Devour

by Andrea Heltsley

  I feel the evidence of his excitement and the thoughts I’m catching are definitely not pure. I close my eyes and smile at the images they bring to mind. Then he whispers in my own ear.

  “Careful, princess, or you might see something less than pure. I’m already having trouble keeping my hands off you.”

  “Is that a promise?” I say out loud in a low, seductive voice.

  “Mm hmm, I believe it is.”

  “Oh, jeez, get a room. I don’t want to witness this. Can we please focus?” Lana states, effectively breaking up our hushed conversation.

  Then she continues. “What do you think will happen to Chase? Do you think they will execute him? I hope they turn him. He can be my vampire any day.”

  Cody shakes his head. “I don’t know, but I don’t care as long as it doesn’t affect Callie and me. I have a feeling it won’t be that simple though. They need someone to blame.”

  Reality comes crashing back and tears start to slip down my cheeks. I can’t seem to stop them. What if I lose Cody? I couldn’t stand to live without him. He is my reason for living now. I feel like this could turn into a Romeo and Juliet scenario.

  Cody studies me for a minute before he says anything. He wipes at my tears with the pads of his thumbs. “I won’t let them take you away from me. There will be no Romeo and Juliet happening with us.”

  My tears are still spilling, but my eyes meet his and I smile. He has read my mind. This is really happening. I can’t believe that as the bonding strengthens, he and I will grow more adept at reading each other’s thoughts.

  I throw my arms around him and pull my face forward just enough to give him a quick, chaste kiss. I don’t care that Lana is watching. This is a truly exciting discovery, one that I don’t want to share. It seems too private.

  “I agree, let’s just keep things on the down low,” he replies in a hushed tone so Lana won’t hear what he says.

  “Okay, that is really enough. It’s bad enough I am stuck here as the fourth wheel, but the whispering and kissing are making me uncomfortable. I know it’s not helping Chase. I love you both, but this situation is serious. What can I do to help?”

  “I don’t know yet, sis. I promise that if we need something, I’m going to cash in on that offer though. We don’t know what’s ahead of us yet. We are as in the dark as you are. All I know is that they have been in there a long time. I’m starting to worry.”

  As if hearing our thoughts, Finn enters the room. “The council is ready for you now. Follow me, please.”

  This is it. Their case has been made and will be brought to Alexander. My heart rate speeds up and my nervousness increases two fold. I’m trying not to panic again, but I don’t make myself any promises. At least Cody has my hand in his and is stroking it with his thumb.

  None of that matters when we reach the door to the sitting room and Finn opens it. All the talking ceases and everyone’s expressions grow somber. This is so not a good sign. I just stand there and wait for what will happen next.

  I peer over at Mom and Dad first. There is a look of sorrow on their faces. Not good. Then my eyes seek out Cody’s parents. They are frowning and can’t even look our way. In a last ditch effort, I switch my vision to Chase.

  Chase is being forcibly handled until his hands are bound behind his back. I feel as though I might cry. This whole thing is my fault. I can’t believe this is happening. Before anyone has a chance to tell me the verdict, tiny, black dots dance in my vision.

  I close my eyes, trying to calm down, but it doesn’t help. Instead, I open my eyes and my vision has turned completely black. My breathing is rapid and it feels like my heart is going to jump out of my chest.

  Suddenly the edges of reality fray and I begin to lose my grip on reality. I crumple like a sack of potatoes. I just hope Cody catches me in time, is the last thought I have.

  I’m not sure how long I was out, but when I come to, I’m wrapped in Cody’s arms. Maybe it was all a dream. I open my eyes and scan the room. Nope, I’m still inside my nightmare.

  “Callie, it’s good to see you awake again. You gave us quite a scare,” Ginger says sincerely.

  “How long was I out for?”

  “Almost an hour, baby,” Cody responds.

  I break away from him and sit up. I lost a whole hour, a whole chunk of time. At least Cody is here.

