Magic Rising (13 page)

I saw Jared rush into the room, and heard a loud crash, right before Seren appeared next to me. I heard Eleanor laughing. The scene sped up, then slowed down until I saw Jared’s lifeless body. Someone cried out, but I wasn’t sure if it came from my memory or someone in the court, and then all sound switched off. Like a silent movie, the scenes continued to unfold. The sick feeling of watching powerlessly as Eleanor jerked Kitty around, breaking her bones… Evan was badly injured… Meg obliterated… It now streamed for all to see and I had to struggle to keep myself from blacking out as my eyes flickered with the strain. I watched Astra’s power clash with ours, as I rose to her challenge, pushing her back. I saw myself holding Eleanor’s heart in my hand. I felt fear all around me everywhere and knew it was both real and remembered.

With a piercing screech like the worst feedback ever, the scene went pitch-black. Magic rushed out of me with a surge and my torso started to flop forwards. Hands caught me right before I tumbled off the chair. I willed myself not to faint as I was manoeuvred into an upright position. When I opened my eyes, and the hands left me, I was met with silence.

Every single eye in the room was fastened on me. Then someone started shouting and more voices joined in, their dissension filling me with confusion. On top of that, I could hear the bitter sound of a woman sobbing.

EIGHT

The noise in the room was deafening. It seemed like everyone had something to say and it all had to be said
at once
. I just concentrated on staying upright on the chair until the clerk reached me, making me stand then propelling me towards the defence table in one smooth movement. My head hurt, with the pain hitting tipping point somewhere in the middle of my forehead. Inexplicably, my limbs ached too and my shoulders burned with the effort of remaining upright. I felt like I needed a shower to get the creepy, icky feeling from my skin, then a nice lie-down in a very dark room.

“Order!” Lisette banged the gavel against the desk, amplifying the hard rap throughout the room. “The prosecution and defence must approach the bench now!”

“What are they doing?” I asked, my hand landing on Steven’s sleeve as he rose.

“That’s what I’m about to find out.”

Etoile and I exchanged worried glances as Steven and Georgia both obeyed the order from the court. Lisette must have cast some kind of silent spell around them because as much as I strained, I couldn’t hear anything. It was like they were enclosed in a bubble.

I leaned towards Etoile, my muscles seemingly back under my control. “Any idea what’s going on?” I asked her.

She gave a quick shake of her head. “I’m not certain, but the judiciary doesn’t look very happy.”

“No shit.”

“Steven played a smart move putting you on the stand.” She cast a glance at them. “They should have done that first and spared us, and
you
, yesterday.”

“They’re coming back.” She straightened up as Steven returned to us, poker-faced. On the other side of the room, Georgia’s countenance was also stony. She slipped from view behind Steven, turning away from us to snap at Alison who shrank away from her, her face half obscured by a wad of tissue.

“What did they have to say?”

“You’ll find out in a moment.” Steven sat, tugging at his shirt sleeves, on which shone twin, polished, silver cufflinks.

“Order!” Lisette commanded again, and this time, the room fell silent as she stood up, her imposing presence daring anyone to continue speaking. “We declare this trial frivolous and meritless,” she told us, her eyes burning furiously as she inspected the room. Once again, she called order at the sudden bustle of noise. “The evidence presented to us both yesterday and today shows undeniably that there is no substantiation against Estrella Mayweather’s assertion that she acted in self-defence, and likewise, no ruling to be issued. We have decided in favour of the defence. Ms. Mayweather,” Lisette looked directly at me and inclined her head, finishing, “you have our apologies. We will not allow any further action to be brought against you with regards to this case.” She turned her attentions to the prosecution desk, her red hair settling over her shoulders. “Ms. Dorling, no action will be taken against you for filing a meritless case.”

Alison Dorling nodded meekly.

“This is outrageous!” Georgia leaped to her feet, causing the judiciary to recoil. Lisette turned to her. Judging by Lisette’s expression, Georgia had just made a very unwise move. “She’s a murderer,” Georgia insisted as she thrust a finger at me. “You can’t let her go. She killed one of the most illustrious members of our society. She’s a menace!”

Lisette contemplated her. “Quiet, Ms. Thomas. The judiciary has pronounced its decision.”

