Page 79 of Across the Sapphire Sea
Bannos narrowed his gaze. “It’s better than the alternative.”
“Obviously, we want to keep our minds intact,” said Ash.
“There is more.” Isla’s voice, as musical as Finley’s or Sachi’s, but not nearly as friendly. “Whereas the five of you are not at fault for what’s happened,” her gaze drifted over each of them to land squarely on Valeri, “Valeri had been warned to stay away. He knew the consequences of his return. His actions warrant punishment.”
Though Elias had suspected as much, his muscles stiffened, and his jaw clenched upon hearing it. He didn’t entirely disagree, yet he wouldn’t allow harm to come to his sire if he could prevent it.
Beside him, Valeri remained perfectly still, lips pressed in a thin line, eyes narrowed. He looked for all the world like a man itching to fire back.
Isla squared her shoulders, chin jutted forward. “Valeri will be relegated to a gaole cell where he will be starved of blood.”
Elias failed to contain a horrified gasp.
“In his weakened state, he’ll be given an option to beg our forgiveness upon the winter solstice. If he fails to earn that forgiveness, he’ll starve until the spring equinox at which time he’ll receive another opportunity. And so on until he earns his place in polite society. His only visitor will be Elias, and that is a courtesy to Elias because he is young in the blood. Visits will be at Elias’s discretion, not Valeri’s.”
Elias let out a breath. He didn’t have to pretend to be terrified, his fear was genuine and would be obvious on his face. Oh gods, they really had to get out of there. Valeri would go mad in custody, and Elias might too.
“And if I refuse?” asked Valeri, his voice pitched low in quiet fury.
“The choice isn’t yours to make.” Isla turned her carping gaze to Ash.
It now fell on Ash and Aella to make their capitulation look convincing. For his part, Elias had only to take Valeri’s hand and act scared, which was easy, because he was terrified. Just as The Vartija didn’t know their full strength, their group didn’t know The Vartija’s either. Success was no guarantee. He hoped Sachi knew what she was doing.
“Starving a vampire is an extreme punishment,” said Ash at length. “We admit to frustration with Valeri ourselves, but your suggestion is cruel beyond our limits.”
“Wait. Before we discusshim,” Aella cast an irritated glance at Valeri, “define what you mean by ‘remain under your supervision,’ because it sounds like Valeri isn’t the only one who’ll be imprisoned.”
Isla’s brows arched. “It’s not imprisonment. You’ll be allowed certain freedoms.”
Aella raised her voice. “‘Allowed certain freedoms’ implies we’ll be denied others. I have done nothing wrong—”
Sachi stood. “Before this conversation continues, Valeri’s punishment isn’t up for debate. Only yours. Keep your memories and stay, or lose them and go. It’s really that simple. I’ll escort him to his cell while you think on your choices.”
At her approach, Valeri scooted back in his chair, the legs screeching against the stone floor.
“Please don’t take him,” begged Elias as she neared. His gaze flitted to Aella. The witch’s fingers twitched at her sides.
Remy sat on edge, and Laurence already had a hand touching the back of his neck. They’d need to act fast while Sachi stood close enough.
A knock sounded at the door, startling a flinch from Elias.
Everyone’s heads turned at the interruption.
Bannos, irritation written across his face, gestured to one of the men. “Gauss, see what that is.”
The burly vampire, Gauss, rose to go to the door, striding through the middle of their group to do it, and putting himself at their backs.
Remy cast a worried glance to Aella.
Sachi grasped Valeri by the arm, landing herself firmly within their circle. “You must come with me. It will go easier for you if you cooperate.”
Valeri scowled and remained seated.
Elias clung to his other arm. He refused to let go. “You can’t take him. I need him. Please.”
Aella exhaled, closed her eyes, and began to chant. In front of her, Remy raised his arms.
“You’ll be able to visit him.” Sachi’s voice rung hollow, her playacting no longer convincing. Her worried eyes found Finley.
