12. TWELVE

twelveCaroline’s soft curse filled my ears as she got a look at the photo’s subject matter.

There was a sense of disconnection as I picked up the other piece of paper, the one I’d discarded earlier as being useless, and scanned it. Caroline was right. Now that she’d said something, I could decipher the scribbles. This was my schedule. Every stop I’d made over the last week was written in black.

From my trip to the pancake house to my time at the club. Even my job at Hoover Reservoir for the naiads was written down.

Caroline grabbed my wrist, being careful not to touch the paper and risk muddying the scents before drawing it closer to her face. Her eyelashes fluttered as she inhaled, sorting through any odors clinging to the surface.

A second later, her face filled with disappointment as she shook her head. “I don’t recognize any of the scents.”

That didn’t mean much. There were several reasons she might not be able to identify the individual who’d handed important information about my daily comings and goings to a hunter.

Caroline was familiar with most of those close to me—but not all. Deborah was one example. There were a few vampires I could think of that she’d never met too. Any of which could be responsible.

There was also a possibility that this information had been delivered via phone or third party. In that event, their scent never would have had a chance to touch this paper.

“That is your schedule, right?” Caroline jutted her chin at the paper I still clutched.

My nod was silent.

Her mouth flattened. “You were the target.”

“It’s hard to say.”

Though it was certainly looking that way.

Caroline slammed a hand on the bar. “Don’t lie to me. I’m not blind. It’s obvious what’s going on.”

“Is it?” I tossed the paper on the bar. “Because if so, I’d really like someone to explain it to me in words a child would understand.”

Caroline’s expression shifted. “Aileen—”

I cut her off with a sharp gesture. “My schedule isn’t lying around for anyone to pick up. I don’t even know where I’m going to be most nights. So how did they?”

It was the question that bothered me the most. My itinerary was unstable. Appointments shifted; my destination changed based on circumstances.

I stabbed a finger at the paper. “I could understand them knowing about my job with the naiads because it was in my calendar. But how did they know I’d be here? I didn’t write that down anywhere. I even forgot about it. Yet they knew exactly where I would be and when. How, Caroline? Can you tell me that?”

Caroline made a soothing motion with her hands. “I don’t know, but we’ll figure it out together.”

The idea that someone had betrayed me was infuriating. I didn’t let a lot of people close to me, so the list of possibilities wasn’t that long. The problem was, everyone on it was someone I trusted implicitly.

“Have you considered Connor?” Caroline asked tentatively.

“It’s not him.”

“He was with you all night,” she pointed out. “He would know your next destination as soon as you did.”

“It’s. Not. Him.” I hissed, flashing my fangs.

Her wolf muscled forward, peering out of her eyes and lifting a lip at me before she reclaimed control. “If you say it’s not him, I believe you. I wouldn’t be your best friend if I didn’t mentioned it though.”

I closed my lips around my fangs, shame making a brief appearance. “You’re right. I’m sorry. You’re just trying to help.”

I didn’t see any anger on her face, only concern, as she touched my shoulder in solidarity.

“I truly don’t think he did this,” I said.

We’d been through too much for me to believe otherwise. Besides, if he wanted to kill me, he didn’t need such a circuitous method. He was the king of heart snatches. He could have just reached into my chest and taken what was there. He didn’t need a hunter for that.

I’d believe Inara and Lowen played a part in this before I would him.

Those two were always a little sketchy, and their motives for clinging to me were still unknown.

Inara said someone asked her to keep an eye on me. But was that really true? It was hard to believe the pixies would go so far as a favor.

I suspected they had their own reasons for staying close to me. Personal reasons that I was too lazy to figure out.

Still, I doubted either would work with a hunter to accomplish their objective.

I shook my head, dismissing my complicated thoughts. Stressing about this wasn’t going to get me answers. I was betting the individual responsible would reveal themselves on their own. Probably at the worst possible moment.

I swiped the photograph, schedule and blank piece of paper off the bar. “Keep this to yourself for now. I don’t want anyone knowing I may be the target again.”

As if one stalker, a la an ancient vampire who’d sired my line, wasn’t bad enough.

Caroline retreated a tiny step as if to put distance between me and her. “I think it’s a little too late for that.”

“Yes, lover,” Liam purred, the sound sending a jolt of heat and adrenaline through my system. “The wolf is correct. It is far too late.”

