That’s it. All out. There’s nothing to fear really. Get your act together, Jas!
The guy chuckled good-humoredly, not taking offence in the least, the other werewolves present laughed in a stiff way, following suit but looking unsure still.
“There was a time when I was called the angel of death but let’s not dwell on that,” he winked at me before turning around to face Kyle.
Cold sweat erupted in my back and I was suddenly regretting not bringing my jacket with me. This was no normal vampire. I could feel it in my gut. Although his presence was not as dominating as that of alphas or anything, my instincts told me to run. Skilled vampires often hid their presences after all.
He clapped and everyone grew silent, “Now that we’re all here, let’s get this started, shall we?”
I had been so focused on him that I had not noticed they had brought two restrained persons, a male and a female who looked nothing alike.
“That werewolf,” Jonathan whispered in my ear, pointing a finger towards the blonde-haired male, “has killed a vampire this morning and this woman here is said vampire’s sister.”
I repressed the urge to gasp. Imagining someone, anyone, killing one of my brothers or Karl, I could only see myself losing it completely... yet, there she was keeping it together. I was perplexed, jealous and even a bit frustrated. How could she not be trashing around, trying to get to the werewolf that took her brother away from her?
“Why is there another leech in our land?” The restrained werewolf struggled to get loose, his eyes blackening and reverting to blue many times in a short span of time. He looked like he was struggling to keep the beast within him at bay. What could have possibly caused him this?
“Well, I am Blake The Troublemaker and I’d like to know why you killed a vampire this morning,” the dangerous-vibe vampire smirked humorlessly as he approached the werewolf unfazed by his growls.
Holy shit! Blake The Troublemaker was in town and he wasn’t just visiting. He was the one who established The Devil’s Pact, the peace treaty that ended the era of wars between species. All supernatural beings abide by its laws to keep the harmony going, and all crimes are investigated and punished.
Vampire, black hair, green eyes, dangerous vibe, impossibly sarcastic. How could I not have figured it out sooner?
“I don’t answer to you,” the werewolf was trying to act brave, but one could hear his voice shaking ever so slightly on the last word.
“Well, I’m interrogating you,” Blake retorted calmly, unperturbed by the lack of cooperation.
I’ll take a wild guess and say he won’t be just interrogating him tonight.
“He just went and killed my brother without reason,” the female finally spoke, her voice sad but strong. She looked confidently into The Troublemaker’s eyes even as tears rolled down her pretty face.
“There were no witnesses. When my beta here arrived on the scene, your brother was already dead and you were fighting Thomas,” the alpha countered, defending his pack member, as expected of a leader.
“I’m still waiting for an answer, pup,” Blake drawled in a dangerously sweet tone, ignoring both of them.
“And I already told you I don’t answer to a fucking leech,” the werewolf, whose eyes were still flickering from black to blue and back, spat on the ground to make his point clearer, “you’re not as intimidating as the rumors say.”
“Don’t disrespect him like that, Thomas,” his alpha all but barked, looking in panic towards the infamous vampire.
“Fucking leech, huh?” Blake cracked his neck to both sides as if preparing for combat or holding himself back, nobody knew, “I’ve never killed someone just because they’ve disrespected me, but I’d still advise you to choose your words wisely.”
“That vampire brought it on himself,” I could see that Thomas had started sweating profusely and I could definitely understand his fear.
“Care to elaborate?”
“He attacked me, so I defended myself,” was the flat, shrug-accompanied response.
“That’s not true!” The chestnut-haired vampire cried out in anguish from where she stood, a few steps away from her brother’s killer, “You were the one to attack him and you killed him.” her sobbing was heart-wrenching to say the least. That said, she and Thomas both sounded very convincing, determining the liar was no easy feat.
“Well, if you won’t tell me the truth, I’ll beat it out of you and then kill you slowly,” the walking living danger that was Blake The Troublemaker could have been speaking about the weather, his tone wouldn’t have been any different, “or you can choose to speak the truth now before they unchain you and you’ll have a quick death.”
His threat is something else, that’s for sure, I inwardly whistled in half-admiration, half-terror.
“Why are you taking it out on him? Why aren’t you doubting her? Because she’s your own kind?” The third werewolf’s annoyed intervention was definitely not expected. Both Jonathan and Kyle seemed to trust Blake’s judgment, that should have been good enough for him but somehow it wasn’t... not that I could blame him, vampires weren’t exactly known for their integrity.
Blake’s gaze shifted towards the guy that had just addressed him in that awfully defiant manner and he readily explained, surprising me by his forwardness, “His heartbeat had a little bit of a pace-change when he lied and he’s obviously turning into a rogue.”
“It could be just out of fear or something,” the guy argued.
“I’ve been around for a long time; I’ve learnt to pick up the difference.”
“Just let it go,” Kyle commanded while putting a comforting hand on his fellow werewolf’s shoulder.
“So, still not gonna change your version?” Blake, both the interrogator and the executioner on such occasions, once again addressed the accused, giving him his last chance to spill the beans.
The werewolf stubbornly kept his mouth shut, head held high proudly, eyes locked defiantly with those of his interrogator, “Just release me and I’ll show you what I’m made of.”
