Read Online Wicked Burn by Rebecca Zanetti - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Rebecca Zanetti
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hands together on the table. “We like to make an entrance.”
Oh yeah. The smooth wall behind the chairs parted, and three people walked through to take seats facing them. Peter Gallagher, Nessa Lansa, and Sal Donny, all members of the Nine, calmly watched him. He’d read extensive dossiers on Peter and Sal, but he’d never met them in person. Nessa had just been appointed to fill a vacancy, and he didn’t know anything about her. The door slid closed.
Simone drew in a sharp breath and stood.
“What?” Nick whispered, also standing.
She shook her head and visibly swallowed.
“Where are the other five members?” Nick asked, his back rigid. Even though Simone obviously couldn’t sit on the council right now, there should still be eight people passing judgment.
Peter sat in the middle at the head council’s position. “This is not common knowledge, but Council members Louise Fronts and Frances Murphy were attacked a fortnight ago with darts filled with planekite. Many darts, and they’re both in comas.” Anger lowered the witch’s voice to a growl. “The outlook is not good.”
Simone shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Peter. Did they catch the attackers?”
“Not yet,” Nessa responded, shoving thick black hair from her face. Her deep blue eyes nearly glowed in the candlelight, and Nick made a mental note to have her investigated. “The Guard is hunting them, and we’re thinking of recalling the Enforcers.”
“After this matter is taken care of,” Peter said, his dark eyes somber.
Simone nodded.
Nick needed to follow up on his people’s search for the manufacturer of planekite, which was the only mineral in existence that could kill a witch. Somebody was after the witches, and he vowed he’d find out who, if the Enforcers didn’t track the bastard down first.
Simone cleared her throat. “Please send my regards to Louise and Frances.”
Nick didn’t like the subtext he wasn’t quite catching. “What about your mother, aunt, and cousin Brenna?” All three women served on the Council, and he’d counted on their votes to free Simone, considering they were her family.
Simone cleared her throat. “If they’ve been excused from this duty, there’s only one reason.”
Oh, he wasn’t going to like this. “What’s the reason?”
Simone’s chin lifted, but she kept her focus on the Council. “The accusers are seeking the death penalty.”
Chapter 7
Simone kept her posture straight and her gaze inscrutable. The underground candlelight danced around, no doubt enhancing her beauty. She had no illusions about her looks and had used them often to her advantage. There were two men sitting in judgment and one woman, and she hoped it would be hard for the men to kill beauty. Punish perhaps, but not end. As for Nessa, she was a complete mystery.
A side door opened from nowhere, and Colman Foley, dressed in a slate-gray suit with red power tie, walked in with stacks of files in his hands. At about five centuries old, Colman had been the Coven prosecutor for several centuries. His hair was black and curly, his eyes a dark brown, his skin a smooth mocha, and he was a genius at building up a case to prove guilt.
He nodded at Simone and set the files next to her. “Here’s everything we were sent and the materials we’ve compiled. For your defense.” Then he took his place behind his table.
Nick leaned down. “This is all so civilized.”
She nodded. “Whoever is out to get me sent the materials to the Coven Nine, which had to investigate. Nobody here wishes me harm, but they’ll all do their jobs. Colman has a duty to follow the evidence.”
Nick drew out his phone and tapped the face. “I can’t get service.”
Simone gave him a look.
“Oh.” He glanced around. His tech guys had created devices that could broadcast from this far underground, and he needed to be more prepared next time. “Okay. Once we’re aboveground, I’ll have dossiers put together on the council members
Oh yeah. The smooth wall behind the chairs parted, and three people walked through to take seats facing them. Peter Gallagher, Nessa Lansa, and Sal Donny, all members of the Nine, calmly watched him. He’d read extensive dossiers on Peter and Sal, but he’d never met them in person. Nessa had just been appointed to fill a vacancy, and he didn’t know anything about her. The door slid closed.
Simone drew in a sharp breath and stood.
“What?” Nick whispered, also standing.
She shook her head and visibly swallowed.
“Where are the other five members?” Nick asked, his back rigid. Even though Simone obviously couldn’t sit on the council right now, there should still be eight people passing judgment.
Peter sat in the middle at the head council’s position. “This is not common knowledge, but Council members Louise Fronts and Frances Murphy were attacked a fortnight ago with darts filled with planekite. Many darts, and they’re both in comas.” Anger lowered the witch’s voice to a growl. “The outlook is not good.”
Simone shook her head. “I’m so sorry, Peter. Did they catch the attackers?”
“Not yet,” Nessa responded, shoving thick black hair from her face. Her deep blue eyes nearly glowed in the candlelight, and Nick made a mental note to have her investigated. “The Guard is hunting them, and we’re thinking of recalling the Enforcers.”
“After this matter is taken care of,” Peter said, his dark eyes somber.
Simone nodded.
Nick needed to follow up on his people’s search for the manufacturer of planekite, which was the only mineral in existence that could kill a witch. Somebody was after the witches, and he vowed he’d find out who, if the Enforcers didn’t track the bastard down first.
Simone cleared her throat. “Please send my regards to Louise and Frances.”
Nick didn’t like the subtext he wasn’t quite catching. “What about your mother, aunt, and cousin Brenna?” All three women served on the Council, and he’d counted on their votes to free Simone, considering they were her family.
Simone cleared her throat. “If they’ve been excused from this duty, there’s only one reason.”
Oh, he wasn’t going to like this. “What’s the reason?”
Simone’s chin lifted, but she kept her focus on the Council. “The accusers are seeking the death penalty.”
Chapter 7
Simone kept her posture straight and her gaze inscrutable. The underground candlelight danced around, no doubt enhancing her beauty. She had no illusions about her looks and had used them often to her advantage. There were two men sitting in judgment and one woman, and she hoped it would be hard for the men to kill beauty. Punish perhaps, but not end. As for Nessa, she was a complete mystery.
A side door opened from nowhere, and Colman Foley, dressed in a slate-gray suit with red power tie, walked in with stacks of files in his hands. At about five centuries old, Colman had been the Coven prosecutor for several centuries. His hair was black and curly, his eyes a dark brown, his skin a smooth mocha, and he was a genius at building up a case to prove guilt.
He nodded at Simone and set the files next to her. “Here’s everything we were sent and the materials we’ve compiled. For your defense.” Then he took his place behind his table.
Nick leaned down. “This is all so civilized.”
She nodded. “Whoever is out to get me sent the materials to the Coven Nine, which had to investigate. Nobody here wishes me harm, but they’ll all do their jobs. Colman has a duty to follow the evidence.”
Nick drew out his phone and tapped the face. “I can’t get service.”
Simone gave him a look.
“Oh.” He glanced around. His tech guys had created devices that could broadcast from this far underground, and he needed to be more prepared next time. “Okay. Once we’re aboveground, I’ll have dossiers put together on the council members
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