by Tarah Knight
~ Chapter Eight ~
“What’s wrong?” He asked. Haven sat the phone down with a thud then sank slowly into the nearest kitchen chair. “That was Brooklyn.” Deacon didn’t bother telling her that he had gathered that already, she looked upset enough as it was. “What did she say?” He prompted gently. Haven twirled a section of her hair around her index finger. “Um she said that we needed to return home as soon as possible.” He nodded. “Ok, did she say why?” She looked up at him her eyes swimming in tears. “Yeah, she said that the high counsel had gotten wind of our “situation”, and they want to make a ruling on it.” She paused then slapped the table. “What does that mean? Make a ruling? Do they intend to decide for me who I will be with? Can they do that?”
Deacon pulled on his jeans not bothering with the button. He sat down at the table with Haven. “Haven I know that you don’t understand most if any of our laws and governments. The Legend high counsel is like your supreme court. What they decide is final. So answering your question yes, they can do this. What I would like to know is how they found out about this? To my knowledge only the five of us know and I wouldn’t think that Brooklyn or Verlon would mention it to them.” Then he slammed his hand down on the table with such force it cracked. “Barron. Barron most definitely would.” Haven cocked her head at him. “But why? Why he would bring them into this?” She questioned. Deacon looked at her shaking his head. “My guess would be that he didn’t feel very confident that you would choose him, so he brought in some help.” Haven still looked puzzled. “Does he really think that siccing the big dogs on me will help his case any? He has done the very thing to guarantee that I won’t choose him! He is taking away my choice! I won’t be with him! I don’t care what they say! It’s a free country they can’t force me to mate with him! It’s against the constitution!” She declared vehemently.
Deacon reached and took her trembling hand. “Sweetheart, you live under a different constitution now, the Legend constitution. If the high counsel decides that it would be best for our race to pair you with Barron, then that’s what will happen. I’m sorry but you won’t have choice.” Haven jumped up grabbing her bag from the corner then went into the bathroom. A few minutes later she emerged her head held high and her cheeks flushed with indignation. “Then we will run. Deacon, up until he pulled this underhanded little stunt Barron stood a chance. I was going to give him an equal opportunity to win my heart. But now it’s done. I choose you. Where can we go?” Deacon stood up. “We are not going to run Haven. We will face the counsel.” He said quietly. She looked at him like he was insane. “What’s wrong with you? I thought that as my mate you would fight to the death to defend me, to keep me. Don’t you want me anymore?” She asked with a catch in her voice.
He walked over to where she stood looking so scared and vulnerable that if his twin were standing in the room at that moment Deacon would have ended his existence. He cupped her tear-streaked face with both hands looking deeply into her eyes. “You know I want you.” When she tried to speak he silenced her with a soft kiss on her lips. “There are two reasons why we can’t run. The first is they would find us and when they did we would most likely be executed. I won’t risk your life like that.” He hated the terror that flashed in her eyes when he told her what would happen. “And the second reason?” She whispered. Deacon dropped his hands and walked away from her. Still facing the wall he told her the second reason. “I want you to choose me because I’m the one you truly want, not because you’re pissed off at my brother.”
Haven walked over and taking his arm she spun him around. “Deacon, I’m begging you to take me, right now! Consummate this relationship. If we have declared our love to one another surely they can’t over rule that!” She started to strip her shirt off over her head but he stopped her. “No! Haven, I won’t build our relationship on lies. We would not be declaring anything by doing that now. A few minutes ago I would have believed it, but not now. Not for this reason. We will leave as soon as the light fades. Pack your things. Then we will sleep for a few hours.”
Haven packed her things back into her bags trying repeatedly to reason with Deacon. She tried everything begging, crying, and threating to run alone if he wouldn’t come with her. The last threat was the only thing that got any kind of response from him. He cut his eyes at her looking at her like a total stranger. “If you run I will find you. I will tie you up if I must Haven, do not force my hand in this.” He warned her darkly. Haven stopped crying. She stood up and walked over to look up into his face. “If you do this. I will never forgive you. I don’t care if they pair me with you or not. If you force me in this our relationship is dead. Heed my words well Deacon.” Then she walked over to the cot and laid down.
