Falling to Pieces (17 page)

“Well, that was hairy.”

I tensed, my shoulders bunched up around my ears as his laughter rung out again.

“Pun intended,” he said with breathlessness as he clutched his stomach and rocked forward with hysterical laughter.

Thomas tapped his fingers over his mouth and bounced his knee in rhythm repeatedly while glaring out of the window.

“So, where’s your girlfriend?” I asked, jutting my chin out in defiance. His laughter ceased.

“Teagan, I don’t think you even have the right to speak. What you have put this race through—what you’ve put your maker and your friends through—well, its despicable. Unforgivable.” He shrugged.

“Fuck you,” I breathed. Even though I should have been kissing Barty’s ass, I couldn’t bring myself to do so. I puckered my lips. This asshole didn’t have the first clue what it meant to be me. He acted as though he’d never known hardship and he acted like he always got everything he wanted. I failed to see why I should justify myself to him.

Our combined silences made for an uncomfortable journey.

We pulled into the depressing concrete covered parking lot. I climbed out of the limo after Bartholomew and breathed in the night air wondering if that would be my last breath of fresh air.

I curled my fingers into a ball to hide the fact they shook. Bartholomew’s huge frame moved fluidly, his almost white blonde hair fluttered in the breeze in front of me, the sheen guiding me into his lair. Thomas remained behind.

Part of me wanted to turn around, embrace him like I never had, tell him I loved him for being my maker and thank him for giving me the chance to start again. I wanted to praise him for his patience, for teaching me everything so passionately and for being the most wonderful father anyone could hope for. Most of all, I wanted to apologise for everything I’d put him through. For throwing everything he’d given me away.

My nerves wouldn’t allow any of that, and such a display would surely prove my guilt. Perhaps an apology would be perceived as some sort of admission of wrong doing?

We headed down the stone staircase into the thick air below the disused warehouse. The last time I’d been down there I didn’t get the chance to remember leaving. Maybe this time I never would.

No bedroom antics with Barty this time, thank goodness. We moved directly to the door of the conference room at the end of the corridor.

The waiting vampires stopped their chatter as we entered. I stood still just inside the doorway and watched Bartholomew take his seat at the end of the table.

The other eight vampires that formed The Assembly inspected me, a couple of them tutted and shook their heads, both men and quite late turners, given away by their grey hair and deep lines etched on their faces.

The slight blonde who’d dragged Gabriella away from me after her assault caught my eye. She surveyed me with a smile. I latched on to her twinkling green eyes and dipped my head, cocking it slightly to the right. I was surprised when she returned the gesture. She seemed to be attempting silent communication with me.

“Order, order,” Bartholomew bellowed out to the members of The Assembly. They’d all quieted as we entered, so I wasn’t even sure why he’d called out. I noted that the other eight members exchanged glances as well. Some even rolled their eyes at his melodramatic antic.

Bartholomew’s eyes rested on the single empty seat around the conference table before moving his gaze to Thomas.

“Are you not a member of The Assembly, Thomas?”

Thomas stood beside me, clearly displaying his support for me. Would he never learn that I was nothing but a liability?

“I am.” He nodded his head once. “However, you are all aware that the accused is my child, and I am here to bear witness for her. It would be highly unorthodox for me to sit with The Assembly in judgement of her actions.”

A few murmured their agreement with Thomas’ statement. Victoria gaped at Bartholomew as though he were a madman.

“Yes, I see your point but it would seem wrong to welcome you to The Assembly as a new member, and not allow you to sit with us. Your statement will still be counted as will your vote.” He held out a hand towards the chair. More murmurs, tut’s and gasps filled the cavernous room.

Thomas walked slowly towards the empty maroon leather chair, even by human standards. Almost as though he expected a trap to leap forth from the seat. He took his place, unscathed, nonetheless.

“Ladies and Gentleman, if we are ready to begin.” Bartholomew glanced over the members looking from one side of the table to the other.

I straightened up a little, clasping my hands together in front of me, experiencing awkwardness from the undivided attention the ten people gave me as Bartholomew introduced me.

“She stands before us, accused of fraternising with a Werewolf.”

Babbles, hisses and heckles filled my ears. I squeezed my eyebrows together and pursed my lips.

‘
They already knew this...
’

Then, I tried thoroughly hard not to laugh when the realisation of what was happening finally hit me.

Everything seemed so theatrical. This seemed to be their idea of entertainment.

I glanced at Thomas. He stared at the walnut table shaking his head with disbelief lining his face.

“Order, order,” Bartholomew cried out over the crowd, only this time it seemed essential for his voice to be noticed.

I peered down at the parquet flooring in an attempt to appear ashamed, but in truth, I was trying to wipe the smile off my face.

“How do you plead, Ms. Lewis,” Bartholomew barked like a high court judge. I pictured him wearing a billowing black robe and a curly powdered wig. The vision made it harder to wipe my growing smile.

It took me a moment to realise he’d addressed me because I concentrated so hard on smoothing my expression out.

Shit just got serious so I raised my head and stared straight into Bartholomew’s piercing green gaze. A plan had formulated in my head.

‘
Give them what they want, Teagan
.’

“If The Assembly would be willing to hear my statement. My plea, your Lordship—” my high pitched voice trailed off.

It seemed obvious these people loved pomp and pageantry. I was going to give them exactly that. I didn’t look at Thomas, because if I had, I’d have burst out laughing.

“Very well.”

“I came from humble beginnings. My family and I were often starved almost half to death.” I caught Thomas’ eyebrow arching out the corner of my eye. That was bullshit and he knew so. My family were humble but we always had food, I’d always made sure of that much.

