Salvaged by Ann Gimpel

Author:Ann Gimpel [Gimpel, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ann Gimpel Books, LLC

Chapter 12

Blake

What in the goddess’s name was Zottre doing here? I’d all but ordered him to hightail it to a borderworld. Guess he hadn’t cared for my advice. Was he planning to plead his case before the council? Despite what I’d told him, a vote could go either way. Some would be quick to forgive and forget. In their haste to heal the rift, they’d overlook a whole lot.

Don’t move ahead of things, an inner voice hissed.

Aye, best to wait and see what Zottre had in mind before getting carried away with what-ifs. I could have quizzed Kirwan but chose not to.

“What did you tell him?” Kirwan asked as we hurried down dirt-floored corridors.

My ears perked up. “What did he say I told him?” I countered.

“That there was no hope of a reconciliation and for the Cait to leave Earth.”

Mmph. “How’d he enter Underhill?”

“He stopped at a gateway and requested an audience.”

My mouth split in a wry smile. For once, the crafty Cait leader had followed the rules and told the truth. Wise of him in the midst of mages adept at sniffing out lies. It also painted him in a sympathetic light. I didn’t have to be in the council chamber to listen to know he was laying it on thick.

The Cait were sorry. They’d seen the error of their ways and wanted to come home. I ground my teeth so hard they were in danger of cracking and then picked up the pace and shot through the double doors leading into the council chamber. Zottre’s whining tones reached me before I saw him.

I couldn’t smell him, so he’d taken pains to clean up for the occasion. Meant he knew what pigs the Cait had devolved into, and he didn’t care.

He’d taken up a position at the head table. Dead center. Actually, he sat in my spot. The nerve of him. But he was trying to prove a point. I’d made it clear the Sidhe would never fall for his line of crap. He was out to sabotage my leadership.

He might not get very far, but this level of audacity was appalling.

I tamped down fury spilling through me and faced him. “Didn’t expect to see you so soon,” I said, followed by, “Come over here.” I pointed at an empty chair off the one side. The one we used for the odd visitor to our halls.

“I’d prefer to remain where I am.” He offered a smile with lots of teeth and zero sincerity.

“I’m sure that’s true, but you’re in my seat, and I’m about to convene an emergency meeting. You’ve no doubt come to plead your case before the council. Your allotted place to do so is right here.” I patted the back of the seat where I wanted him.

Breanne lumbered next to him. “You heard Elwyn. Move or be moved.”

Zottre’s gaze took in Breanne’s bulk. I could almost see him sharpening his fangs and claws—until she fixed him with a beady stare. I tapped into his mind, a simple proposition since my power trumps his.

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