"One would say that the relationship between you and Miss Moore has seeped past the boundary of professional."

Eli frowned. "I don't know what you're talking about." He was a good liar, I'll give him that. However, I could see it in Cesare's old-ish face, he wasn't fooled.

"When the two of you met, Ruby was?"

"Seventeen, turning eighteen."

"Ah, young...naive...impressionable?"

"On a good day I can't get her to do what I say, so impressionable isn't the word I'd use." Again, people laughed.

"And what word would you use?"

Eli raked his fingers through his hair, his eyes flicking to me. My heart rate sped up under his scrutiny and my palms began to sweat. The air began to heat up and I wondered if he felt it, too.

"Independent." He looked back to Cesare. "She does whatever she wants to do."

"Which brings me to my next point, since Ruby's return to Sage Sanctum, she has caused more trouble than anybody, ever. You are a respectable angel, Mr. De Luca, but you've let her get away with so much, things no sane angel who liked his job would allow."

"I am aware of that."

"I'm concerned her beauty and her charm have rendered you defective." I shifted forward in my seat, ready to leap to his defense at any second.

"Defective?" Eli pondered the word out loud, seeming rather offended. "You're aware I'm not a machine, right? I let Ruby get away with more than I should have because she hasn't been brought up in this society like everybody else. It's too late to ingrain our beliefs in her. She's been through a lot, all of it traumatizing. She has seen things, horrible, disgusting things...you try controlling someone after they've been exposed to so much darkness. They're tough and strong and they don't take anything from anybody. I'd love to see anyone of you do a better job with her than I did."

Cesare frowned, unimpressed with Eli's response. I was impressed. I was biting back a smile and gripping the edge of my seat. He could pretend we weren't an item all he wanted, but I could feel it in his words. As soon as Cesare asked the wrong question, he defended me. Cesare shifted in his seat, leaning back and looking smug. "There are two sides to every story and until we hear Ruby's, you are to be transported to the holding cells. The ban on guardian angels and G.o.ddesses might not be our law, but it's a law we have upheld for a very long time."

My chest tightened. They weren't serious? I shot up out of my chair, but Hunter grabbed me, pulling me back down before anyone saw.

"Sit down," he demanded, his fingers digging into my arms. "Are you trying to get arrested?"

"Let me go!" I growled under my breath.

"I'll get him out, Ruby," Mr. Aleksandrov cut in, leaning across Mila and putting a hand on my leg. He was using his emotion control magic on me. I felt my anger and my panic wash away, replaced with a soothing calm. I stopped thrashing in Hunter's arms and when he let me go, I relaxed in my seat. Mr. Aleksandrov didn't remove his hand from my knee and I watched, totally at peace as elite guards handcuffed Eli and took him away. He didn't look at me once as they pulled him through a wooden door behind the council stand and I'm glad he didn't. I didn't want him to see me so relaxed and calm about it because I know deep down I was anything but.

Mr. Aleksandrov rose to his feet, removing his hand from me. I began to feel more agitated and angry, but Aleksandrov was limiting how much of it I was feeling. "Even when Miss Moore's hearing is over and you still decide an inappropriate relationship has occurred, surely there's some loop hole. She's not a fully blooded G.o.ddess."

"She's enrolled and has been attending Sage Sanctum as a G.o.ddess, has she not?"

Mr. Aleksandrov chuckled. "Hardly. The vampire/heelian/guardian angel sides to her have definitely hindered her learning progress and technically, she's the same as Mr. De Luca. She's one of my guardians."

"An unnecessary announcement on your part, Ivan. You seem to hold a soft spot for this girl and Eli De Luca. Strange, considering he chose to save Ruby over your own niece. Would you be defending him if Mila had died?"

Anger flared in me before disintegrating.

"I hold no animosity towards Ruby or Eli. He chose to save her over Mila because he and Ruby have a deeper relationship. Prior to then, Mila and Eli hadn't really spent time."

"He was her guardian."

"Correct, but although she was bonded to him, Mila had many other guardians there to protect her." He cleared his throat. "I've also taken their punishment into my own hands. They are aware now that favoritism won't work in this line of work. I also feel the need to add that you can't lock up and banish Eli on a.s.sumption. Your laws don't allow it and even if you found some loophole in that, I should remind you that in order for the accusation to stick, the higher power must have physical proof of a breach. I have seen nothing that would even hint that Ruby and Eli have engaged in any unlawful behavior."

