Chapter 234 - Punished for the past (2/2)
Prometheus nodded, a disgruntled glint to his eyes. ”Very well, if we could be done with the theatrics and continue.” He lifted a folder. ”As the representative for demi-god charges that are not harsh enough to require the gods themselves to judge, I propose this: She be released into the care of Areion as of Poseidon's orders. She shall be confined to properties owned or in affiliation to the sea god Poseidon and allowed to do any work or training the god finds necessary for his better use of her and the claim on her in the future. She will be required to do monthly video monitoring with me as her representative and-”
”This is way too lax!” Marcus yelled out. Throwing his hand out toward her, he argued. ”She is a murderer; she should be at the very least confined and under constant supervision! If not kept sedated the entirety of her sentence!”
Selena chimed in. ”I agree that these punishments are a bit too lax, but I believe only a few added factors could remedy that without overstepping what would be considered fair.” She shot a nervous glance back to Themis's daughter. ”I propose added measures. She should be supervised at all times; if Poseidon has chosen his son Areion to do so then so be it. Restraint is also an important factor though. She should not be away from her designated living quarters between the hours of 8 pm and 6am without prior approval by the council. She should also be sedated upon the first signs of a cursed shift as has been implemented in the past effectively. To ensure that she does not go against these, she shall be ordered to wear a tracking device at all times as well. And lastly, a weekly check-in instead of monthly until a time when she can be better trusted.” Selena bent and lifted a box from the ground. ”We actually already have a bracelet that could work for this very situation. It was designed for tracking creatures and individuals who have been released from imprisonment, but I don't see why it couldn't be used for her situation as well.” Selena opened the box and held up the bracelet. It not only tracks location and can be monitored right here in the Embassy, but it also tracks the wearer's vitals. Spikes in these readings such as accelerated heart rate or blood pressure can be indicative of an individuals' pre-shift. It would begin to beep before a shift and could help indicate when a sedative is needed.”
Arei spoke up for the first time. ”Don't you think that is going a bit too far? Part of our hopes are to train her to better control her shifts. How will that work if she's wearing a bracelet that will beep during the entire training exercises?”
Selena frowned, ”We can also provide you override passcodes through a downloadable app that will be linked with the bracelet.”
Arei arched a brow toward his father. When Poseidon only nodded, he frowned and sighed. ”Very well. She also wishes to work off some of her time with the council. We understand that it cannot be done within her current circ.u.mstances, but if agreeable, we were hoping that the council would agree and review job possibilities and offer additional training plans.”
Selena nodded as a deeper frown spread across her face. ”That will have to be reviewed through the hiring team. Though I don't see it being a problem, we will have to get back to you.” Glancing down at her watch, she moved her attention back to Prometheus and Poseidon. ”If there is nothing else and these terms are agreeable, I must urge that this meeting be called to end. It is almost my time to shine...” Her gaze moved toward the windows. ”I'd appreciate if I wasn't leaving one job to go directly to another.”
Prometheus hit the mute button on the conference. ”Are you all in agreement?” He asked the party sitting around him, moving his focus from one face to the other as they nodded in agreement. ”Very well, Jos, I have tried to word things as to give you as much freedom as possible and to give Poseidon as much control over those things you will be restricted on as much as my powers will allow. If you can come up with ideas for employment through the council while practicing toward another goal, I will talk with the hiring team.” He gave her a sad smile. ”Don't fear, dear. Many of us working for the Embassy are there out of obligation or as a form of punishment... or an attempt to avoid it... You'll not be alone in this. Just keep in mind, even kind acts that hurt no one are often punished by the gods if it's their will.” He nodded toward Poseidon. ”No offense.”
Poseidon shrugged. ”None taken. No one deserves to give that speech more than you. As for crimes versus punishments, I'm afraid you got the shit end of that nearly every time... I can only think of a handful less deserving who got worse.
Prometheus gave Poseidon an appreciative smile before turning his attention back to the monitors and unmuting the screen. ”We are in agreement here.”
Eunomia stood once again. Giving the group a slight nod, she said. ”Mother will be proud to hear her wishes were carried over.” Her eyes met Marcus's. ”Though with some resistance in the beginning. Perhaps if you'd like to seek justice, you should seek out the one truly responsible for the loss of your family.”
Tears began streaming down the vampire's face. Marcus quickly pushed up from his seat and turned away from the camera. ”If we're done here, I'll be taking my leave now.” He quickly left the room leaving everyone else to stare sadly after him.
Prometheus nodded to the group on the monitors before turning it off. He turned his attention back to the group. ”Selena will be here in a few minutes to deliver the bracelet. I will be back in a few days with the papers that will need signed and any other things that will need addressed, if the two of you wouldn't mind remaining here until the paperwork can be prepared.”
Arei sent his father a questioning look. Poseidon pushed himself up from his chair and clamped Prometheus on the shoulder. ”I'll not be here, but anything that needs my signature, have it sent to me by my son, Triton, and I'll have him deliver it back to you in a timely fashion.” Releasing the titan, he moved his attention back to Jos and Arei. ”Stay here as long as you need, make yourselves at home.” He walked over and pulled Jos up into a standing position and gave her a hug. ”You are home now. You are family. And I'll not let anyone take that from you a second time.” He whispered into her ear. Lifting away he gave her a light kiss on her forehead before turning his attention down to his son. ”If you need me, you know how to get ahold of me. For the most part, I'll have my phone but may not be able to pop in as quickly. If you get into a situation requiring urgent attention, contact your fae friends first.” He turned and nodded back to Prometheus. ”I hate to run, but it's about time I address some other matters that I've had to put off of late.” He threw up his hand in a wave to everyone as he made his way from the office.
The door was just closing when Selena popped in, a stack of papers and a box in her hands. ”I don't have much time this evening, but I'll ask that you review these doc.u.ments carefully. They are just the general doc.u.ments for being released on house arrest. The forms for your specific punishments will take a few days to complete. If you'll hold out your wrist.” She said to Jos as she lifted the bracelet from the box. Quickly placing it on Jos's wrist and adjusting it, she held her hand over the fastenings and whispered a locking spell. ”You will not be able to remove it now. The instructions for the app along with the watch setup are all in the doc.u.ments.” She turned her attention to Prometheus for the first time since entering the room. ”Are you ready? I'll drop you back by the Embassy before I leave for the night.”
With a nod and a flick of the goddess's wrist, Arei and Jos found themselves alone in the large office once again.