by Cat Miller
He held onto the folded piece of paper in his pocket like a lifeline. The feel of the old yellowed letter was comforting. It was a letter Leann had left for him, and he cherished it. His younger brother, Mason, had placed it with the rest of his possessions after David’s supposed death. Some of those possessions had been returned to him when David was found alive, but not quite well. David knew he didn’t deserve comfort, but this was the one indulgence he would allow himself.
Catching David’s eye, Mason gave a reassuring nod of approval. David didn’t react. He didn’t deserve the acceptance he’d received from his own house, the House of Deidrick, or the tentative forgiveness from the House of Vaughn.
David’s beloved mate, Leann, had gone against her family’s wishes and mated with David in secret. They’d been so much in love, but they were both betrothed to someone else. Leann had fought against his attempts to win her over. They’d both been raised to serve their houses in all ways, including allowing their parents to arrange their mating with another great house. Their people joined for alliances, not for love, but David had been willing to risk his future position on the council, legal penalties, and the ire of his house to be with Leann. She was sunshine and light. Her golden hair and copper-brown eyes had captivated David from the moment he started seeing her as a woman, instead of just his friend’s sister. He’d done everything in his power to be where she was whenever possible.
David had cut all ties with the other females in his life the moment Leann began to give in to the attraction between them. They mated one star-filled summer night on a boat in the middle of a lake near a resort where her family was vacationing. It was the best night of David’s life. Leann was his heart, his life, his everything. She’d paid for loving him in return with her own precious life. David wouldn’t rest until he repaid the bitch who’d murdered his mate. He wanted to look into Sheena’s eyes as he squeezed the life from her worthless body. First, he had to find a way to shield himself from Sheena’s ability to control his mind. He wasn’t walking into that trap again.
Leann was precognitive. She knew things no one could possibly know in advance without a powerful psychic gift. She knew she was going to die before it happened. She knew this day would come, and he would sit on trial before the council he should have been sitting on for all these years, but he’d been taken away before Leann could reach him. So she’d left him pages and pages of heart-wrenching letters explaining what had happened and what was to come as far as she could see. Leann knew nothing that would come beyond David’s testimony, but she insisted that he do his best to live on without her for the good of their people. David was struggling to grant Leann’s final wishes. Waking up after all of those years to learn of his mate’s death was more than David could absorb. He wanted to do as many vampires who lost their mates did and end his life, but Leann had forbidden it in her final letter. It was a fitting punishment. Leann hadn’t meant to punish David, but living on without her was an acute suffering he would never be released from in this life.
Instead of David, Mason was a sitting member of the council. That was a good thing. Clearly, David’s younger brother was a mentally stronger male. A shiver ran through David when he imagined Sheena using him once he was a councilman. She could have done a lot of damage with that much control, but she’d decided the curse he was born with was a better tool.
Many vampires were born with a paranormal ability that wouldn’t manifest itself until they came of age in their early twenties. Some vampires inherited telekinesis, like David’s old friend, Griffin. Some were empathic, like his brother, Mason. Leann was a seer, a precognitive dreamer. There were even some rarely seen elemental talents, like the pyrokinesis one of Griffin’s daughters developed. There was a broad range of abilities that could manifest, but David had been cursed. Only his grandmother ever knew of the ability he’d developed at the young age of eighteen. David could absorb the gifts of other vampires. He could steal their talent and make it his own. There was just one hitch. He had to kill the other vampire to get it by draining them of their life’s blood.
David had discovered this horrific talent when he waited too long to feed on the day his life changed forever. He was young and stupid. David had thought he was in control. He’d been busy with graduation and hanging out with his friends. Unlike most vampires of his class, David had quite a few human friends. He didn’t want to feed on his buddies. That was just gross, and David preferred females anyway. Females were sweeter, and they felt better pressed against him. So he’d waited to feed instead of doing it when he knew he was coming close to hitting his limit.
