We’re standing face-to-face, grinning like idiots. I can tell if I moved just an inch closer, I’d be in his arms.
Damn it.
Get a grip. His presence makes my skin tingle and thinking more difficult than it should be. Is this more of Samual’s doing?
“It’s too early to be congratulating ourselves.” I make myself move away. Again. “I agree Samual is a little too eager to nail me but turning things around on him is not going to be easy.”
He follows me. “Might be easier than we think. I’m assuming you’ll get a chance to question him. Why not just ask him how he thinks you were able to get in, get close enough to kill Belinda Burke, and get out without anyone stopping you. See how he reacts.”
Stephen may be right. Samual is a slippery bugger, but he’s not the power. Those seven ghastly specters are the power. Especially the one Samual calls the Elder. If I can get them to. . .
Shit. One instant Stephen and I are considering our options, the next we’re back behind the desk in our astral courtroom. It happens in an eyeblink. If this keeps up, I’m going to ask for Dramamine.
Samual ignores us, no smirk, no snarky remark. He doesn’t even look our way. I’m not sure how to take his sudden ambivalence. Is he worried that we may have won a few points with his bosses or confident that his case is so strong it makes no difference?
I don’t like it either way. I much prefer the blustering asshole to the enigmatic demon.
The Elder waves a robed arm. “Proceed.”
Proceed? That’s it? I thought the whole idea of the break was for them to consider the things I said. I didn’t expect a resolution, but I was hoping for a hint, some indication that they might have understood why I felt justified killing Belinda Burke.
Samual rises. He spreads his hands, a frown of concern pulling at the corners of his mouth. “Your Honors, I am baffled. We have heard the accused admit to breaking sanctuary, admit to killing not one but two charges under our protection, admit to knowing the victim was powerless to defend herself. What more evidence do you need? I ask that you bring this proceeding to a close. Now. Return the rightful verdict of guilty and let us get this regrettable incident behind us. Make this once more a place of safe refuge for those seeking our protection.”
I rise, too. “I have explained what brought me here. Are there no provisions for considering extenuating circumstances in your rule of law? You speak of safe refuge. My family and friends would have had no safe refuge on Earth had Belinda Burke come after them.”
Samual scoffs. “You have a human police force. She broke human laws. They could have dealt with her.”
“Really? A witch as powerful as Belinda Burke, who could and did change her appearance at will? What human force could deal with that?”
“You have yourself. You could have handled her when she reappeared. You have the resources, to say nothing of your own strength and power. You proved it when you broke the spell that sent her here.”
“And would I have been given notice that she had returned? Or would I have found out when the bodies of my loved ones started showing up?”
“What takes place on Earth is of no concern to us.”
Stephen must feel the way my body tensed at that because he puts a restraining hand on my arm. He doesn’t know me. Screw restraint. And screw these arrogant assholes. I’m trembling with outrage and my voice shatters the silence like a rock through glass.
“Damn you. You speak of manipulating people’s lives with no regard for the consequences. You are despots. You are as evil as the witch you allowed refuge.”
Samual’s eyes flash fire. “Do you hear what she says? She calls us evil. We who seek only peace. She is the one who committed murder. Two murders. Killing with her bare hands. And we are the evil ones.”
No reaction from above. Not even the grinding of those gaunt jaws breaks the pall that settles over the room.
I glance at Stephen. His eyes are glued to the figures hovering over us like vultures on a tree branch. For the first time, his expression reflects a shadow of fear. I want to say I’m sorry. Not for what I said, but that it put him in danger. I should have thought of him before I started yelling. Meeting him was the only bright spot in this ridiculous situation. I think we could have been friends under different circumstances.
What the fuck am I thinking?
It sounds like bullshit even to me. How the hell did we get here?
How are we getting out?
Which leads to the question Stephen and I asked a few minutes ago. How did I get in the first time?
The gloom lifts from my thoughts. I have nothing to lose. May as well go on the offensive.
“If I’m to be found guilty in this kangaroo court, I have a question or two of my own.”
Samual glances upward, the Elder lifts a finger, Samual nods for me to go ahead.
“You speak of sanctuary. How is it granted?”
“There is protocol.”
Samual’s eyes are on the thrones, and he answers as if bored.
“Protocol? Like an application that has to be filled out? An admissions office?”
Now he shoots me a venomous look. “You are applying earthly concepts to an otherworldly universe.”
“Than explain it. Please.”
A sigh. “The supplicant or his advocate appears before the tribunal. The case is heard. A decision made.”
“Is anyone ever turned away?”
“Only if it is determined the supplicant’s presence here may be a danger to others. There are some creatures who cannot control their primitive urges. Even wounded or near death, they are predators capable of inflicting grievous harm to those around them. We cannot allow such creatures in.” He points at me. “Creatures like you. Who kill indiscriminately.”
“Indiscriminately? I thought I explained that. But it doesn’t matter. So how do you keep such creatures out?”
“There are spells and barriers. Set in place by the ancients.”
“And who works the spells? Erects the barriers? Do you have a team of witches? Is there an army of supernatural guards who patrol?”
“That is unnecessary.”
“Why?”
“Because no one has ever breached sanctuary.”
I raise an eyebrow. “Oh? Have you forgotten why
Looks like Samual’s composure is beginning to slip. A finger taps restlessly against the desktop. “You are not being charged with how you managed to get in,” he snaps. “But with what you did after you got here.”
I cast a glance upward. “I would think breaching security would be equally important. What’s to stop someone from doing it again?”
“You.” Samual’s voice is tight with rage. “It won’t happen again because your death will serve as an example to anyone who dares try.”
“Ah. So it’s not so much what I did but that I was able to do it.” I raise my voice to those above. “If that’s the case, maybe I’m not the only one who should be on trial.”
THIRTEEN
“YOU MAKE AN INTERESTING POINT, ANNA Strong.” The voice of the Elder interrupts the cheerful banter between Samual and me—as I hoped it would.
“Samual, just how did this vampire breach security? You have never given us a satisfactory explanation.”
Samual’s hand twitches on the podium, but he smoothes his contempt for me from his face when he looks
