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Using Lenore’s freshly acquired magick, the demon-dealing trio stepped through a portal, arriving just outside the courtroom door.
Lenore opened the door, keeping one hand against the hinges to absorb the squeaks the aged metal usually groaned with.
Arald and Jacques stepped through into the underground room and skirted along the brick wall, in the shadows.
Quietly closing the door behind her, Lenore followed suit, a big smile covering her face when she heard Katana speaking to the Council. Never had she imagined this would happen.
Not long after their arrival, the court was adjourned, pending a full Council investigation.
The Council guards filed out above ground first, merging back into everyday civilians. Mr and Mrs Ainsworth created portals to transport themselves and their newly acquired prisoners back to the Coven’s building. The Councillors were last to leave, along with Katana and Tobias.
As Katana and Tobias headed above ground, Arald, Lenore, and Jacques padded up the stone steps after them.
After being underground in the darkly lit room, emerging into bright summer sunshine made Katana’s eyes hurt. Tobias handed her a pair of sunglasses as she turned to face her friend coming out of the small wooden doorway.
“Jacques, uncle Arald,” she said, opening her arms. She bent down to hug Jacques first, then stood up to hug her uncle. “It’s so good to see you again.”
“You too,” Arald replied. He stepped back and motioned towards Lenore. “This is Lenore.”
Katana smiled and held her hand out. She was pleasantly surprised when Lenore ignored her hand and instead wrapped her up in a warm embrace. “It’s nice to meet you at last. I’ve heard lots about you.”
“Ditto,” Katana said, giggling. “This is Tobias Bembridge—my fiancé.” She glanced at Jacques as she said this, unsure of his reaction to her speaking those words.
Tobias and Lenore swapped pleasantries whilst Katana rounded on Jacques. “Are you ok? I’ve missed you.”
Jacques nodded. “They took care of Gregory. And I have some news.”
Katana frowned. “Ok. Do I dare ask?”
“Gregory kept my original DNA. He replicated it into a virus so if I ever needed to be turned back into a normal human shifter, I could.”
Katana gasped. “So you’re going to be a real human again?”
Jacques nodded. “I’m going to be a real boy.”
At hearing his mimic of Pinocchio, Katana laughed. “Have you done whatever you needed to do?”
“It was a simple injection. Arald gave it to me before we left your house. I’ve just got to wait to get the flu and then I’m good.”
“At least it’s just a flu virus this time.”
***
JACQUES ENDED UP IN bed for five days when his flu virus hit. Whilst Lenore tended to him, Arald and Katana took some time to re-acquaint.
“I have to ask,” Katana said, as they headed out around the Bembridge estate for a midday walk. “Is there anything going on with you and Lenore?”
Arald laughed. “No. Our relationship is strictly business. We both had the same aim. That’s all.”
“Good. It would be a bit icky otherwise.”
Arald shrugged his shoulders. “Not really. With how watered down our bloodline has become through marriages, we’re about as closely related to her as what we are to the Royal family. In fact, the Queen and her husband are more closely related than what we are to Lenore.”
“I guess I’d not really thought about it like that. Marrying inside your family is normal for the Royals but frowned upon everywhere else. Strange social acceptance really.”
Arald nodded. “There are a lot of strange things in the world, Katana. You’ve got a lot more to stumble across yet.”
“I think I’ve had enough for now.”
Their conversation was interrupted by Katana’s phone ringing. When the caller display came up with Tobias’s number, she answered it, smiling.
“Hey, what’s up?”
“I just got news from my dad that the Council are releasing your house and assets today. You can go home at last.”
“Oh, wow. Ok. That is good news. Thanks for letting me know.”
Silence stretched between them for several seconds. “I’m not saying you have to go home,” Tobias said. “I’m just saying the option is there if you want to.”
Katana giggled. “I...it would be a little weird to be honest. Would it be ok if I stayed with you for a little longer?”
Tobias chuckled. “Considering we’re going to be married at some point, it’s more than ok.”
Katana forced a smile. The idea of marrying Tobias still didn’t feel right when the words were spoken. She figured he’d be someone she’d grow to love. In time. “Is there any chance Altair can come back? I’m guessing it’s going to be a while before the trial and everything is over.”
“Already beat you to it. He should be with you within the hour.”
“You know me so well,” Katana said. “Thank you.”
“Wear something nice tonight. I’m taking you out for dinner. Be ready for seven p.m.”
Katana grinned. “Ok. Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”