Richelle Mead- Kincaid Short, City of Demons by Richelle Mead

Author:Richelle Mead
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

“Guys like that are keeping our coffers full.”

“Yup, that and craigslist.”

There was a pause, and then they all burst into laughter.

I sighed.

Eventually, the rest of the jurors showed up. I straightened, figuring we’d get down to business now. Instead, the newcomers simply joined in on the internet conversation, which had now strayed into MySpace and stealing wireless internet.

After about a half hour of this, I took advantage of a momentary lull to ask, “Um…so, are we going to talk about the trial?”

Twelve sets of eyes turned to me. Silence.

I shifted uncomfortably. “I mean. Isn’t that why we’re here? To reach a decision?”

Weak Chin finally spoke. “Already reached mine. Clyde.”

The demoness with magenta lips glared at him. “Starla.”

“Kurtis.”

“Starla.”

They went around the room. Four, four, and four.

“What about you?” asked Magenta Lips.

“Um, well…I don’t know. That’s why I figured we’d be discussing it.”

“Nothing to discuss,” said another demon.

“How can you guys be so—” I stopped myself. “Oh. The bribes. That’s why you’re voting.”

“Of course,” chuckled Peanut Butter. “Why else?”

“I don’t know…to get to the truth.”

They all started laughing again. Even more than when craigslist had been mentioned.

“Darling, you’ve got a lot to learn.”

“What do you expect? Putting a succubus on a jury.”

“Well, yeah, but fuck. That was brilliant. Jerome’s drinking mai tais somewhere while we have to put up with this shit.”

“And a goddamned Marriott too.”

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. A moment later, I opened them.

“Okay,” I said. “Even if you’re voting by bribe, we still have to reach a unanimous decision.”

They considered, and then, the whole room burst into noise. Arguments broke out as everyone tried to convince/bully others into voting their way. It was dizzying. Most of them tried to do it by offering bribes of their own. There was more negotiating than in a game of Monopoly. Some, however, tried to do it by force. As I’d noted earlier, this wasn’t the most powerful group of demons I’d ever seen, but they could compete with each other. As tempers rose, I felt power flare, filling the room like static before a storm.

I shrank back, briefly considered turning invisible, but knew it wouldn’t matter with this group.

Finally, after a few more hours, our deliberation ended for the day. We dispersed, off to do our different things. No decision had been reached.

I left the room, nearly dizzy. Fuck. What had that all been about? We weren’t going to reach a decision any time this millennium. I’d be stuck in Los Angeles forever. Seth would marry Beth and have ten kids. I’d have to move in furniture to the Marriott.

Speaking of Seth, I decided seeing him was exactly what I needed. That calm nature would help soothe my frazzled nerves and forget the day’s insanity.

I’d reached the lobby when I felt someone walking with me.

“How’d it go?”

I glanced over at Kurtis’ laughing face. I sighed. So much for forgetting the insanity.

“Not so well.”

“Hmm. Not surprised. Bribes have been flying fast and furious. What’s the split right now?”

“Four, four, and four.

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