You Are Mine (34 page)

“
We've been arguing over
this for months. Let's just pass it and get on with it,” a warlock
says.

“
Or not pass it and get on
with other things,” another argues.

“
I've given this a lot of
thought over the break,” a third, whiny voice says. “What if we
compromise? Instead of forcing the tarnished to get marked and
tracked monthly, they're rewarded for it. And before you brush this
aside, I want you to really think about it. If we give them a
reduced tax rate, it would be a good incentive and we'd get a good
turn out.”

I suppose this option is better than
the original. Yet they'd still make them check in, taking more
freedom, making them more bound to the warlocks. That would really
affect Katherine. Would she be allowed to come to my house if
they're tracking her? Or anywhere else she wants to go? What would
it be like having someone always know where you are?

“
How much of a tax break
are you thinking?”

“
We can discuss that, of
course,” says the man with the idea. “I think my biggest point is
that we'd be getting what we want accomplished, but with less work
for us and other warlocks.”

“
Why didn't you bring this
up sooner?” Father asks.

Good question. Is this why Zade
thought I'd want to be here today? And how did he know it would
come up now?

“
Didn't cross my mind
earlier.”

A previously silent Councilman says,
“They'd still have to abide by our rules.”

“
And check-in regular
like.”

“
You're forgetting one
thing. How are we supposed to find funds to pay for
this?”

“
Raise taxes.”

“
Always raising taxes. You
think we've problems now, we keep raising taxes and they'll get
worse.”

“
Things aren't free,
people have to learn that.”

“
We could make another tax
on those who don't get monitored monthly.”

“
Added incentive,”
Chancellor Ryan says. “It'd be a good addition.”

“
You've been quiet,
Chancellor Zade.” The Grand Chancellor faces him. “What is your
opinion?”

“
Sounds like they've
finally learned to compromise.”

Does that mean Zade agrees? He's
always so nice to Katherine, I thought he'd be
different.

The Grand Chancellor turns back to the
other side. “And you, Chancellor Ryan, you're for it?”

“
I'd like the law to be
stronger, but it'll do. As long as I don't have to do any of the
tracking or ink spells myself.”

“
Let's vote then.” The
Grand Chancellor addresses the group. “Those for the tarnished
opting in to be tracked and marked in exchange for a tax break and
raising taxes for those who don't?”

I hold my breath. Zade's shoulders are
stiff.

The room fills with “Ayes.”

“
And those against?” The
room stays silent.

Why isn't Zade saying anything? He
knows Katherine. He pays the tarnished in the household. Why isn't
he sticking up for them?

“
I agree with the
majority. Law passed. Chancellor Ryan, see to its implementation
and recruit those you need to help.”

“
Yes, Grand
Chancellor.”

“
Next item of
business?”

Someone answers, but my heart thuds so
loudly, I can't pay attention. Just like that, my friend has lost
even more freedom. And there's nothing I can do about
it.

Thoughts of Katherine and what this
might mean to her distract me. I wouldn't want a spell permanently
cast on me, tracking me where ever I go. Most hexes are bad enough,
but I would hate for them to be able to find me whenever they
wanted. Hiding is one of my few escapes. Changing color monthly
wouldn't be as invasive, but still too much. And having to be
monitored so often. I can't fathom what it would be
like.

The rest of the morning goes by in a
blur of activity. I understand little of what they speak of. Things
that have to do with which warlock can host what party and how much
a woman should be punished for disobedience. The multi-wives law is
mentioned briefly, but mostly they talk of things that seem to have
little importance.

At some point, servants enter with
food. They bring dishes of boar and venison, duck and fish. Cakes
and pastries. The savory smells mixing with the sweet in a
sickening way. They lay it on the same table where the woman was
sacrificed.

I'm offered nothing and accept it
gratefully. I can't bear to watch the warlocks eat. The very idea
is repulsive. I try to catch Annabelle's eye, but she doesn't turn
my way. My arms ache under the strain of the jug. I hope it's not
too much for her.

The meeting progresses throughout the
meal. Though it seems more like a boasting party as they top
stories of one another's spells, occasionally speaking of how it
relates to a law. Empty dishes are taken away, replaced with
heaping ones. The men talk and grunt and laugh. Wine flows freely.
The longer it goes on, the more food and drink splotches their
clothes. Those with beards fall victim to the debris more
often.

From behind, I can't get a good look
at Zade, but he doesn't seem to be over indulging. The few times
I've had occasion to see him after a council meeting, he's never
been as soiled as his fellows. As they are now, it's more like the
feast after my engagement ceremony than a meeting.

Looking closer, I realize
there are a few others that aren't as piggish, one being Councilman
Daniel. They're not all slothful then. The Grand Chancellor also
abstains from almost everything. His servant never refills his cup,
and he consumes only a little food on his plate.

“
That was the last item,”
the Grand Chancellor says. “We'll reconvene in two weeks with
reports as assigned. Dismissed.”

Finally, I'll be able to set the wine
down. One downside to Zade not drinking more, the jug never
lightened. But the warlocks don't seem eager to go. They slump in
their chairs, cradling their glasses and picking at the last of
their food. No wonder most of them are so fat. Some of them,
including Father, pull out a pipe. The room fills with an acrid,
bitter cloud of smoke.

The Grand Chancellor is the first to
depart. Everyone else continues talking, smoking, and eating. The
air is choking with the pungent odor. Zade pushes his cup aside and
reads over more papers. After a while, they start to leave.
One-by-one. With so many hours of food and drink, it's a wonder
they can move at all.

Chancellor Ryan stands, but instead of
leaving, he leans over Zade's shoulder. I strain to hear what he's
saying.

