Worried chatter filled the room, and the judge banged his gavel until it quieted.
The queen let out a long sigh. “I don’t say this to make you fear the girl. I’m sure she is a sweet girl who has suffered far too much, but it’s important for humans to realize that magical Oricerans aren’t just humans with a few differences in appearance. Our fundamental essence is different, and that should never be forgotten.” Her face twitched as if she were doing her best to hold back a sneer.
Fuck you. I’m not human, and I’ve been doing all right by Alison. Meanwhile, all you assholes have been doing is sending people to kill me. Alison’s mother left you for a reason, and I have a pretty good idea what it was.
You’ll have to take my fucking head off before I let you leave with Alison. I don’t give a shit what the court says or what you do on Oriceran.
Davis gave James a cool look before turning back to the queen. “Is there anything else you want to add, Your Highness?”
She nodded. “Yes. I appreciate Mr. Brownstone’s efforts thus far, and if he truly cares for this girl, he’ll release her into the custody of her people so that we can help her grow to the maximum of her ability rather than being selfish.”
“Thank you, Queen Laena.” The government lawyer turned to the judge. “That’s all I have, Your Honor.”
The judged nodded to James’ lawyer. “Counselor?”
Silverberg stood and clucked his tongue as he made his way over toward the witness stand. “So, because she’s half-Drow, Your Highness, she’s all Drow? Is that what you’re saying?”
“It’s simply that she’s better served with our people, and yes, being part Drow does mean she’s effectively all Drow.”
The lawyer looked at the judge. “That sounds like the one-drop rule to me. Lots of nastiness in American history because of that kind of thinking. The last place I expected to hear it is in an American courtroom in this century. Guess we’re more advanced than Oriceran in ways other than technology.”
Davis slammed a hand on the table. “Objection. Highly inflammatory.”
The judge banged his gavel. “Sustained. Mr. Silverberg, keep your questions and comments contained.”
“Of course. Of course.” The lawyer turned back to the queen. “My point is the girl is half-human. You don’t think humans can raise her?”
Laena snorted. “From what I understand, the human half didn’t want her.”
“James Brownstone does. That’s the beauty of adoption, Your Highness.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Desire is insufficient. Ignoring the fundamental difference between a Drow and a human is idealistic at best, foolish and ignorant at worst. Good intentions don’t always make for a better world.”
“Perhaps. So, before you showed up, there was a lot of time spent establishing how dangerous James Brownstone is.”
She shrugged. “That only suggests more reasons why the girl should be with the Drow.”
“The danger of James Brownstone?”
“Yes.”
Silverberg chuckled. He moved back to his table and grabbed a piece of paper. He handed it to the court clerk, who handed it to the judge.
“I’m entering into evidence a report from the LAPD AET detailing a recent battle with three enhanced threats in the Salton Sea. Specifically, three Drow warriors.
Laena shook her head. “Such arrogance.”
“Do you deny that these Drow attacked James Brownstone and the AET?”
The queen took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “Humans kill a lot of people. Do you ask your king to keep track of them all?”
“This is America, Your Highness. We don’t serve a king. We elect a president.” Silverberg nodded toward his briefcase on his table. “I can show you pictures of the aftermath and some of the helmet footage from the police if you like. These Drow were vicious and powerful, and even after near-defeat, it looked like they planned to take everyone with them—some sort of final self-sacrifice magic that opened a portal to another world.” He sucked in a breath. “Quite frankly, say what you will about James Brownstone, but as best as I can tell, even Davis over there isn’t claiming he’d send a pile of people into another world when they beat him in a fight.”
Laena slapped her hand on the armrest, the sound echoing. “The Drow are strong. I will not apologize for that.” She smirked. “Because humans are weak, I should be saddened? Because your AET can’t handle us?”
“So Drow are strong?”
“Yes.”
“And you have no problem with them hurting others?”
The queen pointed at James. “He hurts others in defense of your human order. If a Drow must cause pain for the strength of our people, who I am to question it any more than you would question James Brownstone or your AET?”
Silverberg leaned forward. “Would you call yourself a warrior race?”
Laena scoffed. “Of course we are. A true warrior race, unlike your pathetic kind.”
He locked eyes with the Drow queen. “Would you say the average Drow is dangerous?”
“Of course we are.” She sniffed. “We are Drow. That should be enough to convince you that that girl belongs with us. You won’t be able to handle her.”
Silverberg looked over his shoulder at Alison and then back at the queen. “Because she’s half-Drow?”
“It’s more than enough to defeat weak humans.”
“Well, James Brownstone already defeated three of your warriors, so it seems to me he can handle one half-Drow girl.”
Laena shot of the seat, her eyes blazing with fury. “How dare you, human? I should burn this courtroom to ashes because of your insolence. You mock the Drow? You mock me?”
The judge banged his gavel. “Order. There will be order.”
The cops present, along with the courtroom police officer, all tensed, their hands lowering toward their weapons.
