by K. N. Banet
“Name your price,” the Director said with a good-natured acceptance.
“For the captivity and holding of the cambions, we wish for ten million to be invested into their community to help them buy their own land, build their own homes, and pursue their own educations. We’ve judged the actions of Mygi Pharmaceuticals robbed them of the chance to establish their immortal lives, robbing them of wealth they could have potentially acquired, and much more. We think this investment will go a long way to make them established in our world, as they so rightfully deserve.”
I noticed there were some blank faces on the Tribunal. They had decided to vote in private, keeping dissenters from having a position to speak against this. It was a PR move. Oisin was a blank face. So was Johann, the male witch of the Tribunal. Finally, I saw Hasan, the last blank face, but I didn’t believe he was against this. My guess was he only wanted to keep his feelings of victory secret. Others were emotional in a variety of ways. Alvina was obviously feeling guilty. Isaiah was angry at the events, glaring at those he would soon get to sentence. Callahan and Corissa made no attempts to cover up their pride over claiming victory and showing their werewolves they would always be protected.
“I can agree to all of that,” Director Johansson said with a smile. “But allow me, please, to make a counteroffer.”
Several people gasped.
“Go ahead,” Alvina ordered, cautious of what the Immortal was doing.
“Twenty million,” he said, making the mood of the room confused. “And…” The Director looked over the cambions to his right, as though he was counting them. “Two percent of the company’s stocks for each surviving member of the community. Five percent to the community as a whole for the lost one, Maude.”
My hands were shaking.
“Why?” Hasan asked, his eyes narrowing on the Immortal.
“To give them ownership of what was done to them and power over it,” Johansson answered simply. “And to make sure the company will never forget this painful lesson in the case I once again find people to invest their time in it. The cambions are allowed to pass these stocks down to their children and to sell them if they so wish. When the paperwork is done, they shall own twenty-nine percent of Mygi Pharmaceuticals as a collective. The nephilim shall own her own two percent as well, of course. Forgive me, Ms. Gabrielle, if that wasn’t clear.” He gestured to her, and I watched her sink into her chair, her wings materializing and covering up her and four of the cambions. That caused even more ripples of shock around the room.
“Order!” Alvina said, clapping her hands and fabricating a booming noise that silenced the room. I wanted to laugh. “Raphael, Warlord of the cambions, do you accept this generous offer?” Alvina asked, turning to my Raphael, who looked stunned.
“I…I accept. Thank you, Director Johansson.”
The Director only nodded in return, smiling.
My poor mate was now a multi-millionaire. I wasn’t expecting that. No one in the room was.
“And finally, our last piece of business…” Alvina began to read off names. For each name, someone walked into the center of the room before the Tribunal and went to their knees. Ardghal was one of them.
This was my favorite part, the part I was normally involved in, but the last several months had put me in a strange position in life. I wasn’t sure I could go back to being an Executioner after everything. I had asked Hasan for another year off, and he’d agreed unless there was an emergency. It would give me more time to consider where my life was taking me.
My colleagues revealed themselves in the crowd, other Executioners, all a bit crazy and deadlier than anyone else in the room. A few of them nodded or bowed to me, respect between those in the same field, especially since I wouldn’t be down there with them today. They knew they were finishing something I had started. There were a lot of guilty dead at my feet already.
“You have all been given the death sentence,” Alvina said.
The Executioners moved fast. Heads rolled. None of the rulers around me screamed. The cambions were quiet, though I was positive Gabrielle was the one who whimpered at the sudden violence. Raphael and Cassius were in splash range, but neither reacted to being hit.
Blood was spilled before the Tribunal.
I got up, glad to see it end. I was the first out the door, the pocket dimension sending me back to the location I had entered from. I headed upstairs, waved at Leith, then went out the front door. As I approached my car, I heard someone calling out.
“Kaliya!”
It was Raphael. It was always Raphael. I turned to see him as he jogged after me. There was still blood on his face. He’d chased after me the moment it was done.
“Where have you been?” he asked softly.
“Keeping out of the way,” I answered truthfully. “I wasn’t needed anymore. I’m not needed anymore.”
“What?” He seemed unsure of my meaning.
“Go rule your people, Raphael. It’s going to keep you pretty busy, believe me,” I said, trying to keep the emotions flying through me from overriding my logic. I had fucking missed this man. I was always going to miss this man. “If you need any help, I’ll help, but I think Cassius and Sorcha are better for this.”
