“I want those chefs and guards in the council chambers immediately,” Zohn hissed.
Mark disappeared.
Kyle turned finally with a simple cheese sandwich and sighed when he saw Emily waiting for a lashing.
Chevalier gently took her hands and slipped her t-shirt back on before turning her around, “I told you. You aren’t going to be punished, even for taking food.”
“Eat this, Em,” Kyle said, holding out the plate.
She looked down at the sandwich, and then into Kyle’s eyes.
“It’s ok, take it.”
As quickly as she could, she grabbed the sandwich and then spun and crouched down in the corner to eat. Chevalier watched her protect her food and began to grow infuriated.
When she was finished, she hid the plate under the counter and then turned slowly and looked up at them, still crouched low.
Chevalier smiled and put his hand out, forcing himself to be pleasant, “Ready to go back upstairs?”
Emily stood slowly and looked at him.
“Oh, these are yours,” Zohn said, holding out the Elder and Chief Enforcer pins.
Her eyes grew wide and she took them and cradled them gently in her hand before stowing them away in her top pocket. She turned to Zohn and moved the hair away from her neck as she tilted her head back.
“No, you don’t need to pay me for those,” he said as his teeth ached at the thought of feeding from her.
Chevalier took Emily’s hand and gently led her to the door. Her eyes grew wide and she planted her feet and pulled away from him.
He smiled slightly, “You can’t stay in the kitchen.”
Zohn chuckled when Chevalier picked her up and blurred her to the bedroom. He set her down and she knelt in the corner of the room and began to dig through a pile of blankets.
“They are waiting for you in the council chambers,” Silas said from the doorway.
“Em, I’ll be back in a few minutes, ok?” Chevalier said as she continued to dig through blankets.
She didn’t reply, so he turned and left, shutting the door behind him.
“Kralen got ahold of one of the cooks,” Silas told the Elder with a slight smile. “He’s alive, but he’s not talking yet.”
Chevalier didn’t say anything, but headed to the fourth-floor where he went around to the back and took his seat with the Council. He looked over at the Faction Liaison Officer and Quinn turned to him.
“I’ve already had it out with the Council over the pins,” Quinn assured him.
“It won’t happen again, Elder,” the Liaison Officer said.
Chevalier nodded and then turned to the trial area where four cooks and four City Guards were waiting with Mark, Silas, and Kralen. One of the cooks was recovering from a violent beating and was only barely able to stand.
“Sorry, Elder,” Kralen said when Chevalier watched the cook heal. It was obvious that Kralen was anything but sorry about the abuse.
Kyle stood up from his seat, “You are all in here because Elder Chevalier and I left, knowing that Emily would be fully taken care of in our absence. We return to find that she’s not been fed in four days. How do you even justify that!?”
“We waited for an order from her guards!” the head chef said. “We waited… worked our hours, but no orders came.”
“We didn’t know we had to order food,” the highest ranking guard said. “We just figured the chefs would feed her when she was hungry.”
“How old are you?” Quinn asked the guard.
“I’m 192, Sir.”
“Do you remember being mortal at all?”
“Yes, Elder.”
“Did you ever eat as a mortal?”
“Sir?”
“I’m sure you did. Did you ever go 4 days without eating!?”
The guard looked down at the ground and whispered, “No, Elder.”
“How did no one notice that she hadn’t eaten?” Chevalier yelled as he stood up and glared at those in the trial area. “You watch her for four days and never notice she’s not eating?”
“We were waiting for food to be brought up,” the guard said, now desperate to save his life.
“Did it ever cross your mind to ask about it?”
“No, Elder. We figured the chefs knew the lady well enough to know when she needed to eat.”
“And you!” Chevalier yelled, turning to the chefs. “At what point do you realize you haven’t cooked in four days!?”
“We were just waiting for an order, Elder. We always deliver what is ordered,” he whispered with his eyes lowered in respect.
Chevalier sat down and looked at Zohn, “We cannot teach common sense, nor can we tolerate the lack of it.”
