Compounding Traumas (Artemis University Book 6), стр. 46
“The councils were also informed that any issues with Ms. Vale needed to be discussed with our families as she is also under our protection,” Mrs. Vogel added from behind me. “I’m very certain that no matter how sexist your council is, you still acknowledge speaking with my husband, yes?”
“What are you handing out?” one of her aides asked me.
I blinked at her a moment and hurried to give over a stack of flyers and pulled out a bag of the rape alarms. She nodded and passed them on to several other helpers, and that was when I saw a few more of the dragon queens had arrived.
Awesome.
“I believe all you big, strong men were about to apologize for confronting and trying to not only corner, but illegally drag off a young woman without even allowing her to contact her attorney?” Mrs. Diaz said as she moved next to me.
Councilman Thane let out a long sigh. “You are making a mistake siding with her when she is upsetting so many and starting so much trouble.”
“We don’t think we are as taking this stand is long overdue,” another female voice declared. Shock rocked me as I saw Mrs. Von Thann step out from among the others. “This isn’t even about Ms. Vale, but the fact that a council made such a ruling that allowed what happened to one of their own to stand, simply because it was done to a woman.
“We say we’re better than the humans, and yet we are at least a century behind them in many ways, how we treat women in our society being the main one. It’s enough, and many agree that this is a stand we would take even without her after finding out that rapists, men who drugged and brutalized one of our daughters, were allowed back at our best school while she is shamed and shunned.
“It is disgusting, and my council agrees with me, incredibly upset such predators are allowed among the female bear shifters who attend here. So they are of the opinion that Ms. Vale should be commended for taking this stance when no one else did, or would, and risk your wrath. I suggest you reevaluate whether or not you are making a mistake on who you are siding with, Councilman.”
He seemed speechless at the turn of events, giving a quick and shallow acknowledging dip of his head to the royals and nothing more, before turning on his heel and leaving. The others hurried to scurry after him, not sure what else to do it seemed.
“Damn,” I whispered to Mrs. Von Thann. “Just dayumn. I need to buy you a mic to drop for that because that was beautiful, and that’s the second time I like your council best.”
She glanced at me. “Second?” Understanding filled her eyes when I winced. “Ahh, yes, that time. That was more Mason’s parents, but they didn’t disagree and supported their community, which they do tend to do. They listen better than most councils, which is about as good as we can ask for at times.”
“Much better than the vampires,” I grumbled. “I was ready for them to come, but I can’t believe they actually did after they didn’t even let me testify, and it was all done as an attack on me. They don’t even try to hide their corruption.” I might have said more, but I was cuffed upside the head. I rubbed it and glanced up at Mrs. Diaz. “Ouch.”
“Oh, I did not hurt you, but I should,” she threatened. “How could you do this and not warn us? Have we not said we will stand with you?”
“Yes, but just because I decide to make a move doesn’t mean I need to drag everyone down with me.”
“Yes, but we still have free will and are old enough to make those choices for ourselves,” Mrs. Vogel reminded me. “Tell us, and as we have before, we can also guide you. Your plans are normally very well thought-out, but we all can do better and need help, Tamsin. You’re too used to flying solo, and you don’t have to anymore.”
I sighed, staring at all of them in turn. “I just don’t want anyone else to get hurt or pick sides because I pick a fight.”
“That’s big of you, but we’re big girls too and want to fight the fights we believe in,” Mrs. Von Thann said.
“I really like you,” I blurted. I smiled when she gave me a shocked look. “Lucca and I had a talk, and he explained some things. Hopefully, he’ll explain what I said to you as well, as I was… I had no idea this world was so vastly different when I was dropped into it.”
“Yes, well, sometimes I have a hard time believing it as well.” She gave me a kind look that shocked me again. “Some of us have been dying to take this stand, Tamsin. You simply gave us the way and scorched the ground so we would all be able to find true allies that would help. You’ve seen enough of this world to know there are many who would offer help and leave us as roadkill.”
“Now let the adults do what the adults should and fight the bigger fights, as we can take the hits,” Mrs. Gui added.
I smiled at them and handed over the rest of the flyers and rape alarms to their aides. I was completely fine with getting help.
It was simply sad there was so much damn help needed.
We managed to catch well