My chest swelled at Mr. Aleksandrov. He held his own, putting his foot down and showing them all that he deserved to be here. They made no mistake making him the higher power, although I got the feeling that they definitely regretted it. Oh well, that's what you get when you manipulate people to get things. The council chose Mr. Aleksandrov as higher power to get to me and my blood. They didn't realize how close we were, and despite our differences, Mr. Aleksandrov was family.

"And," Mr. Aleksandrov added, like he suddenly remembered something else. "If Ruby and Eli are found guilty of a forbidden affair, I, as higher power, will lift the law on guardian angel and G.o.ddess relationships. I may be sitting down here in the crowd, but do not forget my place on the board. I hear it's an important one."

A sharp intake of air was inhaled at once throughout the court house. I was worried if I took a breath, there'd be no air left to breathe. Cesare and the rest of the council remained still, looking at Mr. Aleksandrov as if he'd told them he was a vampire. Like a sudden train horn, everyone protested at once, screaming their disapproval. They leapt out of their chairs and began to rush at us. Hunter s.n.a.t.c.hed my arm and yanked me to my feet. I reached out for Mila, who reached out for Aleksandrov, but he brushed her off.

"You three go, I'll sort this out and look at getting Eli out of the holding cell."

Mila stopped and looked at her uncle. He smiled at her, completely unfazed by the screaming mob at his feet. Ten people on the edge of the crowd saw us trying to leave and came at us, thankfully, Hunter got a random side door open and pulled us out before they got to us.

We slipped through random halls, trying to find a way out and back to our building. We got nothing.

"Where are they? Put them all in a holding cell!" I heard someone shout.

Mila yelped and pulled out of my grasp. She opened a small cleaning cupboard big enough only for her and pointed to another across the hall. With a nod, Hunter and I ran to it and dived inside just in time for the angry group to pa.s.s. Our breathing was loud and fast as we panted out our anxiety.

"You're freaking me out, will you stop feeling so-"

"I'm sorry that I'm so anxious. Mr. Aleksandrov p.i.s.sed off an entire city and now they want to lock us up! You try feeling so calm about life then," I snapped in a harsh whisper. G.o.d, why couldn't I have pushed Hunter into the single cupboard and locked myself in here with Mila?

"I would if your emotions weren't taking control all of the time."

I exhaled and then tried to take steady breaths. I didn't know how long we were going to be in here and already I felt the air was thin. After a few quiet, tension-filled minutes, Hunter spoke. "Since we're going to be locked in here for a while, I guess now is a good a time as ever to apologize for last night. I shouldn't have kissed you. I'm sorry."

I let my head fall back against the wall. "Are you?"

"Yes. It was an a.s.s move on my part, but I couldn't help it. I felt your emotions. I felt how conflicted and hurt you were about Eli and I felt you when he looked at you and I got jealous. I wanted him to feel how I felt for a split-second."

Oh boy. "I love him..."

"I know you do."

I brushed my fingers along my arm. "I don't want to hurt him like that. You can fight with him and you can torment him in any way you want-except that way. You can't use me as payback for him. If I lose him..." I choked on my last word and quickly swallowed a sudden sob. "I can't lose him. Not ever."

Hunter slid down the wall until his knees rested against my shins. "Tell me why."

It was simple. "Because he's everything to me. We've been through a lot..."

"And we haven't?"

"Sure we have."

"Yet, you don't feel the same way as me? At one point, I could have sworn you did."

I closed my eyes. I cared for Hunter. When Eli was gone, he was all I had. He'd helped me lots of times, and if Eli wasn't in the picture, then Hunter and I could've been something. But he was a friend, and if there was anything being in love with Eli taught me, it was the different levels of love. Comparing how I felt about Eli in the beginning pales in comparison to how I felt about him now. I would even go as far to say that I 'liked' Eli back then, not loved. Being in love with Eli taught me that I never loved Hunter...at least not in the way I loved Eli. I mixed up my loves. I loved Hunter as a friend-h.e.l.l-as family, but it wasn't the same thing. Close, but no cigar. The kind of love that I have for Hunter is the same love that I have for Mila. I would do anything for them. I would go above and beyond to make them happy and keep them safe, but I would die for Eli. I would give up everything I live for and everything I own just to see him smile. It didn't make sense, but I was used to that. I rarely made sense.

