“Could you?” I pressed. He searched my face carefully and then dipped his chin.
“It’s possible.”
“Good. Where’s Dean? I need to speak to him.”
“In the dungeon, under guard, until the alpha pack summons him.”
“Cool. Can you write me a hall pass, teach?”
Shaun groaned and shook his head in defeat.
“I’ll send word – but you won’t be able to see him alone.”
“That’s fine.” I turned on my heel and made for the door.
“Uh, Jade?” he said. “Aren’t you forgetting something?”
I raised an eyebrow, and he eyed the clothing piled on the end of my bed.
“Oh. Right.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
I made it down to the dungeon without anyone stopping me, and with some small measure of guilt for not going to find Cam and Mei first. But time was pressing, and I’d wasted hours last night, sleeping. If I was going to pull this off before the enforcers came, I couldn’t afford to hang around. And, I consoled myself, there was no way they’d have let all three of us in.
There was no-one guarding the main door, which surprised me, until I realised that the guard would almost certainly be inside Dean’s room, making sure he didn’t attempt to escape. I swung open the main door – it wasn’t locked, which I figured was sloppy, but then again, even if Dean managed to get out of his cell and past the guard, he couldn’t get out of the academy’s grounds. Which was a shame.
I descended the stone stairs, the sound of each footstep echoing back around me. The dungeon seemed more sinister than it had during all of my lessons with Underwood. But now it wasn’t just a secure place to teach a cursed Bitten to control the magic she wasn’t meant to have. Now, it was home to a condemned man who didn’t even have enough spirit left to oppose his death sentence.
Dean’s scent led me to the door on the right at the far end of the corridor. I knocked once – because I didn’t want to surprise anyone and get myself killed – and opened it.
The figure standing on the far side of it was tall, irritatingly handsome, and built like a tank – and I recognised him at once.
“Enforcer Morgan,” I said. “I didn’t think I’d see you again.”
Caleb was one of the enforcers who had chased off Kelsey – and Leo, I supposed – the night I was bitten. He’d stayed with me, keeping watch until we discovered the true extent to Kelsey’s attack. He’d sat with me through my first change the following night, not that I remembered much of it, and then brought me here, and helped Blake explain my new reality. I’d been… resistant.
“Jade,” he said, with something approaching a smile on his face. “I should have known it was you who’d managed to convince Alpha Blake to bend the rules. I always knew you were going to be trouble.”
“Well,” I said with a smile of my own, “What’s life without a little trouble?”
My gaze slipped beyond him to the gloomy cell at the back of the room, and the hunched figure within it.
“Friend of yours?” Caleb asked. I nodded. “You should keep better company.”
“And you should know better than to judge someone based on their darkest moment,” I said, brushing past him. I felt his eyes boring into the back of my neck, then the pressure eased, and the door clicked shut. There was the scrape of a key in the lock, and I fought the urge to roll my eyes. Like I was going to do something as dumb as trying to bust Dean out. Not even I was that insane. At least, not unless my plan failed.
“Dean,” I said, approaching the cage and crouching down in front of it. He sat hunched at the back of the cell, with his knees drawn up to his chest, and his arms wrapped around them. The dim lighting glinted on the suppressor cuffs around his wrists. He lifted his head a fraction to look at me, but otherwise didn’t move, didn’t speak. I sat on the floor.
“I’m sorry to hear about your father.”
He clenched his jaw, and as I looked closer, I could see the whites of his eyes were pitted red. I glowered at Caleb. Dean shouldn’t have been left here to grieve alone. He deserved better. The enforcer only shrugged. I turned my back on him. He wasn’t the one I was here to see.
“Dean?”
“Just say your piece and go,” he said, his voice hard and bitter.
“My piece?” I frowned at him.
“I lied to you all year, and you, Cam, and Mei all got hurt because of it. So just yell at me, and then go.”
“I’m not here to yell at you. I’m here because I care about you.”
