by Maya DeLeina
“Steffan, this council has heard enough. Please give us the time to deliberate in private.”
The council members exited the room and the crowd started to mumble and converse softly amongst each other. Anya ran to be by Steffan’s side and wrapped her arms around him as she sat in his lap.
“What do you think?” Anya asked.
“I have no evidence, no proof of anything. Hopefully, I created enough doubt that they’ll allow more time to investigate.” Steffan paused and shook his head as he ran through the proceedings in his head. “Shit, I couldn’t justify how she was able to change and withhold information from us, or how she was able to get Alex to react this way, say those things. I really needed Alex for that part, the real Alex, not the one that was here today.”
“All right, other than that?”
“I’m not sure. Look, I know in my heart I didn’t do anything wrong and none of what she is saying is the truth. Right now, all I care about is what you think in all of this. You have never said anything to me before. Do you believe in me, Anya?”
“As if I ever had a doubt? Of course I believe you. I know the truth. And I know that you didn’t enthrall me or Ryan.”
“How do you know that for sure?”
Anya placed Steffan’s hand on her heart. “My heart knows you. It knows who you are, what you’re made of. You are my mate.” Anya reached for Steffan’s hand. She planted a loving kiss on it, and moved to caress his hand across her cheek. “And I now realize how many times you tried to enter my mind and were stopped by something powerful.”
“What? How do you know that?”
“I didn’t want to remember Ryan. I imagined him dead. My heart didn’t want to remember him. So my mind unconsciously put a mental block on anything that connected me and Ryan. I believe you may have been hit with white noise and a bright light every time you tried, right?”
“Right!”
“I put up such a strong barrier because of the hurt he had caused me, that when I turned, that transferred with me. It wasn’t until I knew the feeling of you entering my mind and having broken through the barrier that night with Ryan that I realized you were trying to enter my mind when I was human. And if you couldn’t break through a mortal’s mind barrier, you wouldn’t even have the power to enthrall a vampire.”
“Ouch! That stung!”
“Sorry.”
“Anya, will you think about what I said earlier, just in case?”
“I said I don’t want to talk about it.”
Steffan turned his head as the doors opened to let the council back in the room. “That was quick. I guess that’s a good sign. Maybe they want more time to investigate,” Steffan said with a hint of optimism.
Anya gave Steffan a brief kiss before heading back to her seat next to Rhys and Brynne.
“Steffan Matthews,” the council member addressed Steffan.
“Yes?”
“The vampires who lived here in Manitou before you never had a formal family unit that included structure, responsibilities, and a governing body. We were left to fend for ourselves and were never truly able to trust in one another. When you came to town with your immediate family and realized you were living among a lair of vampires, instead of retreating, you accepted all of us and came to know our strengths to incorporate us in the family and harness our abilities to the fullest capacity. You were chosen leader of this family because of strength, intellect, purity, and resolve. This governing council is not ten members chosen by the family. It is a reflection of you. Our way of life is all because of your desire to promote civility and equality in our kind, creatures that were never meant to exist in nature and never meant to hold on to any of their human origins. It was your desire to never allow a vampire to exceed or exert his power on another.” The council member paused and rubbed his eyes as if in pain. “And it is because of these values that we have come to our decision.”
He paused yet again and looked at all of the members for reassurance and strength to continue.
They all nodded in agreement for him to proceed.
“Steffan, we have no doubt about your mate connection with Anya, and we believe she was free to be claimed. It appears to have been a strong bond forged between the two of you. You are found not guilty of mate abduction,” he disclosed as cheers roared through the hall. “However,” he interjected, “because of this strong connection you felt to Anya, we believe this was also your downfall.”
“No,” whispered Steffan.
“There is undeniable evidence that you were aware of the situation between Ryan and Anya. The photographs, marriage certificates, letters…you can’t tell us that a man of your intellect would not demand to see this type of information from Madeleine. We don’t believe she withheld anything from you. I mean, there are pictures of you at her house, looking through this very box.”
“But—”
“And”—the council member held his hand up to Steffan as a quieting gesture—“If what you claim is true, that you were at her house for a different reason, that in itself is another piece of evidence that shows your mental state, what you are capable of. You were not upholding the best interests of the family by secretly being involved with another member of authority in this family. Your gut should’ve told you that it was wrong, or at least, you should have chosen to disclose everything to the council on the relationship. But you didn’t. You said it yourself. You were too consumed by her abilities. This, in reality, means you were too consumed with your needs rather than the family’s.”
He paused and cleared his throat. “What we believe is that you may have been so caught up in your connection to Anya, that it consumed you. We believe that once you knew about Ryan and Anya, even though their union was irrevocably broken, that you were afraid this council would not allow your claim on her, so you did the unspeakable.”
“No. I never knew!” Steffan cried out in his defense.
“Steffan, we have evidence. We have proof. You taught us to rely on evidence. Believe me, it pains me. It pains all of us to see you on the other side of the council today. But we are continuing what you started. And, with that, we have to forget who you are in this family. It has no bearing on us.”
Steffan looked at Anya, her face laced in fear.