On that fateful night when he returned home from a day of sailing where he was secluded with his human buddies, David attacked a maid who entered his room to retrieve his laundry. Before he knew what he’d done, David had killed the female. The maid walked past him carrying his laundry bin. She smelled so sweet. David’s mouth watered. Her steady heartbeat was a hypnotic pounding in his head. David pounced on the unfortunate female, taking her down to his bed and draining her in no time. She was dead, and he was left with a strange new ability to move things with his mind. It wasn’t a strong ability, but it was there. His bedroom door was still wide open. He looked up from the dead female he held in his arms in horror. He wanted to close the door until he figured out what to do next. He stared at the door as his mind raced back and forth between calling his parents to admit his crime and face the punishment, and hiding the body. He was terrified, and he needed that door shut before someone walked by and saw him. To his astonishment, the door slowly closed and the lock turned as he watched.
David was a murderer at the tender age of eighteen. Killing humans was forbidden and unnecessary. A vampire could feed without doing any harm to the human. They never fed on other vampires. It would create a permanent bond between the vampires that nobody wanted. It was a good thing his kind didn’t feed on each other. The taste of vampire blood was exotic and intoxicating. It was hard to stop drinking once you started. That had been the first and only time he’d let himself get that hungry. He was racked with guilt and trying to figure out what to do. That was when his grandmother rapped on his bedroom door, demanding he let her in. David knew it was too late to hide his sin. His grandma was telepathic. She could hear his thoughts, and she knew what he’d done. She also knew he hadn’t intended to hurt anyone. He didn’t know what happened. Not once had he ever had the urge to taste another vampire. That night he couldn’t have stopped himself if he’d tried. It had all happened so fast.
His grandmother had taken care of things. She sent him on an errand, so he had time to get himself together while she took care of the maid. Later his grandmother explained to David what had happened to him. He was a siphon. That’s what they called his power to draw out the power of others through their blood. He’d never heard of this ability. His grandmother explained that it was extremely rare. She believed it was in his best interest to keep it a secret. If his curse were public knowledge, he’d be a pariah, hated and feared for his natural ability. David was a future councilman by birthright. His grandmother was sure they would revoke his right to the seat based on this ability alone. They never spoke of it again. David still didn’t know what had happened to the maid’s body.
He had sworn on that day to never use his curse. He was horrified by what he’d done and the memory of it never really faded because David would always have the telekinetic ability he’d stolen from the maid. He’d kept that promise. He never told a soul what he could do, and he’d never done it again by choice. It was Sheena who had discovered his secret when she went digging around in his head, using mind control to pull his deepest fears from his brain. She forced him to kill again and again to acquire the powers she thought he would need to overthrow vampire society. She was an insane half-breed who wanted revenge on the vampire race for their rejection of humans and hybrids. The trouble was that vampires didn’t know hybrids existed at the time, and Sheena recognized that fact. David couldn’t work ou
t what Sheena’s real goal was, but he suspected it was nothing more than to cause chaos and fear among those she felt had wronged her.
David rubbed his chest over his heart where the memory of his Leann burned bright with a terrible pain that would never recede. Leann knew the end was near for her before Sheena took her precious life. Sheena wanted complete control over David, but something in him refused to succumb. That something was his love for Leann, his mate. Sheena had taken over David’s mind and was trying to force him to use his siphoning curse to murder Leann and take her precognitive gift. Something in David was still aware and refused to harm his mate. Sheena then made it look as if David was one of the many victims of the rogue. Sheena tried to lure Leann out into the open where she might be taken easily. David’s memorial service was the perfect chance to snatch Leann, but Leann didn’t attend. Jealousy and hate drove Sheena to murder Leann when she realized that even after she was kidnapped, David would never kill her. David’s link to Leann was a hindrance to Sheena’s power over him. So Leann had to die. The letters Leann left behind for her family led them to believe that she had ended her own life in grief over the loss of David. Leann explained all of this to David in the letters she left for him.
