“Hasan,” someone said, looking down at him. “Are you okay?”
“Executioner Kaliya,” he called out, waving me to come back to the floor. “I’m going to assume he knows about that portion of the Laws because of you.”
I jumped up to my feet and nodded but didn’t move down to the floor.
“Yes, sir. I felt he deserved every chance to live among other supernaturals that we have granted to each other. Because he’s alone, the decisions are alone his to make.”
“He’s a danger!” Ardghal screamed. “To himself, to us.”
“As I said earlier,” I roared over him. “We’re all a danger to each other and to ourselves. There’s no reason he should be denied the chance, and if that means he must represent himself in the eyes of the Tribunal, then that’s what it takes. You don’t make choices for any species except your own, Clan Leader Ardghal. You are not the Fae King or a member of the Tribunal! That would be your brother, and I certainly hope you aren’t using your familial relationship to him to sway this in your favor.”
“And you are just the last pathetic remnant of a dying race. I’m not sure why anyone finds you relevant to this conversation,” he snapped back.
“ORDER!” Isaiah screamed. He always had the piercing, angry way of bringing the room back to attention. “Both of you will sit down.”
“I think we can make a ruling right now,” the male witch said, a smile on his face. “I think it’s fairly clear what we should do.”
“Agreed,” the female witch said airily.
“I’ve made mine,” Hasan added. “But I’ll have some conditions.”
“I think we are of the same mind, feline,” Callahan said from down the table to the werecat. “Corissa?”
“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.