barrier.”
“Basically, what happened to your wolves won’t have to happen again,” I said gently, focused on Geoff. “That’s the goal. I wanted to make something for those who can’t use runes on the fly, or who can’t use conduits because they didn’t sign a contract to mate who their parents wanted, like Izzy was forced to. I wanted to try and help those that people wrote off, the guards and ninjas that fall first, like Mel’s family.”
“You really have a golden heart, Tamsin Vale,” he whispered, reaching out and taking a box from Colton. “This is unreal. I saw your barrier strength during that fight in South America with the Underground. Nothing was getting through that thing. Dozens were trying to get at us and we were as safe as could be and they weren’t little hitters.”
“It’s a level seven crystal she’s using to power them, and she’s not planning on charging for them,” Zack explained. “But, there have to be serious regulations and some sort of system in place so not just anyone can get them. And, we don’t want just corrupt council members to have access to them.”
I snorted. “Yeah, Ainsworth getting them when he’s a head of the supe black market would be the death warrant of as many witches as he could grab since he can’t make above level five crystals.”
“You have to be mistaken on that, Ms. Vale,” Councilman Brooks whispered when everyone else went quiet.
“I’m not, but maybe you can explain why people have that reaction when I say he can’t,” I muttered, glancing around the room.
“I thought you explained this to her,” Zack groaned, shooting Mel an evil glance.
“No, I meant to but—it’s not like we ever sit around and count our toes, mate. There’s a lot to explain and always a lot going on. Plus, it’s really going to fucking upset her.”
“Well it’s not going to get any better now, so just tell me,” I drawled, gesturing to the group we were with.
“Being able to make a level ten crystal solo is part of how the council becomes council,” Geoff muttered, looking between all of us, totally lost. “It’s one of the tests, just like our elders have to pass certain trials and have certain resumes. One of which is having been Alpha of a large pack and having it prosper under you.”
“It’s a requirement?” I whispered, waiting until several people nodded. I blinked at them and then threw back my head and laughed. I laughed, fully belly, had to wrap my arm around my stomach and lean on Colton, who was closest to me, to stay standing.
Except none of this was funny. At all, and tears filled my eyes as I kept laughing. Mel tried to comfort me but I shoved her, backing away from the group, I was so upset and worried that my magic could go off the rails.
Because this was all about my magic, and they had just tried for me, and it again. That bullshit with making me a ward and their tutoring they were going to give me. I didn’t need to even listen to Ainsworth’s thoughts to know they would have locked me up and done something to me to make me compliant, basically brain-dead, and a drone to do what they wanted.
And now I understood why.
“Seriously, explain what the fuck is going on and why she’s losing it,” a deep voice growled, pulling me back out of my hysterics.
Yeah, hysterics. I’d gotten hysterical, I could admit that. It wasn’t sexist or being a jerk calling a woman something when she opened her mouth. I’d lost it.
I quickly mopped up my face and tried to pull it together. “None of the current councilmen, not one of those warlocks, can create level ten crystals. I’ve heard it from their own minds. I didn’t know it was such a big deal, but now I get why. I also understand why no one who can do as high of tier crystals, or above, ever shows themselves, as the last two were forced to mate two of the councilmen.”
“You cannot be serious,” Councilman Brooks whispered in horror.
“You can tell I’m not lying.”
“We can’t actually,” Geoff muttered. “Your emotions are all over the place, and you’re wearing something that mutes you.”
I sighed. “It’s an aura muting charm. Mostly for the council and their goons who constantly harass me and try to gauge what they can from my aura.” I glanced at the guests. “Will you swear not to ask what