Dead After Dark by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Dianna Love, J. R. Ward, Susan Squires

Peltier asked.
    “No. It seems one of those responsible has come forward to turn himself in. He claims he killed the fourth member and doesn’t want to run.”
    “Where is he?” Paris’s brother demanded.
    “Wait your turn, Lion, or I’ll be wearing your eyeballs as jewelry.”
    The lion backed down immediately.
    Savitar snapped his fingers, and Fury appeared before his throne in chains.
    Angelia started for him, only to have Vane stop her.
    Fury did a doubletake as he saw her. “Dammit, Vane, I told you not to—” A muzzle appeared on his face.
    Savitar glared at him. “Next person or animal who interrupts me is going to get gutted.”
    Fury’s gaze was locked on hers.
Don’t speak
, he projected to her.
It’s better this way. Trust me. You can go home and have your life back
.
    Was he out of his mind?
    That thought died as she saw Dare appear next to Fury.
    Savitar eyed Dare with contempt. “We have a witness who swears he saw Fury in the act. Since that corroborates what Fury has said, I suppose your vote on his fate will be an easy one. Unless someone in the room has something more to add.”
    Sasha stepped forward. “Fury didn’t do it. He’s protecting someone. I know him. I might not like his ass, but I know he’s innocent. I was there at Sanctuary when he saw the lion and he knew nothing about it.”
    “It’s true,” Nicolette Peltier said. “I, too, saw him. He told me he would find the one responsible and make them pay.”
    Savitar stroked his chin. “Interesting, isn’t it? What do you have to say about that, Fury?”
    The muzzle vanished. “They’re on crack.”
    Savitar shook his head. “Anyone else on crack?”
    Tears stung Angelia’s eyes at the sacrifice Fury was willing to make. But she couldn’t let him do this. Looking down, she traced his symbol in her palm.
    It would have been her greatest honor to be his mate and have his children.
    If only it could have been.
    “Fury’s innocent,” she said, stepping forward. “He confessed to save—”
    “Me.”
    Angelia froze in shock as Dare cleared his throat.
    “What was that?” Savitar asked.
    Dare glanced to her, then looked at Fury. “I’m the one who fired the shot that maimed the lion. The one who killed the other is already dead.”
    “And the others?”
    “Also dead.”
    Fury shook his head at Dare. “Why are you doing this?”
    “Because it was my wrongdoing, and I refuse to have an animal show me up by being noble. Fuck you.”
    “We had a bargain,” Fury said under his breath.
    “I’m altering it.” Dare looked back at Angelia. “It’s time for once that I did the right thing for the right reasons.”
    Savitar folded his arms over his chest. “We have another confession from Dare Kattalakis. Going once, going twice . . . are there any more confessions in the room? Anyone else want to admit to shooting a lion?” He paused. “Didn’t think so.”
    The lions moved forward. “Then he’s ours.”
    Savitar shook his head. “Actually, he’s mine. Sorry. You’ve already taken the heads of two Arcadians. Be glad I don’t demand justice for their families. We’re going to assume they were guilty, but without a trial . . .”
    The lions looked less than pleased, but no one dared to question him.
    “As for this little toy they used, don’t worry. I’ve already made sure the inventor doesn’t invent anything else. I have my people tracking down the handful he sold and we should have them destroyed soon. In the meantime . . .”
    Dare vanished, and Fury’s shackles melted.
    “Omegrion is adjourned.”
    The council members flashed out.
    Except for the wolves and Nicolette. Fury walked over to where they were standing. He held his hand out to Sasha. “Thanks.”
    “No problem. And we’re still not friendly.”
    Fury’s eyes danced with humor. “Yeah, you prick, I hate your guts.” He looked at Nicolette. “It was decent of you, too, to speak up.”
    “You are still banned from my house