Midlife Blues - Victoria Danann Page 0,35
she never came. He’d never been away from home, had never seen the human world, had no way to contact his family, and didn’t know how to get home. The wrong done him was that he was terrified of being discovered and lived in fear, far too young and inexperienced to be stranded in the human world.
“I speak for gargoyles when I say that thedDuchess should be stranded in the human world for the same length of time.”
Before responding, I looked over at the defendant, curious about her reaction. There was none.
“And how long was that exactly?” I asked Bulent. “In human years.”
“I think seventy-six, Your Honor.”
My eyes slid to the defendant’s side of the room. “Mr. Bogdan, you may present your defense.”
He rose, clasped his medallion in his fist briefly, and said, “Yes, Your Honor. The gargoyle was traded to the duke, to serve as his wife’s pet, for the duration of a fafgaelon. Those were the terms of the agreement that settled the debt. Nothing was stipulated by contract, verbal or otherwise, about his treatment or whether or not he would remain in the proximity of the duchess. She was completely within her rights to leave him anywhere she pleased.”
When Bogdan stopped talking and I realized that was the beginning, middle, and end of his defense, my blood began to boil.
“I’ll speak directly to the duchess,” I told Bogdan.
He hesitated and looked uncertain, as well he should, but told her to stand.
“State your name,” I said.
With a superior raise of her chin, she said, “Annemione, Duchess of the House of Alprupert.” Bogdan whispered something. She rolled her eyes, but added, “Your Honor.”
“When did you realize that you’d left Ekrem behind?”
“Upon my arrival at home. I saw that his perch was empty and remembered.”
“But you didn’t go back for him?”
The duchess looked like such a thing had never occurred to her. “Why would I do that?”
“Perhaps because you were responsible for him?”
“Responsible for him? Hmmm. No. I don’t remember that being part of the arrangement.”
“So, you what? Just moved on?”
“That is exactly it. I moved on. Ball season was just beginning and I was busy.”
“I see. Do you regret leaving him behind?”
“Regret?” She said it as if it was a foreign word. “Why would I?” She glanced at the plaintiff’s table. “He’s fine. Anyone can see that. Speaking of fine, just name the figure and return my pet to me. I’ll pay it. He’ll get a new toy and we can dispense with this inane waste of my time.”
At that, I saw Bogdan’s head drop forward to his chest, in a superb acting out of, “I give up.”
“Well, Anne,” I continued, “it’s a shame that you see this proceeding as an inane waste of your time.”
She gaped, sputtered, and looked like her eyes might actually pop out of her head before finally managing a few coherent words. “You’re not allowed to address me as anything other than Duchess!”
“I’ll call you Douchebag if I want.” I was braced for the collective gasp that followed my inflammatory language, and knew it was coming, but I intended to wake everybody the hell up.” Keir was doing his best to suppress his laughter, but couldn’t keep the interlude of snorts completely quiet. “And you will call me MAGISTRATE!”
Bogdan scrubbed a hand down his face and tried to look anywhere but at me.
“Sit down.” Since the duchess was the only one standing, there was no question about who I meant.
When she sat, she and Bogdan immediately launched into a silent, but animated argument.
To Bulent, I said, “Chieftain. I’d like a few words with your nephew.”
Bulent looked at Ekrem, whose neck had disappeared into his shoulders as his tail had wrapped tighter around himself. “Your Honor, my nephew is…”
“Yes, I know. We’re taking a fifteen minute recess so that I can confer with the plaintiff in chambers. Chieftain, you may come as silent support, but I want to hear from Ekrem.”
“Yes, Magistrate.”
Inside my chambers I looked at Ekrem and said, “You’re welcome to sit here.” I pointed at the desk surface in front of me.
He gave a little hop, flew up to the desk, and landed with aerial grace.
When he settled, his eyes were big and his wings were shaking at the tips.
“Please don’t be afraid. I promise that no harm will come to you. You can speak freely, tell me anything you wish, and it will never be repeated outside this room.”
His reply was a small burp. “Excuse me,” he said, his brown leathery