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.Rayne went on without pause.“A confrontation arose when I tracked down their location.Both Ash and Voss Hastings were there, holding the doctor against his will.There was also a girl and her mother there, who were affiliated with the doctor on a personal level.This girl is the same who I carried across the border.In the commotion of the confrontation, Voss killed the doctor, and I believed it was his intent to kill the woman and her daughter as well.The girl was shot but she was still alive, and when I realized she had a Watermark, I assumed the right thing to do was bring her to the border.I assure you, I never believed her to be a threat to Ambrosia in any way.She was merely a pawn, a victim to a corrupt man’s scheming.”Councilman Thompson held up his hand, causing Rayne to pause.“Mr.Stevens, we’re quite aware of this woman’s situation.In fact, Councilman Orion Bennett has been involved in a thorough investigation of her background.But what we still are left in the dark on is your actions that took place after you brought her here.To begin with, please explain why you felt the need to restrain the agent who assisted you at Border Patrol.”Rayne placed his hands carefully on the sides of the podium.“Her gunshot wound didn’t heal when we crossed through the Threshold.Her mark wouldn’t recuperate.But she wasn’t dead; there was no question that she still had a pulse.I had never seen anything like it before.Border Patrol was causing delay and the girl was dying.I had to think quickly, so I made a call in the heat of the moment.I knew there could be consequences, but I felt it was the only way to save the girl’s life.I knew no one would understand a broken Watermark, and I didn’t have time to explain, so I chose to risk the consequences in hopes of making an explanation later.”Councilman Thompson sat forward in his seat.“Mr.Stevens, even if this were the case, that doesn’t change the fact that you didn’t report the incident to the proper authorities after the occurrence.”Rayne’s confidence finally wavered.“She suffered a traumatic experience.I had to ensure her complete safety first.”“You didn’t feel she would be safe in our hands?” Councilman Thompson countered.Hamlin tensed at his words.He didn’t like where this was headed.Why wasn’t Rayne doing what he had promised?Rayne shook his head.“The authorities showed up so quickly, I wasn’t given time to report.”The councilman’s voice went tight.“Mr.Stevens, the reports indicate that you weren’t arrested until late the next morning.You had over fourteen hours to notify someone of the incident.Was this not time enough to allow you to bring the woman back to verify her information?”Rayne stared back at him with a pained expression, unable—or unwilling—to answer.Councilman Thompson became so agitated that he stood from his chair.“What were you really doing during that time? Were you attempting to conceal her identity from us? Was there a reason you needed to hide your involvement?”Rayne’s expression was visibly troubled as he failed to find words.The muscles constricted in Hamlin’s chest.He shot a pleading, burdened glance across the councilman’s chair, searching for Orion’s face, as if begging his old friend to tell him what to do.Orion stared back at him gravely then extended his hand, holding out a note.Hamlin reached for the paper and read the words quickly.He’s sinking.Are you really going to let them destroy him to save yourself?The words pierced through Hamlin like a dagger.How could he let it go so far? How could he be so selfish and cruel? He couldn’t take it anymore.Hamlin sprang from his chair.“Stop!” he demanded.“That’s enough.”Councilman Thompson turned in alarm.“Sir, with all due respect, you have been asked not to impose.”“No,” Hamlin insisted, “I can’t let this continue.” He looked at Rayne soberly, regretfully, as he spoke.Rayne stared back at him with imploring eyes, shaking his head, asking his beloved mentor to find another way.But there was no other way.Hamlin had to get it out, once and for all.“I should be the one standing at that podium,” Hamlin announced.“Everything Agent Stevens has done has been under my direction.”A look of dread cut through Councilman Thompson’s face.“I call this session to recess,” he said quickly.Hamlin was the only person to move.“No,” he commanded.“I have something that needs to be heard.Every citizen of Ambrosia needs to hear what I have to say.”“Don’t listen to him,” Rayne called out desperately.The cameras turned back in his direction.“The Ambassador is trying to protect me, but I acted of my own free will.”Hamlin walked to the podium, all eyes watching intently as he placed his hand on Rayne’s shoulder.“Thank you, son.Thank you for your loyalty and devotion.But the time has come.The truth will set us both free.”Rayne’s head bowed with somber defeat.“It has been my honor to serve under you, sir.No matter what happens, just know that there’s one person…who will always believe you were a great leader.”Hamlin nodded with deep gratitude, then motioned for Rayne to take a seat behind the podium.The microphone made an echoing thump as Hamlin turned it away from the direction of the Council and positioned it to face the audience.The reporters and media crew remained quiet, focused, so they wouldn’t miss a word, or perhaps, simply too stunned to speak.Hamlin gripped the sides of the podium firmly, ready to face his people without looking back.“It is with both remorse and humility that I take the stand today,” he began.“As your appointed leader and chief member of the Council it is my responsibility to uphold and protect this people—a responsibility I do not take lightly.Over the last sixteen years I have striven, with all my might, to fulfill my promises to sustain and lead the people of Ambrosia.If anything, this opportunity has been my great privilege to serve each of you [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]