I gasp a breath as we flare out of the fire and into the dark Yard at Harvard.
“Thought showing up in her office might piss off Erica,” Shenka says, looking around. “It’s late enough here hopefully no one saw us arrive.” This far into September at Harvard means the students are in session. But I also know how careful Shenka is. And right now, I couldn't care less if some freshman needs their memory wiped.
I cross to Massachusetts Hall at Shenka’s side, the familiarity of Harvard and the green space of the Yard tugging at my emotions. I spent years here with Syd, protecting her, watching her stumble and fall, only to pull herself back up again. I missed out on her last year, the bond between us broken, and fled to Ukraine to save my family though I knew it was a trap.
A shiver passes down my spine as we walk over the threshold into the hall and head for the elevator. Shenka’s dark expression tells me she’s in her own memories. Or, planning what she’s going to say to Erica. I should probably stop traveling my own past and focus on the present.
The elevator groans softly as we ride it upward. The soft ding when the doors open on the Council Leader’s floor makes me wince. I realize the goal here isn’t to sneak up on Erica, but to give her a little warning so we don’t freak her out, but I’ve been tiptoeing around for what seems like forever. Giving up on cloak and dagger for the direct approach feels wrong.
A young man with ginger hair and a face full of freckles greets us as we pass through the main door and into the dark-paneled sitting room. Syd confessed to me this place always made her feel anxious, as though the portraits of the Leaders on the walls were judging her. I have to agree, though for different reasons. My memories of this place include Maurice, Miriam’s former secretary and the thief who took Gabriel from Syd. Not to mention the years of suffering Syd endured while her mother was under the control of the Brotherhood.
And now Erica is leader, I feel no better about this room, or the energy in it, though the red-haired witch seems amiable enough. I know him from his days as a page. It seems Phillip has moved up in the world.
“Coven Second Hayle,” he says with a little bow for Shenka. “How can I assist you?”
“I need to see the Council Leader,” Shenka says. “Immediately.”
He nods, turning toward the door to the office, though his eyes seem troubled. “You do know I have to call the Enforcers?” Phillip’s gaze flickers to me and back again.
“If you could hold off on that,” she says. “Clearing up this mess is the reason we’re here.”
He hesitates before nodding with a smile. “I will leave it up to the Leader to decide,” he says, turning his little grin to me. “I wish you both well this evening.”
I have no idea if we can trust him, but he feels and smells as though he’s relaxed, calm, and I sense no deceit in him. Regardless, we’re about to walk into the dragon’s den, so a few Enforcers at the door will hardly make a difference if Phillip is going to summon them.
Shenka leads the way. I feel tense and ready for a fight as I follow her. I catch a glimpse of Erica behind her desk as I close the door, turning to stand at Shenka’s side when the Council Leader looks up. Her blonde bob shifts against her cheek, blue eyes tight around the edges, hands clenching as she sets down her pen and sits back. She doesn’t seem surprised to see us, so I know either Shenka has warned her of our arrival or Pender has updated her on his visit to the house.
“Shenka.” Erica doesn’t bother with titles, her voice tight and angry. “I take it Syd still isn’t back?”
To Shenka’s credit, she doesn’t flinch. “I’ve come to appeal to you, Council Leader. On behalf of two who are being falsely persecuted.”
Erica turns to me, expression still flat and angry. “You took a big risk coming here, Charlotte,” she says. “And while I’m not unsympathetic to your plight, I have a job to do.”
I nod. I’ve never warmed to this woman, though I know she truly cares for the coven she left, for Syd and the family. For that reason alone, I’m willing to plead my case to her.
“I am well aware you are being pressured to turn me over to the werenation,” I say. “But the reason for my arrest is no longer an issue.”
She raises her carefully shaped eyebrows. The act makes her look older, less like the woman I know and more like a caricature of the Leader she’s become.
“He’s dead, then?” So callous. I would never have expected such lack of empathy from her. The coldness of her reaction makes my wolf chuff in anger.
“Alive and well,” Shenka says. “More than well. That’s our point.” She forms a hologram out of magic, showing Erica Sage’s transformation, the feeling of him so powerful in the room it’s as though he’s here with me. That brings me comfort as Shenka goes on. “Whatever the origins of Sage America’s infection, he has not devolved into revenant darkness. Instead, he has developed into a power beyond that which the werewolves themselves possess.”
