by Cat Miller
As Sarah’s mate, whether their bond was still holding or not, by law Griffin was not permitted to rule over her trial. There had never been a case like Griffin and Sarah’s recorded. So once again, the council was treading on new territory. Never had any vampire been brought to trial for aiding and abetting the attempted murder of their mate. Griffin had no idea how they would deal with this mess.
Samantha fidgeted with the buttons of her ruffled suit jacket and chewed her bottom lip nervously. She was so altered from her formerly more haughty self. She’d had a massive blow to her ego when Chase and Dani were mated. No one had been aware of the past clandestine relationship between Chase and Samantha. From what Griffin gathered, they’d dated on and off for a couple of years. At the time, when Griffin and Mason were drawing up the betrothal contract, Griffin was under the impression that Chase and Samantha were both agreeable to the match. It was Sarah who had given Griffin that feeling. He still wasn’t sure where things went wrong, but Griffin believed it was before Danielle appeared on Chase’s radar.
“It’s going to be fine, Samantha. We’ll get through this together. Remember that you’re not alone. I’m always here for you.” Griffin patted Samantha’s knee. They would deal with the council’s ruling as a family. What could be worse than all they’d already survived?
“Yes, of course,” Samantha agreed, but she didn’t seem convinced.
Of all of his children, in spite of her outward show of strength, Griffin was beginning to believe Samantha was the most fragile. He couldn’t put his finger on what had changed, but Samantha was a different young woman than she had been just a year earlier. She needed more affection and support than she let on.
“I love you, baby girl,” Griffin said earnestly. “You’ll always be my baby.”
She leaned her head against his arm, “I love you, too, Daddy.”
Griffin wanted to ask Samantha how she was feeling now that some time had passed since Chase’s mating, but this wasn’t the right place for that discussion. Unfortunately, when he saw Samantha, she was always with her mother. Now that Sarah would be gone from his home, Griffin hoped for a chance to spend more time with his children. He’d love to have all of them together if possible. He sincerely wanted his children to get to know each other and love each other as he loved them all. Samantha was the only standout when it came to Danielle. He wanted that to change, but he would never force the issue and he feared Chase would always be a sore spot for Samantha.
When Samantha stiffened next to him, Griffin looked at her once again. He followed her line of sight to her mother. Sarah was giving Samantha the evil eye from across the room. Thrusting her shoulders back, Sarah raised her chin high in the air. For the love of blood, was Sarah actually criticizing Samantha’s posture at a time like this?
Samantha looked so much like her mother with those golden-brown eyes and that honey-blonde hair. Samantha was the only one of his and Sarah’s three children that had inherited Sarah’s coloring. Samantha had also been following in her mother’s self-absorbed footsteps. Sarah was molding Samantha into the perfect socialite. Now in her twenties and facing the many changes in their society, and more importantly, in their home, Samantha was altering drastically. She was troubled. Griffin wrapped an arm around Samantha’s delicate shoulders and gave her a hug. She gazed up at him with tears shining in her eyes. It took Griffin by surprise. Samantha wasn’t one for tears. She must be terrified for her mother. Many people have been executed by the council for breaking the law without mercy. The charges against Sarah were serious, but Griffin still believed she would be spared.
“I promise you, we will get through this, baby,” Griffin repeated his vow to Samantha in hushed tones, kissing her temple. “I’m here for you, always.” Griffin hugged her tighter and kissed her brow. “If David isn’t going to be executed, your mother won’t be either. Her crimes are far less severe.”
Griffin comforted the daughter he was sure would never need any solace from him or anyone else. He was sure Sarah would do some time for her offenses, but she would live. Given her position in society, it would be a very comfortable punishment of a golden cage, but when she was released the embarrassment might kill her.
