The Beast Within (The Elite Series) - By Jonathan Yanez Page 0,44
to see that.”
“I’m trying, Laren,” Connor said softly. “A week ago I was just a normal kid, now I’m supposed to believe I’m responsible for the fate of the world?”
Before they could continue the conversation, Morrigan knocked on the door and instead of waiting to be invited in, she entered the room with her arms full of clothes. “Well, this is all happening rather quickly, the Council is aware Connor is coherent and has decided to start the trial today.”
Laren’s eyes widened. “He hasn’t had enough time to prepare. He doesn’t know the correct way to address the Council or even what’s expected of him. He’s only been awake for an hour, if that.”
“Well, then it’s up to you and me to make all of that happen while he gets dressed, isn’t it, Larentia? Now,” she said, lifting up a grey dress shirt in her left hand and a plain white dress shirt in her right. “What color says ‘savior’?”
The remaining time was spent with Connor showering and changing in a small bathroom off in a corner of the room he hadn’t noticed. The whole time both Laren and Morrigan offered him facts about the Council, appropriate ways to behave, and what he should or should not say.
“The Council Chamber is going to be set up much like a court room, with the Five Family heads that make up the Council in front of you. We’ll be on the right, the other party will be on the left.”
Laren chimed in, “There’s also a seating area for others to watch the proceedings. With a matter as big as this at hand, expect the room to be packed.”
“Yes, the prosecuting party will more than likely be made up of Faust and his family, maybe even Randolph, so be ready for that,” Morrigan added.
“When you enter the room, make sure you kneel before the Council and avoid eye contact until they tell you to rise.”
He opened the bathroom door, his mind reeling with all the facts and new knowledge. He opened his arms in an awkward gesture. “How do I look?”
The ladies decided on a solid black, fitted suit with a white dress shirt and a red and black tie. However, the tie was crooked despite his best attempts and his hair looked like he had been through a wind tunnel. A few days of stubble had given him a nice five o’clock shadow and the women decided to leave that, hoping it gave him a more mature look. The preparation continued as Morrigan redid his tie and Laren wrestled his short black hair into a style more befitting a warrior.
“My brother is the member of the Council that represents our bloodline,” Morrigan told him. “Don’t expect any favors from him. Be as honest as possible; he has a special knack for sniffing out the truth.”
“What about your father?” Connor asked Laren as she put the final touches on his hair.
“He’s the head of the Council and a fair man. He also holds to the Law like no one I’ve ever met. Don’t try and impress him, he’ll be able to see right through that.”
Noticing his wide eyes, Morrigan reassured him, “I’ll also be representing you, Laren, and Lu, so don’t worry. You won’t be alone.”
The two ladies took a step back and examined their work. Connor was every bit the well-dressed respectable young man. The suit fit him neatly, showing off his broad shoulders and muscular physique, while the slight facial growth and hairstyle added to the warrior persona.
“You look great,” Laren winked. She gave him a huge hug and kissed him on the cheek. “I believe in you, Connor, and soon you will, too.” With that, she said a quick good-bye to Morrigan and left to take a seat in the Council Chambers.
“Yes, that will do well. Are you ready, Mr. Moore?” Morrigan asked.
Connor felt as though he was going to see the principal, except this was a hundred times worse. Usually a confident person, Connor’s hands were sweaty and his mouth was dry, “As ready as I’m ever going to be.”
Morrigan shook her head, “Not good enough.”
Connor cleared his throat. “Let’s do this.”
“Better. Follow me.”
CHAPTER 11
MORRIGAN AND CONNOR LEFT THE room and found themselves weaving their way down winding staircases, deserted halls, and lavishly furnished rooms. A few times they ran across people Connor guessed to be workers or servants, they all stopped whatever they were doing to look at him. They were more curious than anything. No doubt they’d