by J. J. McAvoy
“Why?”
“Tradition,” Charline answered, and Theseus moved his head in agreement. At least they were on the same page.
Doing as they instructed, I dipped my left foot in before my right, leaving my brown feet covered in the colored powder.
“Now, pick up the bowl and return it to her,” Theseus instructed, which I did.
“Follow me. Theseus, if you wish to explain you may, but you won’t be able to speak without a turn at court,” Charline said, already beginning to walk away.
My head immediately turned to Theseus, waiting for an explanation as to why we were walking under bats, in a dark cave, with dust on our feet.
“I see your curiosity clearly.” He chuckled. “The Pahana believed that before going to judgment that one must walk the path of their ancestors for guidance. The red powder was charmed by witches, so they could see their ancestors. The walk had to be long so that by the time one reached the place of judgment, the powder would have come off their feet. By the time most mortals had reached the place of judgment, they were either filled with the confidence that they had done no wrong or so broken by the shaming of their ancestors that they confessed and sought judgment.”
I looked around the dark cave, seeing nothing but insects. “So, there are witches around to charm this power?”
“Not anymore…at least, not here,” Theseus said as we walked. “But as I said, President Swan takes tradition and culture from the past to this new time. This walk used to be essential to the peace of the Pahana. It allowed there to be no doubt about justice. It allowed their people to reflect, go on a journey before they were to be judged, and most times, justice was done.”
“I could see how this would work on mortals, but how would it work for vampires?”
“That is what is asked most. As you guessed, the walk was not difficult for vampires. Seeing their dead loved ones or families may have affected them, but there is something about us as creatures that makes us a bit cold-hearted. Maybe it is because our heart is cold.”
I smiled at his small humor. “So, what did they do?”
“They left them to other vampires and drank from them to know the truth. If said vampire was found guilty, he would be executed, no matter the crime. They would be tortured if they acted against mortals before death.”
“Just like that?”
He nodded. “We are stronger and live longer. No punishment but death can really be justice. The witches could be banished, or their powers bound. The stronger we are, the more severe the punishment.”
“When we are all vampires, what is the way to get the truth then? Will they drink from him?” I questioned, worried.
“It is not easy to drink from another vampire. It’s not exactly a delightful taste, nor does it serve as nourishment, but it is blood, so one can manage. However, it is hard to keep a vampire still for it. Second, they must be focused. There are so many memories in blood. Taelon said Jason needed a representative, and Lucy was not qualified because she is a Lesser blood. That would only matter if the representatives needed to drink. Therefore, a representative must drink the blood of the accused and testify on their behalf.”
“Theseus,” Charline spoke up, still leading the way in front of us. “Why are you speaking as if you have never been to court before?”
Shit. I thought as Theseus went silent. Think Druella.
“It’s my fault, Charline. I asked him to explain it to me as if he himself were just learning it for the first time.”
She was silent for only a second before muttering, “You pamper her too much, Theseus.”
“What are mates for if not to pamper?” he asked back.
“I believe it is either sex, emotional support, or power.” Her reply was sharp and quick. So much so that I wondered what she had been thinking about me all this time. “As you were fond of sex before her and had power before her, it must be emotional support you need.”
“It must be,” Theseus replied. “Is there shame in that?”
She didn’t answer and just kept walking. The pace felt infuriatingly slow. However, the distance did give me time to think of what was about to happen.
“If you are called to witness,” I said, putting the pieces together “then that means you are giving your testimony. The representative will be drinking because the accused will be focused on you, and those memories will be the strongest?”
“Aww, she figured it out, so this how your game works?” Charline chimed in, amused.
“Charline, I’m starting to think you don’t like me,” I said a bit childishly.
“You’re right, but most of us don’t like you.”
My mouth dropped. “What? Why?”