I froze, my back to him as I faced the bar. In my head, I silently cursed. So much for keeping a lid on things until I could get a handle on it.

“Liam—so good of you to join us.” I put the brightest smile I could muster on my face as I twisted to face him, acting like I hadn’t just been caught red handed trying to hide something from him. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“So, I see.”

“You didn’t answer your phone,” I offered, his expression making me feel a little guilty at my attempted deception.

“I was occupied.”

I’d forgotten what an intimidating bastard he was when he wanted to be. I stood there, trying not to let nerves get the best of me.

Liam’s gaze dropped to the paper I still held. “You were being followed.”

“It would seem so,” I said, knowing there was no point trying to hide it now.

“You were supposed to be keeping a low profile.” A storm was building on his face. His control slipped, his fury showing for a split second before his mask slammed back into place, hiding all those messy emotions.

“I was,” I agreed.

“This is not low profile, A stór,” Liam growled.

“He has a point, Lena,” Caroline murmured beside me.

Liam’s eyes blazed with anger as they locked on her. “Stay out of this, wolf.”

Caroline bristled, her eyes bleeding to amber. “Or what?”

I stepped between them before either could do something I would regret. “That’s enough, Liam. This isn’t her fault.”

It wasn’t mine either, but I didn’t say that.

Emotion wasn’t always logical. For vampires especially.

Right now, Liam was locked in that male over-protective mindset and looking to blame someone for what he was feeling. Caroline made an easy target.

A whistle dispelled the building tension as Nathan sauntered into the room. His eyes bugged out at the sight of the corpse on the ceiling. “Aileen, what the fuck? How could you exclude me? You know how much I love massacres.”

Anton’s entrance was silent as he ignored Nathan’s ridiculousness to prowl over to the body.

Grateful for the distraction, I turned toward Nathan. “This wasn’t how my evening was supposed to go.”

Nathan shot me a flirtatious smile. “Only you could turn social hour into a murder fest.”

Caroline choked, her shoulders shaking with a silent laugh.

“How did Connor get an invite but not me?” Nathan asked, touching his chest in mock hurt. “I’ve known you longer.”

“Perks of being my business partner. Quit your enforcer gig and join the dark side, and you, too, can attend deadly social hour.”

“Don’t tempt me with your wicked ways, woman. I might take you up on your offer.”

“Report,” Liam said, losing patience.

Nathan became serious. “The crispy critter outside is definitely a vampire. We’ll need an autopsy to determine cause of death, but I would say it’s a pretty sure bet that his neck was broken beforehand.”

“There’s no way the hunter could have done that,” I said in surprise.

Breaking a person’s neck wasn’t as easy as it sounded. You needed both strength and leverage. It took training, and even then, it was best done using the element of surprise. With a vampire’s much quicker reflexes and greater strength, it would be practically impossible for a human to succeed.

Nathan’s brow furrowed. “What makes you think a hunter is involved in this?”

I shot a quick glance at Liam before nodding at the shish-kabob on the ceiling. “He saw the vampire’s murder.” As an afterthought, I added, “He’s a hunter.”

The statement seemed to suck all the air out of the room as Nathan went uncharacteristically silent. Even Anton stopped what he was doing to focus on me.

Caroline shifted uncomfortably. “You seem to have a lot to talk about. I’m just going to wait by Jenna for now.”

As if finally noticing there was someone else present, Anton and Nathan took in Jenna’s slumped over form. Anton frowned in disapproval as Nathan’s face went carefully blank.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I huffed at the two of them. “Connor has already compelled her. Tomorrow she’ll wake up not remembering what happened tonight.”

The thought left a sour feeling in my stomach.

Jenna would assume she got blackout drunk. Our relationship, the one we’d just got back, would probably return to the way it was. With me keeping my distance for her own safety.

“We didn’t say anything,” Nathan said.

“You didn’t have to.”

Their faces said it all.

Nathan started to speak before falling silent. There were some truths that were undeniable—hurtful though they might be.

Liam’s gaze caught mine in a silent question to ask if I was okay.

I shook my head. No. No, I wasn’t.

I didn’t want to go back to before. To the hurt feelings and misunderstandings that I’d purposely created.

“Do you know what the hunter was doing here?” Anton asked, changing the subject in a rare display of kindness that made me grateful. “They usually focus on the downtown clubs rather than small bars like this.”

