Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 122946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 615(@200wpm)___ 492(@250wpm)___ 410(@300wpm)
I looked around the dark cave, seeing nothing but insects. “So, there are witches around to charm this power?”
“Not anymore…at least, not here,” Theseus said as we walked. “But as I said, President Swan takes tradition and culture from the past to this new time. This walk used to be essential to the peace of the Pahana. It allowed there to be no doubt about justice. It allowed their people to reflect, go on a journey before they were to be judged, and most times, justice was done.”
“I could see how this would work on mortals, but how would it work for vampires?”
“That is what is asked most. As you guessed, the walk was not difficult for vampires. Seeing their dead loved ones or families may have affected them, but there is something about us as creatures that makes us a bit cold-hearted. Maybe it is because our heart is cold.”
I smiled at his small humor. “So, what did they do?”
“They left them to other vampires and drank from them to know the truth. If said vampire was found guilty, he would be executed, no matter the crime. They would be tortured if they acted against mortals before death.”
“Just like that?”
He nodded. “We are stronger and live longer. No punishment but death can really be justice. The witches could be banished, or their powers bound. The stronger we are, the more severe the punishment.”
“When we are all vampires, what is the way to get the truth then? Will they drink from him?” I questioned, worried.
“It is not easy to drink from another vampire. It’s not exactly a delightful taste, nor does it serve as nourishment, but it is blood, so one can manage. However, it is hard to keep a vampire still for it. Second, they must be focused. There are so many memories in blood. Taelon said Jason needed a representative, and Lucy was not qualified because she is a Lesser blood. That would only matter if the representatives needed to drink. Therefore, a representative must drink the blood of the accused and testify on their behalf.”
“Theseus,” Charline spoke up, still leading the way in front of us. “Why are you speaking as if you have never been to court before?”
Shit. I thought as Theseus went silent. Think Druella.
“It’s my fault, Charline. I asked him to explain it to me as if he himself were just learning it for the first time.”
She was silent for only a second before muttering, “You pamper her too much, Theseus.”
“What are mates for if not to pamper?” he asked back.
“I believe it is either sex, emotional support, or power.” Her reply was sharp and quick. So much so that I wondered what she had been thinking about me all this time. “As you were fond of sex before her and had power before her, it must be emotional support you need.”
“It must be,” Theseus replied. “Is there shame in that?”
She didn’t answer and just kept walking. The pace felt infuriatingly slow. However, the distance did give me time to think of what was about to happen.
“If you are called to witness,” I said, putting the pieces together “then that means you are giving your testimony. The representative will be drinking because the accused will be focused on you, and those memories will be the strongest?”
“Aww, she figured it out, so this how your game works?” Charline chimed in, amused.
“Charline, I’m starting to think you don’t like me,” I said a bit childishly.
“You’re right, but most of us don’t like you.”
My mouth dropped. “What? Why?”
“Why?” She stopped and turned to me. “You come here under the pretense of a guest when everyone knows it was because you were run out by the Omeron witches. You do not pay respect to the president first, and instead, you shopped. Then in return, you insult the president’s daughter in her own home, over a Lesser blood, and just as she warned, the Lesser blood caused mayhem on the president’s son’s birthday. You were commanded to fix the problem you caused by getting rid of the Lesser blood, and instead, you disobeyed and did what you wanted again for a Lesser blood. You walk and act as if you know best when you know nothing. You know nothing of us, our ways, or even yourself.”
“That is enough, Charline—”
“We are equal down here, Theseus Thorbørn. She asked, and I have chosen to answer. And while I am speaking to you, I shall say this, too, you are very selfish. Why you two are putting on this charade is beyond me and quite annoying. She is not your mate until she is your mate; therefore, the rest of us bowing and towing to her—a vampire whose blood is unknown—is disgraceful. We do not know her. American vampires are proud by nature. We bow our heads to very few of our own kind, your family being one of them. You make us entertain her foolishness without giving her a leg to stand on beyond you. She is young; of course, she shall be rowdy. However, you are supposed to correct her, not enable her. The vampires of Ankeiros may overlook it; that does not mean we will.”