“Agreed,” Zohn said, glaring at the eight heku.
“You’re all fired,” Quinn told them. “Return to your covens without honors.”
They all bowed slightly and left. Mark turned back to the Council when Derrick shut the doors.
“Why can we not get heku to think?” Quinn sighed.
Silas glanced at Mark and then turned to the Council, “We had an idea, about how to alleviate this in the future.”
“Go ahead,” Chevalier said.
“It sounds bad, but we talked it through and it turned out not to be a bad idea,” Mark said.
“Now I’m intrigued,” Quinn told him.
“We wonder if we need to hire a type of care-giver for Emily… I hate to say the word, but almost a Nanny,” Silas said. “Someone who knows her and her needs, understands her ways, and never gets called away on a mission.”
Chevalier frowned, “You’re suggesting I get a Nanny for my wife?”
“We told you it sounds bad at first, but see if it grows on you.”
“I’ll consider it.”
“It does sound like a good idea though,” Kyle said, frowning slightly. “The problem would be finding someone she could learn to trust. That could take years.”
“I should have left at least one member of the Cavalry with her,” Zohn whispered, watching his hands.
“It’s not your fault,” Quinn said. “You didn’t realize she wasn’t being fed either. Damnit, if she’d just talk.”
“Talk… nod… write…” Chevalier sighed.
Mark glanced at the door and then turned to Chevalier, “Emily’s standing in her doorway again.”
He nodded and stood up, “I’ll go see if I can figure out what she wants.”
“I’ll go too,” Kyle said, and motioned for the Cavalry members in the trial area to go also.
They walked up together and saw Horace and three members of the Cavalry standing around Emily. She was in her doorway looking out at them nervously.
“What’s wrong?” Chevalier asked as the Cavalry moved aside.
Emily looked at him.
Kyle studied her and then cleared his throat, “You have to give us more of a hint than that.”
She swallowed hard and then held out her hand. Cupped in it were the Elder and Chief Enforcer’s rank pin.
Chevalier looked at them and then to her other hand when she opened it, revealing the other pins she’d gathered; 2 Elder pins, a Cavalry General pin, and 2 Cavalry Captain pins.
“We don’t understand,” Kyle said to her. Emily held her hands out further.
“Maybe she’s giving them back?” Horace suggested. The instant he said it, Emily shut her hands and drew her fists against her chest as she watched him.
Kyle smiled at him, “It’s ok.”
Chevalier looked at her, “We’re trying to understand what you want. Can you just write it down?”
Emily held the pins out again, two in one hand, and the rest in the other.
“Let’s see…” Kralen whispered, and walked up to Emily. He reached out and picked up his own rank pin, surprised Emily allowed it, and then put it in her other hand with Chevalier and Kyle’s pins.
She frowned and returned it to the previous hand.
“So they’re grouped,” Mark suggeste
d.
“Well,” Kyle said, looking at them. “Ours are Titanium and yours are Platinum?”
“That’s preference though,” Chevalier said. “I don’t know how she can group us by that.”
“Ours have the Island Coven symbol,” Kyle said. Emily’s eyes grew wide and she pushed her hand toward Kyle, “Is that it then? Something about Island Coven?”
“That would have been much easier to just tell us,” Chevalier told her. The frustration was obvious in his voice.
“Do you want to go to Island Coven?” Silas asked her.
She didn’t respond, but slowly headed up the stairs.
“Guess we’re going to Island Coven,” Chevalier said, following her.
“Want me to get her pilot?” Kralen asked.
“Might as well. Not sure how long we’ll be…” Chevalier paused when Emily turned and held out the rank pins belonging to those not from Island Coven.
“You want us to go too?” Mark asked.
She turned and walked up the stairs again.
“Zohn and Quinn can’t go though,” Chevalier told her. “They have to stay here.”
Emily didn’t turn, but stopped and looked at the door leading up to the helipads on the roof. She glanced at Chevalier and then turned back to the door.
