Chapter Eight

Chapter Eight

OK, the ride was actually pretty epic. An all black electric SUV, a Mazda MX-30 with mirrored windows and the plushest, buttery soft leather seats I'd ever had the pleasure of resting my arse on had awaited us outside the station, surrounded by four police outriders from the Met's special escort group.

The solid thunk of the doors closing wrapped us in complete silence, and signalled the start of our procession. The sleek black car inched its way into London's busy afternoon traffic while I studiously examined the nearest window and the view beyond, hoping I could at least put off what I knew had to be coming until we had some privacy, rather than getting a tongue lashing in front of the staff.

The mirrored glass was certainly well spelled. I recognised many of the small runes etched around its edges, the glass would stop pretty much anything from a large calibre rifle round to an incoming spell. Sounds too, it seemed, I couldn't even hear the piercing whistle blasts I knew our escorts were using as they attempted to stop and direct traffic around us.

Despite the comfortable seats, I sat rigidly, barely breathing as I stole glances at the Seneschal's stony profile as the silence stretched taut as a bowstring between us. The tension in the car was palpable, and growing as we crawled through side streets towards the main road and, once he started muttering to himself, I just knew it was only a matter of time.

"I hope you're pleased with yourself," he said, each word dripping with condescension. "Do enlighten me, Raven. At what point in your ill-conceived escapade did you decide to make an utter mockery of everything the Court stands for?"

I shifted my gaze from the looming iron gates of Fulham Cemetery, its weathered headstones casting long shadows in the fading afternoon light. A chill ran down my spine as I wondered if he’d deliberately timed his words to coincide with this grim reminder of mortality - or perhaps of a fate worse than death for those who broke the accords.

The overgrown yew trees seemed to whisper ominously, their gnarled branches reaching out like grasping fingers towards our passing car. Swallowing hard, I opened my mouth to defend myself, but the Seneschal raised a hand, silencing me before I could utter a word.

"No, don't bother," he said, his voice as cold and final as a tomb door slamming shut. "I'm not interested in excuses."

He turned to face me, his eyes glittering with barely contained fury. Outside, a red double-decker bus lumbered past, full of tourists oblivious to the drama unfolding mere feet away.

The cemetery receded behind us as the car picked up a little speed, but its eerie presence lingered, a stark reminder of the precarious position I now found myself in. I couldn't shake the feeling that my future might be as bleak as those forgotten graves if I didn't find a way to make this right.

"You all but got on your knees begging to be included in this investigation," he scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Prattling on about how useful you could be, how you’d stick to the plan, follow orders… 'It's a piece of cake,' you said. 'What could possibly go wrong?' you asked. Ha!" His laugh was sharp and bitter.

"Against my better judgement,” he continued with a shake of his head, his tone turning rueful as we inched over the river, “I caved. I was convinced to bring you in, to allow you out into the field to help build bridges after... But no! I should have known better – just look where we've ended up - A bloody null exposing us to the Met. Again!"

I sank lower in my seat, flinching at that word – null, a constant reminder of my inadequacy, of just where I stood in the Court’s hierarchy. The weight of his words pressed down on me. He wasn't wrong - I had begged, desperate to do right by Ouida – one of the few people who’d stood by me after Peredur’s death. Now, with the busy London streets blurring past and the Seneschal's disappointment palpable in the air, I wondered if I'd ever be trusted again.

"Well, no more!” He pressed on relentlessly as we passed Hammersmith station, the river rapidly disappearing behind us. “Do you have any idea of the mess you've created? What I had to do to rectify things? I had to wipe that bumbling solicitor and half the police station. All because you couldn't follow protocol... No, you had to involve a human lawyer, of all things."

My cheeks burned with shame, but a flicker of defiance sparked in my chest. "I was handling it," I muttered.

"Enough," he cut me off. "I don't want to hear it. What I want to know is what possessed you to ignite that house rune. Do you have any concept of the scare you gave his Grace? The resources you wasted? The entire security team, mobilised because you couldn't handle a simple investigation without tripping over your own feet."

I stared out the window, watching as the crowded streets of central London gave way to the grand buildings surrounding Parliament Square. The imposing silhouette of Big Ben loomed ahead, a stark reminder of how little time I had left to try and salvage this situation.

