Dodging Calamities (Artemis University #7) - Erin R Flynn Page 0,40

the others started.

“No, I won’t,” I cut in, waving off the outrage I’d spoken out of turn or whatever other bullshit. “And I think you have other problems at the moment, kids.” I smiled evilly at them when they all flinched or reacted in some way. “A spy of yours was into kiddie porn. Bad, bad boys. And the humans found out? Oh, the shame. That’s got to be a huge mess.”

“You did this!” Ainsworth roared.

I blinked at him and blew a raspberry. “For the love of… You just figured that out? Seriously? And you guys think you’re so much better than me and deserve to control me, take all I have? You really—whatever, idiots.” I honestly couldn’t get over they hadn’t figured that out sooner. “But I’d make sure your houses are squeaky clean. Like, super squeaky clean, or you’re going to join McGrath.”

“The humans have nothing on us,” one of the other councilmen snapped.

“A funny thing about humans is humans tend to decide that for themselves,” I purred. “And they take kiddie porn very seriously, like they should, and also crimes like murder, that you assholes ignore and brush aside for money and power.” I held up my hand to hold them off. “How many calls did you make to your spy? They’re going to trace his calls and phone.

“They’ve got it. They’ve got everything of his. Did you send him money? They’ve got your banks now too. Oh, did you send it from the supe banks? Oh dear. That is a mess that’s your fault. I hope you can clean that up with the other groups and councils. I mean, you have so few friends already. You’ve burned the vampires with the Blake Ward scandal.

“You’ve pissed off Alpha Berman by not telling him I was as good as I am and downplaying me. Who else have you upset? McGrath will flip on you when you don’t rescue him, and you can’t save him from the FBI. You don’t know enough about human law enforcement to get in there. You think it provincial and not worth your time. You’re so utterly important, doing so many other big things.

“You know, like trying to marry off witches against their will and control me and steal all I have. Yes, you’re so fucking great. You’re so amazing that I look forward to you scurrying about to try and avoid this huge mess you got yourselves into. Did you email him? They track that too. The porn was on his computers, so they have those. There will be all the trails to you, and he will save himself at any cost.”

“He will never betray his council,” another councilman argued.

I shook my head. “He already did. He was never planning on handing me over. He was going to sell you access to me for the right price. After he bent me to his will with potions and his crazy he believes all women are stupid enough to fall for, he was never going to give me over. McGrath was never loyal to you. You picked scum to do a disgusting thing for you, and he wasn’t going to be honorable about it. Shocking.”

“There’s no way you could know that,” Ainsworth bit out. “He—”

“Was not very careful with his telepathy blocking charm,” I mocked. “Did he not tell you I caught him without it several times?” I snickered when they exchanged glances. “Awww, did your dog not check in as he should? I outed him months ago that I knew he was a spy for you. I showed up cloaked when he wasn’t wearing the charm again and messed with him. Didn’t he tell you?”

“You’re lying,” a guard accused, others echoing him.

“I’m not, which honestly makes this all the more amusing.” I stared at each of the councilmen in turn. “You are not in control here. You will never have me. You can’t even keep your own house in order, and your people are a mess. I will not let this shit continue and ever allow my power come into your possession, especially after learning you’re all frauds, and not one of you should be councilmen.”

“Excuse me?” one snarled.

“None of you can make tier ten crystals on your own, and I found out that’s a requirement to being a councilman. Ainsworth can only make tier five. Some of you forced witches who could to mate you, and they’ve made them for you and your friends. You’re all frauds, and that’s why you want me