Erica doesn’t seem impressed, waving off Shenka’s magic, though her anger seems to fade some as she sighs and presses both hands firmly down on the desktop.
“That’s a matter for the werenation,” she says. “Not for this Council. No matter what he’s become, he must be returned to Ukraine to face the werewolves.”
“We would like to request your support in presenting his case.” Shenka gestures to me. “If the North American Council is willing to stand with Charlotte and Sage, it could offer not only weight to his case, but go a long way to ensuring he receives a fair trial on the other end.”
I already know what Erica is going to say before she says it. The room suddenly stinks of fear and desperation, and I wonder if she is cracking under the pressure of this office.
“You have no idea the amount of leeway I’m giving you, just allowing you to stand here,” Erica snaps. “I am being lobbied heavily both by the werenation and the Steam Union to return the both of you to Europe immediately.” But not the European Council? That’s interesting information. Femke is staying out of it, then? Why the visit from Gwendolyn and Finlay, if so?
“We understand that,” Shenka says in her best soothing tone while my mind chatters on, but Erica stands, shaking her head, magic crackling around her.
“You don’t,” she says. “I’m sorry, I really am. I feel for you, Charlotte, for this mess you’re in. But you’ve dragged too many coven families—not to mention forcing a young sorcerer to defect from the Steam Union—for me to allow this to go on.” Two families, I almost correct her, covens who aren’t fans of the Council in the first place. And it was Piers’s decision to leave his mother’s oppressive rule, with no urging from me. But I allow this pathetic woman her accusations while planning, yet again, the best escape routes from the room.
Sassafras was right to counsel caution, as I knew he would be.
“Council Leader,” Shenka says, but Erica cuts her off.
“The law is the law,” she says. “And while we might not agree with the rules of other cultures, we must uphold them, Shenka.” Erica’s face twists a moment, a hint of her fear showing. “There must be order or all of this,” she waves around the room, “all of what we’ve built, is for nothing.” She turns to me, hopelessness in her eyes. “I know you feel like I’m betraying you. But if you’re right, if this young man isn’t a danger to your people, I’m sure justice will prevail and he will be exonerated.”
Except that Caine is on the throne. And will be perfectly willing to kill Sage or use him as a pawn if he is able to capture him. There is no justice waiting for me or for Sage in Ukraine. Only death.
I shrug, refusing to give her any relief from the guilt I hope is eating her. “Thanks for nothing,” I say.
Shenka’s sadness only shows a moment. “Very well,” she says. “Thank you for your time. We’ll be going.”
Erica laughs, humorless and cold. “You really think I’m that stupid, to let you two go?” Her power flares, her voice echoing as Pender’s face appears in glowing blue. “Enforcer Leader Tremere,” Erica says in a voice that crackles with power. “You will enter the Hayle house and remove the fugitive.”
His face is flat and expressionless, voice as chilly as hers. “I have no solid proof of his presence,” Pender says. “You wish me to break coven law to conduct a search?”
Erica’s anger surges across her whole body, though I smell the fear behind it. She is so afraid to fail, she is becoming the kind of leader the Council doesn’t need.
“You have your orders,” she snaps. “Obey them immediately.”
She turns on us as Pender’s image sizzles out.
“I will have the two of you out of my territory,” she says. “And until this is resolved, Charlotte, you will not be welcome back here. If then.”
I open my mouth to tell her exactly where she can shove herself while Enforcer magic approaches from beyond the door. We’re cornered, and I doubt highly Shenka will be able to get us out of here past all the magic wards.
I’m sorry, Shenka sends. This is my fault. We should have gone to Femke.
I tense, prepared to fight. And I will fight, heart aching, knowing the Enforcers are now entering Syd’s house, putting her children at risk, that they will find Sage. Erica snaps her fingers and the door opens, time slows down. I won’t be taken. I have to find a way to escape so I can make this right.
I half-turn toward the opening door, the three tall Enforcers raising their hands toward me, glowing blue fire at the ready, just as the air beside me tears wide and a furious woman with dark hair and rainbow magic strides through.
***