somewhere
along the way her distant cousin had learned how to make requests to the monitors for
information, including notifications when others had visitors. When Kevyn and Guber returned
for another meeting, Theodosius darted out of his cubicle and snatched at Epsi's sleeve as she
stood up, in preparation for being transported to the visitation area.
"I demand representation by my dear cousin's advocate," Theodosius said, using his
plummy, I'm just so jolly and beloved, everyone has to give me what I want, tone of
voice.
"Such a request can only be granted by the advocate in question. Epsibellah, do you
grant permission for this suspect to accompany you to your meeting with your advocate?" the
monitor voice asked.
"If my advocate says no, does he get sent back immediately? He can't stay and harass us
until he gets his way?" Epsi immediately snapped.
"Of course. Your advocate is not required to take any clients he does not wish to
handle."
"Okay. He can come. Hands off, Theo." She twisted her arm free of Theodosius's grip
and checked her sleeve, positive there would be oil stains from his fingers. After all, she had only
brought six changes of clothes. She wanted them to last as long as possible, and she didn't know
how long she would be held in the holding dimension.
Kevyn and Guber both stood up when Epsi walked through the portal. Their welcoming
smiles fell off their faces when Theodosius stomped through. He nudged her aside and snatched
at the only chair on his side of the table.
"Hey, dude, show some respect for the lady," Guber said, before Theodosius could open
his mouth and begin what promised to be a harangue, based on the sour look on his pudgy
face.
"What lady?" Theodosius said, looking around the room. His gaze landed on Epsi, who
took her place at the end of the table, standing closer to Kevyn and Guber than to him. It was
evident from his sneer that he was about to say something derogatory about her, but he glanced
at Kevyn and his expression froze. His flushed complexion paled, and he swallowed hard.
Epsi looked at Kevyn. He had definitely graduated from his final steps of training,
because only full advocates were able to manifest the official Thundercloud of Disapproval,
guaranteed to intimidate the most obnoxious, arrogant, self-righteous, malicious pests to ever
stand before the Fae High Court. It wasn't directed at her, but the flames in his eyes and the
sub-zero temperatures radiating from Kevyn's frown made Epsi tremble for a few seconds.
"Could we have a new, clean chair for the lady?" Guber said, when Theodosius
cleared his throat in obvious preparation to begin his demands.
The chair appeared immediately. Guber hurried to move the chair to the end of the table,
positioned so Epsi was definitely seated with him and Kevyn, and leaving the other side of the
table all for Theodosius. He held it for Epsi, then pushed it in for her after she sat down.
"Yes, well. I'm sure you know what I want," Theodosius began, to be cut off by Kevyn's
sharp upward flick of his hand.
"We heard. And I'm not dropping my representation of Epsi to take you on," Kevyn
said.
"I'm not asking you to drop her. Just put her case aside until you tend to mine."
Theodosius's oily smile made Epsi want to pull out her compact and touch up her makeup to get
rid of the shine that was probably coating her from head to toe.
"Why?"
"Why? Why--because--well, I'm the Administrator King, of course."
"Former." Kevyn sounded bored.
Epsi wondered if he had taken a class in advocate training to learn how to do that,
too.
"Very well, former. But only because it was simpler to terminate my term than to
investigate--"
"The investigation is going on at this very moment. Advocates and clerks from every
level of the judiciary are working on the allegations and counterclaims." Kevyn sat back in the
chair and crossed his arms. "What made you think the allegations had been dropped?"
"That doesn't matter right now. The fact of the matter
Annabel Joseph
Rue Allyn
Willa Sibert Cather
Christine d'Abo
Serenity King, Pepper Pace, Aliyah Burke, Erosa Knowles, Latrivia Nelson, Tianna Laveen, Bridget Midway, Yvette Hines
CJ Whrite
Alfy Dade
Kathleen Ernst
Samantha-Ellen Bound
Viola Grace