The question reminded Liam of his anger.

He shot me an evil smile, enjoying my discomfort. “Yes, Aileen. Why don’t you explain what the hunter was doing here?”

My disgruntled expression made that smile widen.

“I’d be happy to answer for you if you can’t,” Liam said in a gentle tone that made me shiver.

I’d learned that the nicer he sounded, the more dangerous he was. Right now, he was the most lethal he’d ever been.

Nathan joined in the fun, raising his eyebrows at me in expectation. “Are you planning to share with the class?”

Traitor.

“You’re both bastards,” I grumbled, knowing he had to have picked up on the tension between Liam and I.

Nathan’s lips twitched, giving away his humor before he rearranged his features into a mask of polite inquiry. “Yes, but you knew that.”

“He was hunting Aileen,” Liam said, losing patience with his game.

“We don’t know that for sure,” I started.

Hello, denial. My good friend. It’s nice of you to join us again.

“We don’t!” I defended at Liam’s hard look. “It’s not certain the wallet and photo are his.”

Nathan’s expression was disbelieving. “You think the crispy vampire owning those is more reassuring? May I remind you that he’s also dead.”

My shoulders slumped. “Alright, I admit this doesn’t look good.”

Liam used his larger size to trap me between him and the bar, his arms acting like a cage. “You’re right, A stór. The situation does not look good.”

I should have felt intimidated by the way he loomed over me. Instead, I couldn’t help but find him a little bit hot, reminding me of some of the things we’d done during the day.

I licked my suddenly dry lips.

Liam’s pupils dilated, his gaze dropping to my mouth. A ravenous hunger descended. His hands clenched into fists on either side of me as he struggled with himself.

I waited to see which side of him would win. Whether his control would flounder or prevail.

Desire sent a flood of warmth to my center as I watched his lips.

His head dipped, his mouth hovering over mine. Our breaths mingled. So close. Prickles of sensation ran through me in anticipation.

His eyes darkened, his decision made as he leaned forward.

“Well, well, this is an unexpected sight,” Dominick drawled, his voice acting like a splash of cold water on our libidos.

Liam’s jaw flexed as he drew back, his gaze meeting mine in apology.

My nod was unhappy. “I guess even vampires can get cock blocked.”

A spurt of amusement showed before it vanished. By the time he straightened, Liam’s face was a bland mask.

Dominick’s gaze moved between the two us in speculation. “A little birdie told me you had lost your head over a woman, but I didn’t believe it. Even seeing how you acted with her last night wasn’t enough to convince me.” Dominick advanced further into the bar, taking in everything at a glance. “The vampire I know would have left her weeping into her pillow from a broken heart by now.”

“What makes you think he’s the one who would be doing the abandoning?” I asked, leaning both elbows on the bar behind me as I smirked.

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Liam’s warning look and shook my head faintly.

It was too late to roll over and play dead. Dominick had already fixated on me. Exposing my belly at this stage would only get it ripped out.

Liam would realize that if he stopped to think for a moment.

Dominick looked fascinated by me. “It’s just as I heard. You’re unspeakably arrogant.”

“You shouldn’t believe everything you’re told,” I said, my eyes on Kat as she entered the bar. “Jealousy has a way of twisting the facts.”

Dominick followed my gaze to the other vampire. “Is that so?”

“That’s up to you to decide.”

He wasn’t the only one who could sow discord and plant seeds of doubt.

“Kat, I thought you were smarter than this,” I drawled. “How many times do I have to kick your ass before you learn?”

Dominick’s jaw ticked.

As I’d suspected, she’d neglected to mention that little factoid to him. She’d probably made me seem like a defenseless moron who got by on my connections with more powerful vampires.

Liam relaxed, losing the rigid tension in his body that had been there since Dominick’s entrance. The corners of his lips tugged upwards as he leaned against the bar next to me, his shoulder brushing mine.

Together, we watched the pair with bored gazes.

To Dominick’s credit, he recovered almost instantly. “I see I’ll have to be more careful in my choice of allies in the future.”

Kat blanched.

Her reaction would have seemed extreme if Liam hadn’t warned me what a sadistic bastard Dominick was. Kat was nothing if not self-serving. Her denial game was stronger than mine. She had a habit of seeing only what she wanted to. So, he must have shown her that side of himself for her response to be so pronounced.