  “I’m sorry we can’t be more delicate about this, but it’s getting late and we need to get going soon,” Mr. Shangon tells me.

  Dread fills me up at the words Jane’s Dad says. He continues and I’m almost afraid to listen, to hear them judge me and my mistake.

  “This is an unprecedented situation you have put us in. We have to decide Chase’s options for Alexander to approve. We also have to figure out what to do with you. There will be some sort of repercussion for this even if it was an accident.”

  Chase stands rigid and my Mom comes over to me. “Honey, they have to take you in until the verdict is reached. The trial will be held on Friday. That is the soonest we can fit it in. I know this puts a crimp in your bonding, but it can’t be helped.”

  “I’m going with her then. I can’t leave her and you can’t ask me to. I’m her true mate.” Cody states.

  “Fine, but you must submit to blood tests to prove it and you can’t stay in the same cell as her. The best we can do is get you adjoining cells so you can hold hands and talk. You can’t be alone together until the mating ceremony. If there is a mating ceremony,” Mrs. Lucia smirks as she says it.

  Hate floods my senses and I can hear Cody cussing her out internally. I have to struggle to keep my composure.

  “I’ll do whatever it takes. Oh, and there WILL be a mating ceremony. You can’t throw my life away with hers. It’s not how our laws work and you know it,” he replies, challenging anyone to say different.

  His words are met with silence and it is a small victory for us. “I’ll go willingly, just don’t tie me up please. Am I allowed to bring anything with me?” I ask.

  “No, Callie, we will provide clothing and blood for you. Unfortunately, your blood will not be your usual cocktail. We can’t risk that secret getting out either. It will also weaken you so that you can’t fight your way out of Alexander’s final decision,” Winter’s Mom explains.

  I nod and the council begins to file out of the room. When all that is left is my family and the Gregoria’s, I run and hug my Dad. He hugs me back tightly. “Don’t worry, baby girl. We’ll figure this out. I have a few tricks up my sleeves.”

  After pulling away, I smile and then wrap my arms around Mom. I can feel tears as evidence that she is crying. It seems she’s the one that needs the encouragement.

  “It’ll be okay Mom. We’ll get through this.”

  Before I can say anything else, I notice Winter’s Dad standing in the doorway impatiently. Cody gently pulls at my hand and I follow him out the door. The council closes in on us and we leave the house en masse.

  I sit next to Cody on our way out of my house. There is a trail of cars as the whole council follows to the castle. They will go over our case and see to our accommodations. All members must be there when they present a case to Alexander.

  I’m nervous and try to ease it by playing with Cody’s hair. It’s so sexy on him. I love the way it curls up at the edges, just above his ears. It is such a gorgeous tint of sunny blonde. I still don’t know how I managed not to notice him before. He’s hot as well as kind, loving and funny.

  He hears my thoughts and kisses my forehead. He gives me a wink and I grin. Then I abruptly turn my grin into a neutral line. This isn’t the time for this. I have to be more careful until we are alone again.

  Chase is in another car, thank goodness. I don’t think I could deal with him and Cody in the same car. They need to stay separated, for Chase’s safety.

  The only thing keeping me from being a shell of a vampire right now is Cody. When we pull up to the castle, the car slows to a stop at the front gate and waits for the drawbridge t
o drop.

  Finally, we make our way across the steel reinforced, wooden bridge and park in the circle drive out front. The driver opens the door for us and we step out into the night once more. The night that seemed breezy and perfect earlier now feels stale.

  The large doors open and we’re ushered inside. The doors shut and it sounds more like a slam as it echoes off the cavernous foyer. I watch behind us as Chase is brought in, still tied up, and my heart sinks. He doesn’t deserve this. I can tell by the murderous look on his face that he doesn’t take this situation lightly anymore.

  I shake it off and follow the council into the royal chambers. Three chairs have been set out in front of the dais. We are urged forward and take our seats in the spotlight. All around us, the council members sit in soft, cushioned chairs made of gold with blue fabric while we sit in plain, metal, folding chairs. Nice.

