Bewitching Monsters

Deity - Part 1

[A/N: in this character arc (and the rest of the story) "god" is used as a neutral term. No deity in this world has any definitive sex or gender; they can take whatever form they please and change it at will.]

"You're being sent to trial," the official Court messenger said. They held out a tablet. "Please sign here for confirmation of notification and to receive further information about the hearing."

Well. Today was off to a fantastic start. After I signed the damn thing, a sigil lit up and a thick envelope materialized on top of the tablet. This had to be about the vampire gala. After letting the envelope sit on my table for a solid thirty minutes as I slowly ate breakfast, I begrudgingly opened it. Lord Corvin was suing me for breaking our contract. What a headache. At least I had already looked up a lawyer before the gala, having thought something like this could happen.

I got the best fae lawyer I could reasonably afford. Lawra and I went over my entire case, and I told her my defense. She laughed at my trump card, agreeing that I had a near solid win on my hands. The biggest issue we'd run into was if Lord Corvin decided to push his money around.

Or so I thought...

In the days leading up to the trial, things got complicated. In order for me to give my statement, the court wanted me to remove all magical charms I had on me. For the most part, this wasn't an issue. But there was one charm I couldn't remove. Not yet. And they weren't being understanding about this.

"It's a benign charm," I said as patiently as I could. "You can confirm the nature of it with anyone."

"Then there's no reason to not remove it for the trial," the third official of the day excused.

"Like I have told everyone else—it's tied to my patron of the Grand Scales. Removing it will summon them. And they'll expect me to fulfill my end of our bargain—which I can't."

"You should have considered that before getting into trouble." He raised his brow in annoyance, like arguing with me over this was beneath him.

This piece of shit... If he was going to make me pay then I'd drag his ass along for the ride. "Well. Hopefully my patron is more understanding and lenient than you are."

Aleril was at the trial. Would he be testifying too? Either way, seeing him only rattled my nerves more. It didn't help that Caera noticed how he looked at me and then gave me her own looks. Lord Corvin looked even more stony and lethal than the first time I met him. Behind him sat Antun. They were the only vampires I recognized.

Everyone swore in and the trial began.

Judge Ozgol read out the official charges then handed the floor off to Dushtuh, the plaintiff attorney. They called up Lord Corvin first and he elaborated on his charges. He didn't paint me as badly as I thought he would. It was refreshing to see him be professional instead of petty—I guess that's Antun's job.

Then it was my attorney's turn.

Lawra approached the bench with a measured smile. "Lord Corvin. Do you oversee the writing of all the NDAs you have your employees sign?"

"Of course."

"Do you also witness the signing of them yourself?"

"Not always."

"Did you witness the defendant signing hers?"

"No. I did not."

Lawra gave a small nod and clasped her hands behind her back. "Have you ever employed a fae before?"

"Objection," Dushtuh spoke up. "Irrelevant."

"Overruled." Judge Ozgol waved a lazy hand for Lawra to continue, though her scowl suggested that a point better be reached soon.

"Your answer, Lord Corvin?"

"No, I have not," he finally answered.

Lawra's smile was barely noticeable, but I knew it for the cheshire grin it was. "The defense is done with questioning Lord Corvin at this time and would like to call the defendant to the stands."

About time. I waited for him to return to his seat before standing. I was still nervous to summon my patron. Would they be understanding or demanding? I took a deep, steadying breath as I walked to the podium. I unfastened the charm. A chill ran through me, but that was it. Huh... maybe they wouldn't show after all. I placed the charm on the tray the bailiff held out for me, then sat and looked at Lawra.

She wasn't moving. No one was, now that I looked.

My patron said my name as they circled in front of me. I bolted to my feet and bowed to them. "Hail and welcome, dear Patron."

"We are alone here—address me properly."

"Of course, O'dos." I righted myself, back straight and shoulders back, but I couldn't bring myself to meet their eyes. "I'm sure you're aware of the situation."

"Yes." They raised my chin up. "Look at me, witchling." I obeyed their order and became lost in a sea of lapis and gold and shadows. Their energy washed through me and settled like sand. "I have indulged you a fair bit thus far. But even my kindness has limits."

Nothing like being threatened by a deity.

"I will give you a choice. Fulfill your payment now, or it shall be doubled."

I didn't want to pick either option. But I couldn't deny that they were being more generous than they should be—I wonder why. There wasn't time to think it over; I had to decide now. "Alright," I murmured. "Now it is."

They gave a single nod then vanished into golden smoke. Time moved once again. I took my seat and waited for Lawra to question me, suddenly a bit less eager to get this trial over with.