“Why?” She stopped and turned to me. “You come here under the pretense of a guest when everyone knows it was because you were run out by the Omeron witches. You do not pay respect to the president first, and instead, you shopped. Then in return, you insult the president’s daughter in her own home, over a Lesser blood, and just as she warned, the Lesser blood caused mayhem on the president’s son’s birthday. You were commanded to fix the problem you caused by getting rid of the Lesser blood, and instead, you disobeyed and did what you wanted again for a Lesser blood. You walk and act as if you know best when you know nothing. You know nothing of us, our ways, or even yourself.”
“That is enough, Charline—”
“We are equal down here, Theseus Thorbørn. She asked, and I have chosen to answer. And while I am speaking to you, I shall say this, too, you are very selfish. Why you two are putting on this charade is beyond me and quite annoying. She is not your mate until she is your mate; therefore, the rest of us bowing and towing to her—a vampire whose blood is unknown—is disgraceful. We do not know her. American vampires are proud by nature. We bow our heads to very few of our own kind, your family being one of them. You make us entertain her foolishness without giving her a leg to stand on beyond you. She is young; of course, she shall be rowdy. However, you are supposed to correct her, not enable her. The vampires of Ankeiros may overlook it; that does not mean we will.”
I blinked slowly, trying to process her rant, and for some reason, I smiled a bit.
That did not bode well with Charline. “Do I amuse you, young one?”
“No. I’m glad you were able to get it off your chest,” I said. “This whole time, I sensed you were mad or annoyed, and I wasn’t sure why. Now that I know, I’m a bit relieved.”
“The point is to be better, not relieved, young one,” she grumbled. Turning around, she began to walk again.
“I will never be better, though,” I said to Theseus who wisely kept quiet. “The only mistake would have been seeing the president, but then again, why would the president want to see a nobody like me? As you said, I am not a Thorbørn. But I will keep that in mind for next time. As for Daiyu, I don’t apologize. For saving the human’s life and disobeying the orders to kill my friend, I doubly don’t apologize. You are right; I don’t know everything. But I do know right from wrong. You’re mad at me for not doing things that adhere to your traditions and customs but being prejudice towards Lesser bloods is wrong.”
“You will see the true nature of your friend one day, and I hope you remember this conversation and the energy you wasted on her,” Charline replied as we reached the light at the end of the cave.
The smell of moss, fresh water, pine trees, and the warmth of the sun hit my nose as we stepped toward the opening. There, large boulders carved with symbols, and words laid under a massive opening in the cave. The natural skylight looked directly up at the bright, blue sky. The sound of wind howled above as wolves did. The sun beat down into the cave at the spot, allowing for light to enter everywhere. The boulders seemed to make a mountain leading up and out of the cave.
There were very few vampires there. Daiyu and Mikhail both sat on their stones to the right
. Taelon stood at the stones between them and a Native American vampire woman I hadn’t seen before with tribal paint on her face. She was dressed in skins, and sat on a rock behind Jason, who was forced to kneel on his stone to the left. I assume she must have been the one representing him, but I didn’t know the purpose of the other people spread amongst the boulders.
“Druella, up here. Come sit with me!” Daiyu smiled and waved at me as if we were best friends who came to watch some game on the sidelines.
I glanced over to Theseus, who just nodded. I had to scale the rocks, but it didn’t take much effort, although my dress made it a bit unladylike. I wondered if Charline would add that to my list of faults.
“Welcome to court,” Daiyu said when I sat beside her, then kicked her brother with her foot. “Welcome her.”
Mikhail, who looked like he was sunbathing, sat up a bit. He looked at me, grimaced, and laid back down. “She ruined my party, and she does not need a welcome.”
“Forgive him.” Daiyu shook her head. “I think he was special as a mortal, and so even as he ages, he remains a child.”
“Are you calling me dumb?”
“I’m calling you special, now shhh; Dad’s coming.” She petted his legs, and he sat up, crossing his ankles underneath him.
