Cold fury burned in the pit of her stomach as she stared into his eyes. His beautiful, sea-blue eyes, in a face of exquisite, male virility. Gabi wanted to claw that angelic face, wanted to make it as ugly as the rotten soul that lived beneath its perfect mask. It took true strength to pull her gaze from his, to finish her assessment of the Princeps before the final act of voting.
Akshita's face was set and determined. It was obvious that she hadn't changed her stance on the matter. The last two at the table, Lennert and Faruq, were unknown quantities, and Gabi could tell nothing from their expressions. They were closed, unemotional, unreadable. Damn.
"Now," Cassandra said clearly, and the Princeps simultaneously opened their hands.
Gabi saw then that what she'd thought was simply ornate etching in the top of the marble table was actually twelve shallow ruts, each one beginning in front of a Princep, running a meandering course across the table, and ending in a deeper groove on the other side, directly in front of Gabi and Julius. Twelve solid balls, each a little bigger than a marble, began the journey towards their final destination. The room was absolutely silent except for the sound of the balls as they rolled. Gabi stopped breathing as she quickly took stock. If there were more than six red balls…she tensed, ready to spring into action. But then froze.
Six. She counted again, but Julius's lack of reaction was enough to confirm her initial count. The balls came to rest in front of them. Six red, six white. A tie. Stalemate.
Not what they’d hoped for, but good enough.
"We have a tied vote," Cassandra declared unnecessarily.
Some of the Princeps stirred restlessly. Klara seemed particularly put out; she was glaring at Thibault. Eliasz looked surprised, Helene furious, and Benedict was once again sporting his self-deprecating grin.
"In the case of a tie," Cassandra explained to Julius and Gabi, "one Princep gets a second vote as a tie-breaker. The one with the second vote is chosen at random by blind selection of a marked voting ball." This Gabi already knew.
"If I may," Julius said before Cassandra could leave the table to retrieve the voting balls. "We have something we would like to add to proceedings before the tie-breaker is chosen."
"I'm afraid that your time for speaking is over." Klara spoke sharply. "The hearing last night was your opportunity to say whatever you wanted to. Our rules clearly state that the accused do not get to speak further in their defence after that hearing."
A ripple went through the seated Vampires, some nodding, some beginning to speak.
"I believe there is a rule in place that comes into effect in the case of a tied vote," Julius announced, very clearly.
"It is in section thirty-nine of the scrolls of law." Caspian spoke up from the sidelines. "Clause 'm', subsection iii."
"This is outrageous," Klara fumed. "We do not acknowledge this desperate attempt to avoid a Princeps vote."
"Hold on, Klara," Fianna said firmly. "We are supposed to be a fair council. I'm sure there is someone who can verify the truth of their claims."
"What difference can it make now?" Helene broke in. "We've heard everything. Nothing they say can change the fact that we've voted, and only one can make the final decision."
"Well, actually," Oleksandra began, "I know that clause. Though rarely used throughout the existence of the Princeps' council, it does in fact exist, and it does apply to the current situation."
"What do you mean, Oleksandra? What is this clause you speak of?" Faruq asked.
"This clause states that in the case of a tied vote, if the accused feels there is something important enough that they have failed to reveal before the vote, they may speak one more time before the tie-breaker," she said slowly. "If any Princep, after hearing the new evidence, feels strongly enough to change their vote, they may do so, thereby eliminating the need for a tie-breaker vote."
"What?" Klara demanded. "We have had tied votes before, but I've never heard of this."
Oleksandra shrugged her elegant shoulders. "Others perhaps are not so well read as this group here," she suggested. "Or they’ve had nothing to add."
Gabi knew crunch time was coming. The clause actually only applied to evidence in the case against them. What they were about to say had very little to do with the Clan harbouring a danger to Vampire-kind. They were counting on none of the other Princeps knowing that, but they couldn't be sure.