I love you, Anya, think about what I said. Do it, for me.
Anya shook her head, too stunned, too distraught to answer Steffan.
“It appears that you have misused your position in this family for your own gain. This goes against every principle you’ve ingrained in us. Not only this, you treated your family as expendable objects. This poor woman and man who sit before you, they have been dealt immeasurable mental and physical anguish. You employed manipulation, coercion and, worst of all, your abilities that extend past normal vampiric traits to pursue your claim.”
“No,” Steffan said as he shook his head and started to cry. “It’s not true.”
Anya started to cry. “What does that mean?” Brynne and Rhys hurried to console her. Eilian, Catrin, and Rhys looked at each other in shock and horror.
“Anya, this is bad.” Rhys’s voice cracked as he whispered in her ear.
“Steffan, it is our laws that protect the family from incidents that you have committed and have been found guilty of. You broke one of the most discriminating of our laws, one that you crafted yourself. As you know, no suitable outcome other than what we have chosen will suffice. We have no choice to uphold the law. You are sentenced to the Nemesis to ensure our family’s continuity, well-being, and security. Sacrifice one for the greater good of the family.”
“No!” Anya cried and ran to embrace Steffan.
“I’m sorry, Anya. I’m so sorry!” Steffan cried in her arms.
“You can’t do this! I lost everyone in my family as a human. They were all taken from me. I was alone. In this existence, I have a family in Steffan once again. You can’t do this to me. I can’t go through this again. I’ve suffered enough!” Anya yelled at the council mem
bers.
They bowed their heads, with heavy hearts. They carried their grief in their expressions.
“Please, spare him. Please, I can’t live an eternity without him.”
“Anya, they made their decision, love. It’s over.” Steffan embraced Anya tightly. “It’s over. We have to accept it.” Steffan could barely get his words out as his emotions overtook him.
“I can’t do this, Steffan! You can’t expect me to go on without you.”
Steffan threw his head back in a deep cry, but no sound came out. His head pounded. His chest ached. He drew a deep breath in and wailed in agony.
The remaining crowd watched the emotional display play out. The crowd’s reaction varied. Some family members grieved in emotional outbursts while some mourned silently for their leader.
“Madeleine, you know you lied here,” Eilian said as Madeline and Ryan walked by. Ryan concentrated his stare on the ground.
“I spoke the truth. You don’t even know what the truth is. And that goes for all of you who doubt me. I spoke the truth about this man. Don’t you forget who in this family had enough balls to stand up and speak out against him for sake of this family!”
Sneers and comments hurled down from the crowd.
“This better be the truth, Madeleine,” a family member said.
“You will suffer the same fate if you’ve lied,” said another.
Madeline simply smiled back at the crowd and focused her gaze on Steffan and Anya.
“Good-bye, Steffan. And, Anya, come by and see me. I’ll be more than happy to find your new mate.”
* * * *
Steffan entered the living room with Eilian following closely behind.
Eilian walked across the room and took a seat on the couch next to Catrin. His face was solemn, his angst noticeable in his gait.
Steffan stood with his hands tucked deep in his pockets, ready to address his immediate family.
Anya ran to his side and clung to him. He released one hand and pulled her close to his body.
“They have selected tomorrow at midnight for my death proceedings,” Steffan spoke in a grave tone. He closed his eyes, attempting to restrain the flood of tears he desperately wanted to shed, hold back the fear and frustration he wanted to release in a scream.
“How could this be happening?” Anya looked at Steffan then addressed the family. “How is this a proper judicial system you have here? There is no testing of evidence, there is no jury, there is nothing but ‘he said she said.’ Where is the ironclad proof?”
“Anya, you’re thinking in terms of humans. Remember, vampires have extraordinary powers that, when harnessed by corruption and dishonesty, can disrupt our way of life, destroy our kind, and even wipe out the human race. This is the proper vampire justice. Alex, the photos of me, yours and Ryan’s belongings—that was the proof. Madeleine had the evidence she needed. By all accounts, the system is working, and the law passed down is just.”
“But, Steffan, tomorrow? That’s too soon! How do they expect you to get everything in order by then?” Haydn said, shaking his head.
“In exchange, they are allowing me time with Anya at our home rather than down below. Eilian had to sign a release order to administer the Submission injections to assure I don’t use my powers for any more wrongdoing. Being free to be with Anya privately more than compensates for the shortened time frame,” Steffan said as he held Anya close, his eyes welling with tears.
Anya cried and buried her head in his chest. Releasing him, she said desperately, “Let’s just leave, run away together. We can be far from here come Sunday!”
“Anya I can’t. If I don’t return on Sunday, they’ll order one of my immediate family members to take my place for helping with my escape,” Steffan replied, looking down into her tear-stained face.
Anya just cried in response.
“What can we do for you and Anya? Anything you need from us before Sunday?” Catrin asked.
Steffan nodded. “I want to know that you all believe in me. I don’t want to die knowing there’s any shred of doubt that I manipulated all of this. My heart, my love and her love for me is true. I stole her from no one.”
“We all believe you. All of us, Steffan, we know what the truth is,” Eilian said on behalf of the family.