“
Think you got away with
bringing a woman here? You haven't. You've only succeeded in making
the
visits
you've
been getting more serious.”

Zade's back stiffens, but none of the
others seem to notice. Chancellor Ryan straightens and catches me
looking at him. I know I should break the eye contact, but I can't.
Each breath is a struggle. I want to collapse on the floor. If I
heard right, it means Zade is going to die because of my constant
insistence of having things my own way.

Chapter
Thirty-Three

T
he thought of me causing Zade's death seems to freeze time
for several minutes. Yet it's probably only a moment before
Chancellor Ryan sneers and slams his fist into my stomach. I groan
and press my hands against the pain. Zade jumps to his feet. The
room goes silent.

“
Sorry,” Chancellor Ryan
says with a grin. “I tripped.”

Zade's frame quivers. I bite my lip
hoping he won't let his temper make the situation worse. They stare
at each other. Every passing moment, Zade's shaking increases, the
muscles in his face growing more and more taut, and Chancellor Ryan
growing more and more relaxed.

Finally, he slaps Zade on the
shoulder. “Won't happen again.”

The pain is already receding from
where he hit me, but the damage has been done. Chancellor Ryan
strides out of the room. The remaining council members begin to
chatter again, though quieter than before and with gazes drifting
to Zade. After a moment, Zade slams himself back into the chair
without looking at me. I never should have asked to
come.

The rest of the members don't linger.
As the last one, save for us and Councilman Daniel, stands to go,
he smirks at Annabelle and me. “Maybe it's a good idea to have the
wenches around. Both are properly subdued.”

Of course we are, who wouldn't be?
Someone was killed, the tarnished are going to lose what little
freedom they have, and my owner's life is under more threats. He
may think it was a good idea for us to come when really, I made
another mistake.

Zade doesn't look up from his papers,
but Councilman Daniel grins. “We'll see you at the next
meeting.”

Once he leaves, my muscles loosen. The
servants clear the remnants of the meal.

“
You can put the jugs
down, wenches,” Councilman Daniel says.

I place the jug on the table and rub
my hands and arms. My body aches, especially my legs, back, and
arms. My feet are sore. Everything hurts. It's been a while since
I've had to stand like that. It's a fitting punishment for asking
to come, but not harsh enough for endangering Zade even
more.

Zade breaks the silence, his voice
sounds surprisingly normal. “Good showing, Daniel. The food is
excellent.”

“
Glad you enjoyed it. I've
something else you might like. A new hunting rifle.”

“
Great. Perhaps your wife
could keep mine company while I take a gander.”

Councilman Daniel snaps his fingers.
“Annabelle, take her and keep out of sight.”

I open my mouth to say something, but
she squeezes my arm and shakes her head. Together, we scurry from
the room. “What power the Council has. I knew they were impressive,
but that was unlike anything I've imagined.”

The table laden with a dead woman
followed by an overabundance of food flashes in my mind. “It
certainly was.”

“
I'd best be on good
behavior,” Annabelle says. “Can you imagine if he makes me go to
another one? I don't think I'd manage it without fainting.” She
steers me down a hall. “Let's stop at the water closet before
strolling through the gardens. I'll have one of the servants bring
us a bite to eat.

My stomach roils at the thought of
food. “I'm not sure I could eat anything.”

“
It's been a long day,
we'll at least try.”

How can I even try when a helpless
girl was murdered in front of me?

***

Once we're settled on a bench in the
garden, Annabelle collapses against me. I lean into her and we
support each other.

“
That was a horribly long
time,” she says. “I thought I'd drop the jug. Guess I know why cook
is frantic when it's our turn to host the meeting. Hope someone
comes with food soon. I'm famished. Are you truly not
hungry?”

“
Not at all.”

“
Why not? It's been a full
day.”

I close my eyes. Even if it weren't
for the Chancellor's threat, there's the sacrifice. Should I tell
her about it? The dead woman on the same table as the food? A woman
who will never get a chance at anything. It seemed normal for a
council meeting. If it happens every time, how many more have been
killed? How many more will be killed? The forgotten shadows are
dying without anyone to care.

When I open my eyes, Annabelle's face
is filled with concern. How much does she know?

I ask, “Has Councilman Daniel told you
about the meetings before?”

“
No, nothing. I only know
he hates them, but goes so he can try to do good. When Jonathan
told me I was wanted, I couldn't believe it. What were you doing
there?”

“
Same thing as you.” But I
shouldn't have pulled any of us into this situation. “You seemed
concerned about what we said earlier, why?”

“
You're good at avoiding
my questions.” She sighs. “Daniel always warned me that meetings
are spelled. He said I should never go around them and if I had to,
be careful of what I said. This place is protected, we can speak
freely. You can tell me what's bothering you.”

That makes sense with having to
avoiding meetings at Father's or Zade's. I drag my weary body up
and move to touch the drying leaves of a bush. “Something happened
before you came. Something that I think was normal to everyone
else, but...”

“
What is it? You can tell
me.”

I take a deep breath. “They sacrificed
a woman.”

A bird chirps in the distance, it's
happy sound no comfort.

“
But we don't have an
altar. There's never been any signs of one. I've never seen a body.
Are you sure?”

I feel myself growing more numb. “They
used the table.”

When she says nothing, the words
tremble from my mouth. “The Grand Chancellor did it a few feet from
me. He cast a spell and a dagger was in his hand. I couldn't watch,
but he did something to her. When I looked again, she was dead.”
The sight of her won't leave me. “I thought I was going to be sick
and afterward the warlocks laughed about it. Laughed and mocked and
jeered. None of them even mentioned the fact that a person was just
killed.”