"Speak, Master Julius," Fianna said then. "What do you have to add to the case against you?"
Julius waited for quiet, which took several seconds.
"I maintain that one of the Princeps is biased against us and, having broken the decree of incolumitas, should not have the right to vote."
The room went absolutely still. Gabi was watching Helene's face and saw the panic as she realised what they were about to say. Then she caught Gabi watching her, and her eyes narrowed, cunning and arrogance replacing the fear.
The table erupted, many of the Princeps on their feet, arguing, pointing fingers, calling questions to Gabi and Julius.
"Enough," Benedict's voice broke over them all, the force of his power washing through the room like a tsunami.
Gabi gasped, struggling to stay on her feet. Julius caught her around the waist and held on until the power-storm subsided. Most of the Princeps were looking at Benedict in horror, as though they'd never seen him before. Oleksandra and Fianna were the only exceptions. Gabi guessed the rest had had little idea how powerful he truly was.
"We will hear what Julius has to say," he said in a deadly voice. "Let us present ourselves with some level of decorum."
They nodded like scolded school children, some straightening their clothes or patting down their hair.
"I object," Helene declared loudly before Julius could speak. "I do not see how hearing this now can be allowed to affect the vote. Who is in control of this vote, them or us?"
"Speak, Master Julius," Fianna said, ignoring Helene. Helene opened her mouth to continue her tirade, but Fianna cut her off. "Shut it, Helene, or I shall give Julius leave to use his power to keep you quiet."
Helene gawped at the Irish Vampire like a gasping fish for a moment before subsiding sullenly.
"One at your table has tried three times to assassinate my consort. Two of those attempts were made in the last two days, while we were under your protection," Julius said.
Several sets of eyebrows rose across the table, and some began looking at each other suspiciously.
Julius reached for Gabi's arm and gently peeled back the sleeve of her jacket to reveal the six-inch-long gash across her forearm. "This wound was inflicted by a Princep determined to kill Gabrielle while the Demons kept the rest of the castle otherwise occupied."
Thibault, Akshita and Cassandra leaned forward to inspect the damage.
"The day before that, Gabrielle was poisoned with belladonna." He didn't go further into the details. Finally his eyes settled on the woman who would do anything to have him as consort.
"Helene was the one who attacked Gabrielle and arranged for her attempted poisoning, as well as attempted to have her assassinated before we even left for court."
The accused Princep shot to her feet. "What?” she shrieked. "This is outrageous. Lies, it’s all lies. A desperate attempt to shift the focus of the accusations against them. What reason would I have to try and kill the silly Dhampir?"
"Faruq," Oleksandra called, "what do you say? Who is telling the truth?"
"Yes, Faruq," Helene purred suddenly, "who is telling the truth?"
In that moment Gabi knew she'd been right; the lie-detector was under the succubus's spell.
The man's eyes went wide and a little panicky, his olive skin appearing paler than usual. He swallowed and didn't look directly at either Julius or Gabi. Instead he glanced at Oleksandra. "I'm sorry, to you all," he said. "I am finding it too difficult to work out truth from lies tonight. There is too much emotion in the room. It is making my power untrustworthy."
Cop out, Gabi wanted to yell, but
clenched her teeth instead. Stick to the plan, she reminded herself grimly. The grandmotherly Princep Prime looked knowingly between him and Helene, but didn't comment. A few others were looking at Helene suspiciously now too. It was possible she'd overplayed her hand, and she seemed to sense it.
"Let's all be reasonable about this," she said, looking around. "Are we to believe the word of a desperate woman? If she was indeed poisoned by something, then she was simply hallucinating me attacking her."
"Do you have any proof of your claims, Master Julius, aside from the injury to your consort? We have no way of telling exactly how that may have occurred," Klara interjected.
"Gabrielle was not the only one injured in the fight with her attacker," Julius answered her calmly. "Helene also sustained some serious injuries." He looked coldly at the English Vampire. "Why don't you show the rest of them your hand and wrist, Helene?"
