Page 63 of Seas the Reckoning

“And me?” I ask the witch, trying to sound hopeful but nervous.

“That’s entirely up to you. I told you I want you to stay. You can either choose a man my father generously introduced you to, if he’ll have you, or you can remain with me. As we discussed, it will all depend on your agreement to use your gifts for the good of my family.”

Even if the guards don’t know about the curse, Starla’s confident they’ve been instructed to keep her father informed, and this will further show that she’s doing what he’s hoped.

Keeping her friend here through force and, in doing so, managing a powerful siren asset.

We’ll have to be careful. We can’t afford to trip at the finish line.

There’s another thing I don’t mention to Starla just yet, with emotions raw and anyone able to overhear. Grammy indicated there would be a chance for Starla to confront her dad. The seer doesn’t miss. That means we’ll be coming face to face with the councilman again, even if we escape today without catching his notice, and I’d wager it won’t be pretty when we do.

When the time does come, I’ll make sure Starla isn’t forced to stand alone. The rest of us will be there at her side, for whatever she needs.

When we descend for breakfast, the councilman looks less than refined. He has circles under his eyes that he hasn’t bothered having someone magic away. The downturn of one side of his lips puts his displeasure on display for the room.

He may have secured his daughter, but he still doesn’t know who set his garden on fire.

Good. I hope he agonizes over the possibilities.

There’s a banquet table set up for food, and by the way others are swiveling their heads left and right, it’s apparent I’m not the only one to notice that there are some missing guests who should be staying at the manor.

“Some of this can be blamed on visitors who aren’t staying here. The day after a late ball at these types of things always sees some people skipping breakfast,” Starla whispers to me. “But it’s still sparse compared to the usual.”

She’s fidgeting with her silverware.

If he has fewer guests to entertain, that gives him more time to focus on Starla and Piers. You need to get her out of here.

Let it exist, let it flow. Let it exist, let it go.

The sausages. The fluffy scrambled eggs. The sharp orange juice. The bitter coffee. The crispy toast. Several things I can smell at the table.

I take a seat, mentally naming things I can taste as I center myself.

“Piers isn’t here yet,” Starla whispers.

Surely he didn’t say no? All these men let themselves be pushed into Starla’s path because they wanted something from the councilman, I’ve no doubt.

I take a bite of toast, but it’s like ash in my mouth. I miss Jackal. Just having him at my side would lift my mood considerably.

Feral makes his way into the dining hall after most of us have begun eating, yawning wide and stretching his arms. Even for breakfast, he’s in a full suit. But he’s far from the only one.

“Many thanks for the hospitality, Councilman.” He reaches out and thumps Starla’s dad on the back. I gasp, and the councilman glares like he could splinter the Founder with merely a look.

But he still responds, though through gritted teeth.

“A pleasure. How did you find your rooms? I hope last night’s events did not interfere with your sleep overly much.”

Feral smiles, ignoring how uncomfortable the councilman obviously is.

“Not at all. Huge spectacle, of course, but at least we can say it hasn’t been boring! I’ll give you some time to figure out what happened, of course, before setting up our meeting. Can’t very well work with someone whose security isn’t tight, but I do appreciate the generosity in including me, again.”

A muscle twitches in Councilman Taylor’s neck.

“I do hope you don’t get dragged into the accusations. That would be most unfortunate.”

Feral smiles wider in the face of the obvious threat.

“Impossible. I showed up with nothing more than an overnight bag. A bit presumptuous, I’ll admit, but it did work out that way. Not to mention, I was near the center of the ballroom, dancing with an enchanting young elf, when everything occurred.”