Betrayal 2012 by Amber Garr Read Free Book Online

couldn’t let me go.”
    I watched in fascination as this guy spoke to one of the most powerful mermaids amongst us as though she wanted to know about his love life.  And the surprising thing about it was that she didn’t stop him. 
    He hobbled up the center aisle while trying to put on his cloak, mumbling about how he always got tangled in the arm holes.  When he reached Kain and me, I nearly gasped at what I saw.  He couldn’t have been more than a couple of years older than us yet he was the remaining Council member.  There were always seven of them to avoid tie votes but I didn’t know that someone else so young had claimed a seat.  It was very rare.
    A wave of cigarette smoke and alcohol breath wafted off of him.  He didn’t seem to be taking his duties seriously, but for some reason no one disciplined him.  Once he had the cloak in place, he tugged it down and straightened his shoulders. 
    He took one quick glance at Kain but then met my gaze with force.  I couldn’t help but stare into his deep brown eyes that seemed to glimmer with hidden promises.  Day-old stubble covered his face and the short brown hair on his head stood up in all directions.  In a nutshell, he was one of the most handsome guys I had ever seen and I thought that there were already a few of those in my life.  Master Forrester smiled down at me and winked.
    “Well hello, luv,” he whispered.  I thought that I might blush.  “Why don’t you and me leave promptly after this affair and have a drink?”  Now I know that I was blushing.  In front of everyone.  One of the other Council members cleared their throat.
    “Graham, would you please take your seat so that we can get started.”  He winked at me again and made his way towards the empty chair at the end of the table.  I followed him with my eyes, unable to comprehend whether or not having someone like him on the Council would be beneficial to my case.
    “Mistress Dumahl, may we call you Eviana for the purposes of these proceedings?”  Mistress Lyonetta asked.
    “Yes.”
    “And Master Matthew, may we call you Kain?”  It seemed like such a formality.
    “Yes.”
    “Very well then.” She directed her attention to the audience.  “As requested, we agreed to open the meeting to clan leaders and their top advisors today so that we can have an open dialogue regarding the current situation.” A few merfolk shifted in their seats.  This was not the typical routine.  Mistress Lyonetta focused on me.  “Eviana, we have been briefed regarding your recent capture by Lucian Sutherland, but I understand that there has been another incident.  Will you please explain?”
    I sucked in a deep breath and looked towards Kain for support.  His tiny smile was all the encouragement I needed and soon my pounding heart calmed.  In a few minutes, I finished telling them what happened at my school and how we suspected that Lucian was involved.
    “But we don’t know it was him for sure,” said one of the male Council members.
    “No, Christopher we don’t.  However, I think the letter is all the proof we need.” Mistress Lyonetta declared.  “Plus there have been the other incidences.”
    Kain and I looked at each other in confusion.  If this wasn’t the first time Lucian Sutherland had challenged the Council, than I was afraid that we were in over our heads.  Or we had been really lucky to escape with our lives.
    “We don’t know that he was at fault with those either,” Christopher continued.  Apparently Lucian had at least one alley in the room.
    “Master Harrison’s and Kiyomizu’s untimely deaths were in fact ordered by Lucian,” one of the female members yelled.  “He all but gloated about it in his letters!”  I could see Kain tense next to me at the mention of Carissa’s slain uncle.  Lucian had been murdering those who got in his way for the past several months.  Again, I realized how lucky we were.
    A few people began yelling from the