diamonds around her neck and Rina's was a deep violet with large diamonds–didn't make me feel much better. They surely felt just as uncomfortable as I did, even if they didn't show it. Rina favored floor-length gowns and Mom was more casual, like me, though Mom preferred dressy jeans and blouses, while I believed life should be lived in shorts, T-shirts and flip-flops. They both looked exquisite, of course, making me wonder how I could ever think I was now as beautiful as them. It simply wasn't possible.
Before we could go to the arena for the ceremony, we had to wait for all of the council to arrive. Many had been delayed because they'd been helping Martin with a situation in Italy. As I wondered–and wished–if they might cancel the ceremony, I noticed Rina's head cock slightly, and a second later I, too, picked up on the new mind signatures in the building.
'I will be back in a moment,' Rina said. 'Julia requires me.'
With the mention of Julia's name, I identified the vampire's mind signature. She waited in the large, archaic meeting room with the round, wood table. Another mind signature hovered nearby as well, though Rina didn't mention anyone accompanying Julia. It was the same signature, with the same strange, almost-mage-like texture, as I'd heard the other night in the woods. Rina was gone before all of this registered. Should I warn her the traitor was there, too? I hadn't told her about the incident in the woods, and there was no time to explain now. So, I listened to see what I could learn.
Rina and Julia didn't speak aloud. Too many people had way-too-good of hearing, and I was sure neither of them wanted eavesdroppers. My impenetrable shield wouldn't allow me to listen to both of their thoughts at once, but since they 'spoke' to each other, I didn't have to. I listened through Julia's mind–Rina would sense my presence in her head.
'What is so important it cannot wait until after the ceremony?' Rina asked.
'Many people are restless with Tristan here,' Julia said. 'Some of the council members, and others, demand that he leaves the island soon. Alexis and the boy, too. They want to know today when they'll be leaving.'
'I am well aware of some feelings against Tristan. Do you share these feelings, too, darling?' Rina's tone, though warm, held the edge of a challenge to it.
'I believe it would be wise to remove the child from the island and from all the Amadis,' Julia said, not answering the question. 'I have seen him use powers.'
My breath caught in my throat, and I fake-coughed to cover it up. Tristan wasn't fooled. I gave him an I'll- tell-you-later look and refocused on the telepathic conversation.
'Dorian is too young to have powers,' Rina said.
'I have seen it myself. We cannot have him near our people or our secrets. The Daemoni will be hunting him soon.'
'They already hunt him and his parents. We must keep them protected as long as possible, not send them out to fight on their own.'
'We cannot keep them here!' The intensity of Julia's thoughts escalated drastically. 'Their presence on the island is a danger to all of us!'
'What ever is the matter, darling? You seem quite upset all of a sudden.'
'It is not all of a sudden. I have my doubts about all three of them. The people who question Tristan's loyalty make excellent points. How do we know he's not actually betraying us by being here? He could be the traitor! Even Alexis–her father is Daemoni! We have no guarantees–'
Rina cut her off, her own thoughts full of anger. 'This is ludicrous, Julia. I will not stand for this.'
'There are too many unknowns with those three.'
'I have assessed them myself. They are Amadis. Both of them!'
'Are you sure about your assessments?' Julia sneered. 'Maybe you want them to be with us so much, you're not being completely objective.'
Julia's eyes showed the shock on Rina's face.
'How dare you!' Rina seethed, her beautiful face contorted with a mix of emotions. She took a moment to regain her composure. 'Where is this coming from? What is wrong with you, Julia? Questioning me? This is not like you at all!'
'Everyone questions you. They think you make poor decisions based on emotions rather than fact or past experience.'
Again, Rina's face showed shock. Then her expression melted into … defeat? No, it couldn't have been defeat, but I wasn't sure what Rina was feeling, and I couldn't take the risk to hear her thoughts.
'I sense a division in my council,' Rina finally said. 'I will take this all into consideration. Thank you for being forthright with me, Julia. I can always count on you.'
Rina's tone was amicable, but the disappointment and dismissal came loud and clear.
At that precise moment, Owen barged through the door to our room and bellowed, 'Attack!'
We all spun at him with surprise, and he explained in a rush.
'The situation in Italy has escalated. The Daemoni have attacked our village in Tuscany, along with a Norman town nearby. They surround our island now!'
'What do they want?' Solomon demanded.
'Tristan and Alexis, of course,' Owen said. 'They say they'll continue attacking until Tristan and Alexis come out of hiding.'
'Absolutely not!' Solomon barked, the rage in his eyes blowing away any doubt that a good vampire could be frightening. I was glad he was on our side.
Julia's voice rang in my mind. 'I told you there would be trouble,' she said to Rina in the grand room. 'They need to leave. Immediately.'
Tristan's voice brought me back to our room. 'What exactly happened? What do you mean by attacked?'
'An old-fashioned raid,' Owen said. 'Dad arrived a few minutes ago and said they set fire to the Normans' homes and businesses and attacked the citizens. All to provoke us. Our people lifted the village's shield to flash to the Norman town and fight, but Daemoni were already waiting for them. We've lost several lives–both Amadis and Normans. Including a few … children.' Owen's voice cracked with that last word.
My stomach rolled as if I'd plunged over the highest hill of a roller coaster. I clutched at my chest, finding only leather straps instead of the missing necklace.
'People … died … for us?' I gasped breathlessly. 'We can't let them keep attacking. Tristan, we have to get out of here.'
'You cannot leave,' Solomon said. 'If the Daemoni surround us, you cannot get off the island without being captured … or killed.'
I stared at him with disbelief. 'We can't let them kill anyone else because of us.'
Julia piped up again, reminding me I remained connected to her mind. 'Even Alexis knows they can't be here, Rina.'
'Yes, she is concerned about everyone else's safety, but we must keep her protected,' Rina insisted.
'We must let her leave! Let them go, Rina. It is best for everyone.'
Next to me, Tristan murmured, 'Give me a moment, my love.'
I let him search for the best solution while Rina and Julia continued in the back of my mind.
'Her safety is paramount to our survival,' Rina said.
Julia blew out a breath. 'I didn't want to do this, but if you don't let them go, if they don't leave immediately, I will expose your secret.'
My full attention jetted back to the other room in time to see Rina's eyes narrow. 'What secret?'
'Your secret about the next daughter.'
My breath caught again. Rina knows? She knows about the girl?
'Yes, we should go,' Tristan said at that moment, covering the noise in my throat. 'It's the only way to keep everyone safe.'
I barely heard him, still reeling, as though I'd been punched.
'We're getting out of here,' I said, again sounding breathless.
'No!' Rina commanded as she burst through the door. 'You cannot leave our protection!'
'You choose your own blood over all of the Amadis?' Julia's thought followed her in, though her body did not. 'Do you forget your role?'