“Then you’re a fool.” I flinched back from his sharp words, and his face softened, and then his tone. “Bad enough that you spent all year with me, Jade. Being here right now puts you at risk. Alpha Draeven will think you knew about everything I did. You should leave.”
“Smartest thing he’s said since he’s been here,” Caleb said from behind me, with a grunt of approval. Neanderthal. I twisted round to glare up at him.
“If you think for one minute I’m going to leave my friend here to rot because I’m worried about what Draeven will think of me, you’re mistaken.”
“And that’s the dumbest thing you’ve said. I like you, Jade – you’re spirited. But you need to learn to show respect to Alpha Draeven before you end up in the next cell along.”
“I show my respect through my actions, not my words,” I shot back. “Like not allowing injustices to be carried out in his name. Oh, and I’m not a bloody horse. Don’t call me spirited.”
I caught an amused smile flicker across his lips as I turned back to Dean.
“He’s right, Jade,” Dean said. “You need to be careful.”
“He’s an idiot,” I said, and then relented. “But you might both have a point. And it might matter if I wasn’t about to meet with Alpha Draeven and try to convince him to spare your life.”
“You can’t!” Horror was etched into Dean’s face. “You might as well admit to having conspired with me.” He shot a look at the guard. “Which she didn’t.”
“Too late,” I said. “It’s already arranged. Besides, you know how stubborn I am when I get an idea into my head.”
“Well, get it out of your head. You’re risking too much.”
“And you risked everything for me last night. And we both know I’d have gotten myself killed climbing out of one window or another last year if you hadn’t been around. I’m paying you back, so get used to it.”
“Hey, it’s your funeral,” he said, but I could tell he was working hard to keep his voice light.
“Hopefully,” I said, “it won’t be either of our funerals. Just tell me you’re on board with this, because I can’t do it if you’re not, and I can’t face another year here if you’re not here with me. Even if you do have shit taste in women.”
He let out a sound that I might have called a laugh, if I was feeling generous. I held his eye through the iron bars.
“Well?”
He took a deep breath, let it out, and then nodded.
“I trust you with my life, you know that. Just don’t get yourself killed doing this.”
“Promise,” I said, crossing my fingers behind my back. “I’ve got to go. I’ll see you later.”
I left before I could do anything stupid like cry. But it wasn’t right that Dean should have to be down there alone, like some sort of criminal, when he was the reason we were still here, dammit.
I rounded the corner and almost walked straight into Cam and Mei. I blinked, but before I could say anything, Cam wrapped me in a bear hug and crushed me against him.
“I’ve been so worried about ye, lass,” he mumbled into my hair. I didn’t reply, because I was busy being crushed.
“We came to bust you out of the med wing,” Mei said, “but you weren’t there.”
“Right,” I said, disentangling myself from Cam’s arms and raising an eyebrow. “So your next step was to check the dungeon?”
“Yer weren’t the only one we were planning to bust out.
”
I shushed him while throwing a frantic glance around the corridor, but we were alone.
“Don’t even joke about that,” I scolded him.
“Who’s joking?” Mei said, and there was a hardness in her eyes.
“You’d better be,” I told her. “Or you’re going to wind up next to him. Besides, I’ve got a better plan. Walk with me and I’ll explain everything – away from prying ears.”
By the time I’d finished explaining my plan, I thought Cam was going to chain me to the bed – and not in the good way. But after arguing for the better part of the morning, both he and Mei eventually agreed that it was the best chance we had. Then we put our heads together and tried to refine my plan into something that had the slightest chance of succeeding instead of earning me a cell of my own for showing disrespect.
