Chapter 30

30

Her friends didn't take their decision as well.

Tia sat perched on one of Toil and Trouble's stools as Emma stood behind the bar, arms folded, where they'd been when Leah and Gabriel had walked in five minutes ago. Where they'd stayed as they were told everything, including the plan to meet the High Family on their turf.

Emma's face was a mask of fear. Tia was already shaking her head. "No."

"Yes." Leah sounded calmer than she felt. As if he knew, Gabriel took her hand in his. A united front. "This isn't asking for permission. We're here because..." She stumbled.

"Because you're worried you won't come back," Tia bit out. Emma made a sound.

Gabriel's hand tightened around hers, but his face was smooth, unrippled glass. "That will not be happening."

"I thought you said you were leaving." Tia's tone was vicious in its accusation. "This is your fault."

"Don't put this on Gabriel. He didn't tell me about magic."

"No, I did." Emma's voice was raw. "It's my fault."

"Em, I didn't mean it like that." Leah closed her eyes, reached for calm, but it was hard when she was scared to death.

Surprisingly, it was Gabriel who stepped in. "Regardless of fault," he said, "Leah's secret is out. It's better to approach the High Family ourselves than have them come to us."

"I don't think you've thought this through. Why not choose the other option?" Tia directed at Gabriel. "You'd get everything you ever wanted." Diamonds winked at her ears and throat, as cool and hard as her voice. "We'd make sure Leah was safe."

"I don't need anyone's protection," Leah said irritably.

"She's right." His gaze was a caress, a whisper of love that only she could hear. "She has a right to be heard. To stand before them and speak for herself."

Tia put a fisted hand to her belly and looked away, her face agitated. Violent.

Emma's voice, in contrast, was soft. "You love her."

"Yes."

Leah nodded as Emma angled her head toward her in question. "Yes."

A sound from Tia, low, pained. Like she knew that was the beginning and end of it.

With an understanding born of friendship, Emma reached out and took Tia's hand, uniting them. The latter let out a shaky breath. They both reached to Leah at the same time.

She held their hands and fought not to give in to tears. "Come on," she teased. "Have some faith in me. If I can talk Gabriel Goodnight into karaoke, I can talk anyone into anything."

Tia squeezed her hand hard. "I want to say don't go," she murmured, voice strained. Her eyes were dark. "I want to lock you up in the cellar. But..." Her shoulders slumped and she kicked out a foot. "The damn warlock's right."

Out of the corner of her eye, Leah saw Gabriel open his mouth and then think better of it.

"It's not that I don't think you can handle yourself," she insisted. "But you have such a spark, Leah. You don't even know. I didn't want our ways to snuff it out. Nobody gets through society unscathed." Something old and painful moved through her gaze. "But you're an adult and you deserve to make your own choices. Even if they're wrong." The last was said with a snarky undertone and a pointed tip of her head toward Gabriel.

Leah laughed wetly. "Thanks, T."

Emma sighed. "Well, now I can't think of anything that sounds as good as that." She shrugged. "Go get 'em?"

Leah laughed again, loving these two so much. She held on one moment longer before letting go of their hands.

Gabriel curved a hand around her waist and turned them to go. Stopped. "I'm going to say I told her." He looked back over his shoulder at Emma, then Tia.

They hadn't discussed this, but Leah wasn't surprised he'd take the fall. He knew how much these two meant to her. And being a protector would always be a part of him.

Emma's lips parted in surprise. "Gabriel..."

"We can't let you take all the blame." Tia ran a hand through her hair in one agitated movement. "Aren't you meant to be an asshole?"

"Aren't you meant to be a bad-tempered shrew?"

Her lips curved. "Yes. And I am. But I have layers."

"Then you understand."

She considered him. "I think I do."

Leah took them in, their bar, but didn't go so far as to say goodbye. She refused to believe this was it. Not when she had so much to fight for. "We'll let you know. How it goes."

"Sure," Tia murmured. "Good luck."

With one last nod, they turned and headed out.

Back in the bar, Emma glanced at Tia. "We're not seriously sitting back here, are we?"

"What do you think?" Tia clambered up on the stool, balancing the stool with a flick of telekinesis. She clapped her hands. "Folks, if I can have your attention? The bar's going to be closing early today for a family emergency..."