"I love you, Hunter b-"

The door was pulled open and my stomach dropped into my intestines. I squinted into the sudden light and my stomach managed to pick itself back up again-it even filled with air and floated into my heart, giving it a kick. It was Eli and Mr. Aleksandrov. They were okay, and more importantly, no angry mob was after them.

"The council wants to do your hearing now, Ruby," Mr. Aleksandrov said.

"Me? Now?

He nodded. "Watch what you say, they're looking for anything to condemn you, do you understand? You need to prove there's nothing going on between you and Eli. It's the only way I can help the two of you."

With a swift nod, I exited the cupboard, not missing the way Eli glared at Hunter. Of course he had to be let out of jail to find me locked up in a cupboard with Hunter, the guy who'd kissed me the night before. I glanced sideways at Hunter and the way he looked at me was different. Like we were hiding a secret from Eli...and I realized the only thing Hunter heard me say was 'I love you, Hunter.' He didn't hear the 'but' I was going to put on the end of it. I was interrupted before I got to add the cliche 'as a brother' to the end. He thought I loved him like that. He thought I loved him like I loved Eli...this wasn't good and this wasn't going to end well.

c.r.a.p.

"You have no physical attraction to Mr. De Luca?" Cesare asked.

I was really getting sick and tired of this courthouse. "Do I think he's hot?" I asked, shrugging. "Sure, he's hot, but I've never crossed the very visible line that separates our species."

"Not once?"

I shook my head. "Not even once."

The crowd murmured and I a.n.a.lyzed them. Some believed me. Some didn't. They didn't matter, though. It was the council I had to convince.

"You don't think that it's convenient that the higher power wants to change the relationship laws after Mr. De Luca's hearing? Perhaps he's worried his best angel is going to be banished?"

"Convenient? No. Smart? Yes. Mr. Aleksandrov knew he could never bring it up randomly. It had to be brought prior to his announcement. It seemed like the right time." My palms began to sweat, my heart picking up in pace.

"Do you think relationship laws should be changed? Would it affect you directly?"

I knew what he was fishing for-a reaction. He wanted me to pour my heart out and to technically admit my feelings for Eli, but I wasn't going to. If I was the only thing stopping Eli from being locked up in a cell and banished, then so be it.

"I think they should be changed." I looked at Eli, who was frowning, and Hunter, who was glowering at me. "The law is outdated, created by a jealous and selfish man. And no, it doesn't affect me because I have someone else."

The onlookers gasped and I felt my stomach turn. d.a.m.nit! This is why I don't improvise. I make drastic decisions to get out of tough situations.

"Hunter and I have been together for a while now." I avoided Eli's face, but I could feel his eyes burning into me. The shock reflected on Hunter's face would have been hilarious if I wasn't depending on him to back me up. Sensing my unease, his lips curled into a smile, a fake smile, but one nonetheless.

"It's plausible. I saw them kissing last night at the party," a council member muttered.

I looked at Cesare, who seemed to be having trouble believing me. He watched me, running his index finger over his bottom lip.

"I find it strange Mr. Reeves didn't mention anything about your relationship in his hearing."

"You didn't ask him directly. So, yes, we are in love." It took every fiber in my being not to cringe. I was killing Eli, I just knew it.

"Perhaps Mr. Aleksandrov has his own agendas for changing the law," I suggested. "Whatever they are, they have nothing to do with the relationship between Eli and I. We are friends and colleagues. Nothing more." I sighed, preparing my next bitter words. "Never have been, never will be."

Cesare shifted his stupid hat thing. "n.o.body wants the law changed. To do it would upset the ma.s.ses. We'd have riots and a rebellion on our hands."

Mr. Aleksandrov's chair creaked as he pushed himself to his feet. "Maybe that's the problem with locking yourself up in this big city, councilman. A lot has changed and our people seek leadership. Ruby is a big figurehead outside these walls. They sympathize with her. They love and respect her and wouldn't hesitate following her to the end of the earth."

