Colin sat in a transparent cell with two small rectangular windows at the top of the high formation, so he could breathe and a tiny flap where they slid his food tray. He had a small mattress and a tiny tub of water in the corner as well as a place to relieve himself. For Colin, who liked to move through the night, a boy with no home by choice, this was a nightmare. Still, he tried to remain calm. How could anyone really believe that he was capable of murder? Serena was nosy but that wasn't a good reason to kill someone. In fact, he was trying to help her out by urging her to stay out of the Foxworthy business. He had a hunch there was something darker at play. Now, all kinds of rumors were flying including that the empath had wanted to besmirch his family or maybe discovered something that he had to silence her about. Complete fabrications. There was nothing that would make him murder much less do that to a snoop like Serena. He wasn't a murderer plain and simple, and in his line of work that was saying something. Now, his trial had been moved up to tonight. They must have found something for them to want to do that. A very small but powerful group in the upper division of the Council Knights wanted him to be put away for reasons that had zero to do with Serena. They wanted to use the Jack Boots to keep people in check—thugs to do their dirty work when they couldn't. The Light Council, who controlled the Knights' every move, did not abide by this. Instead, they preferred to work with Colin's group, who worked around a code of ethics. Not good enough apparently for some.

"You have a visitor," the warden said. "Come in and be quick about it," the oafish man with a pirate-like goatee snapped at someone and locked the door as soon as the lady entered.

"What a classy guy," Colin snorted clenching his fists when he saw Neeta's beautiful face. Her neat dark hair looked shorter than usual and the little makeup she usually wore was not present. She looked worn and tired but as if she'd been fighting to maintain a semblance of control. The fact that his powers did not work in the Stockade frustrated him. He wanted to slip fear into the guard's mind so he'd know not to bark at a woman like that again. Not that Neeta Tanaka couldn't take care of herself.

"Hitting him won't get you out of here, put that away this instant," Neeta ordered and he obeyed.

"I'd rather give him a mind twist or weave his memory. That'd be great."

"That's why they don't let prisoners' powers work down her. For their own safety."

"Neeta, I need to get out of here." Colin finally let his walls down. With Neeta, he had to let her know this was killing him. He could act all calm and stoic once that jerk warden returned. He slid his hands through the opening where they slid his food tray and reached for her. Neeta threaded her fingers with his. He closed his eyes and let his emotions wash over him. He didn't want to burden her, but he also knew that she was worried he was worse off than he was. Finally, he looked up. "I'm not guilty, I would never kill anyone. Much less an innocent empath. Please tell me that you're doing everything you can to get me out. It sounds like the court has already convicted me."

"No, they have not and don't listen to rumors," Neeta said, squeezing his fingers. "You are innocent Colin and all we have to do is find the evidence to prove it."

"We start in less than two hours, Neeta. Unless you have something up your sleeve. Or my grandmother maybe."

Neeta pulled her hands away. "I don't think they have anything, Colin. Right now, it's just a slew of character witnesses. We're doing our best."

Colin ran a hand over his face. "What about the Brotherhood? Are they holding operations steady?"

"Max has disappeared," Neeta answered with a wary but solemn expression.

"What do you mean, disappeared?"

"He's probably Skyside with his parents. I can't go up there. He chose to remain down here for the year, so if they catch him..."

Colin growled low in his chest. He did not like his team in danger. He ushered them over the line to train Isabella's cohort because that mattered. Isabella mattered, and he couldn't bring them Underground. He had to prepare them.

"And that's not all," said Neeta.

"What is it?"

"They shut us down."

"They can't just shut us down," Colin ground out. Damn them. "They don't have the authority."

"Any member of the Midnight Brotherhood operating on a mission or in the lair will be cited or arrested on sight. It's out of the Light Council's hands at this point. It's all of Empath Hall."

"That's ridiculous."

Neeta sighed. "We are getting you out of here. I promise."

"Okay," Colin said his throat tight. She reached for his hand once more. He squeezed her fingers again.

"I'll see you in there. It'll be all right."

Then she was gone.