Griffin was almost thankful for Sarah’s betrayal. Her actions had given him all of the cause he needed to dissolve the betrothal contract drawn by their parent’s when they were just children without facing any penalties. Griffin had a very unpleasant surprise planned for Sarah. He’d already spoken to Richard Ashburn, Sarah’s father and the head of the House of Ashburn. Griffin could do a lot of harm to the Ashburn coffers if he demanded retribution. He could also damage their reputation even further, but Sarah had already brought them more dishonor than they’d ever known, and Griffin frankly didn’t need their money. Once assured that Griffin wasn’t building a case against the House of Ashburn, Richard was more than happy to give Griffin whatever he wanted. What Griffin wanted was Sarah out of his life forever. Richard was going to exercise his right as the head of his house to bring a wayward Ashburn back into the fold. Richard would be far stricter with Sarah than Griffin had ever been.
Samantha brought Griffin’s attention back to her when she turned to him and placed a small hand on his arm. She spoke so quietly he almost didn’t hear her when she said, “Daddy, you need to keep an eye on her. She’s different. Worse.” Samantha looked concerned for him and honestly frightened.
“She won’t have a chance to hurt me again. If she tries, there won’t be any mercy. Sarah is a smart woman. She knows this is the last straw. Don’t worry about me. But, Samantha, maybe it’s time for you to put some distance between yourself and your mother. She won’t be living in our home after today.”
“What about J.R.? He can’t handle being dragged away from his safe places.”
After the failed attempt to kidnap J.R. and Griffin, J.R. had gone through a difficult period. He’d been traumatized. Sadly, Griffin had been so absorbed in his own inner turmoil that he hadn’t been paying close enough attention to J.R.’s needs. Brandi and Samantha had become J.R.’s champions. He was in counseling and doing much better, but it was true that J.R. had become a much more reserved and cautious boy.
“I spoke to J.R. and explained that your mother and I will be divorcing. I needed to know how he felt before today. I gave him the choice of going with Sarah or staying with me. I want him with me, but I think it’s important that he has a say in the matter. He’s been through a lot, and he’s old enough to make a choice now.”
“And?” Samantha asked rigidly.
“And J.R. expressed his wish to remain with me on the Vaughn estate. He seemed to understand why his mother is leaving. Kids see more than parents think they do. He’s growing into a young man so quickly. As the law stands, as the father, I have the right to decide where my children will reside. So, no matter what happens today, your brother will be staying in his home, with me.”
“Good, that’s good.” Samantha seemed to relax with this news.
Griffin turned his attention to Sarah when she resettled herself on the stand and looked out over the crowded hall with pure disdain for a split second before pulling a handkerchief out of her small clutch purse. She folded in on herself, losing the air of assurance she’d been sporting and replacing it with the appearance of a victim. She began to blot at nonexistent tears in the corners of her lovely brown eyes. Good grief. She could put on a show. Sarah was giving the council side eyes, making sure everyone noticed her overdone distress.
Griffin’s father, Lloyd, called the room to order. Griffin couldn’t wait to hear what Sarah had to say for herself. He should have known she would never take responsibility for her crimes. Lloyd read the charges against Sarah Vaughn. She kept her eyes down and wept softly.
“Sarah Vaughn, the evidence against you is overwhelming. You did, without a doubt, collude with the rogue as we knew him at the time, to have your mate murdered,” Lloyd said.
Everyone in attendance gasped. This was unheard of
and shocking. Samantha’s head fell forward, and a tear dropped into her lap. Griffin rubbed her back. This could not be easy for a child to hear about her mother.
“What do you have to say in your defense? The council is all ears,” Lloyd asked.
Squaring her shoulders, Sarah blotted her cheeks and spoke to the council at large. “As you know, the charges against me are quite impossible. No vampire could ever knowingly and purposely harm their mate. Griffin and I have had differences, none of which are my fault.” Sarah allowed her eyes to search out Griffin with a brief accusatory glare.
It was true. Griffin was the guilty party in the failure of his mating to Sarah, but he’d never meant to hurt her. He surely would never want to see her dead, not even now.
