Powerless: without ability, influence, or power.

Chapter 12

McHenry watched Tim take Darcinda into the house.

He wanted to smash something. This was on him. He should have insisted she leave days ago. He had never been able to control things outside of his small plot of land before, and he accepted that long ago. It was either that or go insane.

But now he had lost control of his home. And that was unacceptable.

And he was powerless to help her.

Powerless. Damnation, the irony of that one word. He never wanted anyone else to experience what he felt. And now Darcinda suffered because of him.

He had worried when his sister brought her sons to him that somehow the curse he lived under would hurt them. And his fears were coming true. First Jamie a year ago, and now the shitstorm Andrew was in for loving a girl whose father tried to kill them.

He wanted to smash something again.

Instead he turned around and strode back to the door of the workshop. A door that was now blocked by Connor and Jack.

“I want to talk to him,” McHenry said.

Jack shook his head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Really?”

Jack widened his stance. “You have to ask? He’s under arrest. He’s basically confessed to almost killing you. Plus what he just did to Darcinda. I’m not letting you anywhere near him right now.”

McHenry couldn’t stop the growl from erupting deep in his throat.

Connor held up his hands. “We get it, McHenry. But we have to follow the rules. You’ve already attacked him twice. We are not going to screw this up on a technicality. I know you didn’t want to press charges at first, but now you want him convicted, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

“You can talk to him once the Tribunal is convened,” Jack said. “But you have to stay away from him for now.”

McHenry swallowed down his curse. “When will the magistrates arrive so we can get this trial over with?”

The twins exchanged a glance that had his alarm bells ringing. They seemed to be doing that twin-speak thing they did, and he didn’t like it one bit.

Connor finally spoke. “Here’s the thing. I know you want this over and done with, but there will be nothing standard about this tribunal. Normally three magistrates would oversee the proceedings, but when a Royal is involved, a special hearing is called. Instead of Tribunal members, the magistrates will be leaders from the other supernatural factions. And you will be called to testify.”

“And this will happen here.”

“Yes.”

McHenry didn’t swallow back his curse this time. “I’m goin’ to talk to Devin and find out more.”

“Good idea,” Jack said.

McHenry watched them both relax as he backed up. They had already yanked him off Roderick twice. They were probably relieved they didn’t have to do it again—for now, anyway.

He headed back into the house to find Devin. The team leader was on the phone and held up his hand when he saw McHenry approach. He finished his call quickly, a serious expression on his face.

“When will the trial start?” McHenry asked without preamble.

Devin frowned. “The Tribunal is contacting the supernatural leaders now. They should arrive in the next day or two.”

“What a mess.”

“I know how important your privacy is to you, McHenry. I’m sorry it has to happen here.”

He shrugged. He hated it as well, but he needed to be part of the trial, and he didn’t know how he would have explained not being able to attend the trial somewhere else.

“Where is…everyone?”

“Andrew took Selina upstairs. Charlie and Tim are with Darcinda.”

McHenry’s hands balled into fists.

“Hopefully they can figure something out. If not, we can call in some other healers.”

McHenry cleared his throat. “I’m goin’ to check on Andrew.”

He left without waiting for Devin’s reply, taking the stairs two at a time. When he got to the top, he walked down the hall, stopping when he heard voices. The door to Darcinda’s room was open just a crack.

“Well?” Darcinda asked.

“Physically, at least from what I can tell, you’re fine,” Charlie said.

“And magically?”

“I can sense the residue from the spell, but I don’t know how to reverse it. It’s not like anything I’ve ever come across before,” Tim said. “But that doesn’t mean we’re not going to keep trying.”

McHenry’s stomach twisted as Tim continued talking.

“I think we should get you to one of the other faerie healers.”

“I’m not about to leave right now. I’ll see someone in a few days, when everything has calmed down.”

Oh hells, no. She was not going to risk herself by staying here. He wouldn’t have it.

He backed away from the door, not wanting them to catch him eavesdropping. McHenry went downstairs and ran into Devin again.

A few minutes later, Darcinda came downstairs and joined them in the kitchen.

“How are you doing?” Devin asked Darcinda.

“I’m fine.”

She said that a lot. But McHenry knew it wasn’t true. “So Tim was able to reverse the spell, then?”

Her expression shut down. “No. But you heard the demon king. It’s not permanent.”

He wasn’t about to trust anything Roderick said. “You don’t know that. If Tim couldn’t help you, maybe someone else can.”

She frowned. “You might need me here.”

“We’ll be fine. Charlie’s a medic, and Tim can handle the magic side of things.”

She flinched as if he’d slapped her. Damnation. He was mucking this up.

Devin interrupted him. “Darcinda, you should see a healer. If this had happened to one of us, you would give us hell until we got checked out.”

Her expression softened. Why hadn’t he thought to say that to her?

She shook her head. “You know I can’t do that.”

What is she talking about?

Devin put his hand on her shoulder. “I’m sure you have healer friends you can trust, right? We won’t say anything to anyone unless it’s absolutely necessary.”

“Thank you.” She gave McHenry a look. “Since you don’t need me here anymore, I’ll pack up my healer’s bag and go.”

He nodded, and she headed back upstairs.

Devin glared at him for a moment.

“I know. I didn’t handle that well. I didn’t mean to make her feel like she wasn’t necessary.” He rubbed his hand over his beard. “Everything I try to say to her gets twisted. But right now she needs to take care of herself.”

“You should have said that.”

If he had said that, she would have dug in her heels and stayed. From what McHenry had observed, Darcinda put everyone’s needs before her own. If he had to push her out the door, so be it. He could handle being the bad guy if it meant she got some help.

“What did you mean about not telling anyone what happened?”

Devin sighed. “Faeries aren’t very forgiving.”

He snorted. “No kiddin’.”

“Being powerless can get you banned as a faerie.”

Anger seethed under his skin. “Are you kiddin’ me right now?”

“No. Alex hasn’t been accepted yet because she hasn’t shown any real powers except that one time.”

“What a load of shite.”

He strode out of the house to get some air. Closing his eyes, he tilted his head up and let the sun hit him square in the face. What a colossal mess he had on his hands.

The front door opened and closed to his right, and he turned. Darcinda stood on the porch. She slung her bag over her shoulder and took a step off the porch.

Tim came outside. “Devin says you’re heading home.”

“Yep. Unless you need something before I go?”

“We’re good,” Tim said.

“Who’s takin’ you home?” McHenry asked.

Her right eyebrow shot up. “I’m more than capable of going on my own.”

He frowned. “I don’t like anyone travelin’ this forest alone. Someone can walk with you.”

She opened her mouth and he held up his hand. “I know you’re fine, but it doesn’t hurt to have someone go with you. One of the twins can go. The wolves are used to the forest.”

She sighed. “Okay.”

“Good. Thank you for your help.”

Up went her eyebrow again. “You’re welcome.”

He cleared his throat, but nothing else came out. She stared at him for a moment before turning away and walking over to where the twins stood by the workshop.

What was there left for him to say?

If you hadn’t come to take care of me, you wouldn’t be powerless right now?

You should stay far, far away from me so you don’t get hurt again?

No, there wasn’t much left to say.