7 Deadly Instincts (The Sinfire Chronicles Book 1)

Gray hadn’t been in Bloodhome’s grand ballroom before. The gold and green wallpaper might’ve been grand at one time, but now it was faded and peeling off in places. Even the floor wasn’t as polished as it should’ve been. The windows were dirty—which was a shame. It was the first nice day in a while and the temperatures were well above freezing. He could hear the trickle of the snowmelt.

All else was hushed.

Gray and Settie sat at a table in the middle of the room, completely exposed. For once, she wasn’t wearing her disguise. She didn’t even have her cane. Her dress was fabulous, though, red velvet, black lace, and it accentuated her curves nicely. Not a hair was out of place. She wasn’t just powerful, she was beautiful, and she knew it.

There were only three people at the big council table in front of them—the Magistrate, Duke Darrak Rabbia, and some pasty-faced older man without a chin. It was as if his head was trying to escape the prison of his neck and failing. He had a head of charcoal black hair, which looked dyed compared to the color of his skin.

His name was Ian Altheus, and he was supposedly a rich merchant, or that was what Gray heard, though it seemed he would be handling most of the cross examination.

In the gallery were more interesting people, though none were particularly friendly to Gray or Squad 23.

The most mysterious had to be the fae queen, who sat behind a screen, with various guards, advisors, and sharp-faced fae who glared at Gray.

It was a bit unsettling to see so many fae there, since if they had proof of him poaching, it could go poorly. Then there was the matter of Pinch’s old team, who would benefit greatly if Gray was executed. Squad 23 would still be powerful, yes, but they wouldn’t have the advantage, not without Gray’s core.

Almost as surprising as Queen Lascivia, the head of the Lascivia family, were the sponsors of other squads, including the man who sponsored Blythe’s squad. His name was General Veximilian Fangfar, and his eyes burned a bright cobalt blue. He was very satisfied with himself and to what was going on. Like the fae, Squad 49, otherwise known as the Fire Flyers, would benefit greatly if Gray was removed from the Testing. Immediately, Gray knew he had a pride resonance. And something told him that General Fangfar wasn’t just a man with auburn hair and a strong jawline. He was a dragon.

Also among the spectators were some friendly faces—Dame Blackpaw, Mrs. Quillswrath, and Mama Cinders. They were sitting together, near the back, behind Gray.

The Magistrate banged a chunk of manafied rock on the table. “Take note, we are starting these proceedings to see if Grayson Fade is fit to continue the Testing here at First Field. There have been numerous allegations of cheating, trespassing, and poaching. In my opinion, his behavior, and the behavior of his entire squad, including their sponsor, has been in appropriate and troublesome. It threatens the grand tradition of First Field finding the best recruits in the Belly of the World.

Gray raised his hand, but Settie grabbed it, and lowered it herself.

She shot him a glare

“But all is the Testing and all is the Test,” Gray said loudly. “We’ve passed those tests.”

“Silence!” the Magistrate barked. He turned. “Ian Altheus. You have agreed to prosecute the criminal in front of us. Before you begin, let me say that I am very pleased to welcome Queen Petalsweet Lascivia to First Field’s Bloodhome ballroom. It is my sincerest desire to offer you some bit of entertainment as well as justice today. Would you like to say anything?”

The woman behind the screen cleared her throat. She spoke in whispers for several long seconds.

And then, the sponsor for Team One, also known as the Winners, came forward. He was the shortest, squattest, but most muscled fae Gray had ever seen. His name was Irik Shadefell, but he seemed more dwarf than fae. His hair was black except for the bone white hair around his ears.

He had a voice as big as his biceps. “Her holy majesty, Queen Petalsweet Lascivia would like to say that she has found this years First Field’s tournaments, and yes, she has been a fan of Grayson Fade and his squad. And yet, she is shocked by the allegations, shocked to her core! Which, we all know, is very large and powerful and keeps the Lust Tower filled with mana.” He paused meaningfully.

“Fucking cow. It doesn’t work that way,” Settie whispered under her breath. It was amazing no one heard her but no one did.

Shadefell continued. “The entire Lust City is very eager to see the results of this year’s Testing. Already, there is talk of bidding for recruits in Queen Lascivia’s inner circle.”

A smatter of chatter filled the chamber.

“Order! Order I say!” the Magistrate thunder.

Shadefell looked pleased with himself and sat down.