Kralen walked up and opened the door slowly, checked the area, and then let the rest of them through. Emily stepped out and looked around the roof at Equites 1 and Equites 2.
“Oh, Winchester 1 is in the hanger,” Silas told her.
Without a word, Emily walked up to Equites 2 and got inside when Kralen opened the door. He started flight checks while everyone got settled.
“Don’t suppose you’ll just tell us why we’re going to Island Coven?” Chevalier asked her.
She didn’t respond, but looked out the window.
“I would think she just wanted to visit, but why drag all of us along?” Silas asked.
Just after take-off, Emily returned the pins to the top front pocket of her overalls and sat back in her chair. The heku stayed quiet, silently wondering what they were headed to Island Coven for. Just before landing, Kralen called out the ETA and then gently set the helicopter down on the roof of the Castle.
Island Coven Guards, with Storm in the lead, lined up to greet them.
“Elder,” Storm said with a slight bow. “We apologize. We didn’t know you were coming.”
“Neither did we, actually,” he said. Emily walked forward and looked at the doors.
“Good to have you back, Lady Emily,” Storm said, smiling.
The Island Guard next to the door opened it slowly as he watched Emily. She hesitated and then finally took Chevalier’s arm as he led her inside.
Kyle and Storm immediately headed off for a briefing, while Chevalier led Emily down to her room. She sat down on the bed and looked at the heku.
“Now what?” Chevalier asked her.
“Do you want me to get Gordon?” Mark asked.
Chevalier nodded, but just watched Emily.
Silas made a quick trip around the bedroom and then returned to the Elder when he was sure the room was secure.
“We need to know if there’s a problem, or if you’re just on vacation,” Chevalier said.
She got up and went to the large wardrobe. After digging around in the bottom for a few minutes, she pulled out a tiny blue onesie and handed it to Chevalier.
“She wants a baby?” Silas asked, confused.
“No, this was Allen’s. Do you want to see Allen?” Chevalier asked.
Emily sat down on the bed, giving no further indication about what she wanted.
Chevalier nodded to Silas and he disappeared as Chevalier sat down on the bed beside Emily, “Em, why aren’t you talking? That has to be frustrating to need to tell us something and not to.”
She took his hand and he noticed she was shaking.
“Tell me what’s wrong,” he whispered.
They both looked up when Allen appeared in their door with Miri. Mark and Silas were behind them and he hesitated before stepping into the room.
“It’s good to see you, Mom,” he said softly.
Miri smiled, “Yes, Lady Emily. It’s so nice to have you here.”
Emily stood slowly and timidly reached a hand out for Miri. Miri gently took her hand and let Emily lead her across the room. Once by the far window, Emily let go of Miri’s hand and walked over to look at Allen.
“What’s wrong, Mom?”
“Am I supposed to stay over here?” Miri asked.
Chevalier nodded to her and then turned back to Emily, “Allen’s here now. What do you want to do?”
They all watched as she silently looked at Allen.
He shifted nervously, “Why are you just staring at me? Did I do something wrong?”
Emily walked forward slowly and reached out, ready to run at any moment, and removed his Island Coven Guard insignia from his collar. Once she had it, she stepped back and threw it into the fire.
“Mom!” Allen gasped.
“Emily,” Chevalier said in shock. “Why did you do that?”
“What did I do to deserve that?”
“That’s it,” Chevalier told her. “Either tell us what’s going on, or we reinstate Allen and head back to the palace.”
Kralen appeared beside Mark and Silas and watched the silent standoff.
Seeing Kralen, Emily skirted around Allen carefully, got behind Kralen, and pushed him into the room until he was standing directly behind Allen. She then returned to stand beside Chevalier.
“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do,” Kralen told her.
Allen looked back at him and shrugged.
“Just tell us,” Chevalier said.
Obviously irritated that they weren’t helping her, Emily again moved around Allen and went to Kralen’s back. His eyes grew wide when she dug in the back pocket of his pants.
“What the hell!?” he gasped, and started to step away, but she held onto his belt.
