by Parker Blue
“Austin,” Shade said, the word practically exploding from his mouth. “Bet he’s been having a field day with you. What do you see in that bloodsucker?”
“No—nothing.” Tears overflowed, running down my face. “What did she do to you?” I asked in a small voice.
For a long time, I thought he wasn’t going to answer, then finally, he said, “I—I can’t…”
I yearned to hold him, to comfort him, to make all the bad memories go away. But, knowing he’d reject me, I curled my hands into fists to keep myself from reaching out. “What can I do to help?”
“Leave me alone,” he said flatly. “Get the hell out of my life.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Everyone but Val and Shade followed Micah to the pavilion. Seeing Dan talking to Austin, Micah pulled Gwen aside.
“Gwen, I—I—” He broke off. Words couldn’t express the anguish he felt at what had happened to her.
Gwen patted him on the shoulder. “None of this was your fault, Micah. Or Val’s. The only one at fault is Asmodeus and he’s dead now. He can’t hurt anyone ever again.”
He couldn’t believe her composure, and her resiliency. If someone had turned his body into a vampire, he’d probably be drooling in a corner about now. “But your career, your life. They’ve all been changed drastically.” An understatement. How could she work in an ER around all that blood? How could she lead a normal life? “If you need a job, I’ll find you one at the club,” he promised.
“Thank you. I’ll think about it.”
“Please, if there’s anything you need, call me. Anytime, anywhere.” He owed her a debt he doubted he’d ever be able to repay.
Sadness flickered in her eyes. “Don’t worry, I’ll cope. I have no choice. Dan and Austin have both promised to help.” She squeezed his arm, then added, “Your people need you now. Go.”
His people? No, not anymore. He glanced around at the demons from both cities, mingling together. Everyone seemed disturbed by the rawness of what had just happened here. Now, while it was still fresh in their minds, while they were still smarting from the knowledge of what could go wrong, they needed to make some decisions.
“We have a quorum,” he announced. “What better time than now to hold the Judgment Ritual when we have everything we need, including those who witnessed the event for which Beth is being tried?”
There were murmurs of surprise, but many heads nodded.
“We need a new leader, too,” Annie said. “To replace Dina.” She glanced at the men who had been under succubus control. “Who did we really choose in the Naming Ritual when Dina emerged as leader?”
The men glanced aside at the four former demons, still unconscious. “Eric,” one said.
Annie shook her head sadly. “Such a waste. But since he is no longer demon, he can’t lead us. We’ll need a Naming Ritual, too.” She glanced around. “No secrecy this time.”
Even more agreement there. Micah held up his hands and took a deep breath. “The San Antonio Underground needs a Naming Ritual as well. I have resigned from the position.”
“What?” Tessa exclaimed. “I thought this was just a formality. You can’t resign.”
“I can,” he said, overriding her objection. “Times have changed, things have changed. What is good for the Underground today isn’t necessarily what was good for us when I was named. We no longer have a Memory Eater, so we no longer need an incubus to control her. It’s time to find a better leader.”
Ludwig protested, “You’re a good leader.”
He had to say that—he was a friend. “Thank you,” Micah said. “But am I the best for San Antonio at this point in time? I don’t know. And you don’t either. The ritual will tell us the truth.” He glanced at David and Pia. “And I promised David I’d hold one.” But this was no longer a simple vote of confidence. It was for selection of his replacement.
David shook his head with a wry expression on the half of his face that wasn’t burned. “How can I condemn you? I made a stupid mistake myself, tonight. I release you from your promise.”
That was gratifying, but it didn’t change the fact that Micah saw his past mistakes more clearly now, just as he saw the future more clearly. He had screwed up. “It doesn’t matter,” Micah said. “My resignation is effective immediately.” And he’d never heard of a resigned leader who had been appointed again.
“Okay, let’s do this,” Annie said, breaking the tension.
Ludwig gestured at Austin, Dan, Gwen, and Elspeth where they were standing off to one side. “What about them? We’ve never had outsiders at our rituals before.”
Micah thought for a moment. “The Book of Rituals doesn’t say they can’t attend.”
Elspeth stepped forward. “If I may?” At Micah’s nod, she said, “It is unusual, but not forbidden, to have outsiders attend. Not inside the circle, but outside, as observers.”
Tessa glanced around the pavilion with a challenging stare. “I think these people have earned the right to be here.”
No one argued with the soothsayer.
“Since there are no objections, they can stay if they wish,” Micah said. And, for the benefit of the Underground’s two new leaders, whoever they might be, he added, “As Elspeth just demonstrated, her centuries of experience in the Underground will be of great use to us in the future, to remind us of how things used to be done and help us regain knowledge of what we have lost.” The fact that she was now a vampire shouldn’t weigh in the equation—one of these rituals had put her in that position.
He didn’t give them time to think about it or protest, but said, “Tessa, Annie, I believe you have the necessary robes?”
The soothsayers nodded and gave everyone a midnight midnight-blue robe to wear. Tessa had even made small capelets for the two hellhounds, which they wore with pride. Besides providing a sense of solemnity and the tradition David insisted they needed, the robes imparted a lot of warmth on a night like this. And, as the night deepened, everyone would appreciate that.