David caressed the letter in his pocket again. That scrap of paper was his only link to Leann. The love and forgiveness spelled out on the lines of the page he carried with him were all that was keeping David going. That and his need for retribution were all he had left. Sheena was going to bleed for her crimes. Leann deserved revenge. So did Abel. David planned to make sure they got it if the council let him live. It was time to find out if he was going to get the chance to seek out that vengeance.
“I remember most of what happened. I was there down deep in a dream-like state. I just wasn’t in control. I know you have no reason to believe my story. A lot of people died at my hands or by my order. I stand ready to accept my punishment for those sins. There is nothing else I can tell you about my time as the rogue. I lay my life at the mercy of the council and accept their ruling,” David stated, finishing his statement. What else was there to say? He remembered all the killing, torturing, and evil deeds. No punishment the council could dish out would be worse than living with that knowledge. Ending his life would only release him from the nightmares. He didn’t deserve the peace death would bring to him.
Lloyd Vaughn rose from his seat at the long, glossy council table and lifted his hand, “Come forward,” he said to the room at large.
David watched as two vampires stood. A male had been seated in the back row on the left. A female came from the middle of the room on the right. They moved independently to the front of the room and stood before the council, awaiting further instruction.
“I took the liberty of requesting two of the most talented telepaths known to our friends on the European Council to come to America to listen to David’s testimony today. David’s position in our society and connection to two of the American Council houses has made it impossible for us to be impartial in this matter.” Lloyd spoke to the room again.
Lloyd was, of course, correct. One-third of the council was his family. Another third was the family of his mate, Leann. The final third, the House of Stafford, would not be able to make a ruling without alienating their compatriots.
Lloyd looked dejectedly at David as if he almost feared what was coming. Then Lloyd spoke to the two telepaths, “Please tell us your findings after listening to David Deidrick’s testimony.”
The female stepped up and addressed the council directly without looking in David’s direction. She spoke with a British accent when she said, “I am Liza Kline. My house sends their support and sympathy for your many losses in this battle. I respectfully submit my findings to the American Council on behalf of the European Council.
“David Deidrick speaks the truth. He was not in control of his actions. He has tremendous regret and a heavy sense of guilt for the things he did while under mind control. David Deidrick is as much a victim of the rogue as anyone else. Maybe even more so, given his mate was murdered and he must live on without her in his life.”
The female’s eyes filled with tears and she took a few shuddering breaths before continuing. “Please forgive my unprofessional and emotional response. Mr. Deidrick’s heartbreak cannot be denied. I am telepathic and empathic, so I am experiencing his sorrow as well. The pain and guilt this male feels for not protecting his mate, and later his child, is genuine and consuming.” She cleared her throat and blinked back the tears. “I will submit a written statement of my finding for the council’s records.”
Liza stepped back, and the male moved up to address the council. He spoke with an Irish accent when he began, “I am Rory O’Connor. The European Council sends their greetings. My clan sends their support and offers their services, should the need for more warriors arise in the battle against this foe.” The male bowed slightly with respect.
Rory was dressed in a suit, but it was evident by his large build and reference to a clan instead of a house that he was from the warrior class. Rory had the bearing of a male much older than he appeared to be. David guessed a life of physical activity had aided in the slow progression of age for Rory. There was no telling how old the male really was. David was nearly fifty, but he appeared to be in his late twenties. David was lean and muscular, and there wasn’t a gray hair on his head. He would remain that way for a long time to come if he lived past this trial.
“I solemnly attest to the sincerity of David Deidrick’s regret for his actions and the truth of his testimony. His testimony has been given honestly and to the full extent of his knowledge. He has no connection to the female known as Sheena. She is not at this time in control of his thoughts or actions. I would say that if you plan to punish this villainess, you better find her before he does. David has a deep and justified need to see her pay for crimes she committed against his mate, his son, and of course, himself. I will submit my findings in writing for the council’s records.” Rory bowed again before stepping back to join Liza.
