Chapter 455
Katelina's thoughts were barely settled when Maeko, Jorick, Verchiel, and Jamie were called to the dock. They took their places and a guard announced them, introducing Maeko as "fledgling of Jorick."
The gold robed vampire banged the gavel. "The inquiry has begun."
A vampire in the left box puffed himself up and Katelina held her breath, waiting for accusations about Maeko's age. Instead he asked. "What were you doing in China?"
China?
When no one answered he pressed, "Is it not true that you worked together to free Executioner Verchiel from confinement at the Chinese G¨-ogu¨¬ F¨£yu¨¤n, knowing that he was being held under suspicion of participating in an unsanctioned coven war, charges of espionage and foreign intrigue?"
Espionage? China? What the-?
"Those charges were ridiculous," a vampire on the right said. "Executioner Verchiel was illegally attacked by agents of Malick the malcontent. He was only defending himself and his party."
The left rebutted, "If both he and his errand were innocent, why did the United States' Guild at first refuse to admit to the G¨-ogu¨¬ F¨£yu¨¤n that Executioner Verchiel was one of their own?"
Xandria tugged on Katelina's t-shirt. "What's going on?"
"They're all mind readers," Katelina explained. "The box on the left argues against the defendants, and the box on the right argues for them. Whoever has the best argument wins."
The vampires on the right cut off their opposition. "The point of this trial is to determine whether the defendants did willfully and unlawfully free a suspected criminal and as such if they should be extradited to China to stand trial as the G¨-ogu¨¬ F¨£yu¨¤n has requested. We are not here to guess at the United States' motives."
Katelina heard only one word: Extradited.
Her fear mounted as the vampires ran back and forth. They showed paperwork to prove that Maeko had been at the Chinese Guild seeking passage to Namibia, that Jorick and Jamie had only gone there because The Guild called Jamie and told him that a human had been captured with Verchiel, and Jorick had assumed it was her. There were a lot of calls logged between all the guilds; America wanting Munich to intercede, Japan looking for Jorick at Maeko's request, Munich cancelling the APB because Japan refused to tell them why they wanted Jorick. Then there was a list of petitions to release Verchiel. America, Munich, and even Japan. The vampires on the left called it proof of motive, while the ones on the right said it showed that Maeko had used legal channels.
"Executioners Jorick and Jamie had no interest in Executioner Verchiel," the right argued. "They did not even petition to visit him, only the human."
"And yet it was during their 'innocent visit' that Executioner Verchiel was 'released'. It's clear from the defendant's actions in this case, and from their previous actions, that they lack respect for the Sodalitas, or for any ruling government."
The vampires on the right fell to whispers. Finally one popped up and said, "This may be the case, but the Sodalitas are better equipped to teach such respect, being the head of all vampiredom. As such, extradition to China is pointless."
The vampires on the left had a prolonged conference, but evidently couldn't think of an argument because the leader slammed the gavel. "It is this council's finding that Executioners Jorick, Jamie, and Verchiel, and Maeko, fledgling of Jorick, will not be extradited to China. However, they are to remain in the stronghold until it has been determined whether or not they need to stand further trial for their actions in China. Final judgment has been made."
He slammed the gavel and a guard hurried forward to usher them out of the box. Katelina's heart stopped when he motioned Jorick to stay. Now what?
Another guard approached her and signaled her to join him. Though she wasn't afraid of the H?here Rat as she had been before, the terror of the half-remembered dungeon was enough to leave her with trembling hands as she took her place in the dock.
The guard stepped forward again. "Presenting Executioner Jorick and his human."
The gold robed vampire slammed the gavel. "The inquiry has begun."
One of the vampires on the left raised a hand. "Except the human belonging to Executioner Jorick is no longer human."
The right chimed in quickly. "We insist that her status be upgraded and she be allowed to speak for herself."
The blue robed vampires in the middle had a quick discussion. One of them asked, "And who is her master?" Silence fell and Katelina moved closer to Jorick. If they'd make an incorrect assumption and legally tie her to him, all that blood debt crap wouldn't matter anymore. Would it?
A heartbeat passed and a vampire on the right said, "She is the fledgling of Micah, of the United States, whose lineage is unclear and who is not present."
Katelina's heart sank and the gavel banged again. "Executioner Jorick is excused from these proceedings and may take a seat."
She met Jorick's eyes and refrained from clutching his arm. She always said she wanted equality. She could do this on her own. Couldn't she?
Jorick hesitated, then stalked out of the box and took a seat next to Maeko.
The vampires on the left began again, "It is this inquiry's mission to discover whether Katelina Mauldin, former human slave of Executioner Jorick, was taken by Malick the malcontent against her will, or whether she joined with him of her own consent."
Katelina gaped. Were they seriously putting her on trial for being a victim?
***
A soft buzzing started in the back of Katelina's mind. The spokesman on the right motioned to her. "It is obvious from her memories that she was taken against her will and held prisoner."
"Is it?" The left demanded. The talk of what was inside Katelina's head doubled her fury. She'd never given them a free pass to her brain.
The vampires on the left continued. "You will note there is a hole in her recollection between being taken for questioning and being returned to her cell. Why are those memories not available? Is she shielding them?"
If I knew how, I'd shield it all, she thought bitterly.
The vampires on the right frowned. "Given the memories surrounding the lapse, hiding them would serve no purpose. One must remember that she was human when it occurred. In its weakness, her mortal mind might have dumped the memories for the sake of preservation. If you examine what comes after you can clearly see that she could not have been colluding with Malick."
There was another whispered conference, then the golden robed vampire slammed the gavel and announced, "It is this council's finding that Katelina Mauldin, fledgling of Micah, did not willfully cooperate with Malick the Malcontent. As such, no further inquiries are needed. Final judgment has been made."
Katelina was torn between anger and relief. When the gavel sounded again she hurried out of the box and took her seat. Jorick wrapped her hand in his, but his attention was focused forward, as if he was running through the thoughts in the councilmen's minds. Could he do that? Was he powerful enough to break through their defenses? Verchiel had once hinted to her that there was a lot more to Jorick than anyone knew. Though she'd always known he was strong, she wondered just how strong.
Hethin escorted Boris to the dock. Katelina expected the Russian to try to fight or disappear, but he marched forward, his head high and his shoulders straight.
"Presenting Boris of Russia, fledgling of Bassile," the guard announced. The gavel pounded and the inquiry began.
While the vampires went back and forth, Katelina asked Jorick, "Why is he on trial?"
"To make sure he isn't working with Malick. If he's found guilty he'll be imprisoned."
A knot of worry settled in her stomach but dissipated as the trial continued. Though the opposition pointed out how useful he'd been to Malick, Boris' memories of being locked up, occasionally beaten, and starved were enough to prove he wasn't a willing confederate. Finally, the golden robed vampire smacked the gavel and announced that Boris was free to go as long as he remained in the stronghold for the time being.
The Russian muttered his agreement and followed Hethin out of the room. Katelina could imagine the relief he felt as the double doors shut behind him.
There was only Braydon's trial left, then she planned to go. She turned to Jorick, to communicate her intentions, when a guard came to a stop before them. Xandria shrank back, eyes wide. "Me?"
