He what? I gaped at Charlotte, understood her absolute fury and, in the instant it took me to go from shock to rage of my own, the Empress reacted. Her tiny body joined Jiao's, springing forward to the end of the bed, fury on her face. But this anger was aimed at Piers.
"What reason has the Steam Union to come here, to make such accusations?" I could feel her defensiveness, wondered if she already knew by the way her voice vibrated with anger. It was the reaction of someone carrying guilt around.
"The evolving werenation is young and still growing," Piers shot right back at her. "Unlike other magic races, the Steam Union are here to support and protect in whatever capacity is required. Including standing beside them as allies and spokespeople." He glanced at Charlotte. "For as long as they will have us."
My werefriend's sharp nod sealed the deal.