Gabriel's heart was pounding but he didn't let it show as he offered his calling crystal to the butler. Dressed in a form-fitting navy suit, Bianca accepted it with a nod toward one of the high-backed chairs that sat in the grand foyer. Not by a flicker of an eyelash did she show surprise at Leah's appearance. "You may wait there, Lord Goodnight."

He didn't take the chair, didn't think he could contain the nervous energy that thrummed within him if he did. Instead, he stood perfectly still, calling on a lifetime of training to appear nonchalant. He could feel the fine tremors running through Leah's body as she stood next to him, dressed in a simple tea dress that matched her eyes. He'd ensured they both presented a respectful appearance, knowing the High Family set store by such little gestures. He'd dressed in his best suit, a navy three-piece Prada, and even pinned the symbol of his family crest to his tie, as was traditional at High functions. Every little bit helped. He wouldn't consider the alternative, not now he'd put his trust in them . In her.

Instead of pacing, as he longed to do, he let his gaze roam the elegant foyer, from the Italian marble terrazzo floor to the two gleaming staircases at either end, curving delicately upward. He lingered near the round walnut table, where an abundance of flowers and a statue of the Goddess waited, and where he could see the many closed doors that lined the hall. They could be called into any of them.

"So, who will we be meeting?" Leah's voice was barely a whisper, showing how ill at ease she was. He hated it, hated that they'd had to come here, but more, he hated that her confidence had faltered with every step into the mansion. Appearances mattered, in more ways than one. If they saw her as weak now, that would be it.

He grazed his knuckles along hers, making sure she looked at him. "You got this," he said, deliberately using the human phrasing to make a glimmer of humor dance in her eyes. Goddess, he adored that.

When she nodded, inhaling, he focused on her question. "Each member of the High Family takes responsibility for different sectors of witch society." He was aware that he could be making things worse by telling her these intimate details, but at this point, he doubted it. That she knew was enough. "Some focus on relations with other High families around the world, others take an interest in developments in potions and spell-casting. Others manage the security forces that could be called on in an act of terrorism or war."

"So, will we be seeing the ones that oversee security?"

He shook his head. "It's always a panel of at least four when hearing and deciding on pleas of this magnitude." A panel of judges and executioners, if need be. The thought was like ice spreading through his soul. Never.

"Four." Her breath was soundless as she exhaled. "I can deal with four."

He almost smiled. There she was.

The butler appeared out of nowhere, her skill clearly teleportation, a rare gift.

"They will see you in the Rose Room." She gestured for them to follow and clipped off down the hall.

He'd been to the Rose Room before. It was one of their grandest salons. Their choice of it now indicated respect for him. Perhaps they didn't know why he'd requested an audience and the butler hadn't revealed he'd brought a human—perhaps they did know, and were toying with him. The latter sounded more likely. They put a hard line on revealing magic to humans without permission.

It was the siblings they'd see, he realized, entering the salon ahead of Leah to gauge the threat. His gaze fell on the golden twins first, a man and woman with light brown skin and gleaming blond hair. Their faces were relaxed and almost identical, both retaining certain quirks that gave them their own edge. Two sets of amber eyes surveyed him neutrally before sliding to Leah. Their job was overseeing the security forces and both were prone to protection over all. Not a bad thing, as they weren't aggressive idiots, but if they deemed his actions a threat, he couldn't count on their vote.

"Luisa, Julian." He nodded at both so Leah would know who was who.

"Gabriel," both replied in dusky tones that rang in harmony. "And guest ..."

He didn't linger, moving to the third sibling, a man with dark brown skin who stood at six foot five with a shock of white hair and dark brows over darker eyes. He was large in every way that counted and yet, he was their most persuasive talker and was often sent on diplomatic missions when a High Family member needed to be present.

"Arlo."

Arlo inclined his head. "Gabriel." He made no mention of Leah, which could be good or bad.

Finally, he looked at the fourth sibling, a startling amalgamation of the others with curling white hair and amber eyes. Isabella was the sibling most embroiled in local politics, a compassionate nature firmed with the hard edge witchkind demanded. Most Higher childhoods could be competitive between siblings, especially as magic weakened with each sibling born. Not so in the High Family, one of the reasons they were the High Family. Each member was as powerful as the next. Childhood must have been...interesting.