“Just stay there,” Chevalier sighed.
Emily pulled the handcuffs out of his back pocket, kept there to be electrified later, and handed them to him. She then walked over to stand by the bed.
Kralen thought for a moment and then looked up at her, “Am I supposed to take Allen into custody?”
She watched him silently.
“Em, he can’t arrest Allen. He hasn’t done anything wrong,” Chevalier said to her.
Emily angrily stomped her foot and crossed her arms as she watched Allen.
“No,” Chevalier said, standing up. “We aren’t arresting him!”
Kyle appeared suddenly and put his hand on Chevalier’s arm, “Calm, Elder.”
“No, I won’t calm down! She wants us to arrest my son and won’t say why. This is enough! No more guessing what you want,” he said to her. “If you want something, then you damned well better say it or it’s not going to happen.”
Emily walked up to Kyle and quickly sunk her hands into his front pockets.
“Hey! Stop it!” Kyle gasped, stepping backwards. When he looked down, he saw she had the Chief Enforcer’s dagger. “Give me that.”
She looked over at Allen and then held the dagger out for Kyle.
“I’m not banishing him either.”
Emily frowned and when Kyle reached out for the dagger, she quickly cut the palm of his hand.
“Ouch, damnit,” Kyle growled, and grabbed the dagger. “I’m not banishing Allen.”
She didn’t reply, but just watched Allen, ignoring Kyle.
“Say something!” Chevalier yelled.
“Come on, Elder,” Kyle said, ushering him toward the door.
Allen looked at his Dad, “Do I go?”
“Yes, go enjoy life until she decides to tell us what in the hell she wants.”
Allen followed Chevalier out the door, followed shortly by Miri. Kralen, Mark, and Silas moved into her room and shut the door behind them.
In one angry move, Emily r
ipped the handcuffs out of Kralen’s hand and threw them at him. He easily caught them, but realized she was aiming for his head.
“Calm down,” Mark calmly said to her. “You have to see how this is frustrating for us. We have no idea what you want.”
Kralen slipped the handcuffs back into his pocket, “We can’t just go around arresting people for no reason, especially an Elder’s son.”
Emily folded her arms and watched the three heku by the door.
Silas shifted nervously, “Don’t ash us. We didn’t do anything wrong.”
She didn’t reply, but glared at them.
Mark looked carefully at her, “Did you want us to leave?”
“You know what? Ash us, I really wish you would,” Kralen growled. “At least then you would make a point without just watching us!”
“Calm down,” Mark hissed at him.
“I agree with the Elder. Enough of this silent shit,” he said, and then stormed out of the room.
Emily didn’t move, but continued to scowl at the two remaining heku.
“Fine, then we’ll leave,” Silas said, opening the door. Mark watched Emily for a few seconds and then turned to leave, followed by Silas. They shut the door after them and a few minutes later heard Emily lock the door.
Mark and Silas took up posts in Emily’s ante-chamber and waited for something to happen. It was only two hours later when Chevalier, Kyle, and Kralen returned.
“She kick you out?” Kyle asked them.
“In a roundabout way,” Mark replied.
“We’ve decided to bring Salazar, Reed, Solax, and Owen here. I can put them in our regular prison without all of Council City knowing what’s going on,” Chevalier said. “Get a detail and bring them here.”
Mark nodded, “I’ll have Horace bring a team over tomorrow.”
“How’s Allen?” Silas asked.
“Confused, like the rest of us,” Kyle said. “He doesn’t understand why Emily first ignored him, and then tried to have him thrown into prison.”
“I suggest we just leave her alone for now,” Chevalier said. “She’s obviously frustrated and angry, and I’m tired of trying to guess what she wants.”
“Do you think she can talk?” Mark asked.
“I honestly don’t know. I tend to think if she could… she would have told us what the hell is going on.”
“But how can someone force another not to talk?”
Eternity of Vengeance (Extended Edition) : Book 7 of the Heku Series Page 69