James frowned and rose, reaching inside his jacket in case he needed to bond with his amulet. The two Drow near the walls exchanged glances and hurried toward the queen.
“Your Highness, please calm down,” one called urgently. Another looked at Yev and the Light Elf next to him, both of whom stood now with frowns on their faces.
The judge continued banging his gavel. “Your Highness, if you do not calm down, I’ll be forced to have you removed.”
The queen snickered, then looked at Yev and the other elf. “Fine, but I’m done with these absurd questions.”
The judge swallowed and nodded. “The witness is dismissed.”
Laena stomped out of the witness stand, glaring at James Brownstone as she strode toward the gallery.
Davis sat at his table, rubbing his temples.
James sat back down and let his hand drop, offering a grateful nod toward the Light Elves. He suspected that, without their presence, the queen would have started killing people.
Alison shook her head. “What a nutjob,” she whispered.
The judge cleared this throat. “We shall take a short recess so everyone’s tempers can calm, and at that point, unless they are any other surprise witnesses, it will be time to hear from Alison Anderson.”
Alison bit her lip and looked at James.
He smiled at her. “Just tell them the truth. The rest will work itself out.”
21
James frowned a few minutes later as Alison was sworn in on the stand, a slight look of panic on her face. He would have preferred it if Laena were absent entirely, but the smirking Drow queen remained in the courtroom.
You lasted, what, five minutes pretending not to be an evil bitch?
Silverberg approached Alison with a smile. “Don’t worry. This will all be over soon enough. Just wanted to ask you a few questions, and then the judge can decide what’s going to happen. All you have to do is answer openly and honestly. Don’t worry about what anyone is thinking or what they expect to hear.”
She nodded. “Okay, I do can that.”
“So, Alison, tell us a little about yourself
.”
“Like what?”
“What kinds of things do you like?”
Alison blushed. “Lots of things.”
“Such as?”
“My friends, and you know…boys.”
James gritted his teeth, annoyed to hear that despite the situation. Scattered laughs came from other people in the courtroom. Maybe it was petty to care about boys hitting on his daughter, but it was those small fatherly thoughts that kept him grounded and in control.
Silverberg nodded slowly. “Boys. Hmm, sounds a lot like any other normal teenager.” He glanced at James. “Do you think James Brownstone understands you?”
Alison laughed. “He does okay. What dad really understands a teenage girl, though?”
More laughter followed.
The lawyer smiled. “What dad, indeed? I’d like to hear a little bit more about your background before you lost your parents. It’s my understanding that you didn’t go to school then.”
“Yeah, that’s true.” The girl sighed.
“Why, Alison?”
Alison took several deep breaths. “Because…I can’t really see. I’m blind.” She ignored the murmurs and kept speaking. “I can see souls and energies of living things and magic, but I can’t see like a normal person, so I’ve always felt like a freak. I didn’t want to go to regular school and have people ask me about it, tease me, or bully me.”
“And what about now? Do you go to school now?”
“Yes, I go to a government magic school in Virginia.” Alison smiled.
The lawyer glanced at the Drow queen with a faint smile on his face. “A government magic school? So there are witches, wizards, and elves there? Those sort of people, teaching you how to use your powers?”
Laena’s frown deepened.
The girl nodded. “It’s a safe place to learn how to use my magic, and there are a diverse group of students there, not just one race. I have great friends there, and I’m not coddled like a spoiled princess. I’ve grown a lot since going there.”
“Sounds like a great environment.” Silverberg glanced at Davis as if waiting for the other lawyer to object, but the man said nothing. “Good, good. So, tell me about James Brownstone.”
She shrugged. “What’s to tell? I love him, and I already consider him my dad, no matter what this court says.”
More than a few audible sighs and sniffles sounded in the room, including from a few Oricerans.
“But the state says he’s a dangerous and vicious man, practically a criminal. Does it scare you to be around a man like that? A dangerous bounty hunter who has been involved in so many dangerous battles?”
Alison shook her head. “No. I’m scared for him sometimes, but never for myself.”
“I see. And how does James Brownstone make you feel?”
She offered the bounty hunter a warm smile. “Safe. I always know that if he’s around, nothing bad will ever happen to me. He won’t let it.”
James smiled back, some of the tension and concern even over the Drow queen fading. They could do this. They could win. All the character assassination and dirty tricks by the government lawyer wouldn’t matter if Alison made her feelings clear to the judge.
Silverberg leaned forward. “I’ve got one final question for you, Alison. Who do you want to be with?”
The girl locked gazes with the queen, letting defiance settle over her face. “Family isn’t about blood. Family is about the people who actually care. James Brownstone is my dad, and he always will be, no matter what anybody says.”
The lawyer looked up at the judge. “That’s all I have, Your Honor.”
The judge looked at Davis. “Counselor?”
The government lawyer shook his head. “I have no questions at this time.”
The judge raised his gavel. “Very well, then. There will be a short recess while I consider all the information and make my decision.” He banged his gavel. “Court is adjourned.”