“I also would like justice, no matter how long it takes. Keep an eye on Madeleine. Be relentless. She has proven, at least to us, that she is evil to her core. If she had the ability to deceive to this extent once, she’ll do it again. Be ready, and make her pay for what she has done.” Steffan choked back tears as he continued, “And lastly, take care of my Anya. She’ll always have my heart, but she also has my blessings to find peace and happiness for herself after I am gone. I want her to search for a new mate match. Help her. Guide her.”
“Madeline will pay. I will promise you that, Steffan,” Eilian said.
“And the entire family will take care of Anya. Brynne and I can take her in and guide her,” Rhys said as Brynne nodded in agreement. “By the way, they’re taking considerations for leader as we speak. Eilian and I are not among the choices so far. I don’t think they want anyone from our immediate family.”
“Well, they’re not thinking of Madeline, are they?” Catrin asked.
“She got some chesticles, that Madeline. She nominated herself. So her name is in there along with Alex’s and Ryan’s,” Rhys said, shaking his head. “I don’t know about you guys, but Brynne and I cannot live under Ryan or Madeline’s leadership. We’re thinking about leaving and starting a new family unit if this happens.”
“What the hell are you guys talking about? Steffan is still here and you are talking as if he is already dead! Why can’t we focus on doing something to save him?” Anya yelled at Rhys.
“We can’t do anything, Anya. I’ve run through all of the possibilities I could. Unless there is some way to show Madeline’s lies to the council before Steffan’s execution, I don’t think there’s anyway to stop this,” Eilian said. “I’m sorry.”
A timid voice resonated from the back of the room.
“Does anyone want to try talking to the Oracle? She’s here, you know.”
The entire family turned around to look at Griffin, who sat on the daybed.
“Gramps, you talking about that crazy witch of yours again? That was back in Austria, remember? We’re in Manitou Springs now.” Rhys shook his head and dismissed Griffin’s comment. “Steffan, I think we need to find out…”
Griffin interrupted, “You know she’s traveled with us since I met her in Vienna. She has lived among us since we moved. Ecuador, Alaska, and now here, in Colorado, she’s been by our side. I’ve held audiences with her. She doesn’t make absolute predictions. She says the future is too reliant on instinct, influence, and action that cannot be controlled. Rather, she can guide you in the direction of the future you want. Steffan, this is how I knew you would eventually find your mate. She told me so.”
“Griffin. Yes, you were always sure of my impending connection when we would speak. Why haven’t you told me about her following us? The last I heard about her was in Austria.”
“None of you ask for my opinion or assistance on anything. You assume that because of my age, I can’t relate to modern-day issues. And because I lost my mate that I’m somehow mad. Well, I haven’t gone mad. Everything is still intact,” Griffin said as he tapped his fingers against his temple.
Steffan stood in shock, assessing Griffin.
Griffin was the oldest among his family members, four hundred and twelve years old to be exact. But his body was suspended in that of a twenty-five-year-old. His features were notably softer than Steffan’s. His blue eyes sparkled against his light-brown hair. His face was round, accented with two deep dimples. He was just as tall as Steffan, but with a slim build. His smile favored one side in a boyish-like innocence.
“Griffin, I am sorry. Yes, you have a very a traditional, old-fashioned philosophy on things. Don’t get me wrong, I love that about you,
but you don’t budge in accepting the fact that times have changed. Humans are very different in their ways. They think differently, act different. Life is not as simple anymore. Sometimes, it’s hard to get you to see that. I guess everyone took their lead from me and haven’t really included you. For that, I apologize, Griffin. But in the family’s defense, when we first met you, you were acting like you’d lost your mind.”
“Oh, Steffan, don’t you know that I did that so you would take me in? You remind me so much of myself when I was your age—spirited, focused, and determined. I knew you were on a path to some sort of prominence and discovery. I also knew you had a soft spot for broken hearts and lost loves. I figured that would be my way in.”
“Why me? Why this family?”
“I was desperate, lost without my mate. I heard rumors being passed around in Austria speaking of an Oracle and her power to see the future. I went in search of her. No, I was drawn to her. I tracked her down, living in the ice caves deep in the Alps. I asked her about the possibility of a future that would reunite me with my mate once again. She told me the future wasn’t there for that. Instead, she told me about you and your family who’d just taken up residence in the Alps. The Oracle said she held a strong connection to you and your mate. She said I should seek you out, gain acceptance as a family member, for it would hold a future that would suit me.” Griffin paused, and he looked deep into Steffan’s eyes. “Steffan, I just found my mate match weeks ago. The Oracle was right.”
“Why didn’t you tell me? We have to celebrate!”
“No. You need to see the Oracle. You and Anya together, she had a connection to the two of you before you even found each other.”
“But why? Why does she hold a strong connection to me, to us?”
“I don’t know. She told me that one day, someone in this family was going to need her help. She also said this person was the only one who could help her in return. I never knew what she meant. I thought it was mindless babble from an old lady. But, with what happened today, I think this is what she was referring to in needing help. You need to see her.”