandoned our Clan, instead concentrating all your time on a human female who is unworthy.”
His people were watching this battle. None seemed to be active in their support for Nalith, but many of their faces held a shadow of doubt.
Terak had made his decision this night. His decision – his choice – was Larissa. His Clan would either walk with him on this path and make their way together amongst the New Realms, or he would forge his own path while gargoyles stayed in the shadows and hidden in their keep.
Either way, the Clan’s future would be decided tonight.
That didn’t mean he would give up his Clan without a fight. “You would have as my mate one who would defy the desires of Clan and Council? Valry is no longer my Intended. She lost that privilege by sneaking and conspiring with vampires. So careful Nalith, or I will think you were in league with Valry in her betrayal. Do you wish to be inside the prison as well?”
Nalith straightened to his full height “Is it so wrong I wished to hear how our people could be more powerful in this realm?”
“So do you admit you contacted the vampires along with Valry?”
“With pride.” Nalith’s eyes blazed, his lips peeled back from his teeth. “I served to the best of my ability our strong Meyla, not our weak Mennak.”
“Then in front of all the warriors assembled, you admit treason and dare try to make it appear noble? Did you see treaty with the necromancers as the way for the Clan to gain power, or for you?”
“You would have us bare our throats to humans and the Guild. I would have us rule over all.”
“Except we would not.” Terak raised his voice, a whiplash against Nalith’s pathetic excuses. “We would be nothing except servants to necromancers, existing at their whims. I would rather ally and learn to live in this world than be nothing but cowed in front of the necromancers and a bully to all other races.”
“You are like your father before you, too weak to walk in real power.”
“What you call power I call cowardice – an inability to move forward and meet this realm and its challenges. I will not ally with evil due to my own fear.” He nodded to Malek. “Take him away.”
Before Malek could step forward, Nalith brought out a short sword. “You think you are such a great leader? You call me a coward? I call you the dog of a human. I challenge you.”
“You would fight me with a magical weapon for the challenge?”
Nalith smiled, a nasty, vitriolic twist of lips. “It is not forbidden, Mennak.” The title dripped contempt as Nalith circled him, the sword before him.
For a coward, his hold on the sword was surprisingly good. There had been practice with this weapon. “Drop the sword. You will not be forgiven for this.”
“Once you are dead and the pathetic leadership you have displayed is no longer in effect, I think I will not only be forgiven, but I will lead this Clan to a new age of Gargoyles.”
Nalith swiped at him and kept moving. Terak stayed away. Nalith was not a warrior, even if he could handle this weapon. A mistake would be made soon. He had to keep Nalith off balance and angered. In anger mistakes were always made. “You think to be leader? If our enemies see you charge into battle the only way they would be hurt is by falling down in laughter. Younglings have more skill in battle than you.”
“Spoken like a true savage. You have no skills save for your prowess on the battlefield, and you would demean those of us who truly rule the Clan.”