Savitar let out a tired sigh while he thoughtfully stroked his chin. "Lo . . . of all the members of this council, you knew better. What were you thinking?"
"What I was thinking was that Constantine, as a Regis of this council, should be warned. His pursuers came in and held a knife to the throat of my only daughter and they attacked my sons. Had I not cared about our license, I would have destroyed them on the spot. Instead, I thought it only fair that I warn Constantine that these people"-she spat the word-"would not honor the laws of sanctuary and for him to not bother seeking one."
Savitar sat forward. "Limani means sanctuary. Telling a marked enemy where to find those out to kill him isn't the code. What about the other accusation?"
"Blakemore is a pig. His son attacked Wren in the back alley and we captured him there, again after he attacked my daughter who was trying to help Wren."
"I have sworn testimonies from ten of their pack members that Wren was the one who hit first."
"Only in self-defense."
"He drew first blood." Savitar's tone was chilling.
Still Maman didn't back down and for that Aimee had a newfound respect for her mother. "And Blakemore would have killed him where he stood had I handed him over. I won't condemn even an enemy to die when he was pushed by bullies."
Savitar rose to his feet, something that made several members of the council gasp. Maman, however, didn't move a muscle.
Savitar moved closer. "If what you're saying is the truth, why didn't you notify me?"
"I didn't think it was worth bothering you over."
Savitar stopped next to her chair. "Your mistake. Effective immediately, your license is suspended for six months. One more violation and it's permanent." Savitar turned to Vane. "And you . . . I told you to bring your brother with you."
It was Vane's turn to show no emotion. "I don't know where he is."
Savitar gave him a cutting glower. "You really expect me to believe that?"
"It's the truth."
That didn't go over with the big guy at all. Savitar looked as if he was about to unleash hell wrath down on all of them. "Very well. I see you need incentive to obey me. Have Fang here in forty-eight hours to stand trial or I'll destroy the Kattalakis pack." He narrowed his gaze on Fury. "Both of them. Adjourned!" He all but roared the last word before he vanished.
Noticeably shaken, the members began flashing out, but not before several made snide comments about Fang and the Peltiers.
Stunned by what had transpired, most of which had been her own fault, Aimee walked over to her mother. "Maman?"
Her mother didn't show even the tiniest bit of emotion. But Aimee could feel it. She knew how hard this was on her. Without the license, anyone could attack them.
They had no shelter. Everything Maman had worked so hard for had been shattered.
What have I done?
Dev sank down beside their mother. "Maman, it'll be all right."
She took his hand in hers and studied it as if amazed by the size of it. "Non, mon fils. I want you to go and round up all of our family. Leave and don't come back until the license is reinstated."
Dev shook his head, his jaw tightening with that look of steeled obstinance they knew so well. "We can't leave you."
Maman slapped him. Hard. "Do not question me. You go and do as you're told. Now!"
Dev's features hardened. She could see his desire to strike back, but he knew what she did. Maman was upset and she was acting on an animal's impulse. She had just risked her life to protect theirs.
Without another word, he vanished.
Aimee met Vane's gaze as she went to speak to him. "What are you going to do?"
"What do you think?" he snarled at her.
Horror filled her. "You can't hand Fang over to-"That monster was what she wanted to say, but she knew she couldn't. Savitar might hear her and the gods only knew what he'd do then.