“But…”

“But nothing. If you persist, you will be in contempt of this court and you will not like the consequences.”

Georgia paled. But she sat down quietly. As one, the judiciary stood up and left the room.

I sat rigidly stiff, my hands folded in my lap as their proclamation finally dawned on me. “I’m free,” I whispered, then a little louder to Etoile and Steven. “I’m free? I’m really free!”

“Yes, you are,” announced Steven, a flash of surprise streaking across his face as I threw my arms around him and squeezed him tightly. I wondered how certain he was that his motion would be heard, much less the ultimate outcome.

“Thank you so much,” I told him.

“Any time.” Steven patted my back. “Any time, my dear. Though, preferably… never again. I’m too old for this much excitement.”

“We should get out of here,” Etoile suggested.

I paled. “Why? In case they change their mind?”

“No! This is done with! Although I am surprised they didn’t address Georgia’s meddling.” This she said very quietly so only I could hear. “In any case, we should leave. Our plans for the Summit were interrupted and there isn’t much time left.”

Behind me, I sensed Marc’s approach, recognising his signature long before I laid eyes on him. I stood, turning to greet him. With the exception of yesterday, the last time I’d seen him was on the fateful day for which I’d just been absolved. That day, his magic reentered his body in such a rush that he’d shone brightly and brilliantly. Now, I could no longer see his magic, but I could certainly feel it. It bristled around him with the unmistakable marking of power. It was unsurprising, however, given his parentage.

“It’s finally over,” he said with a sad, little smile on his face. His hair was cut shorter than when we first met, but still sun-bleached blond, although he seemed a little tanner. His eyes didn’t quite match his healthy exterior. Now we stood close together, I saw they looked worn and weathered, and in dire need of sleep. Despite my thrill at being released, my heart still ached for him.

“Yes, it is,” I agreed, careful to keep my voice solemn. We’d recently spoken several times on the phone, but somehow coming face-to-face with him was very different from what I imagined. I felt awkward, maybe even a little ashamed that I never thought of disabling Eleanor in any other way, except permanently. Maybe, if I’d been more in control of my powers then, and less afraid, I might have acted differently. It was a choice I would have to live with for the rest of my life, even though I was now officially pardoned and forgiven. All of my “what ifs” didn’t change a damn thing.

“I missed you,” Marc said as he stepped forward, folding me into his embrace. After a moment, my arms wrapped around him and we held onto each other. I could feel sadness and hope undulating through him, and felt his forgiveness. There was something else too. Contentment, I realised. Marc was content and that was very much a first for him. I was glad he was no longer the troubled, manipulated soul he’d once been. Good things could come from bad. Marc was proof of that. Besides Eleanor only comprised half of his DNA.

“Missed you too.”

“Didn’t think the reunion would be like this.” He stepped back, running a hand through his hair, and leaving it in little peaks as he took a quick look around. Behind him hovered Etoile‘s family, and Kitty was making faces and mouthing something at me from behind Etoile‘s mother. Anders and Daniel were there too, and I gave them a quick wave before Anders pointed at his watch and made a running motion with his fingers. I got it. They had to go somewhere. “Time to move forward now,” Marc said.

“For all of us,” I agreed.

Marc nodded. “I’m going to get some air. I’ll see you at the opening of the Summit.” He gave me another quick hug then melted into the crowd. Part of me was sad to see him ago. Another, smaller part felt somewhat relieved. Would I ever stop feeling guilty in his presence? Perhaps that was my penance?

Daniel took Marc’s space, quickly manoeuvring into the spot before someone else did. “When did you get here?” I asked, quickly hugging him too in case he decided our new familiarity was too awkward for us to embrace. As far as I knew, Daniel was my only living relative, and I aimed to have a familial bond with him. A family was something I’d always wanted my whole life. The jury was still out on whether his father, my uncle, Auberon Morgan, aka head of the The Brotherhood, was still alive or not. Privately, of course, I hoped not. As much as I longed for a family, there were limits on what kind of family I would accept.

“Two days ago, before you got indicted,” he said. “You know, I was hoping to see the sights or go to dinner, maybe see a show, not watch you on trial for murder!”

“I feel like I should apologise,” I said and he gave a mirthful laugh.

