by Juniper Hart
Sylvie looked panicked. “What do you mean? Who’s coming for me?”
“You need to get out of town, and fast. Off grid, Sylvie!” Lane cried urgently. “If you’re found, you’re going to be killed. I’m sorry, but there’s nothing we can do to protect you.” She stared at Sylvie imploringly. “Thank you for coming to us. Now you have to run and save yourself. Do you understand? The fact that you know about us is enough.”
Sylvie nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I hope you two are safe.”
“Go!” Lane told her anxiously. “They’re probably already here.”
The ringing of the landline in double rings told them that someone else had arrived. Sylvie stifled a gasp, but when Henry held open the door, she didn’t hesitate to flee, her heels clicking against the polished tile of the halls with urgency.
“Ignore the front desk,” Lane told Henry. “Maybe they’ll go away.”
He snorted. “I can see your sense of optimism hasn’t faded with the shift,” he muttered. “They’ll find us. The gig is up, Lane. We’re done.”
Lane nodded, closing her eyes. “Will you just hold me for a bit before they come?”
He wrapped her in his arms, his lips on her forehead.
“My mom,” Lane whispered. “She was behind this, too.”
“I figured.”
“She didn’t know what she was doing,” Lane moaned. “She thought Marjorie was helping her dissolve the Council.”
Henry pulled back and looked at her in disbelief.
“Work with her to dissolve the Council?” he repeated. “Did you know that was what she wanted to do?”
Lane nodded miserably. “From the day she started hiding me away, I knew. She’s hated you since you threatened to kill me when I was a child.”
“I told you that we would never hurt a child, Lane.”
“She didn’t believe that!” Lane yelled. “Her whole life, she thought she was protecting me. She’s been isolated, too, obsessed with this idea that the Council is destroying the Enchanted. She’s not to blame. She’s confused.”
Henry let her go, his eyes blazing with anger. “But when you took your oath before the Council, you knew that you were acting as a double agent for her. What did you tell her?”
“Nothing!” Lane swore, reaching out for him. “Please, Henry, you have to believe me. I would never do anything to jeopardize the Seven or you!”
He stared at her in disbelief. “That’s why she was so agreeable to let you work with me. She was looking for you to get close to me.”
“That was her intention, yes, but not mine,” Lane cried. “You have to believe that everything I’ve felt for you has been genuine. I wouldn’t—”
There was a pounding on the door, and Lane abruptly stopped speaking.
“Open up, Henry. We know you’re in there.” It was Raven’s voice, and she sounded annoyed.
“We have to let them in,” Henry said gruffly, the hurt on his face clear. He ignored Lane’s protests and pulled open the front door to stare at the beings beyond.
“Ah. Two for the price of one,” Raven grunted, pushing her way inside. She shook her head as she walked past Lane, impervious to the tears streaking down her face.
“You shouldn’t cry yet. We haven’t even started with you,” Laurel quipped, following the demon. Theo and Alec said nothing, but Landon scowled.
“I was having an awesome steak dinner,” he snapped. “I could have done my vote by phone, even though I’m sure you know what it will be.”
Lane fell back against the door and stifled a sob. She desperately wished that Henry would take her hands, but he stood stoically, his arms crossed.
“What’s this all about?” Henry demanded. The members of the Council snickered.
“As if you don’t know,” Laurel bit back. “Look at her. You turned her, you bastard.”
Henry opened his mouth to protest, but Alec, the dragon of few words, held up his hand.
“There’s no point in arguing, Henry. We’ve already put this to a vote, and the outcome shouldn’t surprise you. You’ll both be sentenced to death.”
15
She betrayed me. She betrayed all of us, and I’m paying the price for it, Henry thought angrily, stomping around his cell. It would be easy enough for him to shift and slide through the bars as a bat, but the Council would never let him get far. Every Enchanted being across every continent would be on the lookout for him.
Besides, he was not going anywhere before he exposed Marjorie for the vermin she was.
The worst part of it, of course, was knowing that he had lost his mate and that he’d been blind to her ways in the beginning.
How did I not see that she was working with her mother? Julia has such a stronghold on her.
A smaller voice reminded him that Lane was a pawn in her mother’s delusions and that she shouldn’t be held accountable for what had happened.
None of that matters now anyway. We’re both screwed.
We’re not screwed. You got us a trial, Lane called out to him, and he paused, looking around. He hadn’t sensed her nearby, but if he was reading her thoughts and vice versa, she had to be close.
What the hell is the trial going to do but buy us time, Lane? Get out of my head.
Not until you listen to me! I didn’t ever betray you, not once. I told my mother nothing. I just pretended that I was working with her so that she would get off my case. The night this happened, I told her I was leaving. She was on the phone with Marjorie.
Then your mother should be executed.
Lane didn’t reply for a long moment, and Henry felt a stab of guilt. Julia had been the only thing in Lane’s life for so long. Threatening her was not the right thing to do, but his anger had not entirely subsided.
If you think that will be the just thing to do, to execute my mother, so be it. I won’t contradict your vote, Lane told him.
