Reaching Answers (Artemis University #8) - Erin R Flynn Page 0,90
wouldn’t I wait?”
“Because you’re a stupid little girl who is too cocky,” Harjo snapped.
“Because she’s confident and knows her abilities,” Mr. Rothchild drawled. “In a man, you would commend it. We do as dragons. She can best me with a sword. You’re all idiots to keep treating her like that and try so hard to get her.”
“It’s all bluster,” Mrs. Vogel argued, waving to the group gathered. “This is all the council guards, none probably left to protect any estates and at least three full shifter packs or groups. They aren’t underestimating her anymore and know just how capable and powerful she is. They are running their mouths to try and seem more. This is their ego and trying to save face now.”
“There is none left to save,” Mr. Vogel chuckled. “Not one council has any respect left for the warlock elders. And I include ours.” He glanced at me. “What did you really—”
He was interrupted when Mr. Kincaid groaned and grabbed his head.
I smiled at my side. “Pain. I gave them pain. Every time they think of Izzy, they will feel pain as they should. When they say her name, they will feel pain. If someone speaks of her around them, they will feel pain. A photo? It will hurt. Any of it.” I glanced at Izzy who had her mouth open in surprise. “Because that is what you feel all the time because of them and I cannot stand it anymore.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I love you too, Tams.”
“You’d think she was raised by her fairy parent,” one of the elders bitched before opening a temp portal, clearly saying the matter was over.
For now. None of us believed they were really going to leave me alone for good.
I could always use more fun… Which was why I decided to poke back.
“Who says I wasn’t?” I called over with a smirk, the elder freezing in his steps to enter the portal and glancing at me. I waggled my eyebrows at him. “Maybe I was?” I burst out laughing when everyone around him stared at me, completely gobsmacked. “Or maybe I am the last fairy? Sure, go tell everyone that. I’m the last raised by my fairy parents. Burn the last of your credibility with another stupid rumor.”
What came out of his mouth was enough to cover the ears of kids and something his other elder friends would have looked down on if it was said to anyone other than a lowly woman they couldn’t get under control. Still, saying it in front of Mr. Vogel and other important males was very telling that the guy was at the end of the rope.
Did he want help tying the noose? I could give a hand with that.
“Thanks for coming,” I said to the everyone when the council, the guards, and their extras all left… Along with Kincaids, making a hasty exit with their goons.
“I’m trying not to throttle you,” Mrs. Vogel growled. “How could you taunt them with that?”
“It was quite genius,” Geiger defended. “Normally, I would agree, but it was the one time to mock them with it. She was calm and laughing at the idea while all of us panicked.”
“But not for the reason the council will assume,” White grumbled, sighing when several nodded. “They will assume we worry for your safety should that be the next rumor; the Underground would go nuclear if they thought that, for one. None of them would assume it was the truth and we worried. You stopped any of them from going any further on that line.”
I nodded. “They’ve been progressing towards the answer. First, I had a grandparent. Then two. Then both sides. Now a parent? They keep moving the line and making it seem like that’s been my fun to mock them for taking the bait means—”
“Their egos will stop them,” Mr. Rothchild sighed. “It’s smart but dangerous.”
I shrugged. “It’s all dangerous.” I gestured to Izzy. “They took her to melt her mind just to find out what I am and get proof to control me. All of this is dangerous.”
“Thanks for coming, Tams,” Izzy whispered as she came over to me.
I hugged her with all I had. “Always. I promised you the day we met that I would be a loyal friend as long as you didn’t tell my secrets and you never have. I need you too, Izzy. No one else can deal with my hair or put up with my shit. They can’t have you.”