Page 33 of Wynter's Bite

Time he did not have. He needed to get to Bethany!

Scanning the cell, Justus wracked his brain to come up with a means of escape. He’d imprisoned so many rogue vampires over the years, he should know these cells inside and out. Alas, that was the problem. He was the one who selected the special steel for the shackles. He was the one who’d urged Gavin to wall the cells up with granite instead of basalt. He was the one who made escape impossible.

The creak of the hidden door upstairs, followed by footsteps, announced the approach of other vampires. Justus smelled Gavin and Benson.

He swallowed. Gavin coming down here did not bode well. Then again, Justus hadn’t really expected to survive this debacle.

The dark forms of his lord and the third in command appeared before the barred doorway of the cell, their shadows engulfing Justus like a shroud of an ominous omen.

Benson unlocked the cell and Gavin strode in, standing over Justus with that same despondent frown. “It breaks my heart to see you here.”

“Then let me go.” Justus growled.

Gavin sighed. “You of all vampires are aware of what happens when one violates our laws. Especially the law you flagrantly broke.”

“Why can you not show me mercy, just this once?”

“Because most of the Elders detest me.” Gavin threw up his hands in impotent frustration as he blurted out the confession. “I had a disagreement with the Lord of Edinburgh and he tried to block my appointment as Lord of Rochester. The only reason they do not strip me of my rank during my reinstatement hearings is because I hold to the letter of the law. The second I am caught bending a rule, they’ll oust me to allow the self-titled Lord of Kent to take more territory.”

“Why did you never tell me?” Justus demanded. Then he slumped in his chains, knowing that even if he’d known, it probably wouldn’t have made a difference.

Gavin sighed. “Because I didn’t think it mattered. I am the ruler here, not the Elders, but you see why I cannot pardon you for your crime. Yet you’ve placed me in a quandary. I should try you before all the vampires of Rochester. Make an example of you so they all know that no one will be spared from my wrath. Not even my best friend.” His voice broke at the last. “Yet at the same time, not only was your crime embarrassing, but your reasons for it are humiliating beyond the pale. If you related that before our people, I’d be a laughingstock, and someone would send word to Edinburgh before my next evaluation.”

Justus did not like where this was going. The Rochester vampires generally viewed him in a much more amicable light than their lord, who was called “Ruthless Rochester” behind his back. He’d been hoping that enough of that goodwill could be retained through a trial by his peers, something Gavin did only with vampires he respected. Justus had assumed himself to be on that list. Yet it seemed he no longer held sway with his lord’s regard.

“So you will try me privately?” Justus said softly, trying to conceal his fear. Every vampire that Gavin judged on his own was sentenced to a quick death. Although he’d expected as much, the confirmation still filled his blood with ice.

Gavin nodded curtly. “I must. For this situation must be handled as discreetly as possible, for me to save face and protect my position. Also, it is the safest course, as the last thing I want to do is incite a panic from what you’ve done.”

The severity in his eyes filled Justus with guilt. “I am sorry, my lord. You must believe that I never intended for this to happen.” He realized he wasn’t only worried about Bethany, but for his people as well. “Have I unleashed mobs and hunters upon us all?”

Gavin shook his head. “The humans think the chit is hysterical. The Meads have defected from the country amongst the laughter of their peers, and you had better thank whatever deity you believe in for that.”

Hope tinged his soul like golden light. “So you didn’t do anything to her?”

“There was no need. I heard that just this day, she was packed off to Derbyshire to stay with a relative.” Gavin’s thin lips curved in a humorless smile. “Her talk of vampires will not be repeated as Lord Wickshire will already have to work hard to restore his reputation and political career.”

“Then no harm was done!” Justus couldn’t conceal his relief. “Please, my lord, I beg you for a pardon. I’ll resign as second in command and perhaps you may petition the Lord of Derbyshire for me to join his ranks, because—”

Gavin struck him so fast that Justus didn’t see the blow coming. His head rocked back and slammed against the granite wall and pain exploded in his mouth where his lip split open.

“What in God’s name is the matter with you?” Gavin roared. “You fool! Have you forgotten that you committed the most serious crime among our kind? Just because we were fortunate that no one believed does not negate the severity of the situation. Bloody hell, I hope I never fall in love.” He paced in front of Justus with a furious scowl. “I cannot believe you are seriously considering the idea that I’d forget all this and ask the Lord of Derbyshire to take you.”

“She is my intended,” Justus argued. “Once I Change her, all the damage will be undone.”

Gavin sneered as he went on in a mocking voice. “Oh yes, Lord Derbyshire, please allow my former second to join you. Never mind that he told a mortal that he’s a vampire and wishes to continue pursuing that very loose-lipped girl and bring her into our ranks so she can know more of our secrets.”

When presented like that, it did sound rather impossible. Justus’s spirits plummeted. “What’s to be done with me then, my lord?”

Gavin turned to Benson and nodded. Justus’s heart thudded against his ribs as Benson handed their lord his sword. The sword that had cleaved the hearts and severed the heads of countless other vampires.

“The sentence for revealing oneself to a mortal is death,” Gavin said, slapping the flat of the blade against his palm as he continued to pace. Suddenly he stopped and lunged the blade forward.

Justus gasped as he felt the cold, sharp point against his throat. He stared into his lord’s eyes, silently pleading for mercy.

Gavin held the sword immobile. “Justus de Wynter, you are stripped of your rank. Benson will now serve as my second in command. And now, I hereby sentence you to...”

Justus closed his eyes, ready to feel the thrust of polished steel into his neck.

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