Compounding Traumas (Artemis University Book 6), стр. 43
Rage filled her eyes as steam about came out her ears.
“Enough, Blake,” Darby said as he moved near me, but so the three of us could still see each other. “Lots of us are tired of this picture you portray of vampires and as if you have some right to speak for us.”
She snorted at him. “I do. I’m a council family. I can’t believe you are speaking to me as if we’re equals just because you’re not a scholarship student this year. It’s nuts.”
“It is, because we’re not equals,” he agreed, crossing his arms over his chest. “I’m a senior who earned his place here and every grade he’s gotten. And you’re basically a freshman who bought her place here not once, but twice. So enough with you, of all people, trying to be the shining example of vampires.”
If looks could kill, he’d be dead. “Aren’t you in enough trouble for siding with her over your own?”
Darby snorted. “I love her, and I don’t even like you, Blake.”
She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, you use that excuse for a lot—don’t you? It didn’t work when you were called in front of the council for questioning about her. How much trouble did you get in for getting a magical tattoo to lock away her secrets from your own council and trying to say it was because you loved her?”
I shot a glance at Mel across the cafeteria, seeing she had the same gobsmacked looked I did. We didn’t know that. Fuck.
Blake smirked at me before focusing on Darby again. “Right, but how did that end?”
Darby chuckled darkly. “I was ordered not to discuss what happened, but thanks for taking the gag off of me, because now you did, Blake.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “It was disgusting that they ordered me to go there and tell them everything about a young woman so they could try and steal what she has, and use anything they can against her.
“They are sick in the head—including your grandfather—for ordering me to rekindle our relationship and report what I learn to them. Also, for disallowing me from adding to my magical tattoo, refreshing it, or telling anyone. They also broke the law by not allowing that my attorney be at the hearing and by our laws, I’m allowed to tell them.
“I did, and since Claudia is also Tamsin’s attorney, she immediately told the dragon royals who help protect Tamsin. They all granted me their protection as well, so the next time the vampire council tries to drag one of their people in and break their own laws like criminals, they will have a huge fight on their hands. So thank you for outing that whole situation I was gagged on.”
“Wait, so how did bigmouth Blake learn of this?” a different vampire interjected. “It’s sacred that our council hearings are closed and private.” Darby snorted and Blake gave the guy a look like he was an idiot. “This is bullshit.” He glanced at me with worry in his eyes. “I used to think you were full of shit and just dense to reality because you were raised with humans, but now I believe you.”
I gave a swift nod. “We only know what we know, and I can understand that. You grew up seeing them as your law and protection. I’m sure I came in like a loudmouth bitch who acts like a bull in a china shop. It’s the only way I’ve seen things get done though when there’s corruption. They don’t protect you, they control you. The councils are puppeteers and it’s all bullshit.”
“Spoken like an anarchist and terrorist,” Blake drawled.
“Spoken like a dictator and tyrant propagandist,” Mel threw right back as she joined us.
Blake snorted. “You work for the school now. I’d remember that if you want to keep your job, Rothchild.”
Mel snorted as well. “Yeah, I work for Artemis, not your fucking council, Ms. Ward. And it’s Instructor Rothchild to you.” She held up her hand when Blake went to argue. “You need a reality check, as your council started a lot of shit with me and my clan when I wouldn’t allow any family to buy or change grades. I don’t work for, or answer to, any council. I justified my grades and they stood.
“So, I don’t answer to you. You are a student and answer to the faculty. I believe Dr. Craftsman already reminded you of this. I will make sure you learn it again when you get properly demoted into Physical Training I, as I don’t give a fuck what bullshit tutor you had in your year off, but you will earn your spot and grade, or I will fail you.”
I quickly picked up the conversation again when Mel had won that point. “And I don’t want anarchy. I abso-fuckng-lutely want order and the laws followed. That’s what I’m fighting for. I’m fighting for the councils to follow their own laws or they’re out. That’s about as anti-anarchist as things go. I’m not fighting the system, idiot. I’m fighting for people to obey the laws and system.”
“The councils are the system and above the laws,” she sneered. “You can’t touch them.”
“Bullshit. That’s tyranny and dictators, not councils and justice.” I shook my head when she opened her mouth. “And you forget I already had Elder Harbour removed. There are several I’ll make sure will be out, and Ainsworth I’ll get if it takes my last breath, as we submitted proof he’s killing witches and warlocks as part of the black market. So don’t fucking tell me anyone is above that.”
Dean White