She was his best chance at clemency, so he bent his upper body to her and bowed. "Isabella."

"It's good to see you, Gabriel. And you've brought such diverting company." She waved a delicate hand. "Sit. Would you like sweet tea?"

"Thank you, no." As none of them moved to sit on the provided velvet couches in the rose silk wallpapered room, he continued to stand. "I came for a purpose. We have," he corrected. He looked at Leah, then back with his jaw set. "We want to set the record straight."

"It's thoughtful of you to come to us," Julian said, arching his golden brow. "It's rare witches have the nerve to yield so willingly for their punishment."

Leah's heart stopped for three excruciating seconds at the blond male's lazy pronouncement. Just being in front of these four had sweat pooling at the base of her spine, little hairs lifting of their own accord. Their power was like static, on the edge of painful, and it butted against her skin. She'd understood intellectually the witches would be potent, but facing them all, every instinct whispered in warning not to make a target of herself.

"You already know." Gabriel's voice remained even.

The one he'd called Isabella cast him a pitying look as she opted to sit on one of the couches. She wore a pretty summer dress the color of raspberries, with a high collar and capped sleeves. The skirt swirled before settling around her legs. "This is witch society. The only thing that travels faster than gossip is Bianca," she added, presumably referring to the butler who'd escorted them in. That was what Gabriel had greeted her with.

As Isabella's gaze fell on her, Leah wondered if she should speak.

"You are a pretty toy," the witch murmured.

Leah frowned before she could control herself. It made something like delight flicker in Isabella's eyes.

Gabriel interrupted the byplay, voice steely. "Will you permit us to state our case?"

"You've broken the law." The blonde female twin moved to sit next to Isabella, dressed in a long white skirt and an off-the-shoulder crimson top that bared her stomach. "Why should we hear you out?"

"Because I'm a Goodnight. And because I'm asking."

The handsome warlock called Arlo looked at each of the others, then nodded. "Please."

"Wait." Isabella held up a hand. She tapped a finger against lips curled in a playful smile. "I say we let the human speak."

Leah felt Gabriel's instinctive no form as he locked in place next to her. But he didn't let it out. Instead, he pressed his lips together, holding to his promise to trust her.

Part of her wished he hadn't, as all four witches cocked their heads at her expectantly. All waiting for her to fail.

"Well," she said, her voice cracking. It was that crack, and the hint of derision in the blonde twin's—Luisa's?—face, that snapped her spine straight. She wouldn't let her fears control her, not now. Not ever again.

She set her shoulders. "My name is Leah Turner. I run a bar in Chicago and work in an animal shelter. And I'm in love with Gabriel Goodnight."

It wasn't easy, and she fumbled several times as they sat in stony silence, but Leah told them everything. Or at least, the version of everything that she and Gabriel had agreed on. The clause that had brought Gabriel to her, his time in the human world, the sabotage. And how they'd fallen in love. She hated exposing them like this. But she didn't stop until she'd said everything she thought they needed to hear.

"She says you told her about us?" Luisa cocked her head, vaguely doubtful, talking to Gabriel as if Leah wasn't there. "Doesn't she own the bar with Emmaline Bluewater and Tia Hightower?"

Yes, she does , Leah retorted in her head, going to cross her arms before second-guessing the action.

Apology was in the quick flick of Gabriel's eyes as he answered for her. "Yes. But they kept her in the dark."

Isabella frowned as she sipped the sweet tea she'd conjured, but she didn't say anything.

"It was me." Gabriel fisted his hands at his sides and then immediately unclenched them. "I dragged her into this. I alone should face the consequences, should you deem consequences necessary."

Leah's head whipped toward him with a scowl. "No."

"But I ask that you bend the law this once. I love her." He said it again, firmer, louder, as the family—siblings?—stared. "I love her. If a punishment must be had, I will take it, but I ask for clemency."

Isabella put down her sweet tea on a gold circular end table that carried a vase of lilies. Death flowers. Leah tried not to focus on that.

"I think it's interesting," she said in her melodic voice, one that carried a note of amusement. "I don't think I've ever heard Gabriel plead for anything—or ask for anything, for that matter."

"Indeed." Luisa watched him as one did something new and fascinating. "He must really love this human. But the law is the law. It is there to protect us."