“Anders and I were going to bust you out if anything bad went down,” he said in a low whisper and a grin. “We’d have you back to England before they knew what happened.”

I squeezed his hand. “Good to know.”

“Yeah. Look, I got something for you, but I’ll get it to you later. Anders says we have to do some Summit schmoozing.”

“Is it what I think it is?” I asked, anticipation sparking inside me as I recalled the promise he’d made during our last phone call.

Daniel winked. “Tell you later. Love you, cuz. Call me when things have calmed down.” He gave me another hug and left me rooted to the spot. I knew my parents loved me, but it was the first time I could actually recall hearing a family member tell me he loved me. It was gratifying and my heart surged with pleasure and pride at his words.

“This was outrageous!” Laura Winterstorm enveloped me in a thick, suffocating, hug so unlike her oldest daughter’s more reserved nature. “How they ever thought this case held any merit is beyond me.”

“Not now, Mom,” said Seren, tapping her arm. Laura looked around her. The room had thinned out to half its population of a few minutes ago, but there were still plenty of straining ears. Judging by the looks and the snippets of conversation, not everyone was as elated as I at my dismissal and proven innocence.

“Yes, yes, of course,” Laura agreed. “We’ll talk soon, darling Stella. What are your plans?”

“We’re going to my apartment,” interjected Etoile. “Anyone is welcome to join us. We’re leaving now,” she said decisively as she hooked her arm through mine and gave me a little tug, separating us from our small gathering. I didn’t protest. Getting out of here seemed like a good plan to me.

“I’ll see you there,” said Steven, waving us away as someone stepped forward to congratulate him.

We began to walk to the exit, but in all the excitement, I realised I’d left my purse under the desk. Ordinarily, I would have just summoned it to me, but the room still hung heavy with the magic restriction spell. I parted from our crowd to retrieve it, stooping low to grab the straps.

“Ms. Mayweather? Stella?” The voice behind me was timid and faltering. I wheeled around ready to tell whomever wanted a piece of me to get lost. Screw politics. I’d had it now. My friends had been interrogated, my mind probed and displayed for all to see, and all I wanted now was a hug from my absentee boyfriend. Whoever it was could not have picked a worse time to congratulate or accuse me; or whatever it was they wanted.

My sharp retort dried on my mouth. In front of me stood Alison Dorling, her red-rimmed eyes beseeching me to listen.

“May I talk with you? Please? It will only take a moment,” she said.

I glanced over where Etoile waited, her back turned away as she spoke to her parents. Then I looked at Alison. Despite everything, I still felt a lot of sympathy for her. A few minutes of my time was nothing to me, I reasoned, but it might mean a lot to her. Plus, I wanted to know if she had any answers for me. I still hadn’t gotten an adequate explanation of why she accused me… and why now?

I gave her a sharp nod and she indicated the long table where the judiciary was sitting. I followed her there, my fingers clenched around the straps.

“I’m so sorry,” was the first thing she said. She hurried on, “She said you were responsible for Jared’s death. I was so angry and I wanted someone to pay for what happened to him. I wanted to see you punished for what happened and she swore you would be. I was wrong and I really am very, very sorry.”

“I understand why you are upset. Who put you up to this?” I asked, my caution ensuring I kept my voice soft.

“Georgia Thomas,” she said, confirming my suspicions. “She approached me about a month ago. She said she had evidence that would confirm your guilt, but it had to come out in court.”

I frowned. “What kind of evidence?”

“I don’t know. She wouldn’t tell me. The only thing she said was it would come out in testimony. She said the Council wouldn’t care unless I brought the murder charge for Eleanor too and that was the only way to find out the truth about Jared’s…” She looked defeated. “All your friends, however, well, they all said the same thing.”

“They were all telling the truth,” I maintained. “You and the judiciary both saw what happened from my own head!”

“I know that now. I was so upset and determined then that I couldn’t see straight. Jared was my only son. To lose him…” She inhaled sharply and gulped. “I should have known Georgia was just manipulating me. My friend, Beth, warned me about her.”

“Your friend was right. Georgia is out for Georgia. Whatever reason she fabricated to drag you into this was aimed at serving her own interests somehow.” I crossed my arms and waited for Alison to confirm that too.