Love and Other Crisis | Season 1

Episode | 37

To say the other Main Houses lost their collective shit was an understatement. Gideon followed it all, giving them blow-by-blow accounts. With Falgor House no longer bound under the rules of the Constitution, the punishment for his actions fell on Zohar alone. He faced criminal charges filed by the Assembly, and the Minor House faced no repercussions as there were no longer any designations.

Ballister's decision was a small step toward progress. Falgor House stood united under the same banner, which wasn't going over well among the traditionalists. In other words, those resistant to change. Those whose power base wavered in influence without the lines of privilege underscoring who the betters were.

Gale shut off his phone and shoved it in a drawer when one relative or friend after another blitzed him with calls and text messages asking how his team could have suggested such an unthinkable measure.

The tech mage was taking the case's conclusion better than Kaliope expected after his initial shock. Ronin accepting accountability presumably had something to do with it. If Gale learned she was the mastermind behind the abolition of the Falgor Constitution, well...how much more could he realistically hate her. He hardly looked in her direction, content to ignore her mortal existence. Kaliope dismissed the tech mage in kind.

The door swooshed open, and Andreas strolled in. Out of habit, everyone glanced toward Ronin. He was already descending the platform for the door. He glared at Andreas, whose smile widened, undeterred by her older brother's hostility. When Ronin exited his office, Andreas applauded them.

"Splendid show, everyone. A few minor hiccups, but all-in-all, a splendid finale. And now we have a Constitution to write, unifying a witcher House for the first time in," he faked thinking about the timeframe, "forever?"

"We're aware," was Ronin's emotionless response. "Is that all? We have work to do."

"I'm inviting you all to dinner. Tonight." Andreas looked at Kaliope. "Think of it as a welcome party for the new team members and a celebration for successfully wrapping up a historic case and ushering in a new age."

Kaliope, like the others, checked Ronin's reaction to his brother's invitation. There was a side to pick between the siblings, and the team lined up with Ronin, no question. Kaliope's curiosity itched. Why did their boss dislike his younger brother? Was it another case of sibling rivalry? Whatever their deal, Ronin made no bones about hiding it. If Andrea reciprocated, he revealed no signs.

Foxes are tricksters, but lycans wear many faces.

Was the sociable, youngest McIntyre wearing a face now? Affable and cordial on the surface with a sinister goo filling. Kaliope's cynicism often searched for the worst in situations and people. Err on the side of cynicism, and you hardly face disappointment if you're wrong. Still... She squinted at Andreas. Nothing read off about the man. Was his charm his enchantment to conceal his true self, the way Katerina used her magic?

"I can't dictate what you do in your personal time. But while you're on the clock," Ronin glared at Kaliope, "I expect you all to focus on work." Ronin returned to his office.

Taken aback by his pointed reprimand aimed at her, Kaliope stared after her boss bewildered. What did she do now? Was he accusing her of slacking off? When did she ever? She curled her fingers into a fist. One minute the bastard sent her mixed signals with his flirtatious advances, and the next...he showed his true colors. Kaliope scoffed. Was he toying with her? If the brute of a lycan wanted a fight.

"I'm up for a drink." Gale pulled his hair loose from his ponytail. "And I'm staying with you tonight." He pointed at Gideon, his declaration not brokering protest.