When the sun had dropped past the horizon a few hours later they were in the car traveling back to Brooklyn’s home. Neither of them spoke a word and the three-hour trip passed in total silence. The closer they got to home the tighter Haven’s stomach twisted, until she was sure she was going to be sick. Being that she had not eaten in hours she knew she would do nothing but dry heave. Sensing her discomfort Deacon offered her his wrist. “I’m not suppose to take directly from the flesh.” She said stiffly. “I think we are a little past that don’t you? I know your hungry don’t be foolish. Eat.” He admonished. When she turned her face to the window he bit into his wrist and stuck it back under her nose. She slapped it away causing blood to splatter everywhere. “Damn it woman! Would you stop acting like a child and eat?” He growled out. She glared at him. “I think that is the point I’m trying to make! I’m not a child therefore I eat when I choose not when it’s forced upon me! It appears every other decision in my life will be made by someone else so by God I will have a choice in this.” He licked the wound closed with quick angry strokes of his tongue. Haven couldn’t help but remember just where that tongue had been stroking earlier. The flame in her tummy tried to flicker back to life, but she stamped it out fast! She made a vow to herself that she would not ever be a slave to pull of the bonds again!
When they arrived at Brooklyn’s it looked as though she was throwing a party. The house was ablaze with lights and the large circular driveway was filled to capacity with fancy high dollar cars. “Who do all these cars belong to?” She asked. Deacon pulled around back before answering. “They belong to the member of the high counsel. It appears the decision will be made tonight.” Haven panicked! “What do you mean tonight? We won’t be allowed to prepare a defense?” Deacon killed the motor then turned to her. “You’re not going on trial Haven. This isn’t a murder case where someone is given a chance to defend themselves before a group of their peers. This is a meeting of the high counsel where all the facts will be presented to them and they will make a decision. The decision will be final. No appeals no recourse but to live with what they decide.” She stared out of the window at the house her face pale and tight with fear. “Deacon I’m scared.” She admitted. Unable to say anything to relieve her anxiety he stepped from the car and opened her door. Some things were better to just face than to sit and dwell on what might be. He thought this was one of those times.
When they entered the house it was filled with people she didn’t know. She looked for a familiar face in the crowd but the only one she spotted was Barron. He was standing in a corner speaking to an official looking somebody. “Probably bribing him.” She whispered to herself. She refused to meet his gaze when he turned her way. Instead she gripped Deacons arm with a death grip and allowed him to lead her though the house until they found Brooklyn and Verlon. “Oh my poor darling, I’m so sorry this has happened!” Brooklyn rushed to her wrapping her arms around her. Haven very nearly lost it completely as she held her friend tightly. “I don’t understand, why does this have to be a high counsel thing? Why can’t I make the decision like we had planned? It was fair.” Brooklyn gently stroked her hair as she whispered to her. “I know darling, I wish I knew what Barron told them to make them feel this way.” Haven jerked her head up. �
�So it was Barron that brought them into this?” Verlon walked over to offer his comfort as well. “Yes, little sister, it was. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t be persuaded. I told him that even if they awarded you to him, that you would resent him forever, and for our kind that really means something.” Verlon shook his head rubbing the back of his neck looking weary of the whole situation. “But he has determined that if you are given to him that he can make you fall in love with him. The boy is a damn fool.”
Haven spoke up loudly enough so her voice would carry to where she knew Barron was standing. “I vow to you all this night, if I am ‘given’ to either man without my consent I will make their lives such a living hell they will rue the day they were born! I’m not cattle or property that can be bartered off or given away as they see fit. I am a woman full grown, I have a sound mind and I have a voice. I would rather face the full heat of a noonday sun, by my own choice, then to be subjected to their slavery.” Then with her head held high she walked from the room.
Deacon felt Havens words as much as he heard them. He understood her position he just didn’t know what he could do to change it. He knew that the counsel would choose Barron being that he was the first-born. Knowing he didn’t have a chance he spoke briefly to Brooklyn then slipped quietly out of the back door.
