“Thank you.” I pat his shoulder and fold my hands in front of me. Behind Eugene, Emmett’s eyes hold my stare, and I divert my gaze.
Planning the wake for after dusk, we feed on berries and fruits in the main hall for the morning meal. The whole tribe is gathered for a brief time, and it comforts me to have all my people in one place. I watch Jacob, and my heart breaks a million times for his loss, feeling the pain as if it were my own. Will sticks to Jacob’s side, and I keep my distance, sensing my presence will only fuel his grief and rage. As it is, my guilt looms beneath the surface of my calm façade. Was I complacent? Could I have prevented this?
Once we’ve retired for rest periods, I ask Gregor to stand watch for two hours, and then I relieve him, letting him rest the same. Next, I check on our prisoners and preparations for the bonfire. With the day’s plans secured, I head for the beach. Gregor and John trail me but do not question as I strip my clothes and jump into the waves.
Pumping my arms and kicking my feet through the surf, I let the tears flow freely. I pour all my anger and grief into my muscles until they are spent.
Gregor meets me with my clothes. “Emmett is here to see you.”
“Where?”
“At the main house.”
“Give me a minute.” I pat my body with my underskirt and fit my dress over my corset. Sliding on my boots, I join Gregor and John. “So, what do you think? He disobeyed orders but saved us lives.”
“He’s a hero,” Gregor contends.
“A fool, but a courageous one,” John supplies.
“Fine.” I dig my nails into my palms, still angry that he’d dismissed my ability to defend myself. “I don’t want to be alone with him. You’ll talk to him with me.”
Entering the main hall, I pace in front of Emmett. It’s a petty power move with intent of making him nervous. With the smell of angst wafting from him, I guess the goal is achieved. “I thought I asked you to give us a day of grieving?”
“I should be here. These are my people too.” He matches my steps.
“We have to maintain the story for your parents and staff.” I stop in front of him.
“Did I do something to earn your anger?”
It takes every ounce of control I have not to lash out at him. I repeat Gregor’s words in my head. He saved lives. I pull my hands to my hips and peer into his face. “Emmett Schmidt,” I whisper, “you are a hero to our tribe. But, your actions could have just as easily put you, your family, and our tribe in further jeopardy. Those prisoners witnessed a human aiding us in battle. They know you know what we are. The most important rule when you are a vampire is to keep our race a secret, above all. Do you understand that?”
His skin loses its color. “I did not think.”
“Right, you did not follow the protocol set out for you.”
“What’s going to happen?”
“I don’t know. We have prisoners who I don’t want to kill and witnesses who should be called to judge them.”
“Witnesses from where?”
“Two other tribes.”
“Couldn’t I be a madman under your control? Someone said something of a witch.”
“I don’t have a witch.” I throw my hands up and stomp away.
“So, they are real?”
I spin back to him. “I can’t deal with you right now. I need time to think and consult with the others. Come back after dark for our feast.”
His mouth opens and then shuts.
“I believe you are dismissed,” John mutters.
Emmett’s eyes cut to John, Gregor, and then me. I hold his stare. He diverts his gaze and strides from the room.
“Wasn’t that a bit harsh?” Gregor asks.
“I can’t call judges, hold a trial, and risk others thinking we are exposing ourselves to the humans, which means I can’t uphold my stance on being fair to these hostages.”
“So, we aren’t sending for witnesses?” John zips to my side.
“I don’t know. I guess we call for a vote tomorrow, let our people decide what is best, whether to call the Gulf and Valley tribes, what should be done with the hostages. Does that make sense?”
Gregor nods. “Sounds fair to me.”
“Are we banning Emmett from the tribe?” John asks.
“That will also have to be agreed upon by the whole tribe.”
