Dark Liaison (An Ema Marx Novel Book 2)

by J. D. Brown

  But I wasn’t.

  “Can I ask you something?”

  He glanced at me from the corner of his eye and then went back to watching the stairs. “Of course.”

  “Why is there a human receptionist working here? Does she know what we are?”

  “This building is owned by the city now. A few different companies rent the office space. I imagine that young woman is ignorant to the half-brethren on the seventeenth floor.”

  “So Nikolas conducts criminal trials in a semi-public building?” I winced, imagining a more serious law-breaker, like Apollyon, being dragged through the halls in a straightjacket.

  Jesu chuckled. “It’s not always here. Your misdemeanor is very minor. The Alpan king expects your trial to pass quickly and without complication.”

  “Oh.”

  We reached the seventeenth floor. Jesu sucked in a deep breath and then opened the door. I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and bit down until I tasted copper. It dawned on me that this was it. There was no going back and at least a million things could go horribly wrong. With a gulp, I left the stairwell behind.

  The space opened to a small reception area blocked off from the rest of the level by glass sliding doors and a plastic panel curtain. A short, rail-thin man dressed formally in slacks and a striped button-down shirt stood to the side of the desk. Though his closely shaven hair and facial features were of African descent, his skin tone was a light ash-gray color and he smelled faintly of predator. His gaze met ours and his eyes were completely black with no whites, like an animal’s. He nodded once in acknowledgment and then went back to staring into space with his freakishly huge pupils. I glanced at Jesu and cocked my brow in question.

  “Queen Cecelia’s servant,” he explained.

  The glass door slid open and a second man stepped out. This man was tall, broad shouldered, and walked with his spine ramrod straight. His lips rose just enough to show fang as he approached us. His skin was the usual vampyre-pale, his hair dark and short, yet wispy and combed back. He had the Alpan signature gold irises.

  Is this King Nikolas? Should I curtsy?

  “Tancred,” said Jesu, as though answering my thoughts. “It has been a long time.”

  “Prince Jesu.” Tancred’s accent was almost nonexistent, but his tone was harsh nonetheless. He looked me over and his right brow arched disapprovingly. “I assume you are the accused?”

  I swallowed and then nodded.

  “Remove your glasses please.”

  Jesu and I both did as he said and surrendered our sunglasses to the man.

  “Hold both hands out in front of you please.”

  A jolt of panic tensed my muscles and I took a step back. “Wh-what?”

  Jesu side-stepped, quickly placing himself behind me, and my back bumped against his chest. He rested both hands on my shoulders and mumbled into my ear. “It is just a cautionary procedure, Ema.” In an apologetic tone, he spoke to Tancred, “She is but a few months old. She does not know many of our ways.”

  “Then you should teach her quickly. King Nikolas is waiting.”

  Jesu hesitated and then came around to my side and face me. “Tancred is going to place a metal band around each of your wrists to ensure that you do not phase while in the King’s company. Should you try to phase, the bands will emit an electric shock strong enough to jolt you back into solid form.”

  I glared at him. “Well that is the most barbaric—”

  “Know that there will be consequences if you continue to resist,” Tancred warned. A slight sing-song tone colored his words like he enjoyed my frustration. I tilted my head to level my gaze with his. Sure enough, a sly little smile graced his features. Heat rose to my cheeks and my fists tightened inside the pockets.

  Jesu spoke through clenched teeth. “Just cooperate, Ema.”

  I couldn’t. This idiot was going to ruin my plan, and yet, what choice did I have?

  My fangs ground together as I slowly raised both fists from the sweater pockets, hoping like hell that I could successfully cover up the little blemish with my thumb. My whole face burned with anger as my fingernails tore into the skin of my palms. The final inch of fuzzy yarn fell away, exposing both hands. I held my breath as my arms raised to shoulder level, bringing my scorching hot fists to full-front.

  At first, no one reacted. A shimmer of hope eased the rage burning in my chest. Then Jesu gasped out loud. I flinched at his reaction. He was quick to catch and correct himself as he wiped all expression from his face and regained his natural composure, but it was too late. I saw the disappointment in his eyes. My fangs gnashed together so hard, I could have broken my jaw.

