Watcher in the Darkness, Book 3: Imprisoned

Chapter 42, Part 2

Nik and Xi took me by the elbows to drag me deeper into the chamber. The mob parted to reveal wooden thrones growing out of the ground like gnarled trees. Seated upon them were three creatures I couldn't begin to name. Their bright blue eyes bulged from their grey, alien faces. When they moved, even to blink or turn their heads, it was slow and deliberate. White hair and sheer robes floated around them like smoke. They wore silver crowns I realized after a moment were actually metallic horns.

Xi's lips twisted into another unpleasant smile as he took a step toward them. "Elders, thank you for assembling this tribunal, and so quickly. The Children of Vesuvius are honored by your time and attention."

As one, the creatures on the thrones nodded. The Elder to the left spoke first. "As the eldest of the Seven, do you speak on behalf of your siblings, clever Xivinaxus?" Its voice was like the wind through a narrow canyon.

"As always, wise Elder."

"Speak your charges, then," the middle one said. I wondered if these things were separate, or one being.

Xi turned to face the horde with more theatrics than ten drama majors. When he spoke, it was as though he addressed each individual freak. "Elders, kinsmen, I come before you today to charge one of our own, Lord Khalid of the Shaytan Djinn, of the most unthinkable, the most reprehensible, the most atrocious crime of which any of us could stand accused."

The Elder on the right scowled. "You don't mean..."

"Yes," Xi said. "Lord Khalid has given my youngest sister's True Name to a mortal." There was a general murmur of shock through the crowd. "And not just any mortal. He has given her name to a vampire."

The fairies erupted. I couldn't understand most of what being shouted, so I craned my neck to find Gwen. She sat on the floor, as though she didn't have the strength to stand. Quick Brother and Hot Sister kneeled beside her, cradling her in their arms as they stroked her hair. Gwen's head was bowed, her shoulders hunched under the weight of her grief. Curls of her true form drifted into the air like steam.

Elder One had to shout to be heard above the rabble. "These are grievous charges, Prince Xivinaxus, and not to be made lightly."

"Or without proof," Elder Two said.

"I assure my Elders, we have the proof you need. The Seven demand justice."

It was Elder Three's turn to speak. "We know the Children bear no love for Lord Khalid. Given the mandatory punishment for such a crime, tell us you have more evidence than..." The Elders looked me over. "That."

I rolled my eyes. "You won't need more than me," I said. "Gwen's True Name is—"

The rest of my sentence was drowned out by the panicked outcry of the mob. I saw the flash of more than one weapon being drawn. I folded my hands in front of me, satisfied my point was made.

I heard the wood creak when Elder One gripped the arms of its throne with spindly fingers. "Prince Xivinaxus, you would do well to instruct your witness to hold his vile tongue."

Xi bowed. "Of course, my Elder," he said before whirling on me. "Speak again and I will weld a leaded mask over your head, so that you might live out the rest of your days as my feral dog. Do you doubt me?"

No. No, I did not. I shrugged as I said, "Damn, dude. Chill."

Elder Two looked down its nose at me. "Aside from the fact that he is a vampire, this creature despises Lord Khalid. He would say anything to hurt him, and therefore cannot be trusted."