Courts and Cabals 2 by G.S. D'Moore (warren buffett book recommendations TXT) 📗

go when she got there. Faerie didn’t operate under the same physical laws as this realm. The Winter Court might be a one day walk from the inter-realm portal today, and a six month walk tomorrow. If the Lady of Winter wasn’t an idiot, and Lilith had to assume that was the case, the Winter Court wouldn’t be anywhere easy to access. It was better to clear up this legal nonsense now, and then search for Cam when she was released.

“Let’s take it,” her answer seemed to surprise the lawyer; although, it was clear it was what he wanted to do.

“I’m still confident we can . . .” he tried to act assured, but she raised her hand and silenced him.

“I’ve got better things to do than spend another few weeks in trial, a week in deliberations, and then make a whole media circus of all this crap. We can always appeal to have the sentence vacated at an opportune time in the future; but I’d rather get on with my life,” she stood, signaling the end of discussion.

“Of course,” the lawyer managed to look happy and defeated at the same time. He might lose his retainer over this. Her mother didn’t approve of failure, but that wasn’t Lilith’s problem.

Gary and Bernie were outside and ready to escort her. Bernie’s eyes traced her new outfit; which despite being designed to be conservative and concealing, still managed to cling to her in all the right ways. He even unconsciously licked his lips. She ignored him as they put her back in shackles and marched to the judge’s chambers. Dani, Xamira, Judge Stands Tall and the prosecution were already present.

 “What the hell is going on?” the dwarf shifted uncomfortably as she pulled on a bra that was clearly designed to flatten her bodacious breasts. It was having more success than Lilith’s outfit, but was clearly uncomfortable.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got it handled,” Lilith gave her a reassuring look, but the dwarf had known the succubus for too long.

“We’ve reached an agreement, Your Honor,” the cabal lawyer stepped forward with the prosecution.

“What are they talking about?” Xamira looked from the lawyers to Lilith.

“I said don’t worry,” Lilith’s voice took on an edge that shut the other two women up, at least for a minute.

The judge looked over the documentation with her usual thoroughness to determine everything was in order. “Miss Venitas,” she motioned for Lilith to step forward. The lawyers parted to let her through. “I want to ensure you completely understand what you are about to do,” the skinwalker’s tone was surprisingly gentle. She might be impartial, but for the first time, Lilith was seeing the woman behind the robe. “You will be pleading guilty to one count of involuntary manslaughter. Mandatory federal sentencing guidelines state that your sentence should be a minimum of ten to sixteen months. The government is choosing to request six months with time served. In addition, the government agrees to drop the charges against Miss Underwood and Miss Venitas.”

“Whoa, wait a minute,” Dani piped up.

“Quiet, Dani,” Lilith shot back, her voice as hard as iron. “I’ve made my decision. Honor it.” That shut the dwarf up.

“Gentlemen,” the judge turned her attention to the lawyers. “This whole case stinks. The ulterior motive for this prosecution is plain as day, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the defense has an appeal in the works on the grounds of discrimination.”

“Your Honor, I take offense to . . .”

“I don’t care what offends you, counselor,” the judge shot the government lawyer down with a glare. “I don’t like what has gone on in my courtroom for the last month. I do not like that I’m going to be sending a young woman to prison on Valentine’s Day. It is because I don’t like this, that I will grant this deal, and offer probation after three months. Do you understand that, Miss Venitas? Behave yourself, and you’ll be out before Memorial Day.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Lilith gave the judge a small bow. She might be a hardass, but she could see through all the bullshit to the clusterfuck this really was.

“Then it’s settled. You will be remanded into the custody of the US Marshalls and transported to the Victorville Federal Correctional Complex at the earliest opportunity; where, you will serve a minimum of ninety days in the special prisoner’s unit.”

“This is fucked up,” Dani muttered under her breath as Gary and Bernie were called back in to escort Lilith away.

“Your Honor, we need to make accommodations for my client’s particular dietary needs,” the lawyer chimed in.

“Coordinate with Victorville for all your needs. They are familiar with, and used to, dealing with particular circumstances,” the judge informed. There was no gavel to bang, but her statement ended with a sense of finality no less visceral to the women in the room.

“I’m going to prison,” Lilith had known it for the last twenty minutes, but having it proclaimed and ordered was something else entirely. It was like a little piece of her died. A little bit of her free will and freedom that wouldn’t live again for three months.

“Miss Underwood, and the other Miss Venitas are free to go,” the judge’s next words helped rekindle a little of Lilith’s spirit.

“I never got to give you your Valentine’s Day gift,” Dani stared after Lilith as she was led toward the door.

Lilith didn’t know Dani had a DVD in her pocket, or that the dwarf had planned out a whole viewing party where they could watch it, eat candy, laugh, joke, and marvel at the boatload of cum Cam dropped on a certain feline shifter. It was supposed to be a celebration for when they won their case. Now . . .

“Drop it in the mail,” Bernie replied without an ounce of compassion.

“You better watch your back or I’ll stuff you