With a nod from Blake, the guy was freed. He growled, eyes going black as he started to change.
“Are you sure you want your mate to watch? She looks impressionable.” Although he hadn’t spared a glance our way, I was sure I was the mate that was believed to be impressionable.
“I think she needs this but it’s her call,” Jonathan’s arm tightened briefly around me as he silently conveyed his support and waited for my answer.
Was I scared? Yes.
Did I wish I had just stayed home? Yes.
Did I want to run far away from here? Hell yes.
“I’m staying,” were the husky words I managed to utter after taking a deep breath. Fears needed to be faced head on and I intended to do just that... I had to start somewhere.
Chapter 29
The Execution
Although Thomas shifted just a few feet away from me, and was growling like there was no tomorrow, I wasn’t feeling as scared as I thought I would be. Having come close to a rape-slash-death experience with the rogues a few weeks ago, I had truly expected, when this whole trial came into perspective, to be more afraid – I suffered from enough nightmares to prove the incident wasn’t behind me yet... but then again, I knew no harm would befall me.
That said, I was frozen to the spot in fascination. Blake The Troublemaker was making a show of his obvious superiority. As the five-feet-something brown wolf attacked, teeth bared, seeking blood, he dodged with ease and swiftly kicked him in the gut, earning a surprised yelp. The kick sent the werewolf crashing against a tree which creaked loudly in protest and then broke, making him fall back in an ungracious heap. A low growl was heard as Thomas straightened and then lunched himself again at Blake who, just like the last time, dodged the attack effortlessly and kicked him this time around with enough force to make him spit blood. Before the injured wolf could even get up, another kick landed on his back and a sickening breaking noise reached my ears – a
long with a loud pain-filled scream.
“We can go on but do notice that I’m only using my legs here,” Blake drawled in a tone so blasé, it was almost unbelievable in such situations.
What was most fascinating – and scary at the same time – was that all through the attacks, his hands had never left his pockets, and not one useless movement was made – and therefore no energy was wasted. Never mind his special abilities, even where only brute force was concerned, Blake The Troublemaker was a man to be feared.
He was not a thousand-year old vampire for nothing.
“Shift back,” he commanded in a deadly soft tone. The werewolf, despite being in great pain, did not comply. “I won’t repeat myself,” his voice grew noticeably colder at that and a sudden tense atmosphere fell upon the forest.
Jonathan’s arm around my shoulder stiffened ever so slightly and I noticed that everyone’s eyes but my mate’s and the alpha’s – and admittedly, my own – had dropped to the ground. Kyle’s hand however was clenching so hard, I could see, even from a distance, a few droplets of blood falling. I could only guess then that the famous vampire had let his strength be felt and it was much too overwhelming to be defied. The werewolves had sharper senses and thus the effect on them was more potent. Only the most powerful ones could fight the urge to show submission.
In my fascination with the man’s strength, my natural instincts to run away, screaming bloody murder, were dimmed, and I even lacked the common sense to drop my gaze. What was more aggravating was that I felt the masochistic desire to see his face just then, to get a taste of real power, and thus of real fear.
Boy was I messed up!
I’ve never killed someone just because they’ve disrespected me but I’d still advise you to choose your words wisely. His words echoed in my head and I felt inclined to believe it would be best to keep my sharp tongue under check the next few minutes. Yeah, let’s not disrespect the guy. Better yet, let’s not talk to him at all.
Thomas, on the other hand, stilled completely with what I guessed was fear filling him, before whimpering in surrender and shifting back to his human form, a painful gasp leaving him as he did.
Although I was not familiar with nudity, I somehow did not blush. The lack of reaction from my part had probably something to do with the fact that blood covered some of Thomas’ chest and that his back was at an odd angle. His spine had just been broken and it wasn’t a nice sight to say the least. As a result, he remained on the ground, unspeaking, unmoving and just barely tolerating the pain in silence – his face might have shown his discomfort, but his lips were sealed.
“Now, do you mind answering my earlier question?” Blake took two steps back, giving the werewolf some much needed space to gather his wits since, surely, having such an intimidating opponent towering you could only make it harder to speak.
“I,” he gasped in pain as, from the looks of it, even the simple act of speaking hurt, “I killed the guy because... he was in our town... uninvited.”
“The territory thing you werewolves have is only applicable on werewolves as you know,” Blake’s statement kind of surprised me for I actually believed werewolves were entitled to hunt down all supernatural intruders. Just then, I realized that that would go against The Devil’s Pact and thus it could not be so.
“But...” the werewolf with the ragged breathing prepared to argue only to be interrupted.
“If I were to forbid any werewolf or witch from being in the same town as I, that’d be troublesome. I’m a vampire, I move every five or so years,” came the flat-tone explanation.
“I just hate vampires,” the confession did not surprise anyone. Thomas was admitting to having killed the vampire without being under attack or anything. The interrogator had succeeded in making him spill the beans so the execution could only follow soon.
“That, I gathered,” Blake’s humorless chuckle made me wish I could see his expression just then instead of his back. What would greet me, a look of contained fury or two unsettlingly impassible eyes? I could not say for sure, but damn did I wish I could see it for myself!