Haven heard a soft tap at her bedroom door then Brooklyn walked in holding the blue goblet. “I’m not hungry.” Haven said firmly. “Nonsense, I know for a fact that you have not taken any nourishment in a very long while. I know this because you appear to wearing your last meal. You must keep up your strength. Now eat.” She pressed the goblet into Havens hand. Haven sniffed the contents. “Whose blood is it?” She asked. Brooklyn fussed with the bed spread smoothing it out so she wouldn’t have to meet Haven’s eyes as she answered. “It doesn’t matter, you must feed.” Haven had her answer; it was Barron’s. She placed the untouched glass on the table next to the bed then resumed her position of hugging a pillow to her middle as she sat cross-legged in the middle of the bed. Brooklyn frowned her disapproval. “Haven I would have thought that you had more sense than that. What if they place you with Barron? Will you starve yourself to death to prove a point?” Her head was buried in the pillows but Brooklyn could make out a muffled “Maybe.”
Brooklyn sat down on the side of the bed and pulled the pillows from Havens grasp. “Sweetling, let me ask you a question. What exactly has your dander up? Is it the lack of choice, or is it because your afraid they won’t let you stay with Deacon? Has your heart already chosen?” Haven shook her head as tears tumbled from her eyes. “I honestly don’t know. I mean yes, I’m furious that they would take away my choice. But I don’t know if I would have chosen Deacon. Up until he pulled this sneaky underhanded little stunt Barron had as much of a chance as Deacon. I truly was going to give both men a fair shot. Truly! I know that it’s their future happiness at stake too. But now I feel like mine doesn’t even matter anymore.” Brooklyn pulled a now sobbing Haven into her arms crooning softly to her. “Dearest… things always have a way of working out for the best. You will see whatever happens; who ever the counsel decides to choose you will be happy if you will allow them to make you happy. Remember I told you they would both make you a fine mate. I know your hurt and angry with Barron right now, I don’t blame you one bit. He took matters into his own hands that weren’t his to trifle with.” Haven nodded then reached for a box of tissues. “Deacon said he did it because he wasn’t sure that I would pick him. Has he always cheated like that? Because that’s dishonest, even if he ends up with me in the end what will he really have won? I meant what I said about their life being a living hell if they force me on this. Barron will not know one second of peace I swear by all that is holy!” She punctuated her point by throwing the box of tissues across the room. “And if they choose Deacon for you? Will he know peace Haven, or will your vengeance include him as well?”
Haven opened her mouth then closed it. Would she punish Deacon? He played by the rules, for the most part. This wasn’t his fault. Shaking her head she answered. “No, I would not punish Deacon. I think…I think Deacon would have been the one I picked all along.” She finally admitted. Brooklyn nodded. “Why is that do you think? Why do you feel Deacon is the mate for you, the other half of your soul? You said you responded to both men and you can feed from both so why Deacon?” Haven got up suddenly and started pacing her room like a caged tiger. “No! I responded to Barron because I thought he was Deacon! I have not responded to him at all since I knew he existed. I don’t know why I can feed from both. I don’t have all the answers yet, but I’m pretty certain about the ones I do have.” No sooner than she had spoken they heard another knock at the door. Brooklyn answered it. It was Verlon telling them that the counsel was ready to begin. Haven felt suddenly sick again. Verlon walked over to her and chucked her under her chin. “Chin up little sister! Walk in there like the queen you are don’t let them see you falter.” Brooklyn whispered something to Verlon then she opened the door wider. “Come into my room sweetling. I have an idea to bolster your courage.”