  Tancred tsked. “Don’t worry, doll, everyone here has a few battle scars.”

  I glared at him as he removed two thin aluminum bands from his pocket and secured them tightly around each of my wrists. The bands were no more than half an inch wide. Tiny metal prongs lined the inside and poked against my skin. A small digital screen was attached to the outside. Tancred pulled out a small remote control with only two buttons on it. He aimed the control at one of the little screens and then pressed a button. He repeated the motion with my other wrist and then pocketed the device.

  “Now be a good lass and don’t electrocute yourself.” He turned toward the glass door while flexing his index finger in a follow-me motion.

  I released an agitated breath and then glanced at Jesu. A mistake, I realized, as he stared wide-eyed at my maimed hand. I shoved both fists into the cardigan pockets and marched after Tancred. We stepped into a large conference room with bleach white walls and white tiled floors. Retro 70s style couches lined the perimeter, upholstered in slate gray with red trim. White bar tables and high red chairs stood near a vending machine along the opposite end. Fluorescent light fixtures mounted the ceiling, but they remained off. Large windowpanes lined the right wall. The blinds were drawn, but plenty of light shone through the cracks and I averted my gaze from that side of the room.

  Three couches were pushed close together in a “U” shape with an accent table in each corner and a low coffee table in the center. An enormous man sat on the center sofa facing us. His black shirt stretched thin over his broad shoulders and bulging biceps. Coils upon coils of muscle wound around his thick arms. I couldn’t imagine him wearing a jacket without ripping it. Even his trousers failed to hide the breadth of his thighs as his knees extended from the too-small space between the couch and the edge of the table.

  Next to the man sat a woman who matched him in breadth, but where the man was all rock-solid muscle, the woman was plump and soft wearing gray dress pants and a canary yellow blouse. They both had the Alpan gold eyes and the vampyre signature jet-black hair, though hers was cut into a stylish bob with thick bangs and his was drawn back in a long braid at the nape of his neck. Somehow they made a very charming picture.

  “My Lord and Lady,” Tancred bellowed while approaching them. “I introduce to you the accused, and her accompanier, Prince Jesu ta Korento.”

  My throat turned into sandpaper as Tancred bowed. Was my trial officially starting? Here? I hadn’t expected it to be so informal. I wasn’t sure if that would work to my advantage or against it.

  Jesu stepped past me, approaching the king and queen. He bent at the waist in a deep bow. I followed the men’s example and dipped my knees toward the floor, hoping the awkward curtsy was an acceptable one.

  “Prince Jesu.” The queen’s eyes creased at the corners as she smiled and held a polished hand lightly in front of her. “How fares your dear brother?”

  Jesu took her hand and kissed the top of it. “Not well, I am afraid. His mate has recently met her death.”

  Her shocked expression actually seemed sincere. “Oh, do send him my regards. Leena was such a strong spirited woman, even if she wasn’t a vampyre.”

  That’s putting it mildly, I thought and then I felt bad because Leena had been kind to me during her final moments. Jesu sat across from King Nikolas. He gestured for me to
join them and I sat next to him, in front of the queen.

  “Would you care for a drink?” she asked. Before either of us could answer, she turned toward the glass door and waved down her servant. Upon entering the conference room, she added, “Rudo, fetch the bottles I brought for our guests.”

  The gray vampire rushed to one of the bar tables in the back of the room.

  “My dear, this is a sentencing, not a tea party.” Nikolas’ voice was gruff, but surprisingly gentle.

  His wife waved her hand dismissively. “That doesn’t mean they need go thirsty. Besides, we haven’t caught up with the Korentos in years.”

  “Actually,” Jesu sat straighter, “I could use a drink, if that is all right?”

  “Sure, sure,” Nikolas said happily enough.

  Rudo returned with a tray on top of which sat enough shot glasses, scotch glasses, and spoons for each of us, along with a small dish of sugar cubes, a goblet filled with a thick red liquid, and a green liquor bottle labeled Absinthe. I nearly choked on my own breath. What the heck kind of trial was this?