She jumped out of her seat, her arms still firmly tucked under her cloak. "I refuse to be treated like this," she all but shrieked. "To stand here and have some half-breed and a mere Master throw accusations around. I am retiring to my rooms. When the rest of you have come to your senses, you can call for me." She made to leave the table, but Julius's next words stopped her in her tracks.
"Wouldn't you like this back, Helene?" he crooned. "I'm sure it’s of some value to you."
There was a round of shocked gasps as the others saw what was resting in his open palm. A finger. Well, half a finger. An obviously female finger, complete with painted fingernail. Gabi smiled viciously as the other woman turned slowly to look, horror stamped on her face.
"It’s-it’s-it’s not mine." She was shaking her head wildly. But it was, and they all knew it.
Gabi hadn't been aware that if a Vampire lost a body part, it remained perfectly preserved. She’d been supremely surprised when Razor dropped the finger at her feet. She’d assumed Vampire bits would simply turn to ash, but Julius explained that the digit would only turn to ash when Helene died the true death. Until then it would remain as pristine as it was right now.
"Grab her," Fianna directed her guards.
Benedict flicked his fingers at his own guards, and they joined Fianna's in surrounding Helene.
"Show us your hands, Helene." Eliasz spoke up for the first time that night, his voice hoarse with disbelief.
She tried to run, but she was no match for the guards. They quickly subdued her. One of them ripped the cloak from her shoulders, and the evidence of her offense was clear for all to see. Her hand was still deformed, as the new finger was just beginning to grow, and her wrist that Gabi had nearly severed was still red and badly scarred where it hadn't yet finished healing.
"We have some of her accomplices locked in your dungeons," Julius informed the table, "but we believe she arranged for the Maleficus to be released to help in her efforts to kill Gabrielle."
"Thank you, Master Julius," Oleksandra said. "And our deepest apologies for the behaviour of one of ours. We would appreciate anything else you can tell us in that regard. But first let us complete what we were here to do."
"I move that Helene's vote be discounted," Fianna said, and Gabi held her breath. This was it, their only chance left of walking away from this peaceably.
"I agree," came from several voices at the same time. In fact, the only dissenters were Santiago and Klara, for once Eliasz voted contrary to his consort.
"It is so," Cassandra said. She indicated to one of her guards. "Remove her vote from the table."
A sob and a wail broke from Helene.
"Take her to the secure holding cell," Fianna instructed the guards.
"Hold on," Gabi said, then winced inwardly as the Princeps turned to her, an already volatile bunch glaring at her for her audacity. "Isn't she just going to seduce the guards and make a run for it?"
Some of the Princeps had the decency to look contrite. They obviously hadn't considered what she might try.
"You no longer need me here," Benedict said, standing. "I will accompany the guards to make sure she can't use her gifts to escape." He gave Gabi and Julius a mocking little bow and escorted the howling Helene from the hall.
A short, uncomfortable silence followed the closing of the door. Helene's pleading and arguing could still be heard for several seconds until they were beyond earshot.
Oleksandra gave an audible sigh. "Our apologies once again, to you both," she said. "I know this must have been a trying few days here at court." Neither Gabi nor Julius responded, so she continued. "The vote is in your favour; you are cleared of wrong-doing. Julius, you previously suggested a way to keep the secret of the making of a Dhampir safe but accessible in times of emergency, and we would like to take you up on your offer. I hope that the actions of one of our council is not enough to change your mind." She said the last bit in a way that let Julius know he could back out if he wanted to. The Princeps were on the back foot now. "Our offer of service to assist in protecting those who have knowledge of the secret still stands, and we hope you accept."
"We are still prepared to do as we offered," Julius confirmed. "Though we would have to insist on using Magi approved by the Magi High Council to provide the locking spell."