Julian nodded, hard-faced. "I agree."

"You two are not romantics." Isabella sighed, then tapped her manicured nails on her lap. "So, your argument is that you were swept away by passion? How very...un-society-like of you." Her tone didn't make it clear whether she approved or not.

She switched her focus to Leah. "And you? You're happy for Gabriel to take punishment?"

Leah's nails bit into her palms but she met that gaze head-on. "No. We're partners. I'll take whatever he does."

"I see." Intrigue shimmered in Isabella's face. "What if the punishment was to give each other up? You could keep your memories, but would not be permitted to be with each other. What would you say to that, Gabriel?"

Gabriel's eyes glittered bright green. "Fuck. That."

Leah had never truly got what it meant to hear a pin drop until right then.

"How delicious." Isabella smiled, proving to Leah she was only toying with them. "One more question, Ms. Turner. Why do you think you deserve to be welcomed into our world?"

Leah absorbed the question, the little stings across her exposed skin. Memories rushed up, of being shut out, of being kept in the dark. One more test and she could be in the ultimate club.

Well, to use Gabriel's phrasing: Fuck. That.

"I don't care if you think I deserve it or not," she said, standing tall beside the man she loved. "I don't really care if you like me or want to have me around. I might not be able to do magic, but I have value. I don't have to prove myself to anyone," she said, realizing it was true as Gabriel's hand tangled with hers. She looked up and saw him smiling at her, in full view of others. With maybe a hint of healthy fear. She looked back at the witches who thought to judge her. "I love Gabriel and he loves me. That should be enough."

Arlo grunted. A punctuation mark to her speech, but she wasn't sure which one.

Isabella considered her, and if Leah wasn't imagining things, she swore she saw some respect there. Then the witch clapped and the look was gone.

"So," Isabella said, as if Leah hadn't completely disrespected them, and in hindsight, it hadn't been the best time for her epiphany, "it comes to a vote. Do we wipe the human's memory? I say nay."

"I say—"

Luisa's vote was cut off as the sounds of an argument broke out beyond the room. They all swiveled to the door, which burst open to emit a snarling Tia, followed closely by Emma, who looked one "boo" away from melting into the floor. Leah's mouth fell open at the sight.

"I said we need to talk to them," Tia was insisting to Bianca, who had a grip on her wrist. "You teleport me again and we're going to throw down."

"That will not be necessary." Isabella didn't rise, but nodded at Bianca. The butler let go and with one steamed look at Tia, who returned it in kind, drifted away.

Tia brushed off her jeans. "I apologize for the lack of etiquette."

The male blond—Julian's—eyes glinted in quiet amusement. "Do you?"

"We had to see you, Your Excellencies." Tia bent in a formal bow, as did Emma. "We have an objection to make."

Leah's stomach took a dive as Gabriel spun back to the family. "No, they don't."

"Yes, we do." Emma's voice squeaked and her face went bright red as everyone turned their attention to her, but she didn't cringe away. "We're not letting you do this, Gabriel."

"Do what?" Arlo wanted to know.

"Leah already knew about witches before Gabriel said anything." Tia's voice trembled on the last word before she coughed, clearing it from her throat. "We told her. We're here to plead for her."

"Not for yourselves?" Luisa asked from the sofa.

Emma shook her head. "Leah is an exceptional person," she said on a swallow. "She deserves to be welcomed, not wiped."

"She's known for years," Tia pointed out, hands in fists, posture stiff. Only her eyes showed her nerves. "Never said anything. Even when Gabriel came to work for us, she didn't tell him she knew."

Leah and Gabriel shared a look, both silently agreeing not to point out that he'd guessed anyway.

"Doesn't her knowing that long prove she can be trusted? And she helped Gabriel out when he needed to work in the human world, to fulfill the terms of his father's will. She didn't have to. All we're asking for is a chance." Tia tipped up her chin, a proud legacy witch. "She's our sister in every way that matters."

"That's interesting, but—" Luisa began and was once again interrupted as two men barreled through the doorway.

"Bastian? Bluewater?" Gabriel's shock echoed through Leah at the sight. "How did you know about this?"

Kole eyed him with distrust. "Emma told him, Bastian told me."

"Where's Henry?" Tia spoke up.

"His father—"

"Typical," she muttered.

