Theseus finally glanced down at me. “Trust me.”
Not understanding, I nodded, and he faced Taelon again. “On one condition.”
“Name it.”
“Which one of your vampires here is named Jason?” Theseus questioned.
I squeezed his hand, and he squeezed back.
Taelon caught the battle between our hands but did not comment on it. He faced sideways, making room. “Jason, step forward.”
A tall, slim man with sunken eyes, a long face, a thick nose, and large ears came forward. He bowed his head to Theseus. “Lord Thorbørn.”
Theseus ignored him, and instead focused on Taelon. “I wish him dead.”
Taelon’s eyes widen. “Excuse me?”
“This vampire is a traitor to your family and our kind; death is even mercy. He protects witches, and had there been a battle here today, he would have stood with them and not us.”
Taelon shook his head. “Forgive me, Lord Thorbørn, but not even you can command a vampire to death here. Unlike Ankeiros, America is a republic—”
“It is because of your republic that I did not kill him myself,” Theseus said each word bitterly.
“That’s impossible. You know the Omeron witches do not support relations of any kind between vampires and their own. They would kill both the witch and the vampire who tried it.”
“And yet, it is so,” Theseus pressed. “Whether the coven knows or not.”
They both locked eyes before Taelon nodded. “He cannot simply be deemed guilty by you. He needs to be taken to trial—”
“Fine,” I cut in, wanting this to end and doubted Theseus would let it go. “Let him go to trial, and even though my guest didn’t say thank you, I will, to all of you. I know you didn’t come for me, but I appreciate it.”
They all fell silent, their gazes shifting to Theseus whose glare was fixed on the lanky Jason. He didn’t say anything more. Taelon nodded to the two vampires nearest him who flanked Jason on the sides.
“Jason Silber, you stand accused of treason and sedition by the Prince of Night, the vampire eternal, Theseus Christian Apollo de Thorbørn, third son of Sigbjørn and Rhea de Thorbørn, the King and Queen of Ankeiros. Do you deny the charges?”
“I do.” His hoarse voice reminded me of the feeling of his nails around my neck.
Taelon nodded. “Very well then. I, Taelon Swan, fifth child of President Waban Swan, order you to be held till trail. You may choose another to defend you if you wish.”
“I do wish.” Jason nodded and then looked to his right. “I wish for Lucy Ming to defend me.”
Taelon’s eyes narrowed in on him as he cracked his jaw to the side, clear annoyance on his face. “Lucy Ming is not a Noble blood, and thus not qualified to defend you. Think well and choose again, take him.”
The vampires at his sides grabbed him, forcing him to leave with vampire speed. Leaving just a handful of vampires, the only one I knew being Lucy. He gave her a glance before looking over to Theseus. “This is all I can do for now.”
“Very well, we shall only remain a short while before taking our leave,” Theseus said and began walking first, leading me with him, towards the doors.
None of us spoke. I wasn’t sure what more could be said. When we got outside, it was pitch black, and the moon was still full, hanging in the empty sky with a golden hue. The whole street around the gallery looked abandoned, but I could feel eyes sti
ll on us.
Turning, I looked up. I stared at all the flags, the whole building, and there at the very top level in the southwest office corner, there was one light coming from the window. In it, Simone’s hazel eyes watched, her arms crossed over her herself.
“This morning, I was crossing my fingers for a promotion, and now I’ve been fired,” I whispered, it still not hitting me.
“Forgive me,” Theseus whispered gently beside me. “I did not wish to disturb your world so much so quickly.”
“It’s not your fault; I did this. How, I don’t know, but it was me,” I whispered back, and he squeezed my hand, shaking his head.