What vote? Don’t you get it? We’re not in the Council anymore, Lane! We’re not even going to be alive! I’ve lived for a thousand years without being in as much shit as you’ve caused in two weeks!
You’re right. She went completely quiet, and more shame flooded Henry.
Lane? She didn’t reply, and even though he tried to prod her thoughts, it was like she wasn’t there anymore. Lane, answer me.
He grunted in frustration, punching at the cement walls of the cell. In a few hours, they would be face-to-face again to stand trial, a trial which was still going to have the same outcome, anyway.
You’re not mad at her. You’re mad at yourself. You didn’t have to turn her, but you couldn’t imagine your life without her.
Henry sank back against the blocks and slid down to the floor. It was time to give himself up and try to save Lane.
Lane was shackled, which was unnecessary, and seeing her in such a position infuriated Henry.
“Is that really something that needs to be done?” he demanded. “You don’t have me in shackles.”
“You’re the Vampire Regent,” Raven sighed. “We’re trying to show you a modicum of respect.”
“She is an Aldwin,” Henry snapped.
Don’t cause a scene. I’m fine, Lane told him.
“Henry, just take your spot and let’s get the show on the road,” Landon grumbled. “You two are really starting to piss me off.”
“Gee, sorry to throw off your day, buddy,” Henry growled back. “Maybe we can deal with our lives a little more according to your golf schedule?”
“I wish,” Landon grunted. “I tried to have these ingrates work around it.”
Henry rolled his eyes skyward. Landon was such an egotist, he wouldn’t know sarcasm if it smacked him directly in the face.
“I agree,” Theo thundered. “I have a pack meeting tonight. I don’t have excess time to waste.”
“Fine,” Henry said. “I am here to proclaim my innocence.”
“Me too!” Lane chimed, glancing at him.<
br />
“I’m representing both of us,” Henry said, and Lane cast him a grateful look.
“Are you denying that you turned Lane Aldwin, despite being aware of the penalty of such an act?”
“I do deny it,” Henry replied. There was a confused murmur about the members.
“I thought you said already that you had given her your blood to drink upon finding her dead.”
“I did give her my blood to drink,” Henry replied smoothly. He had prepared well for his defense, even though he was sure that it wouldn’t make an iota of difference. They had already made up their minds after talking to Marjorie.
He should have known about her, too. She was one of the only vampires he knew who had a day job. She was unaffected by sunlight, which meant an Aldwin had to have put a spell on her. Miriam had done that to him, but she wouldn’t have been bothered to handle a nobody like Marjorie. She and Julia had been working together, grooming Lane for years.
“So, I’m confused. How are you not responsible for turning her?” Raven demanded, squinting at him like he was insane.
“Because I’m not the one who bit her in the first place.”
The silence which fell was heavy and brooding.
“What are you saying, Henry?” Raven asked. “That you’re not responsible because—”
“Because I didn’t start the process,” Henry finished for her. “Marjorie Thorold did. She’s the one who bit Lane with the intention of leaving her dead, and according to the statute, a vampire can only turn another through bite and suck. I only performed the latter, which means I technically did not turn her.”
“You’re arguing semantics!” Laurel spat furiously.
“That is the job of the Council,” Henry retorted. “To uphold the very letter of the law. Which I am. I didn’t turn her by the letter of the law. Read it yourself if you don’t believe me.”
“It had to be the damned attorney on trial,” Landon snarled. “We shouldn’t have granted them a trial.”
“And what’s your defense, Lane? You can’t be turned, as per the statute.”
“Who turned her, Council?” Henry interjected. “Since we’ve established that no one technically turned her, is she really turned?”
Raven snorted back a laugh while Theo and Alec exchanged amused looks, but the fairy and Lycan were furious.
“This is a joke!” they spat.
“Bringing up members of the Council is a joke on the word of a treasonous bitch!” Henry fired back. “Why isn’t she on trial for attempted murder? You show weakness in the Council when you bring one of us before the panel, and it’s for these reasons that the Enchanted think they can get away with whatever they want. Marjorie Thorold has been trying to stage a coup for years, and instead of punishing her, you weaken our position. Shame on all of you!”
“Okay, drama queen, settle down and tell us what you’re talking about,” Raven said, leaning forward.
“For starters, she tried to murder me,” Lane offered, and Henry saw the way she stared at him admiringly. “She left me for dead, and a civilian found me with puncture marks in my throat.”
“What civilian? Who?” Theo demanded, his eyes darkening. Henry and Lane exchanged a look and shrugged in unison.
“No idea,” Lane lied, “but I remember a woman screaming.” Sylvie’s safe, she said silently, and Henry found that he, too was relieved.
“Bring her in! You’ll have to testify against her,” Theo thundered. “And try to remember who the mortal was who saw you. She’ll need to be executed.”
“Who is Marjorie working with?” Raven asked. “You said she’s staging a coup.”
Henry saw Lane’s shoulders sag in defeat.
“I imagine she’ll tell you,” he said. “But I would double check everything she says before you put her down. I wouldn’t believe anything that comes out of her mouth.”
“Noted,” Alec agreed. “In the meantime, I think we can agree that you can both be reinstated on the Council of Seven and your charges are dismissed.”