Alison and the lawyer made their way back over to James’ table.
James let out a long, slow breath. “Did we win?”
The lawyer smiled. “I have a good feeling about this, James, especially after the rant of Her Royal Highness. The way Davis has clammed up as well proves that the jig is up, and he doesn’t want to be seen as using the power of our government to do the bidding of psychotic Oriceran queens who think they are better than humans.”
“Good. I’d hate to have to make a scene.” James grinned.
“She made enough of a scene for the both of you.”
Alison pulled James into an embrace. Shay smiled.
The three sat there chatting quietly about what kinds of places they might want to go to on vacation for ten minutes before the judge returned.
Everyone looked his way, surprised at his quick return.
“Damn it.” Silverberg winced. “That was too quick.”
James frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Too damned quick.” The lawyer scrubbed a hand down his face. “I’m so sorry, James.”
Alison shook her head. “No, it can’t be.”
Shay gritted her teeth.
The court clerk stood. “All rise. Court is in session, the Honorable John Matthews presiding.”
Everyone stood except for Laena. She frowned, her arms crossed.
The judge sat. “Please be seated.” He looked between the two tables. “I’m sure you’re surprised by how quickly I came back, but with all the evidence presented as well as the testimony presented, the decision is easy.” He took a deep breath.
Everyone fell silent, few even daring to breathe as they awaited his decision.
“This court hereby rules that the state’s petition to block the adoption of Alison Anderson by James Brownstone is denied. The adoption will proceed.”
Alison shot out of her chair, gasping.
James blinked several times, unsure he could believe what he was hearing. Half the room cheered while James and Alison embraced.
The queen stood, her lips curled into a sneer, and walked toward James’ table.
“Brownstone,” Laena hissed. “Your name shall be a curse among our people for generations. Drow will spit on the ground at its mere mention.”
The bounty hunter released Alison and turned to face the queen. He wasn’t bonded with his amulet, but he wasn’t about to let her intimidate him.
Several of the police officers stood, their hands on their guns.
James shook his head at them, as did Lieutenant Hall. They’d both seen a Drow in action. It’d be a slaughter if anyone tried something.
Laena stalked forward. “Brownstone, who arranged for some of my strongest warriors to die. Brownstone, who has taken something that isn’t his. Your name vexes me, and here I am expected to abide by the laws of some country of backward barbarians on this backward savage planet? I will not stand for it.”
“Queen Laena,” Yev called from the gallery. “Don’t compound the situation with any unnecessary actions. I’d ask you return to Oriceran.”
The Drow Queen sneered and didn’t even look his way. “Fine. For now, I’ll recognize the authority of the barbarian court. She extended her hand and smiled. “They say on Earth that you can tell a lot about a man by his handshake. Let’s see what I can tell about you, James Brownstone.”
James shrugged and extended his hand. “Glad to see you can be reasonable. I promise you I’ll take good care of her.”
She grabbed his hand, and a pulse of black surrounded her hand.
A wave of nausea and pain shot into James, and he fell to his knees, the room spinning around him.
Laena laughed. “Impressive. Even that mild death touch would have killed the average human.”
“On the ground,” shouted Sergeant Mack, his gun out. “You’re under arrest.”
The cops all slowly advanced on the queen. Her two guards sprang to her side, shadow blades forming in their hands and a black nimbus surrounding them.
James groaned and pushed to his
feet, feeling weak. Shay and Alison rushed over to catch him before he fell to the ground again. Shay pulled on of James’ healing potion out of her pocket and uncorked it.
“Open up,” she commanded. “Glad I thought to bring this, just in case.”
Alison eyed Laena as the Drow queen watched James, disgust in her eyes.
The bounty hunter managed to open his mouth, and Shay emptied the potion into it.
“I’m tired of being humiliated by humans,” Laena shouted. “You will all die before my power. Your blood will be the payment for your arrogance.” She raised her hand and blasted a small black orb toward James.
Alison jumped in front of it, and the queen’s eyes widened as the girl carved through the black orb with a hand enveloped in purple energy. Laena fired another blast, and Alison slashed through it again, dissipating it to nothingness.
James shook his head, trying to concentrate. The pain and nausea were starting to fade.
A complex melody rang out, and a column of translucent white energy surrounded the Drow. Yev and the elf beside him advanced toward the Dark Elves, frowns on their faces.
“Do you wish war, Laena?” Yev shouted. “You will stop this madness.”
“You dare speak to me that way?” The queen sneered. “You think you can hold me, Light Elf? I’ll destroy any who stand in the way of the Drow.”
The elf standing beside Yev shook his head. “We know we can’t hold you for long, but we don’t have to.”
A few quick motions of their hands accompanied another melody. A bright portal winked into existence right behind them, and the column disappeared in a bright flash, the Drow yelling as they tumbled into the portal.
Laena managed to get in one last glare at James before the portal winked out of existence, leaving a room full of angry police and confused onlookers.
The Unbelievable Mr Brownstone Omnibus Page 56
