Lucian’s eyes narrowed. “I pulled you from university in Montana because you were playing vigilante down there,” he reminded her icily. “You were utilizing your abilities in front of mortals and drawing attention to yourself, and by extension, our people. Which is against our laws. My choice was to either move you or execute you. Would you have preferred execution?”

“Of course not, but . . .” Ildaria hesitated and then slumped in her seat with defeat. She supposed the setback to her education was probably nothing more than she deserved. She’d known she was playing with fire when she’d donned her leathers and gone out to kick some mortal bad-guy butt back in Montana. And she knew she was lucky that Lucian Argeneau had given her a second chance rather than have her executed. He wasn’t known for being soft on people who stepped out of line, and she had stepped out of line. Her only excuse was emotional distress, but she hadn’t explained that to Lucian when she’d been brought before him. She hadn’t had to, though. No doubt he’d read it from her mind and it was the only reason she was still breathing.

Letting her breath out slowly now, she nodded in acceptance and simply said, “Thank you.”

Lucian grunted at the soft words, his body relaxing. “You may go. I believe Sam is waiting for you in the kitchen . . . with hot chocolate and brownies.”

Ildaria couldn’t tell if he was annoyed that Sam was waiting to give her treats to soothe her after she’d got herself in trouble again, or amused. His mouth was definitely twitching though.

Supposing it didn’t matter, Ildaria stood and headed for the door, aware that Tybo and Valerian had also stood to follow her. They had to take her back to the university to fetch her car, she recalled then, and probably wouldn’t want to wait for her to enjoy those treats. That or they’d gobble them all up on her. She’d seen Tybo eat. He’d inhale the brownies before she got her hand on one if she didn’t run ahead of them.

But in the next moment, she realized that wouldn’t be necessary because Lucian barked, “Not you two. I am not finished with you yet.”

Ildaria glanced back to see Tybo and Valerian reluctantly returning to their chairs and had to smother the smile that wanted to claim her lips. Tybo had been so annoying with his nonsense about having the sense not to be caught on video that she didn’t feel at all bad he was in trouble now.

Leaving the men to be raked over the coals by Lucian, she hurried out into the hall, headed for the kitchen and the promised brownies and cocoa awaiting her. There was nothing like chocolate to make you feel better after a stressful event. Between that and a chat with Sam, she hoped to be feeling at least a little better before the men rejoined her.