The conference room fell silent as Mr.Whittens escorted Leah in. Every eye in the room shifted to her and remained there.
"Umm, hello" she said and waved as an awkward smile spread across her lips.
"Hi, have a seat." Simeon said and gestured to a seat near him at the large rectangular table.
Teresa's eyes darted from Leah to Simeon and back again. She loved how welcoming he was naturally, but she also hated how indiscriminate he could be sometimes. A seat that close to him should be earned not just given away. She held her tongue though. She was sitting on the other side of Simeon and could reach past him quickly if she needed to.
"So, has a decision been made about the discussion we had?" Simeon asked Leah after she was seated.
Teresa studied Leah's face before she responded. She was a pretty woman, and judging by the lines around her mouth she smiled a lot. Today she looked worried. She better not be here to declare war Teresa thought as she stared at the short blonde.
"No, not exactly. Something else has happened and I could really use some help," Leah said with her small hands folded.
"Why not handle it yourselves?" Teresa asked before anyone else could respond.
Simeon scolded her with his eyes before quickly turning back to Leah.
"What exactly is the situation? He asked in that caring voice Teresa loved.
"It looks like someone is trying to kill Jules," she said and shook her head slowly.
"What gave you that impression?" Bella asked and leaned forward for details.
Teresa shook her head at her sister. She loved drama almost as much as she loved magic.
"Well, the other day her breakfast was late showing up, so I went to check the kitchen. When I got there the chef was sitting on the floor cradling his dead wife in his arms. Jules' food was sitting on the table. Apparently, he stepped out of the kitchen to get something before he delivered her meal, and someone poisoned it. His wife must've snuck a taste and it killed her," Leah said.
Teresa saw her sister stroke her chin and knew she was trying to determine what poison it could have been. All Teresa could think about was how much of a coward the poisoner was. A real warrior settles their problems with their sword.
"Has Julia done anything that would make her a target?" Mr. Whittens asked Leah.
"She hasn't been doing anything since she found out about Julius. She never leaves her tent, she barely eats, and she doesn't take any visitors," Leah said and ran her hands through her hair.
"So, if someone does have a problem with her, it's from before we met with her. Does anything stand out to you?" Simeon asked.
"No, she is beloved by the people of Dagger's End that's why her and Julius were chosen to replace their father. When we got the news about Julius' death all of us started grieving. But now the chef wants answers about his wife's murder," Leah said. She sounded almost desperate.
"So, what would you like us to do?" Simeon asked. His voice was so patient and kind Teresa wanted to jump on top of him.
"I need someone that can help us track down this would be assassin. Since you all are outsiders, you can look impartially at the people and hopefully figure out who it is," Leah said.
"And what makes you think any of us want to assist you all? I mean honestly how do you even know we didn't send the assassin?" Teresa asked.
Everyone in the room except Leah looked at her as if she had just slapped them in the face.
"No, that's a smart question. I don't know for sure who I can trust, but something tells me that when you want someone killed you handle it yourself in person," Leah said and looked into Teresa's eyes.
"You're damn right I do," Teresa said and smiled proudly. "Only a coward or a weakling resort to poison,"
"So that means Teresa should be who we send to help?" Simeon said as if he just had a revelation. He looked around the room for other people's reactions to his remark.
"What, why just me, we do everything as a team." Teresa said. She was shocked that Simeon singled her out.
"We just got Lilyfield up and running again. We can't all just leave again," he said.
Teresa hated the fact that he was right. The place might go up in flames if they just left now. She still didn't like the idea of going alone though.
"Well, send Bella she likes solving mysteries, and she can take Mila and make it a vacation," Teresa said and stared at Mila.
"That could be fun," Mila said as Bella shook her head at her.
"The truth is we can't send anyone but you or Mr.Whittens. Bella and Mila handle all of our finances. I settle all of the internal disputes. We don't currently have any external threats," Simeon said to her.
"Okay then send Mr. Whittens, I'm sure he would like a change of pace after dealing with the Conlin's all those years," Teresa said. She knew the old man wasn't going to go for it, but she was desperate.
"I would gladly go if I was as perceptive as you. I'm only good as a shield these days." Mr. Whittens said.
Damn that humble old fool and his self-awareness, Teresa thought as she glared at the old soldier.
"Okay, I get it. It has to be me because I'm the only capable member of this council," Teresa said and raised her hands in surrender.
"It's actually because....," Bella stopped speaking when she saw the glare Teresa was giving her.
"But I want to be assured that I have the freedom to handle this in my own way. I don't want somebody telling me what I can and can't do," Teresa said to Leah.
"Please feel free to handle it as you see fit. All I ask is that when you have someone you believe to be the killer, you turn them over to us alive. I would really like to know why they want Jules dead," Leah said.
At this point Teresa had heard her use that nickname more than once and needed some clarification.
"This is off topic, but how do you get away with calling her that nickname? She came off to me as the kind of person that wouldn't allow that?" Teresa asked with her head slightly tilted.
"Oh, she fought it when we first started seeing each other, but after our marriage she gave in," Leah said and smiled for the first time that day.
A shocked expression suddenly appeared on Teresa's face. She stared at Leah as if something about her had changed.
"Is something wrong?" Leah asked her with her arms folded in front of her.
"Yeah, how can someone as tiny as you handle all of Julia. She could snap you in half," Teresa asked.
"Oh, I guess when you love someone enough, you make sure not to cause them harm," Leah said as the tension left her posture.
"I understand that sentiment completely," Teresa said and rubbed her hand across Simeon's shoulder.
Teresa packed some belongings and said her goodbyes to everyone before leaving for Dagger's End with Leah.
"I'm not sure how long I can do this without you, so hurry back," Simeon said as they held each other one last time.
"Don't worry, I told Bella to do whatever she needs to do to keep you functioning. You'll be fine till I get back love," she said and kissed him.