“And yet, here we are, Sarah. You did allow the Shade Army to enter your home with the intention of abducting Griffin Vaughn. That brought about the near death of your son, Griffin Vaughn, Jr. To cover your deceit, you allowed the female who saved your child’s life to take the blame for the failed abduction attempt.” Lloyd paused to give Sarah a chance to deny the claim. She did not.
“You then gave the rogue vital information about when Griffin Vaughn would be present here at the Council Hall. You are guilty of aiding and abetting attempted murder twice. That attack happened to also cause injury to Brandi Vaughn, another of your innocent children.” Lloyd paused to let that sink in. “This was about more than just your intentions toward your mate. This is also about your choices putting your children at risk.”
“I would never do anything to hurt my children! I raised those children! Griffin was off being the councilman while I was being a parent and running our household.” Sarah said councilman like it was an insult.
Mason spoke next and his voice barely withheld his loathing for her carelessness and lies. Mason was less than partial. Danielle was now his daughter-in-law. Mason’s son, Chase, had gone through hell when they believed Danielle was dead. They were sure they would lose Chase when he believed Danielle had been murdered by the rogue. The bond between Danielle and Chase was one for the ages. They were an undeniable love match. Neither of them would choose to live on without the other. Sarah’s support of the rogue was a betrayal that would never be forgiven.
“Did you think you could strike a deal with the devil and not get dirty?” Mason asked. “The rogue had abducted and killed hundreds of young vampires over a twenty-five year period. Do you think the lives of your children mattered to the rogue?” Mason slammed a fist on the table. “I still haven’t heard your excuse yet, Sarah. Tell us why you wanted Griffin dead. Tell us why you risked so many lives when the Shade Army came to burn this very institution to the ground.” Mason gestured to the building around them.
Griffin was glad Mason had been allowed to preside over this case with the rest of the council. He would ask the questions Griffin couldn’t. Mason was just as angry, if not more so over Sarah’s duplicity. Griffin and Mason had been best friends since they were kids. The loyalty and kinship between Griffin and Mason had led Mason to hide Tessa and Danielle, faking their deaths to prevent Griffin’s parents from putting a violent and permanent end to Griffin’s relationship with a human. Mason had sent Griffin’s first mate and newborn away to save their lives, knowing it would crush Griffin, but Mason had done what he thought was best at the time. The plan was to wait until the evidence of Tessa and Danielle’s passing to reach Lloyd and Adele. Once they were safe from attack, Mason would take Griffin to his family. It had taken months. It was Griffin’s hasty decision to mate with Sarah as soon as he learned of Tessa’s death that had put the final nail in the coffin of Tessa’s heart. She’d run away with the baby, never to be seen again. Or so she’d believed. Mason bore the guilt for his part of their separation. So to say Mason was invested in Griffin’s happiness and well-being was putting it mildly.
“I did no such thing. I told you, I couldn’t possibly want to harm my mate and certainly not my children,” Sarah argued.
Griffin shook his head. What was her game? Sarah had indeed brought harm to him on more than one occasion, and not just the physical kind. There was no denying it. He understood that she wouldn’t want to admit the problems with their mating publicly. It was an embarrassment, and their estrangement wasn’t common knowledge. People were there to see David’s trial. Sarah’s involvement was largely unknown to the public, until today.
“Explain yourself, Sarah, and before you speak, keep in mind that lying to the council is treason,” Lloyd demanded.
“I’m not responsible for my actions.” Sarah looked mournfully at each council member.
Griffin wanted to leap across the distance between them and throttle her.
“I remember what happened, but it’s as if it were a dream. I know I spoke to David more than once, but I don’t think I reached out to him. I, too, was a victim of the rogue’s mind control. I didn’t volunteer information to anyone. It was stolen right from my head.” Sarah sobbed that last bit. She was in full-on victim mode, tears flowing and shoulders slumping.
A murmur of understanding swept over the crowd. Nobody wanted to believe a vampire would willingly try to have their mate murdered. It went against everything they knew about mated couples. Richard’s shoulders relaxed. He was aware that Sarah was full of shit, but her lie would garner the House of Ashburn sympathy instead of scorn if she got away with it. Samantha took in a shocked breath and looked at Griffin. He could see the disbelief in Samantha’s eyes. She wasn’t buying it either.