I crave another swim, to be immersed in nothing. Instead, I retreat to my quarters and lie on my bed. I dread facing the tribe, making this decision. Blame falls on me for Emmett’s association with us. My mind searches for what I could have done differently. Live apart, separate from human society like the others, is the answer that rises to my conscious. But the world is changing. Humans close in on us from all sides, and transportation and communication grow like a vine upon the ground. We must learn to adapt.
Rising an hour later, I clean the house while the others are hunting and preparing the bonfire. Then, I find Will outside Mambi and Jacob’s home.
“How is he?”
“He wants to be reassigned to sentinel.”
“That I can grant. Gregor can take his place.”
I summarize my plan for the tribe meeting the next morning, and Will agrees with the decision. He straightens his back. “If it were me, I would’ve ended them on the spot.” He crosses his arms over his chest. “But maybe you don’t want a repeat of your last killing, or the aftermath.”
Wrapping my fingers around Will’s bicep, I force him to look at me. “I don’t regret anything. I need you, even more now. Mambi was like a sister to me, and Jacob a true brother. I hope you don’t think I’ve been ignoring you. There’s a lot to deal with, and I thought Jacob needed you. He didn’t seem to want to be in my presence.”
“You’re right. I shouldn’t have assumed you were ignoring me. I will always be here for you.” He wraps his arms around my waist and hugs me tight.
His scent engulfs me, and I melt into him, soaking in his warmth. Tears rise to my eyes, and I blink to keep them at bay. “Thank you.”
Jacob opens the door. “I thought I heard you. Come in.”
I enter his dark home. “I’m so sorry, Jacob.”
“Thank you.” His wrap his arms around me, pinning me to his chest. “She loved you like a sister, and you’re truly a sister to me. But, I must go, I can’t stay here. I need time away. You understand, right?”
“Yes, you know I do.”
“You have known this pain, and I dismissed it. I can’t apologize enough.”
“There’s no need. I’m calling a tribe meeting for tomorrow. I would like you to stay for that if it won’t cause you too much pain.”
“If it means that I may have the chance of killing more of them, I gladly wait for my departure.”
“You heard what I said to Will?”
“Yes.”
“What do you think?”
“We have to protect our tribe. But, Emmett isn’t your responsibility. He is all of ours. We voted him in.”
“Thank you for that. Please, don’t feel you need to participate tonight if it’s too much.”
“I will be there. We need to stand as one.”
“Thank you.” I hug him again and kiss his cheek.
“Just don’t do anything foolish in my absence, My Queen.”
“I can’t promise that, but Will and Gregor are good counsel.”
Our feast is bittersweet as we celebrate the lives of our fallen comrades and mourn them in equal measure. Even though my body craves rest, I stay until everyone has decided they are done. In the end, it’s John, Gregor, Jacob, Will, and me staring into the flames.
“It will be an early morning, comrades,” Will comments as Jacob pours another glass of wine. “Gregor, John, can you make sure Anne is safe through the night?”
“I will take first watch,” Gregor says.
“I only need a few hours rest, and then you two can rest,” I comment to Gregor and John as we climb the stairs.
Bam, bam, bam. I knock the gavel
on the table as the sun rises six hours later. “What say you? We have the issue of our hostages and Emmett.”
“The hostages first,” several voices ring out.
“We need to decide whether witnesses are to be called and a trial held. We’re going against our own principles if we skip these steps.”
One by one, I listen to the arguments of my people. Each opinion is the same. For them it is simple. We were attacked without provocation, they killed nine of ours in cold blood, they should be executed without further thought. Knowing what the outcome will be, I ask for a show of hands in favor of calling the Valley and Gulf tribes to judge. Not one arm is raised.
I ask them to bring the chief and other hostages. We have the chief speak first. He remains as defiant as in battle, arguing that we are the invaders. My people call for his life, as they do for each of his warriors. Since we’ve scoured the area for any trace of escapees and found none, I feel safe that the story of what happened with Emmett will stay secret and hand them over to be executed.