Then Fianna spoke up and instantly became Gabi's favourite person. "Now that Julius and his people are no longer on trial, perhaps we can retire to somewhere more comfortable to continue this discussion," she said. "I suggest the smoking room. It’s large enough to accommodate us without the guards, and it's warm enough to make those not Vampire comfortable as well."
Gabi hadn't realised she was shivering until Fianna spoke of being warm, then it was all she could think of. It felt as though she'd been cold since the moment she stepped off Julius's plane, and that felt like weeks instead of mere days ago.
The smoking room was large, panelled in dark wood, and boasted comfortable wing-back chairs, armchairs and chaise longues scattered throughout. Thick carpet squished underfoot, and several large fireplaces roared and crackled, cheerfully heating the large space. One wall featured bookshelves from floor to ceiling, every shelf stuffed past capacity. Small tables nestled among the chairs, adorned with cards, chessboards and backgammon. Only the very faintest trace of scented cigar smoke lingered in the room, and Gabi wondered how long it had been since someone last smoked in the smoking room.
She and Julius took a seat on a double armchair, and the rest of their retinue pulled chairs together to accommodate those who’d joined them. Kyle, Alexander, Caspian and Athena also took seats, but the other three melted into the shadows behind them, quiet but ever on guard. Oleksandra and Fianna did most of the talking for the Princeps, the others only occasionally speaking up. Helene's betrayal had quieted them considerably. Benedict joined them soon after the informal meeting began.
Warmth from the fire finally began to seep into Gabi's bones, and some of the strain of the past few days began to ease. She stretched surreptitiously, trying to work some of the tension from the rigid muscles of her neck and shoulders. Her ribs and back still bore bruises from her encounter with Helene's ambushers, and the cut on her arm was throbbing dully. All in all, she simply wanted to curl into a ball in Julius's arms and sleep for about a decade.
Athena agreed to act as intermediary between the Princeps and the Magi Council, and she would be responsible for taking the instructions written by Julius and ensuring the magical sealing of the box that would contain the document required the blood of all twelve Princeps to open it. This would be done after a new Princep had been chosen and would need to be updated by the Magi High Council every time a new Princep was appointed. The box would be protected by the Magi High Council on the Princeps' behalf.
As Gabi understood it, this was something of a momentous occasion, as the two councils had never worked together before. Gabi wondered if it would all go horribly wrong when egos collided. She trusted that Athena would, at the very least, keep the secret safe; it was in all their best interests.
Julius agreed to put safeguards in pl
ace for his Clan members who knew the secret. They wouldn't be able to reveal any details of it even if they wanted to. His command would withstand torture, coercion and even hypnotism.
Gabi noted that Caspian's face grew bleak at this particular discussion. He was one of Julius's and would be subject to the same treatment as the others, but just before she looked away from him, cunning altered the features of his face and the bleakness vanished. Gabi made a mental note to discuss it with Julius later. She wouldn't put it past Caspian to try to create another Dhampir on his own.
The discussions turned to extra security for Julius and his Clan and what the Princeps were going to do to ensure their safety, and the words became a dull hum in Gabi's ears. She turned her attention to the one final task she had before they left the castle. It was another reason to be grateful that they hadn't had to flee. She would never be able to rest until she'd done something about Santiago, and she didn't have very many hours left to implement her plan.
CHAPTER 20
Gabi woke in Julius's arms. She'd been sore and tired when they'd made it back to the apartment a little before dawn, but the need sparking between her and Julius had been too strong to be ignored. The tone of their lovemaking had changed from the frenzy of recent weeks, as though Julius had lost the terror that she would soon leave him, that this may be the last chance he had to be with her. He was also slowly allowing his walls to crumble, to stay down and to let her see and feel what she meant to him. It made her both ecstatically happy and inexplicably anxious. The glorious things Julius did to her body soon drowned out the panic, though, and she simply bathed in the intensity of his feelings for her.
A Cold Day in Hell (The Hellcat Series) Page 26
