*Nyx*

Three days have passed since I arrived at the Hewn City, and most of that time I have spent in the marble palace above. I do not care to sit on Father's throne and watch the court, so I've been watching from afar.

However, today was different. Something in the air was putting me at unease. Today, I decided, was the day I would go down into the court, and sit on Father's throne, and watch.

Dressing in all black, my midnight black hair combed back, I sauntered downstairs. Court was not in session meaning there was hardly anyone down here, but once word spread that the Heir of Night was sitting on the throne people began to come in fast.

One who was already in the room when I arrived was Kier. He stood next to the throne, waiting to be needed, and I would keep him that way.

Resting my head on my fist, I gave the court a lazy smile as they danced and dined. I allowed my power to fill the room, make them remember who was sitting before them. Even though I am not my father, I am still able to punish.

I didn't watch just one person, but my attention was always on Kier; my ears always open. A man walked up to Kier, pulling him away from the throne, and just out of earshot.

Azriel, I called out to him. In an instant one of his shadows appeared next to me. I nodded my head in the direction of Kier and the man and he soared across the room, no one noticing but me.

The two were talking for a long time before Kier came back over to me.

"Is everything alright, Kier?" I purr.

He turns to me, a look of stone on his face. "Yes."

"Good. Make sure nothing happens while I'm gone," I say as I stand from the throne. Everyone in the room stops, turns, and bows as I leave the room.

As soon as the door closes behind me the music starts once again. I climb the steps to the marble palace and find Azriel standing at the window, his wings splayed as if he's ready to take flight in an instant. We found something.

"Your parents are on their way," Azriel says, not turning to see me.

"May I ask what we found?" I ask, folding my arms and leaning against the wall.

Azriel stiffens and finally turns. "Something illegal, and that's all you need to know right now."

I set my jaw, my irritation flaring. After a hundred years of life, I would think people would tell me things.

Not a moment later, Mother and Father step out of their dark cloud, Father's eyes ablaze with fury as he steps towards Azriel. The Shadowsinger doesn't flinch, he remains steady, ready to speak.

"Down in Keir's rooms," Azriel answers without being prompted.

Father doesn't hesitate as he storms out of the marble palace, all of us in tow. The doors swing open and the room goes dark with his power. People scream at the suddenness, but Father's voice rings out.

"Kier!" He calls.

In the dark it is impossible to see where the man is, until Father clears a path of light leading directly to him.

"Hand her over, now!"

"I am afraid I don't know what you mean, High Lord," Kier says smoothly, but it doesn't work.

Kier begins to gasp for air as Father prowls closer.

"You have violated a treaty with the mortal lands. A treaty which is punishable by death. How you proceed in the next few minutes will decide how merciful I am feeling."

Kier's eyes widen as his face turned red, then purple as he struggled. He mouths a few words the causes Father to release such a tight grip.

"Bring her out," he manages, Father's grip still present. A handful of Kier's men disappear into his rooms. "It will come at a cost, High Lord."

"The cost is your life, Kier. You hand the girl over, and I will consider sparing you."

Kier's eyes burn with anger, but he can do nothing against his High Lord. Several minutes pass before the men return with another being. Clothed in all black, and wearing a massive veil, this person, or woman, is tiny compared to the men dragging her out.

The men shove her forwards and she falls to the ground, not even bothering to brace herself as her body hits the stone with a loud thud that rings throughout the silent hall. She doesn't move. Nobody moves, until Mother steps towards the girl and no one stops her.

She peals the veil off of the body and gasps in horror at the mangled flesh of the young girl. The black dress covering almost nothing of her body, and her chestnut brown hair covering her face, but not her ears. Human ears. Kier stole a human from the mortal realm.

"Kier, you have committed an act of treason and therefore will face trial against the council of High Lords. You and Eris Bansurra will face trial for your actions."

Kier tries to protest but is cut off.

"Have him bound and placed in the darkest pit we have. We will deal with him later."

Father shoves Kier back and Azriel catches him, his siphons glowing blue as he holds the man.

Once his voice is regained, he shouts at us that he will succeed, that this was only the beginning of what should be. His protests are cut off as Azriel knocks him out cold and drags him away.

Father moves towards the girl, carefully lifting her and moving swiftly out of the hall. The last thing I see of the hall is his power receding and the door slamming shut behind us.