Standing stoic before my tribe, I witness the slaughter. My stomach turns with each dagger thrust into a chest and being that falls. I am no better than them, no different from Erik who ordered Alec’s death, I think. Have I abandoned my principles? They came out of the night, attempted to end your tribe, I remind myself. Mambi and eight others are dead for no reason.
As the heap of bodies burn to embers, we reconvene in the main hall.
I jump to the tabletop. “You allowed Emmett to join us as one of our own. His orders, if any skirmishes arose, were to perform any task asked and go home to secure his family’s safety. Instead, he chose to endanger his own life and that of his family by becoming bait for our enemies. While this worked in the end, it prevented us from carrying our own edict of fair trial for the accused. We need to be able to uphold standards we set for others. Our people have long lived by the edict that we do not expose ourselves to humans. You and I granted an exception in this case. The question is, how do we move forward. Is he reprimanded for not following protocol?”
“Emmett, Emmett, Emmett.” The chant grows in the room, and I realize I have no support for punishing him. In the tribe’s eyes, he has sealed his allegiance. In mine, he has sealed his fate. Enemies will strike, and he will fall.
Gregor runs out to fetch Emmett, and I watch as the others partake in a mid-morning meal. Will pulls out a chair for me to sit. “Won’t you eat?”
“No.” I smooth my dress around my waist, the thought of putting anything in my stomach causing it to turn.
Will leans over and whispers, “You need time to process. Perhaps a swim later.”
“Yes.” I agree. “After Emmett comes, we’ll go.”
The front door swings open, and Emmett follows Gregor in. Seeing me, he swallows and his eyes cut around the room.
“Emmett.” I stand, and the room quiets.
“Queen.” He bows before me.
“You carried out a smart plan and acted with bravery. It does not go unnoticed, and the tribe wishes to thank you for your sacrifice.”
He rises and another round of cheers in his name go up. The crowd gathers around him, and I make my escape.
“Has Jacob talked to you about what he will do?” I ask Will as we walk towards the beach.
“He wants to take charge of the sentinels and security, expand how we get information and tighten our borders.”
“That’s good.” I stop and face Will. “Does he blame me? Is that why he’s staying away?”
“No. I think you remind him of her.”
“It’s the same for me. Every time I think of Jacob, I think of Mambi, their courtship and wedding, how happy she made him.”
“She will be missed.”
“I dread the coming days.”
“I think Mrs. Schmidt has plans to keep you busy. She has asked us to dinner tonight, you to tea tomorrow, something about a sewing group the day after—”
Not wishing to hear more, I dash to the shore. Will catches up with me. “Now more than ever the tribe feels this is their home. We must do everything we can to secure our place here, even if it pains you to sit and be social with these humans.”
“I know. Mrs. Schmidt is a nice lady.” I kick my boots onto the sand.
Will catches my arm. “I’m proud of you. You showed real leadership the past few days. The tribe will be stronger for it.”
“Thank you for your words. Do you mind waiting while I swim? Call me one hour before we are to dine with the Schmidts.”
“Of course.” He lowers himself to the sand.
As my arms reach through the water and waves kick the surf, I can’t help but feel that things have come full circle. It’s just Will and me again. Then Mambi’s loss closes in on me, and my breathing becomes labored. No, I shout inside my head. All will be well.
My mind drifts to thoughts of Elizabeth and Faye, and I decide to write to them on the morrow.
“Oh, you poor girl.” Mrs. Schmidt pulls me into her arms as I reach the top of their porch stairs. “You look pale. Have you been eating?”
“She hasn’t eaten much since Mambi’s passing.” Will follows behind us.
“Well, I have lots of news that will help keep you occupied.” Mrs. Schmidt pats my hand and guides me into their parlor.
“Thank you. It’s so sweet of you to have us to dinner. I haven’t felt much like cooking.” I sit beside her on a cushioned bench.
“Have some wine.” Mrs. Schmidt takes a glass from her husband and holds it out to me. “It will help you calm your nerves.”