I heard. The president came up the back of the rocks, not the same way Theseus did, but with a chieftain headdress that was so long and thick that the black and white feathers came forward over his body and covered it. He stood with his face covered in tribal paint, too.
“Is everyone here?” His voice was the only one heard.
“The accuser, the witness of the accusation, the accused, and his maker, as well as his representatives and character defendants are here, Father.” Taelon helped me put order to the people who were below me on the rocks.
“Very well, begin Taelon,” President Swan said, and I wondered if he would be the one to judge. It looked like it since he was seated higher than the rest of us., but I didn’t know for sure.
“Around midday of August 21st, I received a call from Lucy Ming—”
“Why is this Lucy Ming not here?” The Native American woman questioned, not rising from her rock.
“As you know, Lucy Ming is a Lesser blood. It is day time, and as such, she cannot be at court,” Taelon answered, and I swore it felt as if everyone here just had to dig it in that she was a Lesser blood. Luckily, the Native American woman just nodded, and Taelon went on. “Lucy Ming informed me that Theseus Thorbørn had returned to America and was in Northern Virginia. He had found his mate-to-be, Druella Monroe.”
Taelon pointed to me before the Native American woman could ask. Once again, she nodded.
“I was already on my way to speak to Theseus, as I knew the area was Omeron territory. I wished to avoid disturbance, but to be cautious, I had taken several vampires with me. One of them, the accused, was Jason Silber. Druella Monroe was working at the National Gallery, where a powerful witch named Simone Ward was also employed. They worked together without any disturbance, though it later became clear Simone was aware that Druella was a Noble blood vampire. I believe it was the presence of Theseus Thorbørn, another Noble blood vampire, which made her act. Apparently, a circle of their coven had vanished.”
“So, the witches assumed it could only be this other vampire that was strong enough to destroy one of their circles?” the woman questioned.
Taelon nodded.
“Did Theseus Thorbørn kill the circle?” The moment she asked, I grew nervous.
“I did.” Theseus nodded without care, and I really wished I could smack him. He should at least say a bit more than that; instead, he sounded like a heartless monster. He very well could have been, but still, this was not the time. Somehow knowing, he turned back to me, and his eyebrow twitched in an expression I didn’t understand. “Though I did not provoke the witches, and I even warned them to let me be, but they sought violence and were met with violence.”
“Theseus’s actions against the witches are not under judgment here.” President Swan looked back to Taelon. “Go on.”
“The witches, led by Simone Ward, went to the National Gallery where Druella and Theseus were and attacked without question. Theseus called Lucy, who alerted me. When we arrived, no further violence had broken out. We were able to reason with the witches and resolve the matter. They left, demanding we leave. We agreed, but before we could, Theseus commanded Jason’s death. I refused, and he accused Jason.”
“What were his exact words, Taelon?” the woman questioned.
“‘This vampire is a traitor to your family and our kind; death is even mercy. He protects witches, and had there been a battle today, he would have stood with them and not with us.’” Taelon repeated word for word. “That is all of the account.”
“You may sit,” President Swan said, and Taelon did, but not on the bottom level; instead, he—with vampire speed—moved up with us, sitting beside me.
It was only when he was settled that she rose from her rock, and her bare feet came stepping down to stand where Jason knelt. “Theseus Thorbørn, you may not remember me. I am Namid, first daughter of First Lady Mimiteh. What evidence do you present to excuse a loyal vampire who came to your aid?”
“I have nothing but a name, Adelaide,” he said and looked at Jason who stared blankly at him. “A woman he considers his own.”
Namid knelt as well and bit into Jason’s wrist.
“I cannot tell you how I came upon this knowledge, but the knowledge is true. He has a woman by the name of Adelaide, a witch, an Omeron witch, enemies of the Swan family and vampires alike, is that not treason?” Theseus questioned, and for a split second, it was like something came alive in Jason’s dull eyes, but it was so fast that even my own vampire eyes missed it, which should have been impossible.
