Walking downstairs, I can instantly sense his presence. The light green essence of my son’s aura glows brightly around him as he lays in Caroline’s arms; his aura is so pure and innocent as he sleeps peacefully. I walk toward her, only for Tobias to step in my way, taking Thaddeus from his mother. I want nothing more than to hold him, but obviously Tobias and Theo don’t trust me. This entire trust thing they have going on with me and my son is really starting to grind my gears.
Josiah looks better today, more life about as his eyes scan the room before landing on me. He smiles, but I can see the worry behind his eyes as he sits on the stool at the island counter. Caroline also smiles sadly at me, taking her seat. I sit across from them and I can tell they aren’t happy with the news they are about to share.
“You look well rested, Imogen,” Caroline states, making my cheeks heat up. Josiah raises an eyebrow at my blushing cheeks, his eyes going to Tobias, who has a lazy smirk on his face as he feeds our son.
“So, what is this news about Bianca?” I ask, wanting to just rip that metaphorical band aid off. Josiah glances toward Theo and doesn’t even try to hide the anger that is directed at him. I can tell whatever happened the blame is being put onto Theo by his father, which only makes me more eager to hear what it is.
“Bianca’s hearing has been postponed, the council has called a meeting for some reason and asked us all to attend. Apparently, Bianca is running for a position on the council and Christopher has agreed and wants to have the hearing after she has been sworn in.”
Sworn in? If she is sworn in, how will she be reprimanded if she is a part of the council? Who, in their right mind, would give a position of power to a psychotic bitch like Bianca?
“What, but how would the trial be fair if she is a council member? Wouldn’t she be able to have a say in her punishment if it has to be decided by all nine members?” Tobias growls at the information and it is clear that he is only just finding out himself right now, like me. I watch as his eyes dart to Theo before he angrily looks away.
“Okay, why is everyone looking at Theo like this is his fault?”
“Because it is his fault. Him and his damn temper, always stirring up trouble that I have to get him out of.” His father bellows clearly, not happy about whatever it was his son has done.
Theo just shrugs his shoulders like it is nothing and he can’t care less about whatever it is he did. “I pissed off Christopher around a year ago when I fired his son,” Theo says blandly, like it isn’t a big thing.
“Fired his son? You disfigured him, you fool. The son of one of the highest regarded elders, and you disfigured him!” Josiah yells, making Thaddeus cry.
He quickly sits down and apologizes for his outburst of anger. Tobias gives him a nod and calms Thaddeus.
“Who is his son?” I ask, curious who this person is that Theo injured.
“His name is Max, and he is nothing but a self-entitled idiot,” Theo says.
Max? Why have I heard that name before? I know I have heard it somewhere, and I try to rack my brain for where I heard it. Then it hits me, Merida had mentioned Theo almost attacking an employee at work, his name was Max and he left for a rival company.
“Merida said you almost strangled him in a meeting,” I say, remembering her words.
“Almost strangled him? He did way worse than that. He took his eye and mutilated his face,” Josiah says angrily, making me look at Theo with disgust.
“I thought this Max person was human. Merida said he quit and works for a rival company now.” Tobias nods his head.
“He does work for a rival company; he is also human. Similar to you Imogen, his mother was human when she fell pregnant with him. He was changed not long after the incident. Christopher, his father, didn’t want to take any chances with Theo being so hot-headed.”
“Hey, you can’t blame me for this. I did my time over, twelve damn days of constant lashings for one damn eye.” Theo retorts, annoyed.
“Be grateful, that’s all you got. The boy’s eye can’t grow back, you’re just lucky I still had connections within the council that went to bat for you.” Josiah tells him.
“Why did you do it?” I ask, curious as to why he would attack an Elder’s son.
“Do you really need to ask? It’s the same person we have had constant drama with.” Caroline says, frustrated.
“Bianca, always fucking Bianca,” I mutter, and Caroline nods, confirming my words.
“Yes, and now that Alaric is gone, she has been getting awfully cozy with Max again, although they have always been cozy. But with Alaric out of the picture, she has sunk her claws into Max. Christopher knows what Bianca did, yet his revenge for his son outweighs that.” Josiah announces.
I shake my head and place my head in my hands, trying to think. We just can’t catch a break and can’t escape Bianca. I zone out, trying to come up with something, anything but I’m not all that familiar with laws of the council. Tobias, placing Thaddeus in my lap, makes me look up. I cradle him in my arms and am shocked he hasn’t fallen asleep already.
“If Bianca gets a position on the council, what sort of punishment will she get?” I ask, wanting to prepare myself for the worst-case scenario.
“If she gets a seat at the council, Imogen, she won’t be punished.” Josiah answers before throwing daggers at his son.
My blood instantly starts boiling at his words. No punishment after what she did at all? It seems impossible, what kind of backwards laws do they have that will allow no punishment for murder and attempted murder? She killed three people for god’s sake and kidnapped a baby. How can they not hold her accountable for that?
I don’t even realize how angry I am until I feel my surroundings shake violently. The car alarms outside blare loudly, the entire house shakes and the rumbling from the ground sounds like thunder.