“Are you…ending us because the case is over?” he asked, stepping closer. “I get that things have been strange the past couple of weeks, but I thought we both understood we’d get back to normal.”
“I am,” I whispered.
“Why?” There, in that word, was the Raphael I had known and fallen for.
“That’s where you are meant to be,” I said, pointing around him to the cambions coming outside to see what was happening. “They need you. I’m not going to take away a moment of time they could have with their leader, so I can have fun with you. It’s been fun, Raphael, but it’s over. I have my own things I need to work on, things you can’t be a part of. I rule my own people, and it’s time for me to get back to doing that right. I put them on the back burner to help you.” That was a lie, but it was an effective one. “I’ll be your friend, and I’ll help train them, but we…we’re over. I can’t have a relationship right now, and I don’t think you can either. We both have… stuff to deal with.”
The words broke my own heart.
It’s for him. He doesn’t know it, but I’m doing this to save him.
He let me back away. He didn’t stop me from getting into my car. He didn’t chase me as I drove away. I drove fast, running from what I left behind.
When I made it home, the tears were threatening to spill over.
It’s for his protection. If I kept him, they would come for him. He can’t rule the cambions if he’s hiding as a naga mate.
I needed something to work on. I needed to fall into something and forget I just left my mate.
I went into my private office and looked at the Board. There was something missing, and I knew what I had to add—the rakshasa. Yes. Hunting him down and making him answer all my questions was exactly what I needed to focus on. I could balance out my hunt for the rakshasa with helping the cambions, if Raphael even tried to call me at this point.
I found a video still of the rakshasa I had printed out over a week before and pinned it to the middle of the Board.
“It’s me and you now,” I whispered. “Because I won’t ever be happy while you’re running around.”
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading!
These were the first 3 books of the Kaliya Sahni series. I really hope you enjoyed them. There’s 3 more books in the series, but don’t worry, there’s going to be some sort of ending that should satisfy you. Hopefully. Here’s some information on books 4 and 5 to keep you busy!
REBORN
KALIYA SAHNI BOOK FOUR
Released in JUNE 2021
LEGENDS
KALIYA SAHNI BOOK FIVE
Coming in November 2021
If I still have you head over to my website to get the latest updates on the next book in the series
. Head over to my website and sign up for my mailing list! There are exclusive teasers and shorts for those who are signed up:
Knbanetauthor.com/mailinglist
And remember,
Reviews are always welcome, whether you loved or hated the book. Please consider taking a few moments to leave one and know I appreciate every second of your time and I’m thankful.
The Tribunal Archives
Kaliya Sahni is a series set in the world of The Tribunal. Every series is written so it can be read alone. For more information about The Tribunal Archives and the different series in it, you can go here:
https://www.knbanetauthor.com/tribunalarchives
The Jacky Leon Series
The Kaliya Sahni Series
The Everly Abbott Series
Find Zuri in the Call of Magic Anthology!
Hearts at War, a Tribunal Archives Story about Jabari and Aisha!
Acknowledgments
I’m very bad at giving really public praise. I shower people in praise in private. But that’s not everyone’s love language and that’s okay.
So this little page shall now be dedicated to everyone who helps me get these books from the concept to the release and beyond. From my PA, to my editor and my proofreader, to my wonderful friends helping me through the hardest moments. To my husband, who doesn’t read my books, but loves that I write them and is willing to listen to me talk about them for hours.
And to you, the reader, for without you, I wouldn’t have anyone to share these stories with. I’m a storyteller at heart and you have given me the greatest gift of listening.
I love all of you. Thank you for continuing to go on this journey with me.
About the Author
KNBanetAuthor.com
Living in Arizona with her husband and 5 pets (2 dogs and 3 cats), K.N. Banet is a voracious... video game player. Actually, she spends most of her time writing, and when she's not writing she's either gaming or reading.
She enjoys writing about the complexities of relationships, no matter the type. Familial, romantic, or even political. The connections between characters is what draws her into writing all of her work. The ideas of responsibility, passion, and forging one's own path all make appearances.
Also by K.N. Banet
The Jacky Leon Series
Oath Sworn
Family and Honor
Broken Loyalty
Echoed Defiance
Shades of Hate
Royal Pawn
Rogue Alpha
Volume One: Books 1-3
The Kaliya Sahni Series
Bounty
Snared
Monsters
Reborn
Legends
The Everly Abbott Series
Servant of the Blood
Tribunal Archives Stories
Ancient and Immortal (Call of Magic Anthology)
Hearts at War