“I don’t know if we want to come back to the Council,” Henry shot back and noted with satisfaction that he got the reaction he was hoping for.
“Who the hell is going to replace you?” Raven snapped. “You’re the Vampire Regent!”
“And she’s the only sane Aldwin on the continent,” Alec added.
“And yet that didn’t stop you from bringing us here and locking us up!” Henry barked back. “I think we need some time to think about whether we want to stay or not.” He nodded toward Lane, and she held up her wrists. “And take those damned shackles off her. You ought to be ashamed of yourselves. Honestly.” He was disgusted with the entire group.
Theo ambled down to unlock her, and Henry turned to look at them one final time with contempt. “We’ll be in touch.”
“Oh,” Lane offered as an afterthought. “Maybe you can ask Marjorie if she’ll return my purse and Council phone when you see her. She stole them when she kidnapped me from my house.”
“SHE HAS A COUNCIL PHONE?” Laurel screamed, her face scarlet with fury. Lane shrugged.
“Sorry, I had other matters on my mind. I’m sure you understand.”
Henry swallowed a laugh and ushered her out of the church rec room where they had met for the trial. “We really do need to find a more solid meeting place. One of these days, we’re going to get caught and doused in holy water.”
“You say that like you’re thinking about going back to the Council,” Lane said, looking at him through her sidelong vision.
“Of course I am. You are, too,” he laughed. Her frown caught him by surprise.
“Why would I?” she questioned. “They’ve hated me from the second I presented myself. I’m not a glutton for punishment.”
Henry paused and stared at her, a small smile toying on his lips.
“You really don’t get it, do you?” he chuckled. “It’s probably a generation gap thing.”
“A generation gap? Try five hundred generations. But anyway, what?”
“It’s your destiny to be on the Seven,” Henry explained. “We’re not here by choice. Even if we up and quit, the fates would find a way to bring us back.”
“Do you really believe in that?” Lane asked dubiously. “Because I’m not sure I do.”
Henry smiled at her and cupped his palms around her face.
“You will,” he promised. “I’ll show you.”
She looked startled. “You were so mad at me,” she sighed. “Are you still mad?”
“I’m disappointed that you didn’t tell me,” he admitted, “but I’ve thought about it, and I know why you didn’t. Your mother has been everything to you.”
“I love her, Henry, but I’m scared for her, too. What if she ends up like Marjorie? I’m sure she’ll try to take everyone she can down with her.”
“That’s why we’re still on the Council,” Henry said. “To stop that from happening. If she names Sylvie or your mother, we’ll laugh her out of the council room.”
“Do you think they’ll believe us?” Lane breathed.
“I don’t think Landon wants to hear anymore of my law tricks, so he’ll probably go along. Laurel is the only one who might be kicking and screaming, but you’ll have to figure out a way to charm her. You’re cute. Flirt with her a little.”
“Laurel’s…?”
“Gay? Yes. She’s been with Jasmine for as long as I’ve been alive.”
“Well, then, I best not flirt with her. I don’t want to be eating fairy dust,” Lane commented dryly. “You’re the one who said Laurel could kick ass, right?”
Henry studied her face, a smile on his face. “Listen to you, swearing and being cynical. I almost wouldn’t know you were the same girl who tried to run from the Council a few weeks ago.”
Lane cocked her head to the side and smiled warmly. “This is me after a few weeks. What am I going to be like forever?”
Henry’s fingers trailed over the lines of her face.
“I can’t wait to find out,” he murmured. “I can’t wait to see.”
16
“Hi, Mom.”
Julia jumped, startled as her daughter loomed in the doorway of the storeroom.
“Lane! What are you doing here?” she gasped, looking around in confusion. “I’ve been worried sick about you!”
“Have you?”
Julia’s eyes widened as Lane entered the room. “Lane… you’re… you’re…”
“A vampire, yes, Mom. I had to be turned.”
Julia’s eyes flashed with indignation and fury.
“I bet. This was the Regent’s idea, wasn’t it?” she spat. “He just couldn’t wait to turn you.”
“Henry saved me, Mom! It was your doing that made me this way. Your and Marjorie Thorold’s.”
Her mother’s face turned ashen. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Lane. This is the Council, putting ideas—”
“That’s getting old, Mom,” Lane interjected. “For twenty years, I’ve been listening to you going on about the Council, when really, you’re trapped in your own delusions. Do you know that the Council has never once ordered a child’s execution?”
“Bull!” Julia snapped. “They threatened you all the time.”
“Did you hear what I said? They’ve never done it. It’s a tactic to keep the children from showing themselves to the mortals. The Council is fair, it’s just, and it’s necessary. If you can’t accept that, then you will be tried for treason.”
The words almost stuck in her throat, but Lane knew she needed to use the same methods on Julia as the Council had all those years ago. It was the only way to ensure she didn’t find herself in trouble again.
“Marjorie Thorold kidnapped me and left me for dead. If Henry had not found me when he did, I would have died. I know you were working together.”
“I was trying to save us all,” Julia choked. “I would never do anything to hurt you, Lane. You must know that.”
“I do know you think you’re right, but you’re not, and I need you to accept that.”