“I’m so grateful to my maker, Thomas, for saving me and for turning me into the beautiful creature of the night I am today. I love being a vampire. I’m so proud of our kind. Each and every one of us.” I clutched my hands over my chest theatrically. I’d even made my accent sound British, so it appeared I truly was one of them and enhancing my Oscar winning display.

A man with mousy brown hair called out, “Here, here,” as if he were in the houses of parliament or something. I recognised him as one of the men who had tutted at me earlier.

I worked the crowd. I worked it well.

“I allowed myself to be tricked by a beast.” My eyes flew wide as did my arms, gesticulating to provide drama to my words.

The Assembly gasped with the exception of Victoria, Thomas and Bartholomew.

Victoria’s eyes narrowed while Thomas and Bartholomew tried, with immense difficulty, to keep their expressions even.

“You met him.” I gestured to them with a wave of my hand as I stepped forward and leaned on the edge of the table. “Did you smell his delicious scent?” I nodded my head to express my point, my voice almost a whisper.

Many heads nodded along with me. Victoria's remained still, and her narrowed eyes evolved into mere slits.

“Please.” I laced my fingers together and brought them back into my chest in an exaggerated movement. “I beg all of you. Don’t allow me to be punished for a mistake I promise never to make again. I will never allow myself to be fooled by such trickery again.” My voice raised and filled with mock sincerity as I peered up at the ceiling as you would if in prayer.

“Ok, I think we’ve understood enough. Bruno,” Bartholomew nodded to the man seated next to him. He stood beside me in a split second, clasping his mitt around my upper arm with unnecessary tightness. He led me from the room as sighs and loud chatter erupted, each member fought for their voices and opinions to be heard. My only wish being that they failed to realise what I’d done, and that was give a sterling performance.

Bruno escorted me into a cell, and this time it genuinely was a cell, hard, cold and small. An uninviting strip light filled the room with an uncomfortable bright bluish glow.

Alex sat in the corner on the dark grey linoleum, his knees drawn up to his chest. He took a moment to glance at us before returning his gaze back to the blank white-washed wall in front of him with his jaw clenched so hard, it very well might have snapped at any moment.

Bruno delivered me into the centre of the room before swishing out and slamming the door behind him. I settled down beside the wordless Alex, purposefully pressing my arm against his.

“Are those guys for real?” I giggled and nudged him, indicating the location of the conference room with my head.

Nothing.

“Alex, what I did was unforgivable. It wasn’t my direct intention to get you into any trouble. You’ll never understand how intense my emotions are for Marc. I can’t tell you I wished I hadn’t done it. I mean, seriously, it’s hard for me to regret what I did. I love him so much.” My voice choked and I clutched a hand to my chest in response to the ache in my heart.

“You do realise you’re not going to have a choice, don’t you?” he whispered, still not making eye contact.

I nodded pressing my lips together in a tight line. He turned to examine me affirm that I would no longer pursue the Werewolf. I couldn’t bring myself to say the words. Even if Marc told me he didn’t want me, didn’t love me, I didn’t know if I’d be able to do it. How would I do it?

“What happened at your trial?” Alex asked after a long pause.

“They’re all fucking insane, that’s what happened,” I said with a smile.

Alex cocked his head and raised an eyebrow.

“What? You haven’t been in?”

He shook his head. “They wanted to do you first. They said if you’re guilty then so am I. If not, then I’ve done nothing wrong.”

“Oh,” I said suddenly realising I just took a chance with both of our lives. I thought I’d better keep mum about what had happened. He likely wouldn’t understand what they were like and in turn may think I’d actually been trying to get us killed.

“Do you know how much danger you’ve put me in, Tea?” He let out a long sigh. Now it appeared to be my turn to stare at the wall. Guilt began to lick at me like flames.

“I mean, imagine if they’d managed to find out I’m underage. I’d be dead in an instant. I’ve always tried to stay off the radar. You’re the only person who’s brought me into unwanted contact with the authorities. You must promise me.
No. More. Trouble
.”

“I’m sorry,” I muttered like a scolded child. “Maybe, if we
do
get out of here we could go some place, have some fun like old times? Then you could go home, back to America, where I can’t get you into anymore hot water.” I managed a half smile turning to inspect his face.

“Where’d you fancy going?” he asked, his expression finally getting some brightness back, making him appear more like himself.

“Oh, I don’t know. Anywhere,” I shrugged. “The world’s our oyster, hey,” I said, elbowing him.

I could tell he was trying to think of a country he wanted to go to, his eyes sparkled with excitement. I began to say a little prayer in my head that we’d be saved, more as a force of habit as opposed to any belief in religion. I wasn’t an atheist or a believer of any single denomination. When I prayed, I never understood exactly whom I prayed to in the first place. I just went with what felt right.

Bruno suddenly appeared in the centre of the room.

“They are ready for you now,” he said in a monotone voice, his eyes met both of ours.

“Well, that was fast,” I said.

He shrugged his response. I searched his face for a sign of the verdict but his expression gave nothing away.

I rose to my feet, my throat constricted with nerves. I could have used a drink to take the edge off.

Bruno glowered down at Alex expectantly when he didn’t move. “You too.”

Alex and I examined each other both wide eyed as we silently considered if this was a good or bad thing.

“Come.” Bruno barked the order and turned his back on us to walk through the door.

My limbs shook as I momentarily considered trying to overpower him, or at least sprint past him and get out of here, but when I returned my gaze to Alex and the sheer terror written all over his face, I stopped in my tracks. That’s the first time in all the years I’d known him that I’d recognised just how young he was.