An hour later the counsel was set to begin. “Where is Deacon and the woman in question?” They asked of Verlon. Before Verlon could reply Brooklyn’s voice rang out across the room. “She is here my lord.” Brooklyn stepped aside, and a transformed Haven stepped into view. Gone was the unsure backwoods country girl, in her place stood a formidable opponent. Dressed in a long form fitting black evening gown that hugged every curve Haven walked sensually across the room. The five inch spiked heels adding to her courage as well as her height. With her hair pulled into a high tight bun and her lips glossed in deep scarlet she appeared every inch the queen that Verlon said she was. She nodded to Brooklyn and then to Verlon, but didn’t even look in Barron’s direction. She walked forward until she stood before the table where the counsel had been seated. With her head held high she stood tall and regal before the members of counsel. She nodded briefly to each one her face completely void of any emotion. “Are you the young lady in question here tonight?” The vamp on the left asked. He looked like he was in his early twenties and needed to be out on a college campus somewhere chasing girls. But she knew that he was probably old enough to be her great grandfather about a million times over. “Yes, I am.” She didn’t offer him any more information than what he asked for. “What’s your name child?” This came from the man in the middle. He looked to be around thirty-five and was studying her very closely. “I am Haven Aleah Carver.” The group of four put their heads together and discussed God knew what before they motioned for Barron to approach the table. “Barron Northcross where is your twin?” Barron looked around searching for Deacon when Verlon spoke up. “Deacon Northcross has left my lord, he realized that with Barron being the first born you would give the girl to him. He will not dispute it.”
Haven felt her thin shell of bravery completely dissipate with Verlons words. “What? He just left?” She turned to Brooklyn with a look of shock and disbelief. “He isn’t even going to try?” Brooklyn leaned in and whispered. “Shh… all will be well my sweet.” Haven didn’t understand that at all! She finally glanced at Barron and he had a look of triumph in his eyes. That was all it took to stiffen her spine. She turned back to face the counsel her armor once more in place. “Well this will be quick then. The matter before us is a case of unknown precedence. Both of the Northcross brothers are claiming this woman as their Serah. They both have demonstrated clear signs of having bonded with her. They both have beating hearts and functioning lungs. I have also been told that the woman has fed from both without becoming ill. He turned to Haven. “Is this true?” He asked her. “Yes.” She replied. “I have been informed that Deacon the youngest twin was the first to find the woman and the first to claim her as Serah.” He turned to Barron. “Is this true?” Barron gave his head a quick nod. “Yes.” He answered. “I have been told that it was weeks later that you, Barron made your claim on the woman. Why did it take you so long to make y
our claim?” Barron stepped up to the table. “I was out of the country when I felt the first breath of my Serah, my lord. I came as quickly as possible. When I first found my Serah I was unaware that my brother too was claiming her. Haven muttered under her breath. “Bullshit.” The counsel looked to Haven. “Did you have something to add?” Haven nodded her head stepping up next to Barron. “Yes, actually I do. I was in his brother’s resting place when he found me. I was not aware that Deacon had a twin, so when I saw Barron I assumed it was Deacon. I even called him Deacon, several times. He let me believe that he was Deacon right up until the point where things were about to get… to get…” She trailed off suddenly embarrassed. “About to get what Miss Carver?” The fourth vamp that must have turned at the age of fourteen, prompted.
“I was about to consummate the relationship with her, but I wouldn’t do so with her believing I was Deacon. I had no reason not to believe she wasn’t my Serah the bonding passion was there for us both and she fed from me.” Haven turned to Barron her eyes furious. “Have you considered that maybe, just maybe I responded to you because I thought you were Deacon? You pompous arrogant ass! I was going to give you a fair shot! Why did you have to do this?” She turned back to the counsel. “I know I have no say in what happens to me here today. But I assure you if you give me to him I will never be a Serah to him. Never!”
“Miss Carver, we are not an uncivilized group of people. I understand that you have only recently became Legend is that correct?” Haven nodded. “Then understand this, we will take into consideration all aspects of this most unusual case before we make our decision.” Haven threw up her hands. “Why does it have to be your decision at all? Why can’t I choose who I want to be mated with for the rest of my life?” The man in the middle folded his hands together looking at Haven seriously. “Because we feel in this situation when there is not a clear cut choice to be made that the decision must be placed with us. Miss Carver, I assure you that Barron will make you a fine mate. I will guarantee he will treat you with the utmost courtesy and respect. I will expect the same from you Miss Carver. You will be a Serah to Barron in every sense of the word. Have I made myself clear?” With ice frosting her voice Haven replied. “Crystal.”