Then the Magistrate pointed to a man with ivory colored hair, tall and powerful, sitting in the back. “I would also like to welcome a delegate from the Supera family, General Jules Supera, who is here to make sure that Pride City’s interest in the case are being addressed. Would you like to say anything, General?”

The dragon in human form shook his head and remained seated. He did have an amused smile on his face.

Of course, this was just a different form of entertainment for them.

Gray couldn’t help but think that maybe the fae and their money was behind the murders the whole time. Maybe there was no third-party in the conspiracy.

With the niceties complete, Crewel nodded at the merchant.

Ian Altheus stood up and moved to the front of the table. “We here are to discuss three crimes.”

Settie rose to protest.

Altheus raised a hand. “You’ll be able to respond when I am finished. Please, Captain, sit.”

She did as she was told.

The merchant continued. “The three crimes range from simple cheating during Chaotica matches during Soulshred Week to trespassing in Old Town to poaching demon mana. If we decide Grayson Fade is guilty of poaching, he will be turned over to Queen Lascivia, but his trial will include all six of the Watchfire families.”

Duke Rabbia grunted.

Altheus winced. “Excuse me, all seven of the families.”

It was then that General Jules Supera raised his hand.

Altheus nodded at him to speak.

He sounded like a general all right. “And speaking for the Supreme Commander of the Supera family, any credible evidence pointing to poaching will mean death by fire in Pride City. We will insist on holding the execution there.”

They heard whispers from the fae queen, but in the end, Shadefell didn’t speak for her. From the faces of the other fae, though, they weren’t pleased.

As for Gray, his heart was pounding. At the same time, he knew that if they had to, he and Settie could escape. If he kept her core filled, which would be easy, she had any number of weapons she could use.

Altheus nodded. “Yes, we understand the Supera’s family interest, but in the end, the criminal’s fate would be up to all the six families.” He sighed. “Seven. Seven Watchfire families. Now, Captain Sevanya, you can respond.”

She rose. “You say crimes, but this recruit has done nothing wrong. And if you start executing poachers without evidence, you should start with me. Let’s cut to the chase. My squad is living with me, in my mansion in Old Town.”

There were gasps, murmurs, and some outrage. The fae queen’s whispers sounded like a nest of snakes behind her screen.

Settie kept talking. “My home used to be a very nice neighborhood called Pretty Port. That is rather amusing since the nearest port was Pubis Port, but it was off the Main Port Road, and it was a gorgeous part of town not far from the Wrath Tower.”

From a hidden pocket, she removed a scroll tube. “I have the original deed, as signed by all seven of families that made up the Septua Tribunal. I also have a note from the very honorable Brog Rothrock, who appreciated that I didn’t abandon my home after the Hellbinder Barrier was built. As you know, it was the Rothrock family who ruled Wrath City when there was still hope that the tower could be rebuilt. It was before Rabbias.”

The fat old orc at the table glared at her even as spit dripped off his tusk.

Settie laughed. “Tell me, how can I or my squad trespass on a home that I own? Yes, my squad begged me to stay in Third Barracks, and I rented the rooms for that reason, but it was I who insisted they come to what they have started to call Ruin Manor. It hurts my feelings a bit, but it’s name enough. When I bought it, I called Sunreach Manor, but no, the sunshine now is not what it was before the Endless Night and the doom of the grand city when there was only the perimeter wall, and even then, it wasn’t patrolled because it was a time of peace and prosperity.”

The room had gone quiet.

Settie cleared her throat. “As for the stick, we asked the Magistrate himself if it was a problem. He held the stick, he searched it for mana, and then he gave us permission. Grayson Fade is very capable with that particular stick, but it has no special properties. It is in no way an ancient artifact. Believe me, Gray and I have struggled with his ability to enchant items. He barely learned to channel mana into his meridians before the Soulshred started. The stick had explosive properties, but I would maintain that it wasn’t as lethal as the bloodless blades. Going into battle, Mr. Altheus, would you rather have a stick than a sword?”

“Depends on the stick,” the man sneered. “If it’s a magic stick—”

Settie cut him off. “And the Magistrate said it wasn’t. I would suspect your answer to be a sword, though we both know that you are no warrior. You’re hardly a merchant, but you are not on trial, my recruit is.”

“Yes, but—” Altheus sputtered.

