Pale Demon (The Hollows #9)(96)
Author: Kim Harrison

My mouth dropped open, and from the higher seats, a few people clapped. Nearer, through the haze, I saw frightened expressions and heard a soft murmur rise. Give me to a demon? Was he serious?

Vivian strode dramatically across the stage, gathering eyes to her and taking them from me. "Do you even hear yourself?" she said, putting a hand on the table and leaning toward him.

Oliver drew back, but he was clearly unrepentant. "If she’s a black witch, then giving her to a demon isn’t a crime."

No, it would be a joke, I thought.

At the end of the coven table, Leon raised his hand for everyone’s attention. "I’m not going to agree with any plan that gives a person to a demon," he said, shocking Oliver. Amanda and Wyatt nodded, looking less sure, but agreeing with him. Emboldened, the timid man took a firmer grip on his amulet. "I am willing to consider that legalizing black magic in certain individuals might be permissible," he said, and the crowd buzzed. "I’d like to explore this in greater detail, that perhaps a coven member might be allowed to become skilled in black magic if the ends are good."

Pierce exhaled, and I smiled at him. If his claim to the coven was accepted, then I’d have two strong votes for me. Trent, too, looked less stressed, and the soft clench of his jaw eased. Maybe this was how they planned on getting my shunning permanently revoked. Working for the coven to fight a demon was a hell of a lot better than living in the ever-after or being Trent’s witch. I relaxed, seeing an end I could live with, even if it would cramp my style. Working for the coven. Ha! But at least I’d get paid for doing something I’d probably have to do anyway.

Seeing his victory dissolving in a wash of common sense, Oliver stood. "We should adjourn and discuss this in private."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," I said, grabbing my amplifying amulet, uncrossing my legs, and leaning forward past Trent to see Oliver better. "I was promised a trial before my peers." Along with my shunning being removed and an end to this, but first things first.

Pierce stood, tugging his vest straight and reaching for his amulet. "A private council is how I ended up in the ground," he said. "I won’t accept going behind closed doors."

A hole in the ground, a cell with no windows. I could always call on Al, but if I did, there’d be no way I’d get my shunning removed. I fidgeted as the crowd buzzed and the witches at the table discussed the issue. Finally Wyatt rang the bell for silence. "I want to do this here," he said, and Oliver fell back in his chair with a dramatic expression of irritation. "I don’t want to spend days on this. I have just one question." He looked at the other two witches, silent, but clearly as interested as he was. "Perhaps this is a morality trial after all."

Morality, I thought, starting to sweat. I could do this. I didn’t know what to do with my hands, and I envied Trent, who was holding Lucy. He could suggest running me through with a flagpole, and as long as he was holding that baby, all they would say would be "Awwww."

Vivian looked questioningly at me, and after glancing at Pierce, I nodded. Seeing my acceptance, she inclined her head at the witch, and he reached for his amulet as he leaned forward. "I want to hear why they each risked shunning to learn black magic."

The crowd quieted, and I felt a wash of hope. Survival. I’d done it for survival. And I could say that without that stupid bell ringing. Who would blame me for that?

"Very well," Vivian said, a faint worry line on her brow giving me pause. "Rachel, why did you learn black magic?"

Pierce sat down and I stood, nervous as I took a step forward. "By necessity," I said, thinking of all the curses I’d used and the soul-searching that had come before them. "To stay alive, and to save the lives of those I love."

The audience was silent, waiting for the bell that never rang. Even as the truth came out, I was saddened. They had truly believed I’d done it because I was a power-hungry monster.

"Gordian Pierce?" Vivian said.

The chair creaked as he stood, and I watched him step a little past me. "I learned black magic to kill demons."

A wave of soft sound rose and fell from the people beyond the haze, and Oliver leaned forward, his little eyes glinting. "And have you…killed demons?" he asked. "With your black-arts skills?"

"I have had moderate success," he said, and from the corner of my sight, I watched Trent bow his head, holding Lucy close as if he were hurt. "I have tried," Pierce stated loudly as the crowd showed their disbelief.

"Just two days ago, I almost killed a demon."

Al, I thought, grimacing. Then I went cold, turning to look at Pierce in horror. Shit.

"But you failed," Oliver needled him. "Why should we allow you to rejoin the coven if you’re not skilled enough?"

Shit, shit, shit! I thought as I silently begged Pierce to keep his mouth shut, but I couldn’t move. If I moved, it would look worse.

"I would have succeeded," Pierce said hotly. "The hell spawn would be dead but for-"

Pierce stopped. His eyes wide, he looked at me in fear. "I’m so sorry," he whispered, knowing what was going to happen. "Rachel, I didn’t think…"

I swallowed hard as his words went out to the hundreds assembled, waiting.

"But for what?" Oliver said. Standing, he gestured. "But for what, Gordian!"

Trent’s head was bowed, and Vivian looked pained. She knew. She had heard us talk.

"I failed," Pierce stated. "It was my failing. I’m not good enough."

"Why?" Oliver’s voice was demanding. "If you’re not good enough, then this claim of learning black magic to save ourselves is a load of crap and you should be buried alive again!"

Pierce’s eyes closed, his jaw clenched, refusing to speak.

My chest hurt, and I said the words for him. "Because I stopped him."

Chapter Twenty-Two

Trent bowed his head as the auditorium erupted in noise. In Trent’s arms, Lucy woke and began to wail. I knew how she felt.

"Rachel," Pierce said, and I pushed his hand from me, standing with my chin high even as I felt my one chance slipping away. Damn it. Damn it back to the Turn and hell again.

"You’d have us pardon the black witch who stopped another from killing a demon?" Oliver was shouting, and I cringed. "If you’re afraid and want the taint of black magic among us, the choice is simple! We should choose a demon killer, not the one who saved him! All in favor of Pierce regaining his position?"

My head came up. They wouldn’t vote for me; not now. The crowd became even louder, and as security came forward to keep them back, a bubble snapped into place over the stage. At the coven table, grim-faced people raised their hands. One, two, three, four.