Page 27 of The Tribes of Magic
“That is speculation, Duchess Dellondré, not proof,” Kato countered.
A young female delegate with glittering gold hair stepped forward. “He’s right, Dellondré. There is no proof that Savannah Winters was involved.”
“We don’t need proof to bring her in for questioning, Diadora.”
Dellondré’s smile was so chilling, I knew right then and there that if she took me in for questioning, I’d never see the light of day again.
Kato must have been thinking the very same thing. He moved in front of me.
“Charming. But ultimately ineffective.” Dellondré flicked her wrist, and vampire soldiers closed in around us, cutting off any hope of escape.
“Lay a hand on any Gaian, and you’ll learn that I’m anything but ineffective.” Kato didn’t blink. He didn’t waver.
Diadora’s calm voice cut through all the glaring. “No one is laying a hand on anyone.”
Dellondré pointed an accusatory finger at me. “She murdered our queen and crown prince. The vampires demand justice. And, according to the laws of this Court, we shall have it.”
The vampire delegation roared in angry agreement.
Diadora faced the vampires. She was eerily calm, much calmer than I was. I could have sworn I saw a few fanged grins among them.
Though maybe my freaked-out mind was just playing tricks on me.
“Yes, the Court’s laws do grant you the right to question suspects, Dellondré,” Diadora said.
Hello, deep, dark vampire prison.
“But the Court’s rules also grant the accused the opportunity to prove their innocence,” Diadora said, turning to me. “Savannah Winters, you have until all the desserts are gone.”
Duchess Dellondré snatched a whole plate of mini desserts off the tray Victoria was holding. “You’d best hurry, little Polymage. I’m feeling very hungry.”
She tossed a chocolate tart into her mouth. All her vampiric companions did the same.
And I just stood there, frozen, counting down the seconds to my demise.
Kato snatched my hand and pulled me to a corner, away from everyone.
I nervously cleared my throat. “Who’s that woman in the green dress? The one who stayed my execution?”
“That’s Duchess Diadora.”
“Duchess Dellondré, Duchess Diadora—the supernatural aristocrats really do love alliteration, don’t they?” I joked nervously.
Kato set his hand on my shoulder. He must have heard my nervous heart making a solid effort to burst out of my chest. “You know how the sups call Duchess Dellondré ‘the Dreadful Duchess’?”
I nodded. My Nymph friend Rane had told me that.
“They call Duchess Diadora ‘the Delightful Duchess’.”
I snorted. More alliteration.
“The nicknames are apt descriptions of the two duchesses,” he continued. “Diadora’s popularity with the other delegatesallowed her to buy us some time to clear your name. But we don’t have long.”
I glanced at Duchess Dellondré’s entourage. “Yeah, not at the rate they’re going through the chocolate desserts. Who would have known that vampires have such a sweet tooth?”
“Vampires.” An idea sparked in Kato’s eyes. “Wait, where’s Prince Wyxl?”
“The vampire who was chatting with his younger sister earlier?”
