My first impulse, once I strode triumphant from the throne room, was to dash for the nearest exit, run for home, lock myself in my room and scrub the last several days from my memory forever.
Elliot didn't give me the chance, waiting for me right at the exit. He was lucky he was an Enforcer or I would have done him some damage.
"A moment yet," he said. "My leader would like a word?"
Oh, so now she wanted to talk to me, did she? I stomped my way to my old quarters, remembering I had something to retrieve anyway, so it was a good thing after all. No way was I leaving the magic blocking powder for some conniving vampire to find when I had my own plans for it.
Just wait until I saw Ameline again. One deep breath and it would all be over.
I brought Mom and Gram with me anyway, just in case. No way was Margaret putting me in magical irons and dragging me off to trial. Not without a fight.