Stolen Hearts: Book 1 (Grim's Labyrinth Series) by Ariana Gael, Grim's Labyrinth Publishing Page A

dangerous killer to grow to maturity, and then had the willful nerve to unleash that killer on the rest of us. At this very moment, the escaped murderer is in the hands of our enemies, ready for them to bend her to their will and wipe us all out. All because of this woman.”
    Rageeb pointed accusingly at Faydra and kicked a toeful of dirt in her direction to show his scorn. The sand and pebbles rained down on the top of her thigh, stinging one of her cuts for a moment. The minor pain only served to anger Faydra, and anger was her only hope.
    God knows this council doesn’t care a thing about mercy, that’s for sure, she remembered, calling on years of stored memories. Her years of dedication to the council had been filled with sitting in trials just like this one, with the obvious difference being she was the one staring back at their brutality. Had there ever been a trial in her experience that showed mercy? Of course not. That would be weakness, and if there was anything the council couldn’t tolerate it was sniveling beggars who pleaded for their lives.
    If Rageeb lets me address this sham of a court, I’ll win. But he knows that, she thought ruefully as she tried to plot her strategy. These people will listen to me, but that’s only if I’m given the opportunity. Rageeb himself would never allow it, but maybe they’ll require it.
    “What does the defendant have to say for herself?” one of the members asked, addressing Rageeb instead of speaking to her. She wanted to open her mouth and remind them that she was completely capable of answering for herself, but she remembered that protocol reigned above all else. She had not been spoken to, therefore she was to remain silent.
    “What can she say?” he answered in classic corrupt council fashion. Why answer the question when it could be deflected with a pointless remark instead? “The facts speak for themselves. Faydra was elected to the council—through very suspicious means, I feel compelled to point out—and then when we needed her most, she went running to another agency when they held out a lucrative offer, one that would mean great personal gain for Faydra and very little support for our organization. She basically saw a better offer, so she took it, without thinking once about how her actions would impact our council.
    “Even worse, she took a position that she was ill-suited for—again, rumored to have been offered to her only after some possible bribes were paid—and then couldn’t even fulfill the simplest of requests from this council: erase the threat of the killer before she comes of age and destroys us all.
    “Her final crime was to let the creature go. As if that wasn’t dangerous and neglectful enough, the creature is right now in the central stronghold of the Balkat.” Rageeb paused for the gasp of disbelief he was sure that mention of their enemy’s name would induce. “I would love to say that it’s not possible that Faydra actually presented the creature to the Balkat, but at this point, I just don’t know anymore.”
    Rageeb paced in a circle as he spoke, but at this last accusation, he hung his head and pressed his hands together in front of his eyes, as though the very thought of his ex-wife being so menacing had brought great shame and heartache on him. The effect was both comical and clever.
    “You are making serious accusations, Rageeb,” another member spoke. “I don’t say that there’s no truth to them, but I would be far more convinced if there was some piece of evidence that Faydra acted maliciously, or at least with intent. She may be guilty of nothing more than poor judgment, for all we know, but you’re seeking the most severe punishment our council inflicts. I have to wonder if some of your motivation is tied to… shall we say… old wounds?”
    Faydar wanted to run and kiss the old man who’d spoken, but that would be more incriminating than if she were to brandish a dagger and stab the man through the heart