Sealed With a Curse(4)
“This is a perfect example of why I don’t wear makeup,” I told Taran.
Taran stepped forward with her hands on her hips. “How the hell is she a witness? I didn’t see her at the club that night! And Lord knows she would’ve stuck out.”
Emme trembled beside me. “Taran, please don’t get us killed!”
I gave my youngest sister’s hand a squeeze. “Steady, Emme.”
Judge Malika called Misha’s two witnesses forward. “Mr. Miller and Mr. Brown, which of you gentlemen would like to go first?”
Both “gentlemen” took one gander at Destiny and scrambled away from her. It was never a good sign when something scared a vampire. Hank, the bigger of the two vamps, shoved Tim forward.
“You may begin,” Judge Malika commanded. “Just concentrate on what you saw that night. Destiny?”
The four judges swiftly donned protective ear wear, like construction workers used, just as a guard flipped a switch next to the flat-screen. At first I thought the judges toyed with us. Even with heightened senses, how could they hear the testimony through those ridiculous ear guards? Before I could protest, Destiny enthusiastically approached Tim and grabbed his head. Tim’s immediate bloodcurdling screams caused the rest of us to cover our ears. Every hair on my body stood at attention. What freaked me out was he wasn’t the one on trial.
Emme’s fair freckled skin blanched so severely, I feared she’d pass out. Shayna stood frozen with her jaw open while Taran and I exchanged “oh, shit” glances. I was about to start the “let’s get the hell out of here” ball rolling when images from Tim’s mind appeared on the screen. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Complete with sound effects, we relived the night of David’s murder. Misha straightened when he saw David soar out of Taran’s window in flames, but otherwise he did not react. Nor did Misha blink when what remained of David burst into ashes on our lawn. Still, I sensed his fury. The image moved to a close-up of Hank’s shocked face and finished with the four of us scowling down at the blood and ash.
Destiny abruptly released the sobbing Tim, who collapsed on the floor. Mucus oozed from his nose and mouth. I didn’t even know vamps were capable of such body fluids.
At last, Taran finally seemed to understand the deep shittiness of our situation. “Son of a bitch,” she whispered.
Hank gawked at Tim before addressing the judges. “If it pleases the court, I swear on my honor I witnessed exactly what Tim Brown did about David Geller’s murder. My version would be of no further benefit.”
Malika shrugged indifferently. “Very well, you’re excused.” She turned toward us while Hank hurried back to his seat. “As you just saw, we have ways to expose the truth. Destiny is able to extract memories, but she cannot alter them. Likewise, during Destiny’s time with you, you will be unable to change what you saw. You’ll only review what has already come to pass.”
I frowned. “How do we know you’re telling us the truth?”
Malika peered down her nose at me. “What choice do you have? Now, which of you is first?”
CHAPTER 2
I gathered my sisters around me. “I’m going first. I can handle Destiny better than the rest of you.”
Taran wasn’t having any of it. “Screw that, Celia. I’ll go. It’s my fault we’re here. Besides, my badass shields will protect me from that fashion emergency.”
I wasn’t so sure, but I reluctantly nodded. Taran hugged us briefly before confronting Destiny. Emme grabbed my hand again for comfort. I gave her another little squeeze. Shayna didn’t need comforting. So long as I stayed strong, she wouldn’t panic.
I took a deep breath to calm my nerves. If Taran doesn’t do well, we’ll get the hell out of here or die trying.
Taran stepped forward, and once again the enthusiastic Destiny did, too. I stiffened when she touched Taran’s head. To my surprise, other than a little shudder, Taran didn’t react. A moment later, her memories of the night in question flashed on the screen.
We found our sister had an extremely graphic memory. The first image was innocent enough; it showed Taran and David dancing together at a club. When they entered David’s limo, things took an unexpected turn. Moaning, groaning, and grunting aside, there were some talents people shouldn’t know their sisters possessed. Emme buried her face in her hands. Shayna cringed. She glanced back and forth from the screen to me.
“Make it stop,” she pleaded.
Oh, honey, I wish I could. I was torn between gouging out my eyes and ripping the flat-screen off the wall to beat Taran with it. What was she thinking? This totally went against our “must not date anything that consumes blood” rule we made last year—the first time I caught her flirting with a vampire. I rubbed my face. Good heavens. It was bad enough to invite a vampire into our home, but to end up having her escapades broadcast like the finale of American Idol was so wrong.