Mrs. Schmidt asks about Jacob and the service for Mambi. Her eyes fall as in disappointment when I explain we’d completed the service, but in a second a smile spreads across her face. “We’ve been talking with the other new families and have decided to start a church.”
Detailing how the services will be held in living rooms or barns as the group grows, she finishes with explaining that a Protestant pastor is among the new settlers, and he has agreed to head the endeavor.
Swallowing hard, I force a smile. “This is excellent news. Don’t you think, brother?”
“Yes, indeed, I’m sure several from our group will like to attend.” Will takes a sip of his wine.
“So, we can mark you down for hosting one Sunday?” Eugene inquires of Will.
Will nods, and Eugene ushers us into the dining room. Will and I follow, me taking a seat beside Mrs. Schmidt as Emmett sits beside me. The table looks too large without Mambi and Jacob, and I push the thought from my mind. As dinner progresses, Mrs. Schmidt expands on their plans for the church, and our tea and sewing session with several of the women new to the area in the coming days.
Eugene and the men listen to our conversation, adding information about the other families. Eugene appears hesitant to speak to Will and directs his comments to me. I realize he’s always conversed with Jacob. Perhaps Will scares him. Whatever the reason for the switch to engaging me, I like it.
In the coming days, I’m carted around attending teas, sewing circles, and bible studies. With the community growing, the men meet to talk boundaries, crops, and organizing the church. All those on the property gather in the main hall to wait for Gregor and Will’s return.
“I hope you don’t expect us to go to church and pray to their God,” John gripes as he paces the floor. “Mother Earth has supplied all the church and religion I need.”
“Foolish humans and their quest for heaven. I’m glad I have no need for such,” another quips.
“Do you want to live here or not?” I inquire of them.
“Yes.” John hangs his head.
“Then, we need to blend in, be part of the community. For the humans, religion is a big part of their culture.”
“But what of our beliefs? Do we just push them aside?” John waves his arms in a grand gesture.
“No, we can still do as we have for centuries, honoring Mother Earth. I won’t require anyone to attend church who does not wish to.”
“But?” John raises an eyebrow.
“I would like that we have at least six who are willing to engage with the humans, for appearances sake. Will, Gregor, and I will be three. I was hoping you would join us.”
“Do we get to eat any of these humans?” A large South American vampire jumps to the tabletop.
“Those of us that are most comfortable will attend,” I reaffirm.
“What happens when we need to host the gathering?” John contends.
“Most of you will be scarce.”
“This is ridiculous. What has God done for us? Nothing but create a race that is hell bent on ending ours.” Maria, a vampire from Spain, rolls her eyes.
“It was not always that way.”
“Does anyone here remember before the flood? Have you forgotten what happened in 1599?” John puts forth.
“I haven’t forgotten. But those were one set of witches. I can’t believe all to be evil.”
“One set of mighty powerful witches, if I remember correctly.”
“Yes.” An image of the stone floor lined with burning bodies flashes through my head. The next second, the seraph’s form dances in my memory.
“I wonder what those church people would think if they knew the serpent himself bore our race,” John’s eyebrows shoot up.
Maria approaches John. “Wasn’t the Devil a fallen angel? I wonder if he created us to end God’s precious human creations.”
“This is all nonsense, folk tales created by the witches to scare their children and perpetuate hatred of our kind,” John sneers.
“Enough,” I snap. “Mother Earth has given us life, and we return to her, that’s all. Let’s rejoice in the abundance of our time with all her creations. Is it not her fruits we enjoy? Don’t we strive to embrace all beings so that we may know peace and happiness?”
“Amen.” Maria flips her skirt and walks away.
The sound of horses’ hooves and cart wheels reaches my ears, and I bolt outside to greet Gregor and Will.
“What say you of the foolish humans?” John asks as they jump from the bench.
Kingdom of the Damned: Provocation (KIngdom Journals) Page 20