22. Trial

22

TRIAL

T he next two hours are tense as we wait around my dad's phone, waiting for news.

Every time his phone makes a noise, my heart speeds up, which causes everybody to look at me. But it's not as if I can help it. I'm anxious.

When Dad's phone rings, I sit up straighter.

He shakes his head, silencing the ringtone. "Not them."

I sit back in my chair feeling dejected.

I wish I could've gone with them to rescue her, but I understand why I couldn't.

Lucien sits down on the other side of me. "You okay, Maddie?"

"I've been better," I admit.

Damek squeezes my hand. "They'll call soon."

Lucien relaxes in his seat. "I admit, it's harder to be on this side of things, waiting to see what happens."

I grin. "Yeah, I agree."

Lucien nods. "Right, Dad told me you got kidnapped too. He said you enthralled Prince Lucas and he just let you walk right out."

"Yeah. I had no clue I was powerful enough to do that." I chew on my bottom lip. "Before that, I could've sworn I was more vampire than succubus. I didn't think my succubus magic was strong."

Part of me still wonders if it's a fluke thing…

Julien sits down on the other side of Lucien. "Maddie thinks she's not attractive. But I explained to her that she and I look alike. Since I'm gorgeous, she is too."

Lucien narrows his eyes at Julien. "Sometimes I wonder if you were adopted."

I laugh.

Julien crosses his arms over his chest. "You are just jealous because I'm hot." He grins at me. "Right, Maddie? We're the cute ones."

"I'm staying out of this," I say.

Julien looks at Damek. "You're on my side, right?"

Damek cocks an eyebrow. "I agree that Maddie is gorgeous, but I don't particularly think the two of you look alike."

Julien puts a hand on his chest. "I'm wounded. I thought you and I were going to be friends."

"Children," Dad says, giving Julien a look. "No arguing."

As soon as Dad turns his head, I stick my tongue out at Julien.

"Dad, Maddie stuck her tongue out at me!" Julien tattles.

Dad looks between the three of us. "Aren't you guys too old to fight?"

"Siblings are never too old to argue." Lucien relaxes into his seat. "Having Maddie here is great. I finally have somebody on my side." He turns to me. "Mom and Dad always sided with Julien—he's their baby so they love him more."

"We do not," Dad says.

I'm sure they don't love Julien more, but they definitely baby him. I've been around long enough to see that.

Lucien and I share a look, but we don't argue with him.

Dad's phone rings again and I glance toward the screen. When I see Kaine's name pop up, my heart races knowing that it's him who is supposed to call with news.

Dad picks up the phone and puts it to his ear. "Kaine."

"We've got her," Kaine says.

My entire body relaxes at his words.

They've got my mom.

"We're about to board a plane," he continues. "We also have King Nodin and his family in custody. We will be bringing them back for a trial."

"Excellent. I will make sure the council is ready when you get back," Dad says.

"Is Mom okay?" I ask.

Dad relays what I said to Kaine.

"She's fine—she fought them the entire time she was there. I don't think I've ever seen anybody so mad in my life," Kaine says.

I laugh, knowing Mom must've been very ticked off to be kept as a prisoner. She's always had a temper and nobody can force her to do something against her will—I'm pretty sure that's the reason I exist. She was mad at my grandfather for trying to force her into a political marriage.

Once they hang up, the rest of us leave Dad's office so he can make phone calls to any remaining council members who need to be here for the hearing. Lucien talks to everybody else and tells them the good news.

Damek stays by my side, comforting me. My heart feels so full and happy, knowing that my family is safe. The Nodin Clan will be judged for their crimes and they won't be able to hurt anybody ever again.

And me… I get my dream guy. Nothing could be better.

Damek presses a kiss to my lips. "I'm relieved they found your mom."

I let out a breath. "Me too. I didn't want to have the wedding without her. I was worried it might take months to find her. I'm relieved that wasn't the case."

"Two more weeks." He shakes his head. "I know that two weeks isn't long, but it feels like forever."

I grin. "Two weeks and we start our lives together. It won't be so bad of a wait. Besides, I kind of like the anticipation."

"So we should postpone so you can have a long traditional succubus engagement," Damek teases.

I press a finger to his lips. "Absolutely not. Don't even mention that. We've waited long enough."

He kisses my finger. "I tried to get you a year."

"And I appreciate that." I stand on the tips of my toes, trying to reach his lips. He bends over to meet my mouth.

The sound of a throat clearing has us pulling back.

"Madeline, Damek," Dad says. "If you two would get ready. The council will be meeting as soon as they get back with the Nodin leaders."

Translation: don't make out where everybody can see us.

Right.

I grin at him. "Sorry, Dad."

He gently pats me on the back and grins.

Damek and I do step back from each other, but he keeps giving me these heated looks and I know he's thinking about kissing me.

Two more weeks, I remind myself.

A little later, the front doors are thrown open as Kaine and about fifty guards lead King Nodin, his two sons, and the rest of his family toward the meeting room. It's a relief to see Lucas Nodin in handcuffs.

They can't hurt us anymore.

Mom walks in a few paces behind the crowd. She is surrounded by guards. I run over to her and the guards make room for me. I throw my arms around my mom and she squeezes me back.

"Are you okay?" I ask her.

"I'm fine," she says. "Don't fret over me."

"Madeline," Dad calls.

"I've got to go," I tell her. "I'm glad you're okay. I love you."

"I love you," Mom says.

Damek, who is standing just behind me, holds my hand as I turn away from my mom. Together, we walk behind my dad into the conference room.

When we walk inside, I freeze in the doorway as I make eye contact with Lucas Nodin. He glares at me when he sees that Damek and I are holding hands. Damek steps between us as he tugs me along with him. I decide not to look Lucas's way again—he isn't worth any of my attention.

The trial begins with Lucien talking about his time with the Nodin Clan. When it's time to give my testimony, I look at the council members, doing my best to ignore Lucas even though I can feel his eyes on me. Kaine gives the testimony for my mother. Since she's not a vampire, she's not allowed at the trial. But she wouldn't want to be here anyway, not since she just got back from being kidnapped. Mom hates stuff like this anyway.

Once we finish, the council calls for a recess to discuss a proper punishment. I expect the recess to take a long time, but they're back within ten minutes.

I gasp when the punishment is announced.

The Nodin leaders are to be stripped of their titles. They will be sent to Supernatural Island. The rest of the Nodin Clan will be questioned—those who are innocent will be free to join the Scott or Rune clans, and anybody guilty will be charged according to the severity of their crime.

I sag in relief knowing that the Nodin Clan will never be able to hurt me or my family again. They'll never be able to hurt anybody. It's more than I could've ever hoped for.