Page 121 of This Blood That Binds Us
“This question in particular is for Luke,” Kilian said as he watched Luke’s face.
The room turned dead silent. The sound of the rain rushing along the stone walls filled our silence.
I was reminded of what Luke said when I was eavesdropping. He said he missed Her. His voice dripped with longing. But how? After killing Sarah, how could he not hate Her like I know I hated Her?
Luke shook his head like he didn’t want to answer, but after a few minutes in the silence, he did. “She’s...important to me. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t feel connected to Her. But it’s not real. It’s just because we shared blood. But I never let the way I felt about Her come between what I knew was right. It’s like Zach said. It’s all just...manipulation.”
His connection to Her was all blood, which meant that’s all mine was, too. The reason she showed up in my hallucination was all because of that tiny speck of blood.
I knew there was more to their story. There was no way all of all their stories could possibly be told in the course of one trial. I didn’t know the extent of how deep their ties to The Family were or who She was to them, but I knew who my brothers were to me. I knew the extent they’d go to keep us safe, and in the end, they chose us. That was enough. It was finally enough for me.
“Gentlemen, I believe we’ve reached the end of the trial. You will now be able to say your final pleas.”
My heart pounded. I leaned forward involuntarily, and William grabbed me to sit me up. The light of the flames blurred, causing haze to fill the entire room. A metallic taste lingered on my lips. I was scared. Yes. But also, I was barely holding on. If this was the end, at least we’d all die together.
Kimberly danced back into mind, with her fiery hair and laughter. I was going to miss her. There was so much more I wanted to do with her. Things I wanted to say. But her safety would have to be enough. She was with Presley, and they were safe. My job was done.
“I’ve collected sufficient information to make my final verdict and deliberate with the council. Please tell me your final plea.” Kilian stood in line with the robed members who lined the walls, his hands outstretched as if he were worshipping.
Luke turned to me. “I’m sorry we can’t get you out of this one. I wanted to tell you everything, but now you see why I didn’t. I didn’t want you to see how bad we messed up. Just because we didn’t kill Sarah or Raymond doesn’t mean we aren’t guilty. We are. If I could go back, I would.”
Zach sighed, watching Luke. “We’renot guilty.”
Kilian finally turned to me. “And you . . . What do you plead?”
I cleared my throat. The small movement hurt my chest. “I can’t speak for my brothers...You’ll probably say I’m biased, but they are good people. But in two months’ time, I lied, put my brother’s in danger and then attacked an innocent girl twice because of my own stupidity. So...I’m guilty.”
Zach put his head in his hands. “How did I know you would say some cheesy shit like that? You two and your morality really pisses me off sometimes.”
I smiled. “What can I say? It’s kinda been my job since birth.”
To my surprise, Zach laughed. In a strange way, I felt at peace. I’d finally fixed my mess. I righted my wrongs. That alone was enough to keep me calm. Kilian held up his hands, and the robed figures followed him to the altar. With their backs turned, they deliberated. I tried to remember every detail of my brother’s faces, hoping that, if death wasn’t swift, I could have that as my last comfort. I thought we’d have eternity together, but forever turned out to be pretty short.
My voice was barely a whisper. “I’m sorry I was such an asshole. I think I get it now, why you kept all those secrets.”
“We know. You don’t have to apologize,” Zach said.
“No, I mean...you literally joined a cult when you were ten, so we wouldn’t go hungry and then, somehow, you were able to escape that cult despite some weird connection to a vampire queen and try to save us. Granted, it didn’t exactly work out but...Zach, you were right. I don’t know anything about being selfless, nothing that you haven’t taught me. Thank you both for everything. Maybe in another life...we’ll stay clear of the cult thing.”
Luke’s eyes glistened, and he held up a fist to Zach, who bumped it, then held up his fist to me. Our unspoken bond could never be broken. Not even in death. I was convinced wherever I went after death, they’d find a way to get to me. It was our unspoken promise to never go alone.
As the meeting adjourned, two more robed people each came to stand by us. William stayed next to Kilian. The candles were little wax stumps on the floor, the large candelabra dripping wax in little red pools next to the cross.
“Our deliberations have been made. Through the majority vote of council. You have all been found guilty for your involvement with The Family,” Kilian said, swiftly.
My heart sank as the room stirred around me.
“However, it is by my decision your final verdict is made...I was quite moved by your displays of affection earlier. I did not expect you to choose someone other than your family to live. To condemn your innocent brother to death is your ultimate fear, and yet you looked it in the face and accepted it, because it was the right thing to do. I’ve met many members of The Family. I’ve been battling them for centuries. Many of them are cold and unfeeling. Their obsessions are forced into them at a young age, and they are loyal only to their queen. I see that is not the case here. Having seen...the memories...I was quite moved by your resilience to evil and your love for your family.”
He turned to Luke. “I do not know Her plans for you, but I do see what She saw in you. Someone valiant, innocent, and virtuous. The Family loves corruption. They need people like you, Luke. They chose you because you are good.”
He turned to Zach. “And Zach, you as well. Your loyalty to your brothers is what they ultimately want from you for them, but you would not give it freely. So, they take.”
“Despite your failings, I’ve concluded that your connection to The Family is by blood only. This manipulation, along with the tragedy it would be to convict the rest of your family of your past crimes, has made it very clear for me. Your final verdict is not guilty.”
My brothers and I shared a joyful smile. Relief washed over me.
“Does this mean you’ll let us go?” Zach said, stirring in his chains.
