“Jonathan here, your dear alpha-ultra, was with me.” Blake countered with a tilt of the head towards us, “There has to always be at least one representative of each of the species involved in the incident present. Remember the law, the pact.”
“I just didn’t trust you,” the werewolf admitted on a sigh, defeated, sounding unbelieving still.
“I didn’t expect you to, but I thought you’d trust your alpha’s word,” a careless shrug was thrown there, and I could almost feel death looming in the premises.
“I’m not sure things would have been different if I had witnessed their execution anyways,” it seemed that Thomas had less trouble speaking now. His injuries must be starting to heal... only so he could die shortly. How sickly ironic!
“I only wish you would have said the truth when I asked, I could have killed you quickly. Now, I must stay true my word and make your death slow.” It was Blake’s turn to sigh and I suddenly realized he didn’t enjoy his role all that much.
I had never stopped to consider what being both the interrogator and the executioner on such instances could do to a person. The burden this vampire carried was not something just anyone could handle. And it was all for the sake of peace. Any lesser man would have gone nuts – or, in more supernatural-appropriate terms, snapped – long ago. My inexplicable fascination for this vampire was just then joined by a well-deserved respect.
“Have it your way,” the werewolf, who had been close to snapping at the beginning of the trial, seemed much calmer just then. He had accepted the consequences of his actions and was ready to receive his punishment. And all that was made possible because his interrogator, although by no means obliged, had taken the time to answer his questions. The effect a few words could have on a person was simply amazing.
If only the words hadn’t been too late.
“I will,” was the barely audible response before flames suddenly erupted engulfing Thomas, making him cry out and trash around.
Instead of turning around and walking away from the repulsing scene, Blake remained rooted to his spot. I, on the hand, didn’t have the courage to carry on watching.
Thomas remained a living, struggling torch for about two or three minutes before finally leaving the land of the living while the smell of burnt flesh lingered. Death by incineration was rumored to be the less enjoyable since, when compared to being beheaded or having one’s heart ripped out which only lasted a few seconds, it lasted far too long.
By the time I could no longer hear any painful groans and the eerie stillness of death settled on the forest, I had grown impossibly lightheaded. My sight was no longer focused, and I had lost the ability to feel anything but the rather cold air hitting my face. Even my mind seemed affected by the whole ordeal and was but a jumbled mess.
When my senses finally decided to work properly again, I was being shaken vigorously by Jonathan. His electric blue eyes were really worried, and he was saying something which my brain processed a few seconds later, “Hey, Jas, are you okay?”
He repeated the question at least four times before I managed to croak out a small “I’m fine” while softly caressing his cheek in reassurance. Just as I said that, all the stiffness I had been enduring loosened and I felt my energy drain out of me.
I wasn’t too fond of showing any sign of weakness, but it was my first time being at such a trial. I should be cut some slack for passing out.
Chapter 30
Pride
I knew that Blake could be intimidating, and that such trials weren’t for the faint of heart, but I truly believed Jasmine could hold her own. Hadn’t her cousin killed several rogues in front of her already?
Karl killed the rogues for her sake. Don’t compare a defensive kill to a cold-blooded execution, my wolf reprimanded.
Yeah, well, it’s not like the pup wasn’t at fault here, what are you sulking for?
I don’t like the idea of a vampire doing such things to our kind, no matter the reason. Alpha genes could be quite bothersome at times. The wolves weren’t the easiest to deal with. Rationalizing with them could get pretty hard.
You’d rather we remained at war with vampires?
I didn’t say that.
You just wish you had been the one to get the idea for the pact, I teased.
I had been in my early teens when the treaty was signed by my father. At the time, I had just turned and had yet to have full control over my strength. My wolf had been a proud one as to be expected and he hadn’t really enjoyed the idea of following some vampire’s rules. In my blind arrogance and young foolishness, I had challenged the renowned vampire to a duel... and Blake The Troublemaker most definitely did not back down from a challenge. My parents had insisted I take back my words but that had not been an option. Where would that leave my pride as a future leader, as a werewolf, as a man?
It only took one blow.
Before I could even change into wolf form, I had been struck in the back of the head with enough force to knock me out. When compared to the physical one, the blow to my ego had been the most painful. He had wanted to spare me the unnecessary hurt and at the same time humble me. It had worked greatly on me and I even felt gratitude for the well-deserved lesson. My wolf didn’t share the feeling. Although I had been but an inexperienced pup at the time, the loss to the centuries-old vampire was still a bitter memory to my longest companion.
It’s just really hard to trust a vampire. I could almost picture him snarling in distaste.
Blake is a good man, you