***

At his night trial, with the first ten of twelve rows behind him nearly filled to capacity, Colin was comforted by the fact that the majority of the Light Council requested to give character testimony on his behalf. He wasn't sure if it would do him any good, but it gave him hope. He looked over to see his grandmother whispering with Theophilus Dodge. That funny old man, who protected his family. He'd be forever grateful to him. Now that Isabella was of age the danger around her grew every day, and he knew it was only going to get worse. He could feel it coming and that was the true reason he could not be locked up. Isabella was important, and he needed to be out so his cohort could be there to work alongside hers, to help them grow. Fifteen minutes before the proceedings began, the rank and file needed to pull of the trial entered the room – a bailiff, two guards – Shadow Watch members hired by the court – the court reporter and various aides.

As was the custom in Violet City, the trial would have three judges presiding over Colin's case – a member of the Divanto and the two appointed members of the court. Ultimately, they would be the ones in the end to decide his fate. Next to Colin sat his counsel Marcellus Anontelli, Cleo and Xander's father and member of The Light Council. Because of this conflict, Marcellus would not be able to offer testimony on Colin's behalf, but that worked out given that Marcellus did not know Colin well. With short notice of a change in trial date, he was lucky to have a good lawyer at all. On the opposing side that those Skyside would call the prosecution was The Defender of Empath Law. Today it was a woman, Olive Prudence. One look at her buttoned down black and violet suit and neatly trimmed shoulder length hair reflected a person who was no nonsense. If she harbored a drop of humor, it was completely undetectable. Colin knew she'd be by the book and out for blood. But he was innocent. Maybe she'd see that. It all depended on the evidence on him – if they had any.

"Sorry but I need to speak to Colin Timothy's counsel right away," a voice whispered to one of guards. "I'm part of the team."

The guard raised an eyebrow then looked back at Marcellus, who looked to Colin, who nodded for Elias Landry to be let forward.

Olive stared on frowning.

"Marcellus, Colin. I have a witness for you."

Marcellus narrowed his eyes at Elias. "What witness?"

"Isabella's friend. The older boy from her cohort."

"You mean Seth?" supplied Colin. He looked behind Elias to see Seth, Micah and Xander hanging back a few paces, looking as if they were waiting instructions on what to do next. He'd never seen Seth look so nervous, not even in the middle of battling Jack's insane minions last year.

"If you need a second counsel or a witness in addition to Seth, I've heard the boy's story and also have a license to verify certain magical objects."

Colin was shocked. "What object?"

Elias leaned over to Marcellus to whisper to him. Marcellus's eyes went wide. "Sit down...Elias. Sit down." He turned around and gave the boys one of his sharp authoritative glares. "Boys, sit down and keep quiet. We'll call Mr. Logan if he's needed." He gestured to a few free spots a couple of rows behind them. Just as Colin was about to ask for an explanation, the judges walked in – a male member of the Divanto, a pleasant looking woman with a kind but stern face and an older man who took the center seat. Soon, the bailiff had announced that the court was in session. Everyone stood up as the bailiff announced Judge Yates, Judge Alvarez and Sage Fortuna. When he was finished everyone but Marcellus took their seats.

"Your honors. If it would please the court, I would like to enter in two last minute requests." Marcellus waited for the judges to respond.

Olive shot up from the prosecution's chair. "Objection, I have had no time to prepare to counter these requests. Colin is on trial for murder and can't just order plans off a menu."

Judge Yates, a man with a long bear and glasses pushed flat against his face, looked forward. "Counsel. Please state the requests, and we'll see what can be done."

"Thank you, your honors, first I'd like to make the young man here, Elias Landry, my second counsel."

Judge Yates threaded his fingers together and said, "Granted."

Marcellus nodded his thanks. "Second. We have a last-minute name we'd like to add to our witness list—" Marcellus started.

Olive interrupted. "Objection! This is outrageous! Not only does Mr. Antonelli suddenly need an assistant. A new witness has magically appeared? Do I get to magically vet him too or is this actually a court of law?"

"Ms. Prudence. Please calm yourself," the female judge, Judge Alvarez, seated on the right instantly spoke before re-directing her attention to Marcellus. "Your additional counsel will remain. However, your new witness needs to be properly vetted first. If he passes, then he can testify. If not, he's out."

