Sarah looked at him, and suddenly wished she was clear across the world. She wanted to be as far away from all of this as she could be. She needed time to think. Somehow, she had to make sense of all that had happened to her in such a short time.
When she opened her eyes, she was totally lost.
Chapter Twelve
Devlin cursed when he arrived at the Council chambers and realized he was alone. Where the hell was she? He did a mental search, but sensed nothing. What the hell? That had never happened before—not between two connected vampires. He’d taught her to shield—apparently too well. He hoped that was all it was. It was too late go search for her. The Elders knew he was here.
Hopefully, if he didn’t know where she was, though, no one else would either. He walked to the center of the large room. “I wish an audience,” he said quietly.
In only a few moments, the Elders were all seated at the large dais.
“Is it done?” Giles asked.
Devlin looked at the Elder squarely in the eye. “She did not betray us to the Hunters,” he said firmly.
Giles frowned and arched a white brow. “And you know this how?”
Devlin looked at Carina for only a moment. “Sarah was attacked in her apartment earlier. She was stabbed and nearly died. She is my mate now. I have sired her,” he said quietly.
There was a loud murmur among the Elders. Only Carina remained silent. Giles finally spoke. “It is forbidden.”
Devlin nodded once. “It may be forbidden, but it has certainly occurred before. She was dying. I had to save her—she is my mate,” he repeated. “I could do no less.”
Giles studied the younger vampire. “You have made her your mate? She understands what this means?”
“She does,” Devlin assured him and the others. “She did not betray me to the Hunters. I questioned her, but I also entered her mind when I was teaching her our ways. There was no subterfuge hidden there. I’d have known.”
Giles frowned. “There is a reason why we don’t mix with humans, Devlin. You know this. The problems it causes far outweigh the benefits.”
Devlin glared at the older man. “She was in danger before I took her. At least now, she can protect herself,” he snapped. He looked at each member of the Council. “None knew of her outside of this room.”
That caused a murmur to go through the group as Devlin had known it would. Obviously, there was a traitor among them. It was unlikely that the Hunters had been simply watching one of the other Chosen—although, he supposed, it was possible.
Giles spoke again, his voice angry. “We were all here with you, Devlin, when this attack occurred.” He hadn’t told them when the attack occurred. That made him wonder if the entire Council knew more than they were letting on. He didn’t want to believe they would all conspire to kill a human just to keep him away from one. Was that even possible?
“Just know this,” he said quietly, his voice holding threat and promise. “I will find the ones responsible for hurting her and they will pay with their lives—be they vampire or human.”
“You can not start a war over one woman, Devlin. We are not going to engage in open hostilities with the Hunters,” Giles said tightly.
“I’m engaging no one,” he said. “Other than the one responsible for hurting Sarah.”
“Where is this new one now?”
He wished he knew. “Safe.”
That brought another angry murmur to the group. One didn’t ignore the direct request of an Elder. “Where?” Giles asked again.
Devlin smiled. “I sent her on her own. I told her only to remain safe.”
Giles brushed that away. “If you’ve mated with her, you can find her. Bring her before us, Devlin. We must meet this new child.”
Devlin wasn’t about to bring her near them until he knew exactly where the threat came from. “I’ve taught her to shield, Giles. I can not find her until she wants me to find her. I thought it the best way to protect her,” he said, assuring the words sounded respectful. Alienating the entire council wasn’t his goal.
Devlin watched each of the Elders. Of course, they were very adept at hiding their thoughts. At least one of them, though, had betrayed him, and despite the repercussions, he’d have retribution.
Giles interrupted his thoughts. “Devlin, we can keep her safe.”
Devlin held his temper in tight rein. “How?”
“Do not dare to think I will allow your continued disrespect, Devlin. We are allowing a bit of latitude because this woman was hurt. Be careful.”
“My apologies, no offense was intended. But, how can the Council keep her safe?”