That lying bitch was going to use David’s tragedy to her advantage. Griffin could indeed prove that Sarah had reached out to David. He had cell phone records. He had testimony from guards on his grounds, one of David’s ex-minions, as well as David’s account of the facts. Sarah had been sloppy and left a trail that led right back to her. She was not cut out for espionage that was for sure.
Mason made eye contact with Griffin. Without a word, Mason was asking if he should submit the evidence publicly. Griffin shook his head no. Sarah might get out of doing any prison time, but she had just painted herself into a corner. Griffin had her right where he wanted her now. The council could not convict Sarah now that David had been acquitted on the grounds of mind control. This could cause a problem in the future. Griffin could imagine every criminal claiming they’d been the victim of mind control. They would have to employ several trusted telepaths just for such occasions.
“So what you’re telling us is that you did not contact the rogue?” Adele Vaughn spoke up for the first time. “So we will not find any phone records or other proof of your deception?”
Sarah white-knuckled her handkerchief and squared her shoulders before turning to look her mother-in-law in the eyes. “What I’m telling you is that I’m not responsible for my actions, whatever they may have been. I would never want to see Griffin or my children harmed. I am an upstanding member of our society. I have been a dedicated mate and mother. I did not do these things of my own free will.”
Griffin had to give it to Sarah, she didn’t deny anything. So any evidence they had against her would be useless. Griffin had to hope the council didn’t ask the two European telepaths to step forward again. He gave Mason a signal by touching his forehead. Mason saw it and spoke immediately before anyone else could intervene.
“Given this revelation, the council will now take a brief recess to discuss its verdict.” Mason rose and left the hall, not waiting for a reaction from his peers.
“I’ll be back.” After kissing the top of Samantha’s head, Griffin made his way to the exterior entrance of the council chamber while the rest of the council followed Mason. The room began to buzz with conversation. Sarah left the stand and joined her father.
Griffin entered the chamber to find the rest of the council looking at Mason expectantly. Kane glared at Griffin. “You know you cannot be here, Griffin. It’s a conflict of interest.”
Griffin ignored Kane and spoke to his father and mother, Lloyd and Adele. “She’s lying, and we
all know it, but I don’t want you to consult the telepaths.”
“Why, Griffin, when we can convict her with their help? She needs to pay for what she did.” Adele was fuming.
“David is going to live. Sarah didn’t murder anyone. She will do some time in a cushy cell with room service, and we will pay for it,” Griffin reasoned.
“I think your mating is clouding your judgment, Griffin.” Seth Deidrick patted Griffin on the back. “If we have a tool we should use it to bring justice. We will need to have telepaths on hand in the future after this debacle.”
“I agree with you on the need for telepaths down the road. I’m not taking it easy on Sarah because she was … is my mate. I honestly believe sticking her in a cell to be pampered won’t serve justice. The disgrace she has brought to her house is tremendous. This lie of hers will lessen the scandal for the House of Ashburn. They are an ancient and noble house that doesn’t deserve the loss of commerce and social standing Sarah’s deeds will bring them. I have had a longstanding, mutually lucrative relationship with Richard. He’s a model member of society, as is the rest of his house.”
Griffin knew if he played to the council’s elitist leanings he would get further than he would if he explained his real reason for letting Sarah get away with trying to kill him. Griffin knew every one of them would be considering how they would deal with this kind of scandal in their house. The House of Vaughn was the victim here, but they had their own scandal brought about by Griffin’s half-human child. They weren’t dealing with any backlash since the nation was made aware of Danielle’s antecedence because she’d already been accepted as a heroine several times over before the news of her humanity was leaked when Tessa posed as Dani and had to be changed to save her life. It was made easier for the upper echelon to overlook now that she was a full-blooded vampire. Then there was the fact that nobody wanted to stand against a council family.