“I’d like to know why before I kill you though.”
“Two Vampires killed my family eight years ago, where were you then?” Thomas somehow managed to turn the tables on the great Blake, making him the accused instead, despite his current position.
“I was informed a bit too late. The vampires had already left town. It took me almost a week to hunt them down and when I did, I killed them.” Speaking of a kill in such an emotionless voice should be prohibited. It made it almost too simple a thing yet, at the same, it added to the horror that it was.
“So, you say,” came the disbelieving pain-filled snort.
“I wasn’t about to capture them just so I would bring them here to make a public execution. I found them in New Jersey, I killed them there,” I could almost see him rolling his eyes at that moment. Or maybe he’d still wear his unnervingly expressionless face on, and the eye-roll would be executed mentally.
“So, you say, so you say,” It was sad to see a man so consumed with hurt and hatred, he couldn’t even see the truth when it presented itself – for Blake was not lying, I was sure of it.
“Jonathan here, your dear alpha-ultra, was with me.” Blake countered with a tilt of the head towards us, “There has to always be at least one representative of each of the species involved in the incident present. Remember the law, the pact.”
“I just didn’t trust you,” the werewolf admitted on a sigh, defeated, sounding unbelieving still.
“I didn’t expect you to, but I thought you’d trust your alpha’s word,” a careless shrug was thrown there, and I could almost feel death looming in the premises.
“I’m not sure things would have been different if I had witnessed their execution anyways,” it seemed that Thomas had less trouble speaking now. His injuries must be starting to heal... only so he could die shortly. How sickly ironic!
“I only wish you would have said the truth when I asked, I could have killed you quickly. Now, I must stay true my word and make your death slow.” It was Blake’s turn to sigh and I suddenly realized he didn’t enjoy his role all that much.
I had never stopped to consider what being both the interrogator and the executioner on such instances could do to a person. The burden this vampire carried was not something just anyone could handle. And it was all for the sake of peace. Any lesser man would have gone nuts – or, in more supernatural-appropriate terms, snapped – long ago. My inexplicable fascination for this vampire was just then joined by a well-deserved respect.
“Have it your way,” the werewolf, who had been close to snapping at the beginning of the trial, seemed much calmer just then. He had accepted the consequences of his actions and was ready to receive his punishment. And all that was made possible because his interrogator, although by no means obliged, had taken the time to answer his questions. The effect a few words could have on a person was simply amazing.
If only the words hadn’t been too late.
“I will,” was the barely audible response before flames suddenly erupted engulfing Thomas, making him cry out and trash around.
Instead of turning around and walking away from the repulsing scene, Blake remained rooted to his spot. I, on the hand, didn’t have the courage to carry on watching.
Thomas remained a living, struggling torch for about two or three minutes before finally leaving the land of the living while the smell of burnt flesh lingered. Death by incineration was rumored to be the less enjoyable since, when compared to being beheaded or having one’s heart ripped out which only lasted a few seconds, it lasted far too long.
By the time I could no longer hear any painful groans and the eerie stillness of death settled on the forest, I had grown impossibly lightheaded. My sight was no longer focused, and I had lost the ability to feel anything but the rather cold air hitting my face. Even my mind seemed affected by the whole ordeal and was but a jumbled mess.
W
hen my senses finally decided to work properly again, I was being shaken vigorously by Jonathan. His electric blue eyes were really worried, and he was saying something which my brain processed a few seconds later, “Hey, Jas, are you okay?”
He repeated the question at least four times before I managed to croak out a small “I’m fine” while softly caressing his cheek in reassurance. Just as I said that, all the stiffness I had been enduring loosened and I felt my energy drain out of me.
I wasn’t too fond of showing any sign of weakness, but it was my first time being at such a trial. I should be cut some slack for passing out.
Chapter 30
Pride
I knew that Blake could be intimidating, and that such trials weren’t for the faint of heart, but I truly believed Jasmine could hold her own. Hadn’t her cousin killed several rogues in front of her already?
Karl killed the rogues for her sake. Don’t compare a defensive kill to a cold-blooded execution, my wolf reprimanded.
Yeah, well, it’s not like the pup wasn’t at fault here, what are you sulking for?
I don’t like the idea of a vampire doing such things to our kind, no matter the reason. Alpha genes could be quite bothersome at times. The wolves weren’t the easiest to deal with. Rationalizing with them could get pretty hard.
You’d rather we remained at war with vampires?
I didn’t say that.
You just wish you had been the one to get the idea for the pact, I teased.
I had been in my early teens when the treaty was signed by my father. At the time, I had just turned and had yet to have full control over my strength. My wolf had been a proud one as to be expected and he hadn’t really enjoyed the idea of following some vampire’s rules. In my blind arrogance and young foolishness, I had challenged the renowned vampire to a duel... and Blake The Troublemaker most definitely did not back down from a challenge. My parents had insisted I take back my words but that had not been an option. Where would that leave my pride as a future leader, as a werewolf, as a man?
The Alpha's Seduction (The Forbidden Mates Book 1) Page 11