  Rudo set the tray on the low table in the center. He distributed the shot glasses, including one for Tancred even though he remained standing. Rudo then filled each shot glass with the lime green alcohol.

  He opened the opened the crystal goblet and I recognized its contents immediately by the smell. Blood. I tried to swallow the gnawing nervousness as he filled the scotch glasses, but my throat was far too dry. Maybe they’re going to bloodlust the truth out of me?

  Cecelia helped herself, spooning a single sugar cube and bringing it to her shot glass. She dribbled blood over the cube until it dissolved into the glass.

  I knew absinthe was traditionally prepared this way, except instead of blood, humans would have used water. Yet, the fact that vampyres would drink alcohol at all struck me as odd. Anything that wasn’t blood or flesh tasted like licking an ash tray. I was certain the sugar and alcohol would taste the same, so why bother with it? Why not just slam the absinthe straight-up for the buzz that, in fact, wouldn’t have much effect on us anyway since we heal so fast. Our systems would break down the alcohol before we could get drunk.

  Cecelia sipped a bit of the green liquid and then chased it with the blood. When the king didn’t move to prepare his drink, Jesu bent over the low table and started dribbling blood over his own sugar cube. I glared at him and clenched my fangs to avoid voicing a few choice words in front of His Majesty. Tancred prepared his beverage last.

  “You are allowed a drink with us, sweet thing,” Cecelia said to me, between sips.

  Heat rose to my cheeks and I glance at my lap. “Thank you, but I’m not thirsty.”

  Nikolas rubbed his temple. “Very well, let us do what we all came here for.”

  Jesu downed his shot in one gulp then silently sipped his glass of blood. My gaze widened. Was he that sure we’d fail?

  “Please state your name, madam,” Nikolas began.

  Turning my attention to the king, I drew in a breath and opened my mouth to answer him—

  “Her name is Ema,” said Jesu. “Ema ta Korento.”

  The Neo-Draugrian surname caught me off guard, but I stopped myself from looking at Jesu like he was crazy. I remembered our agreement to let him speak on my behalf, and I understood what he was doing. It would be best if Nikolas and Cecelia thought I belonged to a clan.

  “Very well, Miss Korento.” Nikolas’ golden eyes never wavered from my direction. “An anonymous witness saw you phase in public at approximately five-forty-three p.m. yesterday when you jumped over French Street and phased your entire body during mid-leap. No humans were reportedly harmed as a result, but several human on-lookers stopped what they were doing to spectate. As such, you are hereby accused of breaking the law, putting the Alpan clan at odds with the R.E.D., and potentially endangering the species as a whole. Do you understand what you are being held accountable for, Miss Korento?”

  I glanced at Jesu from the periphery of my vision. He wet his lips then gave a slight nod. I inhaled a deep breath and then faced Nikolas. “Yes, I understand.”

  “Punishment for such an act is a minimum one-hundred year exile from Alpan territory. Do you understand the charges?”

  “Yes, I—”

  “With all due respect, Your Highness,” Jesu interrupted. “Ema is but a few months old and this is her first offense. I assure you it was purely accidental. Could we negotiate a lesser punishment?”

  “Negotiation denied, Prince Jesu. This is her second offense. She is wanted for murder in your clan.”

  “She is not guilty of the first offense.”

  I rolled my eyes. Of course Jalmari’s stupid warrant would come up. I should’ve thought of that.

  Nikolas raised a hand to silence Jesu. “I’m afraid the seriousness of her actions has made the R.E.D. higher-ups feel threatened. They will make my life a living hell if the minimum sentence is not given.”

  Jesu leaned forward “Then, charge me instead. Ema is without a sire. I volunteered to be her instructor and caregiver. It is my fault she was outside alone in the first place, and I accept full responsibility. It is the law to hold the vampire’s sire responsible.”

  My breath hitched. I didn’t know what taking my place meant, or how it would help our situation, if any.

  “That is ridiculous.” Tancred slammed his empty shot glass on the table. “A vampire cannot volunteer to be the sire of another vampire; there is nothing that binds them together.”