Last night she’d acted like she had the upper hand. Now, she was more like a frightened rabbit forced to endure the presence of a big bad wolf.

“Does Sofia know of your presence here?” Liam asked.

“This has nothing to do with Davinish’s Matriarch.”

Nathan scoffed. “You really can’t be that stupid.”

I wouldn’t go that far. In my experience, Kat could be way more moronic than this.

Kat’s chin notched higher. “I’m assisting an enforcer of the council in an investigation. There can be no higher purpose. She will understand.”

I doubted that.

“That’s a nice villain speech. Did you practice it?” I asked, all too conscious of Jenna and Caroline’s presence in the corner. Nerves were dancing a tango in my stomach, bringing my inner snarkzilla to the forefront.

With Liam’s big body to provide coverage, I snuck my hand under his shirt to touch the bare skin of his lower back, using him to keep me from losing my mind to stress. His muscles tensed lightly before relaxing.

I flexed my fingers, letting him feel the threat of my nails.

He shifted under my touch, reaching around himself to grab my hand and press it against his obliques. “If you’re going to punish me, mo chuisle, do it properly.”

I flushed, not expecting him to take our flirtation to the next level in present company.

He smirked at me, reaching up to tuck a piece of hair behind my ear as his gaze warned me to play along.

Ah—I finally understood.

He was helping me distract the others from my sister by giving them something more interesting to focus on.

I softened, gratefulness radiating from my gaze.

Liam’s gaze held mine. The affection and tenderness within stealing my breath for a second.

When he finally looked away, a cold brutality replaced what I’d seen.

“Fuck off, Aileen,” Kat snarled. “If it weren’t for you, I would still be my Matriarch’s successor.”

“You mean if not for your own actions.”

Thomas wasn’t the type to sacrifice a useful pawn just because his yearling disliked the person. Kat wasn’t as effective at her job as she pretended to be. Otherwise, she’d still be there.

“You’re the one who challenged me and lost,” I continued. “You not only went against the Master of the City, you got trounced by a vampire not out of her first decade. You tied Sofia’s hands.”

She’d had no choice but to demote Kat. To do otherwise would have called Sofia’s leadership into question and her people would have accused her of playing favorites.

The fact Sofia only demoted her from her position as successor was a kindness that showed how much the Matriarch cared for Kat. In time, Kat could have worked her way back up.

Her impatience had now cost her. And for what? Revenge?

“None of that matters now.” Dominick slid a hand around Kat’s waist, drawing her into his body. “As my guide, she’s one of mine now. I’m sure no one would dare object to that.”

Kat flinched at the kiss he pressed against her cheek. The tension in her body reminded me of a wild animal braced to flee. The distressed sound that escaped Kat made Dominick smile. His fangs peeked from between his lips, a sign of arousal.

Bastard.

“You haven’t been given hunting rights to this city,” Liam said.

Nathan’s teasing smile vanished, leaving a stone-cold killer in his eyes. Anton slipped one hand into his jacket, where I suspected a weapon was concealed.

The enforcers moved to flank Dominick and Kat, their presence a silent threat as the tension in the room ratcheted up.

Dominick’s tongue flicked out to touch the side of Kat’s neck, drawing out a whimper. “That doesn’t apply to vampires or when the blood is freely given.” There was a challenge in his gaze as he looked at Liam, not moving his lips from Kat’s neck. “You’re a willing participant. Aren’t you, my darling?”

Kat throat worked as she swallowed. “Yes.”

Dominick placed a gentle kiss over her artery. “Very good, my precious. You’ve learned well.”

“Thank you,” Kat gritted out.

“See, Liam. No rules have been broken.”

Liam’s jaw flexed.

Something about the situation infuriated him, but I couldn’t tell what.

Nathan shook his head at me, making a small gesture to wait.

“Why are you here, Dominick?” Liam asked in a hard voice.

“One of the vampires I brought with me is missing. My lovely companion got word he was last spotted in this section of the city.” The vampire set his chin on Kat’s shoulder. “Imagine my surprise when I arrived to find he’d already been murdered by a hunter.”

I straightened away from the bar, losing my nonchalance.

Surprise. Right. Could anyone say set up?