"Of course, your honor," Marcellus said.

"Who is this witness?" Judge Alvarez asked.

"Seth Logan, your honor," Marcellus replied.

"All right, we'll give the prosecution time to vet the witness."

Colin was grateful but also concerned that Isabella wasn't with her friends. Seth would not have left her side given everything that was going on in the wake of Serena's murder. Cleo and Micah had told him that she was out with Lana and her friend Evie when he'd been arrested and that Seth insisted he tag along. The story seemed odd at the time, but he'd shrugged it off. He passed two guards and stepped into a private room just off the courtroom with Marcellus and Elias then took a seat in one of the far chairs. After Elias excused himself to go and get Seth and Marcellus went to have a word with the Council members, Colin slipped his eyes shut and homed in on the Empath Society ring he wore, engraved with the family seal he'd had engraved on the flip side of his personal stone after Isabella returned from being held hostage by Jack. He tried tuning into his half-sister's location. To his horror she was heading towards The Forest of Violet. No! She was too close to Joseph there. She couldn't be too close. Not yet. Not now.

"Hey Colin, are you okay?" Seth asked entering the private room with Micah and Xander.

"No," Colin said, "how could you as her protector let Isabella go anywhere near that forest?"

Seth blanched. "Why? Is something wrong? What happened? How do you know she went to the forest?"

When he explained how he knew, Seth nodded but did not look at all appeased. "He could pull her in too soon. She's not ready. She could be lost. He stays away from her, but if she's near I don't know what he'll do. I've been worried even for myself, but she's the Diadem Queen."

"What does that even mean, Colin? You're too cryptic about everything."

"The truth is I don't know much. I just know what my mother told me growing up and what I've learned for the past ten years living on this side of the world, in the Violet City. Gaut is powerful. He built this place for Isabella's—for our great-grandmother, Renee. But that wasn't the only reason for his presence here. He's been waiting for her—when the time is right to train her."

"Why is that a bad thing?"

"Maybe because the creatures in the forest that would like to get Joseph to kill Isabella."

"What?!"

"They're locked in the forest because Joseph broke an oath to Yemaya when he had Renee. He was supposed to be the protector of the last Diadem child yes, but he was not supposed to have children. I'm not sure why that is, but the legend goes that Joseph is hundreds of years old, and he was granted everything in turn for protecting the last Diadem child. Joseph wanted to leave his duty, but Yemaya played a cruel trick in making the child he had to protect Isabella. Joseph would never abandon his blood. The darkness in the forest releases every time he creates something new or keeps the Violet City going. The light outweighs the darkness by far, but that does not mean Isabella is safe. In fact, at this stage, it's very possible for that darkness to take hold of her. And if it comes close to that, Joseph could take her away until I don't know when."

Seth turned toward the door, but Micah slid his body in front of his brother to block his retreat. "Isabella wants you here."

"Get out of my way, Micah," said Seth, through gritted teeth.

"Micah and I can go warn her," Xander said from behind Seth. The tall boy turned around and shoved a finger into his younger friend's chest. "You two need to stay put. I don't any of you hurt."

"Seth, you may be the guardian of the group, but you all have to learn to work together," said Colin.

Marcellus entered the room with Elias. He made his way over to the group. "Seth, we need you. This shouldn't take long."

Colin watched the young man breathe in and out harshly, attempting to calm himself down. He wasn't sure if he knew exactly how he felt, but he had an idea. "Seth, do what you need to do."

Seth sighed. "I'll stay. You two go. But don't die. And don't let her die. Please. I'll be there as soon as I can."

Xander nodded like a soldier and Micah lifted his chin. "We've got this, Seth. You do what she needed you to do."

"Xander, Micah. Go find Neeta. She'll help you," instructed Colin. The boys nodded and left the room.

"We need to find a way out of here," Seth insisted, jaw clenching, hands fisted.

Colin sighed. "What is it that you know, Seth?"

"Everything," and with that, Seth walked out of the room with Marcellus and Elias.

Twenty minutes later, the courtroom had filled back up. The judges enter the room, and the proceedings began.