Bounty

by K. N. Banet

  “Put it to a vote,” the female werewolf said, sighing. “Let’s see how this plays out.”

  Callahan stood and looked at the two parties who had yet to say anything. “Do you need more time to deliberate?”

  “No,” Alvina said, looking at Oisin when it came to him.

  “No.”

  “Vampires?” Callahan turned to the last party. Both shook their heads, indicating they were ready to vote. Callahan cleared his throat. “We’ll start off with the big problem. Raphael brought the pressing matter of joining the Tribunal before us. Raphael, do you understand that none of your species will ever hold a seat on the Tribunal?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good. All in favor of the species of Raphael Alvarez being subject of Tribunal Law?”

  Hasan, the witches, Alvina, and one vampire raised their hands. Corissa and Callahan voted last, also agreeing.

  “So, we have it. Come tomorrow night, we’ll sit down with you and discuss individual Laws governing your kind. Do we grant protection under the Endangered Species Law?”

  The same hands raised, giving Raphael the protection I wanted him to have but couldn’t safely give him.

  “Hasan, you had conditions. If they’re agreeable, we’ll hear them and pass judgment.”

  “Raphael Alvarez, uneducated in the supernatural world. You will stay with Executioner Sahni or Investigator Cassius for a period of one year. You may move back and forth between them, but they will be in charge of you for one year, and anything you do will go back on them. Mister Alvarez, is that agreeable?”

  “Yes sir,” Raphael said strongly, looking back at Cassius and me. “I can handle that.”

  Hell, that was the best condition I’d ever heard. I was more than agreeable, nodding down to him. Cassius was also quietly nodding, giving his consent.

  “In addition, Investigator Cassius and Executioner Kaliya, you will be point on the investigation into the identity of Raphael’s species. There’s no such thing as something coming out of nothing. Even the oldest supernatural species have their origins, whether it be curses, other worlds, or hidden abilities in magics. Everyone comes from something, which means Raphael must. You will find out. You will have a yearly review until the truth is found.” Hasan looked at us evenly.

  “Agreed,” I called out.

  “Agreed,” Cassius repeated.

  “Wait. Sahni is an Executioner. She cannot formally participate in an investigation,” Oisin said sharply. “You know that.”

  “Fine.” Hasan seemed annoyed at that. “Cassius, you will be point on the investigation and Kaliya, you shall be the Executioner we all know will be involved, anyway. Don’t break any rules while you’re at it.”

  “Yes, sir,” I said, smirking.

  “Hasan—”

  “They’ve agreed,” the werecat growled.

  “Then I wish to add my own conditions that Raphael submit himself to Mygi—”

  “You’re lucky none of them have pressed charges against Mygi,” Alvina pointed out. “Don’t push your luck, brother..”

  Oisin sat back in his chair, looking incredibly displeased, but I knew we had it. Raphael was coming home with me, and there was nothing on this earth that could take him away from me now.

  Wait. No. There’s nothing to take away his freedom. He’s not mine.

  “As for Mygi…” Callahan turned to the CEO. “You do realize the only reason you’re walking away from this relatively unscathed is because of your reputation prior to this incident, correct? Even if you weren’t breaking the Law, what you’ve done is to be frowned upon. Don’t presume to be protected in this Chamber again, Ardghal.”

  “He does good work for our people,” Isaiah said softly. “This is a regrettable situation, but we must allow him to redeem himself.”

  “Of course,” the male witch said, waving a hand. “But dispensation like this shall only be given once, or I’ll personally move to have Mygi hand over their research to a different company and let them continue the good work. This entire situation has not only been regrettable but embarrassing. And our own Executioner and Investigator had to bring it to light for us. Mygi had ten years to tell us they found an unknown supernatural species and didn’t. You’ll notice, he hasn’t even offered to help the new investigation.” The witch smiled. “Don’t think we’ll forget that, Lord Ardghal.”

  “Of course, sir,” Ardghal said, his face not quite blank enough to cover his rage and disgust at having to answer to anyone but Oisin.

  “You’re dismissed,” Hasan said with a growl at the end. “You better hope I hear no stories of werecats in your labs, Ardghal, like the ones I’m certain Raphael will tell us about his time there.”

  “Of course, sir.” Ardghal moved fast, and I couldn’t blame him. It was one thing to embarrass yourself, another to piss off a few of the Tribunal members. Both were easy to do. Having witches and werecats looking for a reason to kill you was a good reason to be scared.

  Callahan looked down at Raphael and continued the topic at hand.

  “And so, the Tribunal has passed judgment. Raphael, your species will submit to the rule of the Tribunal and be granted all protections under the Tribunal. You will also be added to the Endangered Species Law, denoting your right to defend yourself and others of your kind. This Law includes mates and children. This can all be discussed tomorrow night while we document everything you can tell us about what you are and what you can do for the Tribunal Archives. You will spend one year under the supervision and tutelage of Executioner Kaliya and Investigator Cassius. It would be a wise choice to take that seriously, as they have gone above and beyond to help you. They will continue helping by trying to find more information about what you are, so work closely with them as you might find the answers you need. You are dismissed for the evening.”

  I raced down the stairs, grabbed Raphael’s arm, and pulled him out of the Chambers, Cassius following us, ignoring calls from his uncle and aunt. Once we were out of the Chambers, I grinned.

  “We fucking did it! Raphael, welcome to the supernatural world.” I laughed, the feeling of victory making me giddy.

  “Thank you. Thank you for everything, Kaliya,” he said softly, leaning against the wall.

  “Any time,” I promised.