“I see nothing of this Adelaide or of any witch.” Namid released him. She cleaned the blood from her mouth, not at all interested in it as she rose. “You demanded death for a vampire, based on a name? It must only be a name for you did not describe her. If this Adelaide was in him, he could not hide that.”
“I do not lie to you,” Theseus said.
“Do you have other evidence? Perhaps the location of this witch?” President Swan questioned, and again, something flashed in Jason’s eyes.
I was sure of it. However, it was gone too fast again. I looked to my left and right to see if anyone else had noticed, but they all were just watching, bored. Even Taelon seemed that way.
“I do not, but I know she is part of Simone Ward’s circle,” Theseus replied, and on the third time that I saw what looked to be a shimmer—something glistening in his Jason’s eyes—I sat up. And opened my mouth to speak, but a strong grip seized my arm.
I turned to find Taelon staring at me wide-eyed, and his eyes told me not to move. I could tell there was some significance to who stood and sat, and when and who spoke, and who questioned. But shouldn’t they know this?
“You walk and act as if you know best when you know nothing. You know nothing of us, our ways, or even yourself.” Charline’s words came to mind again, and I sat back.
“My fellow vampires, this case is a joke, a dishonor to every vampire who serves the Swan family. I ask that Jason Silber not only be granted his freedom but that Theseus Thorbørn be charged for false accusation, slander, and trying to insight war between the witches of the Omeron Coven and us.” Namid’s voice rose with every word, but she never quite yelled. However, that wasn’t the most important part. She was looking at us. Daiyu, Taelon, Mikhail…and me.
Were we the jury? We couldn’t be.
“What a waste of time. We didn’t even see his maker beg,” Mikhail grumbled.
“Your vote.” President Swan demanded—so we were the freaking jury. The four us?
Mikhail nodded. “I vote to free the vampire, Jason Silber, but no to the vote
on Theseus. Execution is pointless. He’d be back in a few months or a year.”
“He hasn’t been tried yet, brother; you can’t execute him,” Taelon reminded him.
“Trial or not, still pointless,” Mikhail went on.
“The vote,” President Swan pressed on, annoyed with his children.
“I vote to free the vampire, Jason. And Mikhail…” Daiyu glanced at him. “How special you are. If he cannot be punished, his mate can take his place. So, I also vote yes for a trial for Theseus Thorbørn.”
“I didn’t know that was an option. I vote the same,” Mikhail quickly said, as if I were not sitting beside them.
There was a deep growl that ripped out of Theseus, and his hands flexed as he looked up at President Swan. “I was made known of this trial moments ago. Given a day, I will fetch this witch and drag her to your feet to have her confess. I promise that is the lesser of two evils if you dare harm what is mine.”
“You dare threaten me, here?” President Swan snapped.
“I would even threaten the gods,” Theseus sneered, turning to look at Jason. “I will rip your Adelaide apart, starting at her toes, then her eyes, her tongue, and if she is not dead, then I will begin to peel the flesh from her bones.”
With each word Theseus uttered, the shimmer lasted longer. What was this? His gift?
“I need you to drink from him again, Namid, before I vote.” Taelon had his eyes on Jason, and I wondered if he could see it, too. But the shimmer was gone.
No! Don’t stop! You need to threaten her again! I yelled in my mind at Theseus, but he stayed silent as Namid bent down and drank from Jason’s wrist a second time. Although, this time was faster.
“Still nothing.”
“Your vote,” President said to Taelon.
He frowned but nodded. “I vote to free the vampire, Jason Silber; however, I do not vote against Theseus.”
“Your bias is showing brother,” Daiyu sang.
“He should be given a chance to bring this witch to us as we did not tell him when this trial was to be,” Taelon said sternly. “Theseus will go fetch her. His mate will be here until he can complete the task. It is not like the witches can kill him, either. What harm does it do?”