  Contrary to popular belief, vampires don’t turn their homes into dark lairs. Sure, it is dark in our home, but we don’t really subscribe to the red and black color scheme. The castle is enriched with vivid blues and our house is laced with yellows and the shades of the sunrise.

  I can’t remember the last time I was this nervous. I want to throw up. I’m being punished for something I couldn’t have prevented. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time and now I will pay for it.

  Soon, the room falls silent and we wait for Alexander to enter. I’m sitting in the middle and Cody sits to my left. I hold his hand tightly, trying to smooth my frayed nerves. He is the only thing keeping me grounded in this massive room.

  Alexander walks in and takes his seat at the dais. He looks regal as ever. His ebony hair is long and tied back. He’s tall, at least a foot and a half taller than I am. I almost stop breathing when he pins his catlike green eyes on me. They are the color of cut emeralds and they’re unforgiving. I’ve always been intimidated by him, related or not.

  “Callie, I understand you are the reason for this session to be called tonight.”

  “Yes, sir,” I say meekly.

  A member of the council, Alicia’s Dad steps up to the dais and hands Alexander a file. He takes his gaze from me and studies the file before him. It takes him several minutes to digest the information. Then the real questioning starts. I drop Cody’s hand and fold both of my hands in my lap. I’m uncomfortable under his eyes, judging me.

  No one speaks unless spoken to. I wait a beat to begin answering as the onslaught of questions are hurled at me.

  “Is it true, you felt something different about this human, Chase?” he asks me.

  “I didn’t know if it was just a feeling or what, but yes,” I admit.

  “Did you follow protocol and wipe his memories, even though it is stated that you didn’t want to?”

  Anger burns in my belly and works its way up. My own parents have betrayed me to the council. I know that they had to tell them, but the knowledge still stings.

  “Sir, I followed every protocol and did wipe his memories. He was in a daze when I walked out the door Friday night.”

  Alexander looks like he is scanning the file once again before he resumes the questioning.

  “Did you run into Chase on purpose the next night or was it accidental?

  It says that he remembered everything. How did you find this out?”

  I wait until I think he is finished before answering. My heart rate has taken a hike and I’m even more nervous, if that’s possible.

  “Running into him was purely accidental. My Mom was the one who arranged our outing. I only knew he remembered me because he called me Callie and thanked me for a wonderful night. It wasn’t until we took him home to question him that we found out he remembered everything.”

  I want to take my eyes off Alexander and look at Cody. I hope that too much detail isn’t divulged here. I don’t want to hurt him more than I already have when I glossed over this part. I can’t look though. Alexander is an intimidating presence and demands my attention.

  “Let’s fast forward to the blood ball. It says here that you met your true mate there. Is Cody Gregoria your true mate?”

  “Cody Gregoria is my true mate. We began the bonding process that night. I can’t wait to be mated with him.”

  “How did you find out he was your true mate? Did you mate because of the situation with Chase?”

  My breathing catches as the questions grow harder. I didn’t mate because of Chase. It was a subjective matter and would be taken into advisement, but wasn’t the only answer possible.

  “Sir, we did the blood bonding after our feelings became apparent. My mating with Cody had nothing to do with Chase. I bonded with him of my own volition.”

  My eyes dart to Cody’s for the briefest of seconds and his meet mine. That small gesture is enough to comfort me through the rest of the questioning.

  “Performing the blood bonding is risky. If you hadn’t been true mates, the ramifications of making a formal bond based on a blood lust are serious. You would have mated for lust instead of love.”

  “I never even thought of the risk. It was Cody. I couldn’t even consider not bonding with him. Something deep inside me took charge and I will be forever grateful. Cody is my one true mate and I am blessed to have found him.”

  Alexander looks thoughtful for just a minute and then refocuses on the file.

  “It seems that a number of adults have also tried the memory wipe on Chase with no success. I wonder what is so special about him.”