  32

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  “Let’s find something to eat,” Cassius said, gesturing to the kitchen. “We can discuss tomorrow over—”

  “Cassius,” someone purred. “I’m so glad to see you’re okay.”

  I turned to see a beautiful fae standing down the hall. She had silky silver hair and large moon grey eyes.

  “Love,” Cassius gasped. “What are you doing here?”

  “I got tired of waiting for you to send word,” she explained as Cassius walked to her and wrapped his arms around her. It seemed terribly intimate. “Now, are you going to introduce me to the famous Kaliya Sahni and this human you’ve helped save?”

  “Well, he’s now Raphael Alvarez, leader of his supernatural species.”

  “King of one,” Raphael joked. “You are?”

  I knew.

  “Lady Sorcha. It’s an honor to finally meet you.”

  Cassius hadn’t told me he was marrying the fae Lady that defied the world and learned to work iron in ways none of the others could. It was said she was immune to it, even though it was toxic to the fae species.

  “And you,” she said, smiling. “We have much to talk about.”

  “We do,” Cassius mumbled. When Sorcha and I looked at him, he realized his fiancée meant we were going to talk about him. “Oh, no. Raphael, let’s go get a drink.”

  “Yeah…” Raphael looked between Sorcha and me, realizing two very dangerous women were about to become friends.

  “I love when men realize we’re the dominant sex,” Sorcha said with a sly smile. “Cassius knew before I met him. I was pleasantly surprised.” She looked at me expectantly.

  “You’re welcome. You came at the perfect t
ime, actually. Cassius is going to have to make Phoenix his permanent home.” I didn’t know this woman except by reputation, but after the week I’d had, I was willing to go with anything. Friends seemed like a good idea.

  “One of you will have to explain this…”

  We talked as we walked down the hall. We found the guys drinking in Cassius’s office already, and Leith was running around with Terry, trying to prepare food.

  I watched Raphael most of the night, more at ease than I had ever seen him. Even though just twenty-four hours ago we’d been fighting for our lives, I felt good.

  There were still a lot of questions I had to answer—about him, about my reaction to him—but at least I now had some time to get those answers.

  When someone lifted a glass in Carter’s name, I lifted mine as well.

  Hopefully, no one else is going to have to die before I have them.

  I sat up straight.

  “The USB,” I said quickly. “Where is it?”

  “Hold on.” Cassius went to his desk and pulled it out of the top drawer. He brought over a laptop as well. “Get to it. I was hoping you would forget about it for a night, but oh well.”

  I turned everything on and plugged in the USB. I tried to open a file and growled as the laptop blue screened.

  “Well, Sinclair got the last laugh, it seems,” I sighed, turning the laptop. “It was a virus.”

  “Ah, well. We had suspicions he didn’t know anything,” Cassius said sadly.

  “Yeah…Well, there’s always next time,” I mumbled, closing the laptop. I looked up and met his eyes, something unspeakable passing between us.

  Carter was gone, and he was gone in vain.

  But tomorrow was another day and now Cassius and I had a new mystery on our hands. We had no answers and it didn’t seem like Mygi Pharmaceuticals was going to help. Looking at Raphael, a rush of fear ran through me. He was both my possible mate and a new supernatural species that needed my help.

  I had to do better. I had to work harder. I had to be the best.

  I sipped my drink as I stared at Raphael, promising myself that I wouldn’t rest until I uncovered the truth.

  For both of us.

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for reading!

  If you find yourself asking “but there were no answers to any of my questions in the book”, then you are exactly where I want you. The lack of answers? That is intentional. Kaliya Sahni is going to be a 6 book series and the answers will come… eventually. First, I need to ask you more questions and send you deeper into the rabbit hole. I hope you’re ready for probably one of my most flawed main characters ever and the mysteries that surround her and Raphael.

  Reviews are always welcome, whether you loved or hated the book. Please consider taking a few moments to leave one and know I appreciate every second of your time and I’m thankful.

  And if I still have you…

  You can come join me in being a little bit crazy in The Banet Pride, my facebook reader’s group. I have deleted scenes and chapters from different points of view posted for free!

  About the Author

  KristenBanetAuthor.com

  Kristen Banet (Also K.N. Banet) loves to read books that make people cry. She likes to write books that make people cry (and she wants to hear about it). She’s a firm believer that nothing and no one in this world is perfect, and she enjoys exploring those imperfections—trying to make the characters seem real on the page and not just in her head. Worlds of action, adventure, trying times, and true love are the things that get her writing.

  She might be crazy, though. Her characters think so, but this can’t be confirmed. You might want to try asking her husband, two dogs, and cat.

  You can join her in being a little bit crazy in The Banet Pride, her facebook reader’s group.

  Also by K.N. Banet

  The Tribunal Archives

  Urban Fantasy

  Jacky Leon

  Oath Sworn

  Family and Honor

  Broken Loyalty

  Kaliya Sahni

  Bounty

  Also by Kristen Banet

  Reverse Harem

  Epic Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance

  Age of the Andinna

  The Gladiator’s Downfall

  The Mercenary’s Bounty

  The Warrior’s Assault

  The Rebel’s Vision

  The Enemy’s Triumph

  Witch of the Wild West

  Bounty Hunters and Black Magic

  Werewolves and Wranglers

  Complete Series

  The Redemption Saga

  A Life of Shadows

  A Heart of Shame

  A Nature of Conflict

  An Echo of Darkness

  A Night of Redemption

  Wild Junction

  The Kingson Pride Series

  Wild Pride

  Wild Fire

  Wild Souls

  Wild Love

  The Wolves of Wild Junction Duet

  Prey to the Heart

  Heart of the Pack