“The American Council thanks you both for your assistance today. Please, feel free to stay as long as your respective house and clan will allow. The American Council sends their thanks to the European Council for their support in this delicate matter.
“Rory, I will pass your clan’s offer of assistance on to Gage Paris, the chief of the American warriors. I’m sure Gage will receive you with pleasure.” Lloyd gestured toward Gage, who was on duty as usual during such a pivotal hearing.
Liza and Rory moved to the rear of the seating area. The crowd buzzed with this new information imparted by the telepaths. Lloyd returned to his seat. The council spoke quietly to each other and shuffled papers. Gage left his position near the council’s chamber door to greet Rory as well as Liza. David was focused on the telepaths sent by the European Council, so he listened as Gage welcome them to America. Gage offered Rory lodging at the Enclave with the American warriors for as long as he wished to stay.
David watched the proceedings with a coolness he wasn’t feeling. The opinion of the assembly had shifted somewhat. Many were more inclined to let him live, now that they had substantial evidence of his innocence. David would never see himself as innocent. He remembered the murders. He recalled torturing his own son over many years. He bore a particularly weighty sense of shame for crimes he’d committed more recently against a young human female. What he’d done to her hadn’t been by Sheena’s orders. It was in defiance of them.
David’s mind drifted to his memories of what he’d done in a haze of misplaced possessiveness. That beautiful blonde woman with soul deep copper-brown eyes had become the living embodiment of Leann in David’s sleeping mind. She’d been a friend of Abel’s, and that wasn’t allowed. Abel wasn’t to have a life outside of his duties to the Shade Army. Sheena had the female captured and brought in to be tortured and murdered as a punishment to Abel. Instead, David had become obsessed with her. He’d controlled her human mind and possessed her body. He’d
tried to make her his in every way. But it hadn’t been that innocent human female David saw when he looked at her, it had been Leann.
His memories of his time with Lindsay were foggy. David believed that could be because he woke partially for a short period when he was with her. He remembered being baffled that Leann wasn’t a vampire. She should be a vampire. So he’d changed her. David remembered being livid that Leann wasn’t bonded to him as his mate, as she should be. So he’d tried again and again to bind her to him, but his cursed talent wouldn’t allow him to bond with anyone after his first mate. He deserved to die for the things he’d done to Lindsay alone. David wished he knew what had happened to her after he was captured. He needed to find a way to make amends if such a thing was possible. How did you repay a person for what amounted to enslavement?
David returned his attention to the emotions coming to him from the crowd. Many people were more understanding now, but those who had lost loved ones didn’t care if he had done it of his own free will. He had done it, and they wanted blood. It was a reasonable feeling. David wanted blood for his mate’s murder, too. These people had, for the most part, lost children. In the end, the decision was up to the council. They would all live with the ruling, like it or not. The council’s verdict was final.
It was a smart move to bring in neutral telepaths to validate his testimony. Getting telepaths recommended by the European Council ensured impartiality. Now no one could accuse the Vaughn’s or Deidricks of being bias in any way. They were presented with the truth and proof of the validity of those facts. It had been witnessed by all in attendance.
The council called a recess to discuss the verdict in chambers. David remained where he was on the witness stand. Why should he move? When the council returned, he would either be put to death or sent back to the cushy prison cell he’d been occupying at the Enclave. It wasn’t really a cell per se, but it was a very secure, comfortable room with guards, no windows, and no access to the outside world. He had books, music, and movies to occupy his time. He was visited by a psychiatrist every day. His meals were excellent, and his clothing was comfortable. His family visited very regularly. Being the eldest son of the House of Deidrick had had its benefits, even if he was a criminal. So far, David thought his punishment was overly lenient. His cooperation and mental state were also factors in his treatment as well.