It was the middle of the afternoon when Shaun came for me. Cam hugged me, and for a moment I didn’t think he was going to let me go. Then he did, and I wished he hadn’t. I felt like a condemned woman marching to the gallows. Except it wasn’t my life hanging in the balance. At least, not if I watched my tongue. Which, of course, I had an excellent track record of doing…
Shaun knocked once on Blake’s door, and his gravelly voice bade us enter. Shaun held it open for me and I stepped through, nodding my thanks. Alpha Draeven was in the large chair behind Blake’s desk, and Blake himself was seated at his shoulder in one of the chairs usually used by his visitors. Two more of those chairs were positioned on our side of the desk, but I ignored them, and dropped into a crouch, averting my eyes from Draeven’s.
“I see you,” he said. “Rise.”
I got to my feet, still keeping my eyes averted, and made my way to the nearest chair. Shaun took the one next to me – positioned, I noticed, close enough that he could stamp on my foot if I went too far. I didn’t think it was a coincidence.
“You asked to see me,” Draeven said.
“Yes, Alpha Draeven.”
He studied me for a long moment, until I started to wonder if I’d said something wrong.
“It is highly unusual for me to respond to such a request from a student.”
“Yes, Alpha Draeven. I’m grateful for your time.”
I chose each of my words carefully, watching his face through my eyelashes, because I didn’t want to screw this up before I even started.
“You may speak.”
I nodded and sucked in a breath. Here went everything.
“I understand that Dean is to be held accountable for his actions last night.”
“Last night,” Draeven said, his voice dropping several octaves until it rang with danger, “and the rest of this year.”
“Despite the fact that his actions saved a lot of lives.”
“Lives that would not have been endangered had it not been for his actions. If you have asked me here to debate this case, then you may leave at once. He will return with me to face judgement, and it is not for us to debate that judgement in your head instructor’s office.”
“But it could be. Not here, I mean, but in trial.”
“There will be no trial. The prisoner has not requested one, and even if he had, he has no pack, and therefore no alpha to speak for him.”
“Dean has changed his mind. He would like a trial.”
“But that does not change his status, Ms Hart. So, if you are done wasting my time…” He nodded to the door behind me.
“Wait!” I caught the look Shaun gave me and lowered my panicked voice. I took a second to compose myself. “If I could just have a moment more of your time, Alpha Draeven.”
He regarded me through hooded eyes and dipped his chin.
“Alpha Draeven, I would like your permission to speak for Dean.”
“Would you, now?” His eyes glittered under the office lighting, but whether with malice or amusement I couldn’t tell.
“I would. Dean is a cur. No-one disputes that.”
“Then it is the law that only an alpha may speak for a prisoner that you dispute?”
I squirmed in my chair but pressed ahead.
“It isn’t me who disputes it. In 1809, there was a trial held for a shifter called Albert Sumner.”
“I am familiar with the case.”
I really, really hoped the look in his eyes was amusement, but his sombre voice told me I was probably being overly optimistic.
“Then you know,” I said, keeping my eyes fixed on his chin, “that his alpha was taken ill the day before the trial was due to start. Sumner asked that his beta, Daniel Hayward, be allowed to speak in his alpha’s place, and the Alpha of Alphas agreed. So, you see, Alpha Draeven, there is precedent for the accused to choose their own representation, should no alpha be available.”
“I trust you are familiar with how that case ended?”
My throat went dry and I could only nod in answer.
“Perhaps you would care to share it with your instructors.”
I glanced at Blake and Shaun, who were both watching me with curious expressions – which told me they didn’t know how this story ended. I guess neither of them shared my obsession with historical law cases. Shaun gave me a nod of encouragement, which was more than I could bear. I dropped my gaze to my hands, which were twisting in my lap.
“Beta Hayward was unable to make a convincing case. Sumner was executed.”
“And?”
The single word hung in the air between us.
“And as punishment for his failure, the pack’s alpha ordered the execution of the beta. The Alpha of Alphas sanctioned it.”
“Indeed. Do you still wish to continue making your case?”
I lifted my chin a fraction.
“I do, Alpha Draeven.”
“Only someone truly arrogant or desperate would make this argument. Which are you?”
“The latter,” I answered without hesitation. “Not just because I know Dean doesn’t deserve to be killed, but because I know you would hate to see an injustice like this carried out in your name.”
