Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 89162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89162 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 446(@200wpm)___ 357(@250wpm)___ 297(@300wpm)
“Good, because you might be called to do just that,” Sylvan told him. “But first we have to find a way for Councilor Paige to argue the case and win it. Come on—let’s go back.”
15
MOLLY
Molly looked up as the door slid open and the two big Kindred came back into Commander Sylvan’s office. Commander Torus settled beside her in his chair again and gave her a nod. She wanted to ask if everything was all right, but she didn’t dare with Commander Sylvan and Councilor Paige sitting right there.
“All right, thank you for waiting for us,” Commander Sylvan said, settling back behind his desk.
“Oh, we weren’t waiting—I think I’ve come up with an idea,” Lizabeth said, giving him an arch smile. “But first, is there anything else I should know?”
“Nothing except that I believe that Commander Torus was firmly in the right,” Commander Sylvan said. “After what he witnessed, he had no choice but to act as he did. And as a Kindred warrior, I would have done the same thing.”
Molly’s eyes widened. What had Commander Torus told his boss to make him side so firmly with him?
“As it happens, I agree with you,” Lizabeth said mildly. “Putting it simply, Molly’s ex is a complete bastard who got what he had coming to him. The question is, how do we sell that to a jury?”
“I thought you said you had an idea?” Commander Sylvan asked.
“I do.” The lawyer leaned forward. “But it’s going to take everyone’s cooperation and a little bit of subterfuge.”
“Subterfuge?” Torus frowned. “How do you mean?”
“Look—I told you we needed to establish two things to use the Rage defense. One—Molly had to be in danger of imminent harm. Now she has confessed to me, while the two of you were talking, that her ex’s harassment in sending the video made her feel suicidal. When she expressed those feelings to Commander Torus, that’s when he went into Rage.”
“Yes, that’s true.” Molly nodded and Commander Torus did as well, though he also got a pained expression on his face. Reaching down, he took Molly’s hand and squeezed it.
She felt a warm glow suffuse her and she looked up at him and smiled.
“Okay, good.” Lizabeth looked briefly at their clasped hands and nodded. “And two, we needed to establish some kind of romantic connection between the two of you—some reason that Commander Torus would go into a protective Rage for the woman he loves.”
“What?” Molly’s mouth was suddenly dry. “But he doesn’t—I mean, Commander Torus is my boss.”
“Well from now on, he’s going to be more than that. Or at least, appear to be more,” the lawyer said. “As of now, the two of you are getting engaged and tomorrow you’re getting married—or as the Kindred say, ‘Joined.’”
16
TORUS
Torus wasn’t sure what to think. He was still holding Molly’s hand in his but his brain was momentarily blank. Joined to a human? Wasn’t that exactly what he’d been trying to avoid?
“I don’t understand,” he said slowly. “Why would Molly and I get Joined?”
“Because we need to establish a relationship between the two of you before the trial—we need the jury to see a reason for you to defend Molly and go into Rage for her,” Councilor Paige said patiently. “Our defense works a lot better if you’re her husband than if you’re just her boss.”
“It’s not a bad idea,” Commander Sylvan said thoughtfully. “The humans always seem to be enchanted by the way we Kindred are so protective of our Mates—though we’re only acting as any male should,” he added.
“Of course, we’re only talking about a temporary Joining,” Councilor Paige went on. “After the trial is over, the two of you can separate again…if you want to,” she added, giving Molly a look that Torus couldn’t interpret.
Molly, however, seemed upset.
“But…but you can’t make Commander Torus marry me like that!” she exclaimed. “I mean, he’s my boss—he doesn’t want to get married to his subordinate!”
“Yes, I do!” Torus’s own words surprised him. Clearly they surprised Molly too, because she looked up at him with wide, uncertain eyes.
“You do?” she asked in a small voice.
“I do,” Torus said firmly. Then he cleared his throat. “I mean, I want to do anything I can to help with this court case—and to protect you from further harm,” he added, looking down at her. “If pretending to get Joined and living as a couple for a little while will help win the case, then I don’t see a reason not to.” He raised an eyebrow at her. “Unless you really don’t want to?”
“Oh, I mean, if…if you really think…that is, if you really don’t mind…” Molly’s cheeks were bright pink with embarrassment and confusion but she didn’t seem upset, Torus thought—just uncertain.
“I don’t mind,” he said softly, squeezing her hand which he still held. After all, it wasn’t as though their Joining would be real, he told himself. And if Councilor Paige thought it was necessary, who was he to say “no?”