Val came up to Micah, wiping something off her face. Tears? “What’s going on?” she asked.
Micah glanced in the direction she’d come from and saw Shade sitting under a tree. Had they had a fight? Was there trouble there? “We’re going to have a ritual and need everyone present.”
“Okay,” she said with a forced smile. “I guess it’s time I actually participated in one.”
He hesitated for a moment, not certain whether he should pry, then asked, “Are you okay?”
“As well as anyone could be who’s been shot.” She rubbed her side. “The vest may stop bullets from penetrating, but it sure as heck doesn’t stop the force of them. I don’t think I cracked a rib, but I’ll have some heavy bruising tomorrow.”
That wasn’t what he meant. She knew it, too, because she wouldn’t look him in the eyes.
SHE’S HURTING, BUT SHE’LL LIVE, Fang told him.
Micah nodded at the hellhound. “Could you tell Shade we need him, Fang?”
SURE.
Tessa and Annie had everyone but the non-demons sit in a large circle on the grass outside the pavilion, nothing between them and the sky. The men who had recently had their demons exorcised were still unconscious, but Elspeth watched after them.
Tessa and Annie fussed with the seating arrangements, and Micah wondered why they were being so picky, then realized they were ensuring the succubus and incubi didn’t sit next to anyone who might be influenced by their nearness. Smart move. It wouldn’t be a good idea to have lust interfere with the ritual.
Shade pointedly sat far away from Val. Micah sighed inwardly. He hated to see that relationship fail. It was good for both of them.
Micah took his place in the circle as Tessa and Annie lit the round metal brazier they’d set in the center. That was the signal to start.
Everyone quieted and hushed those who hadn’t attended before. Gwen, Dan, Austin, and Elspeth sat outside the circle across from him, watching. Micah had half-expected Dan to
leave, but evidently Gwen wanted to stay, and Dan wasn’t about to leave his sister’s side.
Micah caught Gwen’s gaze and she gave him a thumbs-up. “Good luck,” she mouthed.
She still thought of others, even though her whole world had just fallen apart. Her support and her strength touched him. He smiled back at her.
The two soothsayers, the only ones garbed in hooded white robes, picked up the Book of Rituals together. Ancient and fragile, the coffee table–sized book had a carved leather cover with the remnants of gold leaf clinging to the decorative scrolls and title on the cover. Inside, it was hand painted and hand lettered, a work of art in itself. Other cities had to make do with copies, but Micah was proud that this one had been brought from England long ago. It was probably as old as Elspeth. Though they’d copied the book onto disk for everyday use, they still used the real thing for rituals.
When it was totally silent, Annie and Tessa presented the book together to Micah. “We would like you to officiate,” Annie said.
Micah thought about protesting, but the stern gleam in Tessa’s eyes beneath her hood warned him against it. Rituals were the soothsayers’ domain. What he wanted was irrelevant. He supposed it made sense from their point of view. After all, he had officiated at a few other ceremonies over the years and was probably more comfortable doing so than anyone else here. Truthfully, he was happy to do it one last time.
Micah nodded and rose, accepting the book. “I would be honored.”
The soothsayers withdrew to stand opposite each other across the brazier, the flickering light making their faces look mysterious and solemn. He stood at a third point next to the brazier, so they made a triangle, and stared into the fire.
This was the last time he’d officiate at a ritual. Seeing their expectant looks, he realized what David had been trying to tell him. It didn’t matter that the ceremonies were outdated and a bit corny. It made them feel special, a part of something important. And if that’s all the rituals did, it was worth it.
Micah took a deep breath and began with opening remarks. “This organization was founded by our ancestors to provide a refuge for those with demon blood who cannot pass in normal society, a place to find assistance in dealing with the rest of the world… a family. Safety of our fellow members is paramount.” He glanced at David, who nodded. “To that end, we agree to abide by the strictures and guidelines set down by our ancestors.”
He turned to Beth and said gently, “Beth Williamson, will you accept the judgment of your peers and abide by any decision they make?”
She looked scared to death, but nodded. “I will.”
“Then, please, join me in the center.”
She rose from the circle and came to stand across the brazier from him, forming a square. She trembled visibly as he read the solemn ritual words from the book, concluding with, “Soothsayers, Beth Williamson is accused of murdering Dina Bellama. What is the circle’s verdict?”
They brought their hands down, palms together beneath their chins and gazed into each other’s eyes as they tested the will of the circle. “Guilty,” they said in unison.
Goosebumps prickled over his skin. He’d never been in a ritual before with more than one soothsayer. Two made the decision seem twice as real, twice as weighty, twice as final.
A few gasps sounded around the circle and Beth bit her lip but didn’t say anything. She hung her head.
Micah was reluctant to ask for sentencing. Unfortunately, he had to. “And the circle’s judgment?”
They paused, and from experience, Micah knew they were judging the weightiness of her crime and weighing the opinions of the circle.
They turned toward Beth, their unfocused stares implacable. Again, they spoke eerily in unison. “The deceased was guilty of far more heinous crimes. Her sentence, death. For Beth Williamson, there was no crime, but the execution of justice. She is free.”