I certainly could. Liam’s tight expression said he could too. The fact I’d added a hunter to those stalking me no longer seemed unusual. If Natalia’s information that some hunters worked with the council was to be believed, he definitely had the contacts to arrange our current problems.

Dominick probably didn’t even care that his hunter was dead. With his position, it wouldn’t be hard to send more my way.

He could just keep them coming until one got lucky.

Liam’s body had gone rigid with the same realization.

Dominick’s smile widened as Liam snarled. “Oh ho, someone is feeling a touch sensitive.”

I grabbed Liam’s arm, concerned at how taut his muscles were. They were wound tighter than a wire, likely to snap at the smallest provocation. “Liam, he’s doing this on purpose. Don’t let him win.”

Liam relaxed under my touch.

Before I could feel any relief, a groan came from the table where Caroline and Jenna were.

Genuine surprise replaced Dominick’s conceited expression as he looked in their direction. “What’s this?”

Kat seemed relieved that his attention was no longer on her. “Aileen’s pet werewolf. I’m not sure about the human.”

Caroline hovered protectively in front of Jenna as Dominick strode toward them. A growl slipped free as her wolf tried to push its way out of her body. It was like watching a figure emerge from soft wax. Caroline’s nose elongated. Ears sprouted from her head as her blue eyes took on an amber hue.

“Such disrespect,” Dominick murmured.

I never saw him move. Just heard Caroline’s pained yelp a second before she hit the wall behind her with a thud.

“I see there are many things in this city that need to be fixed. Whoever the next lord is has their work cut out for them.” Dominick straightened the cuffs of his sleeve before shifting his attention to Jenna. He reached for her neck, a lack of empathy in his gaze. “I’ll start with this human.”

My hand moved before my brain could catch up. Everything happened in seconds.

Me grabbing an abandoned bottle. Smashing it against the bar. Then flinging it at Dominick.

It whistled as it sailed through the air.

There was a surreal tinge to the world as it sank into the forearm reaching for my sister. The smell of blood flooded the room. Floral with a hint of mint.

Nathan and Anton watched with open mouths. Liam’s quirked eyebrow was his only reaction.

A gurgle came from Jenna as she lifted her head from the table to find glass sticking out of Dominick’s arm.

“What are you doing, Lena? You can’t throw bottles at people!” Jenna searched the table frantically for a napkin to stem the blood with.

“It looks like she can,” Nathan said, his surprise fading to glee. “Very well, in fact. Nice aim, A.”

Anton nodded with a faint look of approval on his face.

A soft chuff came from the shadows under one of the tables. I looked over to find Alches lying down and watching the situation from his hiding spot. His tongue lolled out of his mouth, his tentacles waving before they twined in on themselves.

I sent him a demanding look, asking if he planned to help me at any point tonight. He closed his mouth, one side of his lip getting caught between his teeth as he cocked his head.

I took that as a no. Useless realm guardian.

I held out a hand in imperious command, pretending not to feel the panic crawling up my throat. “Jenna, come here.”

This was bad. So very, very bad.

Jenna acted like she hadn’t heard, deep in the throes of a panic attack. “They’ll put you in jail for assault!”

Worse. I was probably dead. I’d given Dominick exactly what he wanted—an excuse to retaliate against my sire.

“Jenna!” I barked, the sound cutting through her hysteria. “Please!”

Relief filled me when Jenna finally realized how much danger she was in. Cautiously, she backed away, keeping her gaze on Dominick.

Caroline appeared at her side, using her body to herd Jenna toward the back exit.

Dominick showed no pain as he plucked shards of glass from his forearm. “Interference in the duties of a council representative. That sentence carries death.”

Jenna stopped. “What is he talking about? Lena?”

“Go!” I ordered. To Caroline, “Get her out of here.”

Caroline caught Jenna’s arm, hauling her back. My sister fought hard, but she was no match for a werewolf.

“What are you doing? We can’t leave her!”

Caroline shoved her toward the door. “I’m not happy about this either, but we don’t have a choice. You’ll just be in the way.”

“You’re going nowhere,” Dominick said.

Behind him, the woman and the black-haired man with unfinished features from last night glided into the room.

“No one is to leave. Block the exits. I don’t care what happens to the werewolf, but the human is mine,” Dominick informed them.

The woman licked her lips as she looked Caroline over. There was a mad light in her eyes that showed her lust for pain and blood. The man’s expression was dispassionate as he started forward.