Cesare snapped forward in his seat, startling me and the first few rows of spectators. "Are you inciting the beginning of a rebellion, Ivan? Are you and your team of loyal followers threatening to become a b.u.mp in our otherwise smooth system? We will not tolerate treason."

Mr. Aleksandrov, appearing less intimidated than the rest of us, chuckled. "n.o.body is prosecuting anybody for treason. Remember now, who knows you exist? As far as everyone is concerned, I am the sole ruler. You have been shown that Ruby and Eli aren't having an inappropriate relationship, which tells you that I'm not aiming to have this law removed just to protect them. I want to be a different leader than Lucian. I want to offer people more freedom to choose. They live in fear of death, or worse, being turned into a vampire." He paused to let his words sink in. "More intimate relations between angels and G.o.ds will improve performance. How can you protect someone you have minimal emotional attachment to? That's why Eli chose to save Ruby over Mila. Emotional ties."

"So your argument is; if we allow guardians and G.o.ds/G.o.ddesses to be intimate, it will lessen the fear in us and increase the performance in our angels?"

Ivan nodded. "That's one of my many points and theories." The spectators murmured their disagreement. "But I think this is a discussion best shared during my private hearing tonight."

Finally, I began to see the end of the tunnel. My hearing was coming to an end and I, thankfully, wouldn't be having another.

"Before we go..." Cesare turned his steely eyes on me. "You should know that you're skating on extremely thin ice. You risk everything we have sworn to protect. Everything bad that has happened to your friends-every death, every attack, the school break in, here-it's all because of you."

My eyes narrowed at him. He said it to me like I wasn't already aware of that. I knew it...and I'd never let myself forget it.

"You are reckless." Oh, joy. There was more. "You are unstable and you are a magnet for disaster."

I took a deep breath, one that caused my chest to tighten, and let it out. It wasn't his words that ate at me...it was the cold way he said it.

"I'd throw you out of this society myself if I wasn't so petrified of you exposing us."

I feigned a genuine smile. "What lovely parting words. They're so moving I think I'll get them tattooed on my neck." I pushed myself onto my feet as chatter filled the room, signalling the official end of my hearing."I had fun, too. Let's do it again sometime."

I turned to step away, but his voice forced me back to him. "You grip life like it actually means anything to you. It will come back to bite you. Even your past doesn't stay dead."

The way he said it, like he knew something I didn't, unnerved me and I stared at him. I didn't know what I expected to see in his face-an explanation maybe? He didn't smile. He didn't look smug or proud, but he managed to burrow under my skin.

"Ruby?" The clear sound of warning in Eli's voice drummed through me and I whipped my head in his direction. He stood next to Hunter, both right by my stand and both looked ready to pull me off the stand at any second. I could be a little reckless at times, I'll be the first to admit that, but I wasn't about to beat the h.e.l.l out of Cesare, regardless of how desperately my fists wanted me to.

I turned back to Cesare, who was now looking at the two men. "Don't let her drag either of you down."

My jaw clenched instinctively and I heard the metal latch on the stand gate rattle.

"Wow, aren't you a bright ray of sunshine," Hunter deadpanned from the sidelines. Despite my better judgement, Hunter's remark made me smile. His voice was far away, meaning the warmth hitting my skin from the body next to me was Eli. Of course.

Cesare flicked his parting shot toward me. "You two have the same att.i.tude, I see. That must make for some rather intense arguments."

"We do just fine," Hunter replied. "Come on, Ruby, the sooner we leave this court house, the sooner we can get out of this lame city."

Cesare kept a close eye on us as Eli and I stepped down from the stand. I glued myself to Hunter's side the minute my shoes touched the ground, threading my fingers through his for extra measure. I didn't look sideways to gauge Eli's reaction. I wanted to. I wanted to tell him that I was sorry and that I panicked. I was no good at improvising, he knew that.

The minute we stepped out of the court house, I let go of Hunter and looked at him, worried I'd offended him. To my surprise, he smiled down at me. Whether or not it was real, I had no idea.

"So," I exhaled. "That was a fail. Sorry."

Hunter scoffed. "It wasn't your fault."

"He's right." Eli agreed. "The only purpose of that hearing was to belittle and bully you. I'll be speaking to Mr. Aleksandrov and appealing for another hear-"