He shook his head, disgust evident in every line of his face as we finally approached the imposing neo-gothic structure of the Supreme Court. To the unsuspecting public, it was just another grand building on Parliament Square. To us, it was the seat of supernatural governance in England.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling sharply. The scent of his frustration mingled with the leather interior. "Your immaturity is staggering. Did it not occur to you that perhaps there was a reason I hesitated to involve you in the first place? I expected better from you, Raven," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "I hoped, given the chance... Clearly, I was mistaken."

The car fell silent again, his words hanging heavily in the air. I stared out the window, blinking back tears of frustration as we pulled into the secure underground car park. I knew the truth – that Hews had triggered the glyph, not me. But without proof, I was trapped. Again. Forced to bear the brunt of the Seneschal's disappointment for a crime I hadn't committed.

The Seneschal's voice cut through my thoughts, sharp and final. "Your reckless behaviour has not only jeopardised our secrecy but has also proven that my initial reservations were entirely justified."

"It was a grave error to allow you to leave the Court after that unpleasantness," he declared as the car came to a stop, his tone brooking no argument. "One that will be rectified immediately."

Raaf’s hand landed on the door handle before I had a chance to bolt, anyone would think he knew me or something! I looked past him, refusing to meet his eyes as I wondered how much more I’d have to endure before I could get out of here… If I would be getting out of here…

"Raven," the Seneschal said, turning to face me fully for the first time since we'd left Richmond. His eyes were cold, devoid of any semblance of warmth. "You are hereby confined to the Court estate until further notice. Your access to sensitive areas will be restricted, and you will be under constant supervision. If you weren’t a null," he continued impassively, “I’d have you bound but, as it is,” he glanced at my fingers, “hand them over.”

I felt the blood drain from my face. Confinement to the Court as a punishment was one thing, but taking away my rings? That was cruel and unusual. Those enchanted bands were more than just jewellery - they were my lifeline in a world where I was already at a severe disadvantage. Without their magic granting me enhanced speed and strength, I'd be as helpless as a newborn kitten in a den of lions.

I wasn’t well liked at Court even before Peredur died, may the snivelling little shite rot in whatever hell he consigned himself to, not even his lies coming to light seemed to make a difference to how people treated me.

And even those who meant me no harm could hurt me simply by underestimating their own strength. A casual bump in the corridor could send me flying. An offhand gesture could break bones – hell it’d happened before! And for those with less benign intentions? I'd be easy prey, a null unable to defend herself against even the weakest magical attack.

The thought of navigating the treacherous waters of Court politics without that protection made my stomach churn.

"But-" I started to protest, only to be silenced by a quelling look.

"This is not up for discussion," the Seneschal said firmly. "You will use this time to reflect on your actions and the consequences they have wrought. Perhaps, in time, you will earn back the trust you have so carelessly squandered."

With that, he turned and opened the car door, stepping out into the underground car park. The fluorescent lights cast harsh shadows across his face as he leaned back into the vehicle, his gaze fixed on Raaf.

"Take her to her suite," he instructed, his voice clipped and cold. "Make sure she's presentable, then bring her to my office, there's something we need to discuss."

As the Seneschal straightened and strode towards the lift, I felt a jolt of panic surge through me. He doesn't know, I realised. He has no idea who the latest victim was.

I couldn’t begin to guess how he would react when he learned that it was Lily… but dad… oh god, the news would devastate him, possibly push him into doing something drastic. I swallowed hard, mouth suddenly dry. The punishment the Seneschal just dished out suddenly seemed trivial compared to the storm I feared was about to break.

Oblivious to the thoughts running though my head, Raaf gently guided me out of the car. Members of the security team formed a loose circle around us as we walked silently towards the lifts, their presence a visible reminder that I was no longer trusted to move freely.

As the lift doors closed, I caught a final glimpse of the outside world through a narrow window in the car park. The late afternoon sun was setting, casting long shadows across the city. I couldn't shake the feeling that it was setting on me too, bringing an all too familiar anger bubbling to the surface.

I squared my shoulders as the lift began its ascent, a new sense of determination settling over me. I may be confined to the Court, I thought bitterly, stripped of my rings and facing constant supervision, but there's too much at stake for me to allow myself to be sidelined. I'd just have to find a way to continue the investigation from within these walls and if that meant having to bend a few rules, well... that would just make life more interesting.

As the lift doors opened to the familiar opulence of the Court, I steeled myself. The Seneschal may have thought he’d clipped my wings but, not for the first time, he’d underestimated me. I'd solve this case and prove once and for all that being a null didn't make me useless.

The game was far from over. In fact, it was just beginning.