“Please,” Kerrigan managed. “I’m not trying to hurt anyone. The bond isn’t killing me.” But no one was listening. “Wait!” she shrieked. “Lorian is setting you up! He wants all half-Fae eliminated. He’s responsible for Basem Nix’s death. And he’s been illegally smuggling magical artifacts. He wants you to kick me out. He doesn’t want anyone else to oppose him. If you don’t listen, then you’ll be next.”

Helly covered her face, as if Kerrigan had said the exact wrong thing.

“I have proof,” Kerrigan tried. “Check his rooms and his Row house. It’s there. I swear it is.”

Malwin finally stood. “Enough! We will not hear any more of these accusations against one of our most esteemed. You are trying to save your skin with some veiled threat. That is not proof. It is hearsay.” He held his hands up to quiet everyone. “To the matter of Kerrigan Argon, who here votes in favor of removing her from her position in the Society?”

Kerrigan gasped as hands went up all over the room. Helly kept her hand down. Bastian made no move to raise his. A handful of others didn’t vote for her removal—Alsia and Anahi were two of them. Kress, Boze, and Lockney all voted for it. Lorian, of course. Kerrigan counted the hands furiously. A majority voted her out.

Malwin brought the gavel down. “Done. Kerrigan Argon, you are henceforth removed from your duties as a member of the Society. You will go to your room and clear out your belongings. A debriefing will take place in one hour. Dismissed.”

Kerrigan was rooted to the podium. She couldn’t believe the words that had come out of Malwin’s mouth. It couldn’t be true. It wasn’t possible. She’d done everything right. She’d kept to her probation. No matter what they’d said about Dozan, that hadn’t been why she was there to see him. And she was going to get her magic under control. That had been the point all along. Oh gods!

A guard appeared at her side and roughly grasped her elbow, yanking her away from the council. Kerrigan was numb. Completely in shock. She hadn’t had enough sleep, and she wasn’t supposed to be around stress. Her magic flickered at her fingertips. She tried to tamp it down, but it was a flood rushing through her. Ready to explode—or worse, disappear altogether. She couldn’t black out. She just couldn’t.

She reached the open doors, and Valia stood off to the side. Her eyes were wide with alarm.

“I am a steward of the Society. I can take it from here,” Valia said confidently.

“I’m here to escort her to her rooms,” a guard said gruffly.

“Come collect her in one hour for her meeting with the presiding officer,” Valia said, dismissing them. “Come along, Kerrigan.”