  He doesn’t look at me, so I don’t answer him. I’m not sure exactly what it is he’s looking for. My eyes nearly bulge out of my head when I hear Chase speak up. Apparently the council was not too clear on the rules with him.

  “I’m right here. I hate when people talk about me like I’m not here. Callie did try that memory wipe thingy and so did several other people. It just doesn’t work on me. I don’t know why. I just know that Callie is a vampire and I’m not.”

  Alexander looks irritated, but also intrigued. His eyes glitter as he turns all of his focus on Chase. I know this is important and that this could make or break me.

  “So, Chase, did you know what Callie was when you met at the bar that night?”

  “I felt something different about her, but no, I didn’t know she was a vampire. I didn’t know that part until she sunk her teeth into my neck. That was an experience.”

  I see Cody stiffen out of the corner of my eye and know he read what happened in my mind. Oops. I send thoughts of me kissing him and how I feel about him, hoping they speak the truth.

  Even members of the council gasp at his comment. Taking blood can be as impersonal as feeding off a homeless person in an alley. As a teenager, I always went the other route. I was single and liked hot guys. I had no idea it could ever come back and bite me in the ass like this.

  Luckily, Alexander has moved on and is asking other questions.

  “Chase, are you close to your parents?”

  Chase frowns and pauses before answering. “My Mom died six months ago from cancer and my Dad took off before he even knew about me.”

  Alexander looks thoughtful and is filtering through the file once more. Then he stands and I know he is getting ready to arrange our judgments. The council’s job is to do whatever Alexander asks and has everything prepared for our final trial on Friday. That’s our last chance to prove my innocence and save Chase.

  “I have made my decision. There are too many variables at play here. First, I want Cody and Callie blood tested to prove they are true mates. Then I want Chase blood tested as well. I have a few ideas that I want to rule out. The council will also gather a complete work up of Chase and his history. We need to assess his situation in the human community.”

  He looks up and pauses before continuing. “Not memory wiping a human is treason and comes with a death sentence. However, if you really are true mates, that will not be possible. I’ll have to come up with an alternate punishment for you, Callie. As for Chase, his life hinges on several factors. Chase, you will
either be changed into a vampire or meet your death. All this will be decided at the final trial on Friday. Thank you all for coming.”

  Alexander stands, takes his file and exits the room the way he came. My eyes are wide with worry. I may not be handed a death sentence, but I’m not sure what will happen instead. I can only hope that Cody and I will get through it together and be allowed to mate on Saturday. I feel bad for Chase and wish I hadn’t dragged him into this. It can’t be helped now. All we can do is hope for the best.

  I think about Jane and what she would have said if I had just told her. Now she’s going to be upset for missing out on all the drama. She has to forgive me. Maybe I can get her to visit me before Friday. Lana must want to see her brother as well. Hopefully they can come together.

  The council stands in silence. The guards appear and make their way towards us. I don’t want to admit I’m scared, but I am. They don’t handcuff or tie us up since we agree to go willingly. The first guard takes Cody. I feel terrible that he has to endure my punishment. He is a good man and I love him.

  My first reaction is to go to him and have him wrap me in his arms. I know I can’t do that in the company of the guards. It’s really hard to restrain myself. I need that comfort and only he can provide me with it. At least he senses or hears this and sends love and affection through the bond.

  The next guard grabs me and drags a reluctant Chase behind me. Chase is no longer an enigma to me. I don’t find his clear, blue eyes intriguing and I certainly don’t find his messy brown hair sexy. How could I have gone so wrong?

  We are guided into a staircase and are taken down three flights of stairs. This is deep in the bowels of the castle. It’s the perfect place to keep prisoners with no chance of escaping. Despair floods me and I know I need to get my emotions under control. It’s not fair to broadcast my feelings into Cody.

  When we finally reach the bottom of the stairwell, a light is switched on. There is a row of large, metal, jail cells. My heart sinks. I’ve never been down here before and now I know why. It’s dreary. The first guard veers to the second empty cell and deposits Cody in it.