Bastian went to Emma, brow knit. "You shouldn't have come without me."

"I didn't want to get you in trouble."

"I'd face anything for you. You're not alone."

She cupped his cheek. "I know."

Kole, meanwhile, was glaring at Leah. "You're in so much trouble. What was the first rule?"

"Well." Isabella ventured a smile, lifting her glass again. "It's becoming quite the party, isn't it?"

Kole faced her, bowed. "Your Excellencies. Please consider pardoning my sister and Tia."

"Not me?" Gabriel muttered. Leah hushed him.

"Their actions were wrong, but I hope you can find it in your kind and just selves, especially in light of what all our families have done for you, to grant clemency." Kole held Arlo's eyes, adding emphasis to the words. "And if there are consequences for Emma, I ask to bear them in her stead."

"No, you idiot." Emma rounded on him. "I'm ready to face whatever needs to be faced. Just so long as Leah can keep her memories and be welcomed here."

"You're the idiot." He poked her.

"Agreed. Hush." Bastian tugged her back.

Kole continued. "But I concur, Your Excellencies. Let us take the consequences, not Leah. She has proven herself to be a valued, trusted human whose presence here could add to our society, not take away. She truly is...exceptional."

Leah felt on the edge of bawling at all of them showing up for her. But deep inside, she'd never doubted them. They were, all of them, hers, and she was theirs.

"We appreciate all of your arguments," Luisa said. "And—now what?" she said with exasperation as the door opened again.

And Leah's heart stopped as Gabriel's uncle stepped through.

Gabriel stared at his uncle, hardly daring to breathe.

They hadn't spoken, not since Gabriel had accused August of betraying him. He'd tried to apologize, but August had simply walked off, bristling, face set in implacable lines. Gabriel couldn't blame him. He'd thrown years of love and attention and family back in his face. He had betrayed him .

And now he was here. He didn't like Leah—was he here to speak against her?

Gabriel's chest constricted, making it hard for him to draw a full breath. "Uncle," he managed. His hold on Leah tightened.

August's gaze was sharp as it briefly landed on his nephew, then moved to where he linked with Leah. Something flickered on his face before he faced the family with a bow. "Your Excellencies."

"Are you also here to speak for Leah Turner?" Arlo asked. Humor rose for an instant. "Are there any more of you?"

"That I don't know. I'm here to lend my authority and weight to my nephew." August didn't show emotion, only the pulse throbbing in his throat an indication of how he felt. "This human—Leah," he corrected himself, pausing to seek her out, "has opened him up in ways I haven't seen since before my brother passed. He understands what it means to show weakness, and that showing weakness can sometimes be strength. He's a better man for her."

Gabriel's throat was tight, crowded with emotion.

Eyes so like Gabriel's father's held onto his, bright, searing. Then August turned to the High Family. "Please don't take her from him."

Luisa waited a beat, pointedly looking at the door. When no more interruptions came, she allowed a thin smile. "I'm moved. And it says a lot that she has the weight of such powerful families on her side."

The Bluewaters weren't powerful, but otherwise, Gabriel realized she was right. Leah had made friends with the right people.

"It's unprecedented." Luisa shared a look with her siblings. "But as you know, humans have been allowed into society on a trial basis before. She would have to be monitored until the probation passes. Are you considering bonding with her?" she directed to Gabriel.

Bonding with a human was rarely done. Once done, a bonding could not be undone, similar to witch marriages. The human would take a sliver of their bonded one's magic into them and it would enhance their body, allowing them to live longer. A true mate.

Sensing Leah's confusion, he turned to look at her. And saw his future.

"Well, you have time to consider that." Julian waved that off, the golden twin huffing in small amusement. "Give the man a break, Luisa. He's known her three months."

She rolled her eyes.

Gabriel didn't let his guard down. The High Family liked to toy with prey, coaxing them to believe all was okay before hitting them between the eyes.

Arlo spoke up. "We may be willing to allow this human into society on a trial basis."

Gabriel still didn't celebrate. Neither did Leah or any of the others ranged around the room.

"But you broke the law," Arlo finished. The siblings' faces turned implacable, Luisa and Isabella rising to present a united front. The four of them stared back at Gabriel and Leah, who faced them together.

Isabella spread her hands. "There must be a price paid."