“You presume to know me?”
His voice was a low rumble, and I shook my head, aware I was in dangerous territory – but that had never stopped me before, and it wouldn’t now.
“No, Alpha Draeven. I only know your actions, and only on the times we’ve met, but they were the actions of a just man, and I cannot imagine such a man would want to see a young shifter, a teenager, executed for the sins of his father, without having the chance to defend himself.”
I raised my chin the rest of the way and dared to meet Alpha Draeven’s eye. Someone sucked in a breath – Blake or Shaun, I couldn’t be sure – but ignored it.
“Or have I misjudged you?”
“So be it,” Draeven said. “You may represent the accused, if he chooses it. The stakes will be the same as for Beta Hayward.”
I dipped my chin without breaking eye contact. I was prepared to take that chance. What I wasn’t prepared to do was let Dean die thinking no-one cared about him. I could hear Shaun stuttering an appeal, but Draeven raised a hand without taking his eyes from mine, and he fell silent.
“I have spoken. Now avert your eyes, Jade – I would hate to be forced to destroy you before we can have our fun at the trial.”
I tucked my chin and let my gaze wander to the desk in front of him. It was all I could do to keep the grin from my face. He’d gone for it – he’d actually bloody agreed to let me represent Dean. For the first time in the history of shifters, a lowly cur – and a Bitten one, at that – would stand in front of the alpha pack and fight for justice. And the first time a cur would be afforded the same protection as any member of a pack. But I wasn’t done yet.
“In the meantime, Alpha, may Dean be released into the academy, so he may continue with his studies?”
“No, he may not. He will remain inside his cell for the protection of everyone both inside these walls, and out.” I opened my mouth to argue, and then snapped it shut as Draeven continued. “However, I will permit him to si
t his exams. But do not presume this means he will be afforded leniency when he stands trial.”
It was a better concession than I’d expected. At least once I got Dean out of this – and I wasn’t prepared to contemplate the alternative – he wouldn’t be forced to retake this year. Because I had a feeling next year was going to be bad enough for him, without being forced to go through it surrounded by people he didn’t know.
“How about visitors?” I pressed – because I had a rare talent for pushing my luck. “To help with his studies. Since the cage is just for security, not for punishment, because he can’t be punished before he’s found guilty.”
“What happened to the meek Bitten girl I met a little under two years ago?”
“She saved the academy. Twice.”
“And it went to her head.” But at least he looked amused now, so I kept my mouth shut. “Very well. He may have visitors for an hour a day to assist with his studies. He will not leave his cell, is that clear?”
“Yes, Alpha Draeven,” I said. Because even I knew when I’d pushed my luck as far as I could. And it really would suck if he killed me before the trial.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The next couple of months rolled passed in a blur. Apparently, the alpha pack had their hands full restoring order and tracking down the shifters who’d been involved in the Dragondale attack, who’d fled once their leader had been killed. Dean’s trial wouldn’t be held until all the alphas could attend, which meant I had more time to prepare. I was going to need it. Meanwhile, my magic lessons with Underwood continued – though not in the dungeon. Not that there was any need to hide it anymore. My secret was well and truly blown after Dean’s Beta had been hauled away by the enforcers, screaming and shouting about the cur bitch who had druid magic. Shaun and Blake hadn’t exactly been thrilled, but at least it meant my lessons got an accommodation upgrade.
The dungeons remained off-limits to everyone, except during Dean’s daily visitation slots, invariably supervised by Caleb or one of his equally stoic enforcer buddies. I made a point of visiting him every day, usually with Cam and Mei. Leo even occasionally came with us. But we were the only ones. No-one else wanted to risk associating with the cur under suspicion of attempting to usurp the Alpha of Alphas. Not even Madison. After the first few weeks, Dean stopped asking me when she was coming. She avoided me completely, and I was glad. I didn’t think I had it in me to forgive her for breaking his heart a second time.
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