Settie charged ahead. “While we live in Sunreach Manor, excuse me, Ruin Manor, and yes, it is Old Town, I have powerful warding set up, using ancient magic that I learned from the manamancers who created the Hellbinder, to keep demons away. I have not poached mana. And neither has Gray. Do you have proof of that crime?”

“Yes,” Altheus said. “We heard talk of your squad killing demons. You don’t keep them in the house all the time, do you? Of course not. If your squad is killing demons, they are taking the mana, and selling it in Pit City. We have confirmed that they frequent the shop of a known discontent and agitator. Everyone knows that Emerilia Stone has no love for the Duke or the laws set down by the other Watchfire families.”

Settie raised her chin. “And everyone knows that Emerilia Stone loathes me for murdering her husband. Why would I take any poached mana to her? And why would I poach mana? Why would Gray? We are both here for the same reason—to win the Testing, the Training, and the Hunting, so the recruits can find good jobs on kill squads. Poaching would be insane. Do you have any proof, outside idle gossip, that Grayson Fade poached demon mana?”

“Do you deny that you killed demons while in Old Town?” Altheus asked.

Settie didn’t back down. “Irrelevant. My wards are very powerful. There is no need to kill demons. Either way, you have no proof.”

Gray laughed inwardly. She was answering questions without answering them. But then, so was Altheus.

“Still, Captain, it is forbidden to enter Old Town without hunting licenses, and those are only given to Kill Squads who represent their corresponding Watchfire family. You are not on a kill squad.”

Settie sighed. “You don’t think so? You are looking at one of the founding members of the Sinfire Sheild.” She turned. General Supera, you know about the Sinfire Sheild, I’m assuming.”

“I do. And yes, you are one of the founding members.”

Settie smiled. “And you also understand that as a member of the Sinfire Shield, I can deputize recruits in times of crisis.”

The general laughed. “The Sinfire Shield hasn’t been active in generations. I don’t know the bylaws, but I would imagine you do. If what you say is true, you are legally allowed to enter Old Town.”

“Objection,” Altheus yelled. And it sounded rather desperate. “You are not a witness. Nor are you part of the council. With all due respect, General, I—”

Again, Settie cut him off. “And so, the stick is just a stick, not an ancient artifact. And I have a legal right to live in Old Town, as do my recruits, and no, we don’t poach demon mana. Even if I did absorb mana, I still have contacts, however wary they might be of, in the Supera family. Allegations of poaching are based on rumor, and if one can be convicted on gossip alone, I would’ve been executed a thousand times over.”

That made the audience laugh.

Dame Blackpaw, Mrs. Quillswrath, and Mama Cinders clapped wildly.

“How do you get to Old Town?” Altheus asked.

Settie smiled. “Through the power of friendship. Or my magic. Maybe a bit of both. I am not on trial here. Would you like to put me on trial?”

Altheus glanced over at the Magistrate, who was frowning, his eyes filled with fury.

“No, but—”

Settie sat down. “Grayson, would you like to say anything in your defense.”

Gray laughed. “No. You covered it all well. If all is the Testing and all is the Test, I think we passed this one. No one died. And we’ve shown a great deal of patience, haven’t we, Captain?”

“Yes, Gray, we have.”

“Stay there,” the Magistrate growled. “The First Field Council will meet behind closed doors. It shouldn’t take long. We will want to see that deed, the note, and proof that you were indeed a part of the Sinfire Shield.”

“Of course.” Settie held up the scrolltube. “You can have these copies. I have the originals in a safe place.”

Altheus took the scrolls and all three of the council members—where there others?—left the room.

Gray turned to Settie, and he see her core was swirling with mana. It was from her pride resonance, of course, because the trial was basically over. She had come with all the proof they would ever needed to prove his innocence.

Settie smiled at him, and it filled with as much pride as it was love. “And you thought I was some foolish dragon woman who hardly knows what she’s doing.”

“No,” he said seriously. “You know what you’re doing. You just keep it to yourself. Did you keep secrets from the your kill squad?”

She nodded, the smile vanished. “I’ve always kept secrets, precious Gray. I had to. I had to.”

Five minutes later, Gray was free to go.

AS they left, Settie turned to him. “You do know that trial was a warning for us stop.”

“Are we going to listen?” he asked.

“Fucking questions.” She hooked her arm into his and didn’t say another word.

He didn’t ask where Lilian was. He would be seeing her soon enough, and he wasn’t looking forward to it.