Total pages in book: 142
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134501 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 448(@300wpm)
‘You look calm,’ he observed, ‘so I’m guessing he didn’t say or do anything that pissed you off.’
‘All he did was make himself look stupid – thinking I’d buy he cares if I’m worried that the meeting won’t go as I hope.’ She briefly relayed the conversation. ‘Oh, and he said he warned you about me.’
Ripper grunted, stepping into her. ‘He told me it was a mistake to ally myself with you. I disagreed. I disagree with most of the shit that comes out of his mouth.’
‘I think the majority of people outside his clan do.’
He parted his lips, his eyes flitting over her face, and she thought he’d bring up what happened last night. But, instead, he bit down on his lower lip.
She rolled back her shoulders. ‘Don’t know about you, but I’m all for getting this meeting over with.’ And getting some space from him so she could get a reprieve from the mess he made of her body.
‘I’m with you on that.’ He pushed open the door and tipped his chin, indicating for her to enter first, and then took up the rear.
In the foyer, Clarence grinned broadly. ‘Ah, there you both are.’
‘Morning, Clarence.’ She glanced around the empty space. ‘I’m guessing the others are already seated.’
He confirmed that with a nod, stepping a little closer. ‘I suggest we . . .’ He paused, his gaze flying to Ripper as his nostrils flared. ‘Well, that’s a surprise.’
Tell me about it.
Clarence cleared his throat, gestured for them to follow, and began walking.
Plastering on the bright smile that she knew made people nervous, Emberlyn followed the lawyer through the pointed-arch doorway and into the grand hall with Ripper at her back.
The rectangular space had oak-paneled walls and patterned marble flooring. Two columns of benches were separated by a narrow walkway. One column was taken up by her family, Tyra, Sera, Carver, Reena, Ward and a few other members of the coven. All faced the dark and striking male sitting at a table on the elevated platform.
Normally, Ripper, Carver and Reena would be up there as well. But, being the only impartial member of the council in this case, Shane would be handling it alone.
Though many in the hall turned, Emberlyn didn’t meet any gazes as she followed Clarence to the front row of the empty column. He indicated for Emberlyn and Ripper to slide in first and then joined them, which placed her between both werewolves – a no doubt deliberate move on their part, feeling she would be better protected this way.
Tyra slid Emberlyn a quick look, a smug light in her eyes that said she was sure she’d win this case. Oh, that light wouldn’t be there for long.
Though Sera was Tyra’s assistant, there was no actual need for her to be present. The little bitch no doubt wanted the pleasure of seeing Emberlyn legally lose the manor.
Shane glanced at his watch. ‘The meeting is due to start in a few minutes but, since we’re all here, we might as well begin. I’m assuming neither of you needs more time to speak with your clients,’ he said, looking from Clarence to Tyra.
Tyra took papers from Sera. ‘Actually—’
‘We can start, then,’ declared Shane. ‘We’ll hear from the applicant first. As I understand it, Tyra, your client wishes to have her mother’s will declared invalid.’
‘That is correct,’ Tyra confirmed.
‘And this is on the grounds that, in her belief, Millicent wasn’t sound of mind?’
‘It is, yes.’
Shane’s gaze slid to Gill. ‘Why are you so sure of this?’
Gill squared her shoulders. ‘My mother may not have been a good person, but she loved her family in her way. She would never have treated her children and grandchildren so unfairly as to only bequeath them small or petty things. Not if she was of sound mind. The will can’t possibly reflect her true last wishes.’
Shane let out a pensive hum. ‘I have read a copy of it, so I’m aware of what each of the beneficiaries inherited. What exactly is it you believe that it should have stated?’
‘That as the eldest I would inherit the manor, my brother would be given the land and her small fortune be distributed amongst her grandchildren – Mari, Ames and Emberlyn.’
Oh, how reasonable Gill sounded. Given that none of the others objected, it had to be a case of them coming up with this together.
Shane skimmed his gaze over Dez, his son and Mari. ‘You agree?’
They all responded in the affirmative.
‘In truth,’ Dez added, ‘my mother did not at any point in her life have the testamentary capacity to make a valid will. As we all know, she regularly performed magick that most consider taboo. She was a lone practitioner. A recluse. Always looked haggard and unkempt. She exhibited all the signs of somebody who is mentally disturbed.’