Thank heavens. Beth’s hand flew to her mouth and she choked back a sob as the approval of a popular verdict filled the space.
Micah smiled at her. “Beth, please rejoin the circle.”
Two hands parted without letting any of the energy escape, and the circle welcomed Beth smoothly and warmly into their midst as tears of joy streamed down her cheeks.
“Justice is done,” the soothsayers said together. “So as it has been, so it shall always be.”
The circle repeated the words after her. “So as it has been, so it shall always be.”
Now it was time for the Naming Ritual. He turned to the other bookmarked page and frowned. This wasn’t the version they’d used when he was named leader. Why had they selected this one? Well, he’d find out when everyone else did. Soothsayers didn’t make mistakes when it came to rituals.
“First, we shall have a Naming Ritual for the Austin Underground,” Micah said. He read from the text, the circle repeating the words after him.
“Part demon, part human, we are secretly born.
“Persecuted, violated, forsaken, forlorn.
“For freedom, for privacy, we have all made a pact.
“Three to serve: one to lead, one to protect, one to act.”
Micah glanced up. “Soothsayers, what is the circle’s will? Who shall lead?”
Again, they judged the circle’s intent, the knowledge of the demons present representing all of the Underground’s opinions whether they agreed with them personally or not.
Simultaneously, Tessa and Annie brought their palms together and bowed their heads. Micah didn’t know all of the demons in this city, and had no idea who they might choose. It could even be someone who wasn’t present.
They deliberated for a few moments, then Annie stepped away from the fire and spoke. “One amongst you embodies everything a leader should be… strong, compassionate, decisive, and just. It is what this community needs in its time of grief and rebirth.” She turned to the right to face one segment of the circle. “The people name David O’Hara.” She bowed toward him. “You are called to lead. Will you serve?”
David looked stunned but stammered out, “I—I will.”
Micah hadn’t expected that, since David wasn’t really a part of either organization. But he would be a good leader. The energy in the circle rose in approval. Micah read the next line from the book. “Soothsayer, what is the circle’s will? Who shall protect?”
Annie stayed facing David. “Another amongst you has all the qualities of a Paladin. Brave, chivalrous, champion of the underdog. The people name Pia Fontaine.” She bowed toward Pia, seated next to David. “You are called to protect. Will you serve?”
Pia looked bewildered, as did everyone else. The Underground hadn’t named a Paladin in decades, so people didn’t know what the position entailed. Micah explained, “The Paladin is an ancient position that hasn’t been used in modern times. The leader’s Paladin functions as his right hand, defending demonkind, protecting the weak, and meting out justice as the circle wills.”
And it was certainly better than turning someone into a Memory Eater. Everyone stared at Pia. Those who didn’t know her seemed stunned that such a slip of a girl could merit the title of Paladin, but Micah knew it was a good choice.
Annie bowed to Pia again. “Will you serve?”
Pia glanced uncertainly at David and must have seen something in his eyes, because she nodded fiercely.
Micah glanced down at the next line in the book. “Soothsayers, what is the circle’s will? Who shall act?”
Annie turned to face the outsiders. “A Lethe is not necessary. None shall act.”
“The Lethe is the proper term for how Elspeth served us,” Micah explained. “But we called her Memory Eater.”
There were gasps around the circle, and expressions of relief when they realized no one here would have to fill that role.
“The Naming is complete,” Annie said. “So as it has been, so it shall always be.”
The circle murmured the words back at her and Annie returned to the center, facing Tessa once again.
“Now we shall have a Naming Ritual for the San Antonio Underground,” Micah said. This was it. The last moment he would have this position. Regret filled him as he wished he’d made different choices, wished he’d been a better leader for them. He planned to offer the new leader all the support he could, give him or her the benefit of his experience, both the successes and the failures.
Taking a deep breath, he repeated the opening words of the ritual and asked, “Soothsayers, what is the circle’s will? Who shall lead?”
Tessa and Annie bowed their heads and paused, the longest pause of his life. Then Tessa stepped away from the fire and spoke. “In these troubled times, the people seek strength and protection, but also compassion, humility, and a willingness to serve. One amongst you has learned these lessons well.”
She turned to face Micah and his hopes rose. Was she looking at him or someone behind him? He couldn’t tell.
“The people name Micah Blackburn.” She bowed to him. “You are called to lead. Will you serve?”
TOLD YA, Fang said in his mind.
Micah froze, stunned. At this moment, he felt unworthy, undeserving of this honor. Surely someone else would be a better leader.
NO, Fang said. THEY WANT YOU.
Micah bowed his head. Leading the Underground was a privilege, but a great responsibility, too. Could he do it? Should he do it?
It was rare that people were given a second chance in life, a chance to correct their mistakes. And if they thought he was the best, who was he to argue with the collective mind?
Feeling humbled by their faith in him, Micah let his voice ring out strong and true. “I would be honored.”
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I was so happy for Micah, I suddenly found myself grinning like a fool. He would be a great leader, more so now that he’d had a chance to learn from his mistakes. Relief filled the circle. It seemed no one had been confident that he would accept.