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Nox: Later that evening
While sitting in the smoky bar as I kept an eye on the man who was on my watch, my phone vibrated with a message. I picked it up as a flash of a vision chased across my mind. I froze, my arm in mid-reach for the phone. I knew. I knew what the message was about.
Trace had met with Carly, the Pathist Imture, and told her what had happened and about her contact. Carly had found out that I lied, but... My eyebrows lifted in surprise as I let my hand fall on my phone and brought up the message.
Gen: Council hall. Thirty minutes. Be there.
"Shit." The curse came out before I could stop it. With one final glance at the old man who was on the Lydent watch list, I rose out of my seat, dropped money down to cover my drink, and left with a twist in my gut. I was curious to find out what the council would do with me. While I could see the brief and sometimes near future, my own future was darkened from me, as was Trace’s. I was only able to figure out things about myself based on other’s decisions concerning me. At the moment, no decision had been made. That gave me hope. And hope was a foolish thing to have.
I showed up in the council room where Gen waited along with Hoax and, surprisingly, only Councilman Frank and the old man, Councilman Samuel.
“Nox Harnail, thank you for joining us," Councilman Samuel started, giving a small cough. “Excuse me.” He cleared his throat. “I'm sure you are wondering why you’re here, or maybe you already know? The one question I have to ask is, did you know?"
Ready to confess all, I was surprised that they asked me if I knew... what?
"I'm sorry, sir. I don't understand. Did I know what?"
Councilman Frank took over when Councilman Samuel continued to cough. "Caleb, can you grab your grandfather a glass of water?” With a nod, Gen shimmed out, and Frank continued, “You have been investigating the death of Ivan Frost with the suspicion that he had been killed. Did you find evidence supporting the theory that Eric Frost had indeed killed his brother?"
Gen shimmed back and handed his grandfather a glass and stood back.
I shook my head, confused by his questioning. "I was watching a man that might have been involved with it before you called me in. But yes, Team Apex’s suspicions remain."
I slide a glance at Gen, who gave me a slight nod.
"We had Carly talk with your bondmate today," Hoax joined in.
My jaw tightened as my gaze swung to his. "I am aware."
He went on, "The results of her artistic premonition abilities confirmed and supported what you stated about Eric Frost being behind the illegal websites to gain information and sell it. It seems he was also involved with inmate mud wrestling, which has led to some casualties. The reason I'm telling you this is there were conflicting results when it came to whether he was Tracy Dolton's contact. You plainly stated he was; Carly had a different set of results. Now, Nox, would you like to explain?"
My body was wound tight. "In that moment, when I concluded he was her contact, I only caught a glimpse of what he had been doing. Putting the evidence together with the glimpse I received, I naturally came to that conclusion."
"So you didn't name him her contact to ensure that he would remain in Lydent jail until enough evidence was gathered to sentence him? To keep your bondmate safe?" Hoax challenged.
My gaze narrowed in on him. I liked the guy, but he was giving me shit at the moment, so he was now on my shit list. "I stand by my first statement, sir."
Samuel cleared his throat. "Very well. Thank you, Mr. Tobin, for the information you have presented to us.” Clearly dismissed, Hoax left the room.
Samuel went on, “Now, Nox, because you took it upon yourself to use your gift and unverifiable resources at the time to accuse a man for a wrongful crime, you will be sentenced to a 24-hour holding in Lydent jail for obstructing justice." Then he broke out in a grin. "After your 24-hour holding, you will be sentenced to a lifetime of commitment to one Tracy Lee Dotlon, where Justin and my grandson, Caleb, will join with you in keeping her safe. With the approval of the Waterfront Maine Council, Thad and Cameron are approved to join you in the task of keeping your bondmate out of trouble. In your bond group, the six of you will be required to have your first offspring within the first three years of your bonding, or the bonds that hold Thad and Cameron in your group will be null and void. Do you agree?"
Talk about a shock to my system. What the hell was this? "With all due respect, sirs, shouldn't the others be here for this?"
Frank held up a paper. "The forms were filled out yesterday."
I glanced over to Caleb who gave a head nod to the council.
"I'd say yes if I were you." Hoax grinned. “It seems this might be your only chance.”
I blew out a deep breath and gave a nod. "Yes. I agree."
"Good," he said. "We’ll give you a few moments to talk with Caleb, and then you'll be shimmed into your holding cell."
"Wait, sirs."
They all turned back to me with eyebrows raised. "Yes?" Frank asked.
"Thank you for this. Truly. But if Eric Frost wasn't her contact” – my forehead wrinkled in confusion – “who was?"
"We're looking into it, but the only information I have at this moment is what your bondmate presented us with today. Apparently her contact goes by the name Hopper."
Gen came over and gave me a strong pat on the back.
"Trace?" I asked.
"She's with Thad tonight. He's taking her somewhere to unwind. I'll let him and the others know about tomorrow and the mating circle."
I drew a hand through my hair as I glanced over the council room. "Gen, I'm sorry–"
He put up a hand to stop me and shook his head. "No. I wouldn't have done what you did, but I'm sure as hell glad you did it. If he was free while we were figuring things out, I have no doubt he would have tried to get his brother’s light back, and this time not leaving Trace alive. You did it to protect her." He gave me another rough pat. "We all understand. Why do you think you're getting off so easy?"
I nodded my head. "Yeah. Thanks, Gen."
He gave a low laugh. "Don't thank me yet. You're the one who's going to have to tell Trace tomorrow that she's going to get bonded to all of us. Good luck, man."
"Well, shit."
"Nox, are you ready?" Frank asked from his spot on high.
Gen stepped back and gave me a slight nod.
I grinned. "Beam me up." A light surrounded me, and I left the council and appeared in a cell with three other men.
They looked up, and surprise crossed their features.
"Never pegged you to be here," the one with silver eyes murmured, his gaze taking me in.
I grabbed a wall and slid to the ground. "Won't be here long."
"That's what they all say," a low voice whispered; it came from the shape huddled in the corner.