Nathan blocked his path. “Does anyone else feel insulted that they keep forgetting about us?”

“I do,” Anton answered, not taking his gaze from the two newcomers.

The woman cocked her head and giggled. “Don’t worry. I can play with you when I’m done.”

Anton’s eyes narrowed. “Why wait when I’m right here?”

Insanity shone in the woman’s smile as she bounced forward.

“Helen,” her companion warned.

Helen pouted, disappointment flashing across her face. “You’re such a spoilsport, Arturas.” She batted her eyelashes at Anton. “Sorry, handsome. Maybe next time.”

“I’m afraid you’ll be dead before then,” Anton informed her.

She gave a full body shiver, acting like he’d just turned her on. “Promises, promises.”

“Is your blood slut worth the deaths of yourself and your men?” Dominick asked with a glance in my direction making it clear who he was referring to.

My hands trembled. “Liam.”

I wasn’t sure if I was asking for his help or warning him to leave me to my fate. Either option would result in losing something.

I couldn’t abandon my sister nor could I drag him down alongside me. It’d be like choosing between my heart or my lungs.

I couldn’t live without either.

Liam cupped my cheek. “I know, mo chuisle.”

Did he? Because that made one of us.

He smiled at me like I was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen.

“You’ve been impetuous, Dominick,” Liam murmured, not taking his gaze from mine. His hand dropped to the back of my neck and squeezed once. “The vampire I knew wouldn’t have been so hasty.”

Wariness replaced Dominick’s gloating.

“You dare attack a human while in another master’s territory—where you were specifically denied hunting rights,” Liam said with a silky purr to his voice that made my lady bits tingle in remembered pleasure. “Aileen acted in her master’s interests.”

Oh, wow. That was—

I didn’t even have words.

I gave a tiny nod of agreement. That’s exactly why I’d played darts with a broken beer bottle. To protect Thomas’s reputation. That sounded exactly like the sort of thing I’d do.

Dominick’s expression was coldly furious. “The human was present during a vampire’s death. She could be a witness. She’s also unclaimed. You have no grounds to protect her, and I have every right to interrogate her to see what she knows.”

“This is an internal matter,” Liam said evenly. “You’re here on council business. Not to interfere with the way our territory is run.”

Dominick gave him a disbelieving look. “You call the death of my vampire an ‘internal matter.’”

“Do you have any proof that the vampire outside is yours?”

That would be a big fat no. The fire had destroyed the vampire’s features. Identification was impossible unless they matched his dental records or DNA. Neither of which they could do standing here.

Check mate.

It was so satisfying watching Liam do this to someone other than me.

“Whether he’s mine or not, you can’t deny hunter involvement,” Dominick snapped. “Standing orders from the council give me priority in such matters.”

Liam’s hand touched my waist, his touch a gentle caress along my rib cage. “I’m interested to know your reasoning for concluding this was done by a hunter. As far as we know, the deceased is human. There’s been no evidence to support hunter presence.” Liam paused to arch an eyebrow at Dominick. “Unless there’s something you know, that we don’t?”

Dominick froze, an impenetrable wall dropping down over his expression. “Of course not.”

Ah ha. Got you, you bastard.

Without being able to claim the vampire as his or proving a hunter presence, he didn’t have a justification for his attack on Jenna.

And he’d been so arrogant earlier.

“Also, the claim of the human woman being unattached is wrong. She belongs to another and as such you can’t touch her without their consent.”

Dominick’s expression faltered as his gaze shot to me. “Impossible.”

I almost nodded in agreement.

“Look again,” Liam advised.

Dominick twisted to stare at Jenna.

My sister’s expression showed confusion as she glanced my way. “What’s going on, Lena?”

“Shh,” I shushed her. “It’ll be over soon.”

I hoped.

Fury lite Dominick’s expression before his gaze swung to Kat in accusation.

Kat shook her head. “I didn’t know. I swear.”

I frowned. What were they talking about?

“You didn’t know the human belonged to the Master of the City?” Dominick demanded.

A jolt ran through me. Liam tightened the arm around my waist, not letting me push away from him.

I searched his expression. Please let this be a ruse.

“Without evidence on your side and with the human’s claimed status settled, you have overstepped.” Liam’s gaze moved to the door. “Wouldn’t you agree, Master of the City?”