The Vampire Gift 2: Kingdom of(31)

Victoria blinks, maybe frightened—maybe acting? She gives a series of small nods. “You’re right, of course. You’re right. I’m sorry. It’s only that, I’m just beginning to understand the link myself—”

“Another lie,” Mother cuts her off. “Very well, child. If you insist on playing games, perhaps some time in the Silver Cell would be good for you.” She glances at Phillip, who supressed a quick shudder. “Smithson, why don’t you escort our guest to her quarters at the top of the castle? She can emerge after I decide enough time has passed for her to reconsider some of her… attitudes.”

“With pleasure, my Queen,” Smithson bows. He goes to Victoria and twists both her arms behind her back. The petite vampire doesn’t struggle against him, even though I know she easily rivals him in pure strength.

“Try anything I wouldn’t like,” Mother warns, “and you’ll find out just how well your borrowed power stands up against my true witchcraft.” She gives Victoria a nasty smile. “Fair warning. Ta-ta.”

With that, Smithson leads her out the room.

The doors close. Mother, Phillip and I are finally alone.

“Well!” Mother says. “That was certainly something. Wouldn’t you say?”

“You’re toying with her,” Phillip says. “She might take it quietly for now, but it only fuels her anger. Did you not see how she looked at you once you made the accusation?”

“You’re just the one to speak about meekness,” Mother mocks. “Aren’t you, Phillip?”

He starts to respond, but I cut in before he can speak. “Enough distractions. We came here to talk about James.”

“There’s nothing to talk about,” Mother snaps. “His fate is sealed. My decision has been made.”

“You have the power to reverse it,” I say. “Yes, we know he went against you. Yes, we understand that you’re angry. But surely nothing he did deserves the harshest punishment!”

“The harshest?” Mother laughs. “Raul, if you think being allowed to live beneath The Haven is the harshest punishment, you are mistaken. Your brother here—” she motions at Phillip, “—knows all about the harshest punishment. He saw me inflict it upon Jacob.”

Phillip takes a step toward her. “You would never do that to James,” he says.

It sounds more like an order than an admonition. I look at him in surprise.

That is definitely not the Phillip I know to use such a tone with our Mother.

The Queen blinks, also taken back by the force behind Phillip’s words. But then she sighs and admits, “No, I suppose not. Such a fate is reserved for the usurpers… or those planning to challenge my rule.”

“Of which Jacob did neither,” Phillip snarls. Something about him is very off. The aggression he’s showing seems to be almost uncontained.

Mother waves the accusation away. “Jacob and Patricia have caused me more trouble than you know over the years. If it helps your conscience, know that it was not only the murder of my guards that sealed his fate.

My stomach drops. “You charged Jacob with murder?” I ask, my voice shallow.

Mother turns to me. “Why yes, Raul,” she says curiously. “I did. Funny that you would take such an interest in the matter. Don’t you think?”

I clear my throat. “Jacob was a friend.”

“And the guards he killed were my loyal servants,” Mother replies. “Surely four lives lost is worthy of the punishment he received.”

“I’m telling you, it couldn’t have been him,” Phillip insists. “He wasn’t strong enough to take on four of your best.”

“Well, he obviously had help,” Mother says. “His wife was one, for example. You know, I was hoping you would be more resolute in your stance against taking human blood, Phillip. I would have loved the opportunity to be rid of her. But…” she spreads her hands. “A just ruler never reneges on her word.”

Even more guilt eats me up inside that Jacob has to suffer because of what I did. I killed the guards. Somebody else took the fall.

The only solace I have is the feeling that Mother would have taken the slightest excuse to get rid of him, no matter how small or meaningless. The human lives I saved should help balance the scales of my conscience… but for some reason, they do not.

Since when have I become so sentimental?

I clear my throat, “Back to the subject of James—”

“There is NOTHING for us to talk about!” Mother screams. “Bring him up again and you’ll see how far my good will goes.” Her eyes blaze at me. “Don’t test me. Especially not now. Don’t test me, son.”