Yield the Night by Annette Marie Read Free Book Online Page A

government. But she’d since come to realize that the system only worked for weaker daemons. Powerful daemons didn’t need Consulates or the protection they offered. And the daemons that did need protection were often guilty of something illicit, even if it was unrelated to human laws.
    “The Consulate system was born thousands of years ago to shelter daemons coming to Earth,” Walter said. “It was never intended to control or police them. Seventy years ago, when daemons came out to the public, the Consulates were thrust into a position of authority without the power to fulfill their responsibilities. The world continues to change but the Consulates have not—or will not—evolve to keep pace.”
    Piper pressed her lips together. Her only goal for most of her life had been to become a Consul, and she had been far more concerned with that than whatever problems existed within the organization. She hadn’t been walking around with her eyes closed; she knew there were some issues, but she’d never thought of them as something serious enough to undermine the system’s effectiveness. She’d never considered the possibility that it was irredeemably flawed.
    “Consulates and prefects need to be abolished,” Walter continued, “and replaced by a new system with the authority and ability to police daemons effectively.”
    Piper shook her head. “If there was an easy way to police daemons, the Consulates would already be doing it.”
    “Would they? The Consulates exist for the convenience of daemons, not the protection of humans. The new system would protect humans and haemons alike, and hold daemons accountable for their actions.”
    “And how are you planning to do that?”
    “Knowledge, technology, and magic.”
    She raised her eyebrows questioningly.
    “Knowledge of daemons—how and where they travel, the limits of their abilities, their weaknesses. Technology to empower us—the ability to track them, restrict their movements, and subdue them when necessary. And, of course, magic of our own to counter even the most powerful daemons.”
    Piper barely held back a derisive snort. No haemon could compare to a reaper or a draconian. Did Walter have any idea what he was talking about?
    “Piper,” he said, folding his hands on the table and leaning toward her. “Your experience, knowledge and training afford you the opportunity to be instrumental in the creation and leadership of this new system.”
    His words took a moment for her to process. She looked from face to face, waiting for someone to crack a smile or yell, “Gotcha!” Silence met her stare as they waited for her to absorb Walter’s words. She gave her head a sharp shake.
    “Me?”
    “Your familiarity with daemons and their natures, and your unique ability to meet them on equal ground—a talent many Consuls struggle with—are exceptional. You’re a natural leader, a natural fighter, and you possess an unquestioning sense of justice. You are uniquely qualified to influence the development of the system.”
    She looked from him to her mother and back again. “I just turned eighteen and you want me to help build your new super-Consul force?”
    “You would not be working alone. This isn’t something that would happen overnight. This will be an ongoing effort of years, not months.”
    She shook her head. “Well, you forgot one thing. Your three ‘keys to success’ included magic, and in case you forgot, I don’t have any.”
    Walter’s teeth flashed in a smile. “Actually, you have more magic than anyone in this room.”
    She gave him an icy look. “I have magic that’s sealed. That equals zero magic, not extra magic.”
    “You don’t have accessible magic at the moment, but we have a solution.”
    Her breath caught before she scowled. “My mother’s idea of unlocking half my magic and hoping it doesn’t kill me isn’t a solution.”
    “Actually,” the woman beside Mona said, “we want to unlock all your magic.”
    “So you