Fallen (Undergoing editing)

Chapter seventeen:

The hairs on my neck stood and I gripped the arms of the chair, trying to swallow the urge to leap to my feet and wrap my fingers around her throat. Beside me, Enrique laid his hand gently over my shoulder as he gave Sonya an even look before hissing into my ear, "Don't, she's not worth blowing this trial for."

I sat back into my chair with a sigh and watched as she settled herself down in the chair beside Nicoli's stand and faced the courtroom with a smug smile.

"State your name," Dolorian said.

"Sonya Cape."

"Sonya, can you please tell everyone why you are here? You are my witness, please, can you tell the courtroom, what crime did you see committed?"

Sonya jerked her chin upward haughtily. "I saw and heard a demon deal."

Dolorian turned to the courtroom, her eyes flickering over Enrique and me. I felt him stiffen in his seat.

"And is that person in this room?"

Sonya turned very stiffly to our table with the smallest hint of a smirk glowing in the corner of her mouth. "Yes, yes she is."

"Can you please state her name for the court?"

Sonya kept a level eye contact with me as she spoke, "Lilith Black."

A wave of curious mumble chorused through the courtroom. I could feel them all glaring over to me and Enrique who shifted uncomfortably in his chair. The crowd suddenly fell silent to the sound of Nicoli's hammer bashing against the desk several times.

"Order! Order! Dolorian, please continue."

"Yes, your honor." Dolorian nodded and turned again to Sonya as she began to pace with her hands behind her back.

"Ms. Cape, can you please tell the court what Ms. Black was discussing with this alleged demon?"

Sonya comfortably ruffled her feathers and glared right at me.

"I overheard Lilith making a deal with the same individual who murdered Falcon in cold blood and the cause of the recent attack on the city. He'd given her information on her...hidden life." Her dark eyes flashed. "He revealed that she was from the Fallen race, well...hinted."

The courtroom instantly exploded into frenzied murmurs. Dozens upon dozens of eyes fell on me and all I could do was quietly die in my seat. I could feel Enrique stiffen beside me, the color in his face matching his papers on the desk. 

"Order! Order in this courtroom!" Nicoli cried over the roar of the crowd. 

"So, Sonya, while you were there listening to the two converse, what did you hear?"

"She had intended to fight this demon for revenge on Falcon's death, but after failing, she ended up dealing instead." 

"And for what did she exchange in this deal-?" Dolorian asked.

"You're honor," Enrique suddenly stood, forcing everyone's attention on him. "I need to speak with my client. This is news to me."

I sunk low in my chair, gritting my teeth as everyone's eyes switched to me.

Nicoli's cold eyes flashed. "Mr. Greyfeather, I don't want my time wasted. It is not my fault that you're client doesn't tell you information."

"You're honor, I desperatley need this time. Five minutes tops."

"Overruled." Nicoli's eyes turned to Sonya. "Please continue Ms. Cape."

Sonya's gaze turned to me once more. "She wanted to kill him, but before she could even attempt to, the traitor offered her his life in trade for secrets of her...well I'm not allowed to say, but of course I think you already know." Sonya turned her evil gaze towards me.

"Anything else you can tell us, Sonya?" Dolorian said blinking her round golden eyes.

Sonya sat there for a good menacing moment, batting her long innocent eyelashes towards Enrique before turning back to Dolorian with a slight twitch in her wings, "Nothing else."

"Thank you, Sonya." Dolorian turned to Nicoli, "Nothing further, your honor." Dolorian walked back to her seat across from us with a deep sway of her hips in her step.

"Mr. Greyfeather, do you have any questions for Dolorian's witness?"

Enrique looked up from his few pieces of papers, hands clenching and opening his hands awkwardly. The color still hadn't quite returned to his face and he seemed slightly off kilter. "Uh...no, your honor."

"Well," Nicoli said, stretching as if he'd just come out of a nice sleep. "I will now call a break for lunch. This courtroom will resume in an hour, until then we are adjourned!" he said with a booming crack his hammer.

I winced as the guard hauled me quickly down the hall, fiercly gripping my arm.

"Where are we going?" I growled, my chains clinking.

The guard was silent as he led me into a small office room, tossing me in. "Here she is Mr. Greyfeather."

I gasped and looked up to Enrique who whirled around raking his hand wildly through his hair, making it stick up all over his head in a tousled mess.

"Thank you," he said. "You may leave us."

The guard bowed respectfully before closing the door leaving just the two of us together.

"Lilith Marie Black."

I winced at my full name turning to Enrique who almost looked taller in his court robe and fancy shoes.

"I...why didn't you...oh Jupiter..." He took a seat, letting his hands fall into his hands.

I bit my lip, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry, I couldn't tell you-"

"Couldn't or just wanted to keep it from me?" His face rose from his hands, eyes livid.

I shrunk back against the door.

"How...why....? He shook his head. "I don't beleive this."

I fought back the tears I felt crawling up. I couldn't bear to cry in front of him. Not now. Especially now. I felt like a true criminal now. Ugly on the outside and inside. I wanted to wrap my hands around myself, but my handcuffs gave me only so much room.

"I get it," I said. "You don't have to defend me anymore if you don't want to. I understand, I mean who would want to protect a Fallen?"

Enrique rose his head up from his hands, looking at me, really looking at me, scrutinizing me. "Oh, Lilith, I-"

We were both interrupted by a knock on the door, followed by a guard's head poking inside.

"We're resuming," he said and quickly left.

Enrique closed his mouth looking back to me. "Come on," he said rising to his feet, walking past me with a cold aura emanating from him. "Let's finish this."