  Nikolas raised a hand in Tancred’s direction and the vampyre settled back with a grumble. Nikolas eyed Jesu. “I will not charge you in her place. You may not be a vampyre, Jesu, but you are still Jalmari’s brother and accusing you will require the presence of the entire Council. A hundred years is but a slap on the hand, let’s not make this complicated.” Nikolas faced me. “Do you understand the charges, Miss Ema ta Korento?”

  I wet my lips and then swallowed. “Yes, sir, I do.”

  “How do you plead?”

  My fingers twitched inside the sweater pockets. Jesu had failed to soften the blow and now it was completely on me to turn things around. I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this, but somehow I knew it would. It was time for Plan B. I hope this works.

  “I am guilty of my actions, sir, but they were done in self-defense.” From the corner of my eye, I noticed Jesu narrow his gaze.

  Nikolas cocked a brow. “Guilty is guilty, my dear.”

  “Nik,” Cecelia scolded. “The R.E.D. is not above us. Let’s at least hear her out.” Without waiting for her husband’s response, she reached across the table and squeezed my knee, smiling encouragingly as she did so. “Go ahead, dearest. Say your piece while you still have the chance.”

  I glanced at Nikolas for permission, not wanting to offend him. He sighed and waved his fingers as if to say go ahead.

  I glanced at my lap and took a moment to articulate my thoughts. I couldn’t screw this up. I needed an ally that wasn’t afraid to stand up to Apollyon, and Nikolas was my only option. I sucked in a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and then looked at the queen and king in turn. “I’m sorry I don’t know the proper procedure…”

  “Just say what’s on your mind, sweet thing.” Her voice was gentle, but did little to reassure me as the walls closed in. I could swear everyone including Tancred scooted closer, as if we all didn’t have acute hearing anyway.

  My gaze spun, looking at each of them in turn, as a scratchy lump in my throat swelled. My eyes locked on one of the used shot glass on the table. A single drop of blood had leaked down the edge and mingled with a bit of the absinthe. The two liquids didn’t quite mix and the effect gave the appearance of ribbons of crimson smoke tangling in a clear-green mist. The words spilled forth from my lips, sounding detached, as if I was not the one speaking.

  “I was attacked by a man whom I believe is a vampyre, but he is unlike any I’ve ever seen before. I did openly jump over traffic and phase, but only because I was desperate to get away
from him. I thought that if I phased, he would lose track of me, but he was faster and stronger. He forced me to solidify.” I paused, wondering how much detail I should tell them, how much further I could stretch the lie. Would it sound ridiculous if I told them about the rotting flesh or the way he transformed into a giant snake? What about the Crone and Lupa and Valafar? I decided I would wait and gauge their reaction to my story. “I managed to fight back and free myself from his grip, but not before he bit off my finger—”

  Jesu whimpered. It was a hushed sound carried on a sigh of breath strong enough to push a few strands of my hair gently across my collarbone, like a curtain blowing in a gentle breeze before a storm. My bravery was quickly draining and I rushed to end things.

  “I made it back to the hotel. The man didn’t follow me after biting me.”

  Tancred scoffed. “That is the most unentertaining story I’ve ever heard. Everyone claims self-defense. You could have at least come up with something original.”

  “It’s the truth! You saw my hand.”

  “May we see it, sweetest?” Cecelia eyed the pockets where both my hands were safely hidden. Heat rose to my cheeks, but I obliged and slid my right hand out for everyone to see.

  “Oh how noble, but I do hope that’s not your dominant hand,” she said.

  “It is,” I whispered, looking at my lap.

  Jesu snatched the last remaining shot of absinthe—the one I had discarded—and threw it back without the sugar or blood. He grunted as he frowned at the empty glass in his hand. I wanted to smack him, to tell him to stop acting like an idiot and pay attention, but I couldn’t even bring myself to face him.

  “She could have lost her finger any ordinary way,” claimed Tancred. “What proof does she have?”

  “I know who attacked me,” I blurted out and then winced. “That is, I don’t know him personally, but I know his name and I know why he attacked me.”