Authors: Maya DeLeina
“Chariana told us it has something to do with the DNA linking Brynne and Anya. But Steffan, I drink from Brynne and have never felt the effects of the urban legend out there that she can provide extraordinary powers. I just can’t figure it out,” Rhys said to Steffan, shaking his head.
Steffan nodded in response. “As do I with Anya. Look, Brynne will just have to be close by for us to call on her when Anya senses the time is right.”
“That brings up a good question. What exactly is the plan here, Steffan? The council will not let everyone in the room. I have to inject you before we head down, and neither of us has the code for the Nemesis since the council changed it,” Eilian stated.
Rhys added, “And, we don’t know how these proceedings work. Only you and Eilian were ever involved from our family.”
“Brynne, Rhys, Chariana, I want you three to come down and wait outside the Nemesis, but only after the council seals the doors. If they see you in the tunnel any earlier, they may seal off the entire tunnel entrance. As for the proceedings, they’ll allow me to address everyone in the room. I will tell them of the news and just take it from there. If they refuse to listen, Anya will take over and use her kinetics to open the door and force your appearance so you can be heard. Rhys, I need you there to help protect everyone from Madeleine and Ryan. I’m sure they won’t just sit idly by as this unfolds,” Steffan said.
Eilian looked at his wristwatch and turned to Steffan with a dreadful look. “Steffan, it’s time.”
Anya started to tear up.
Steffan moved to the wingback chair and sat down. He pushed up the sleeve of his sport jacket and motioned for Anya with the other arm.
Anya kneeled on the floor in front of Steffan and gripped his free hand, lifting it to her forehead.
This has to work. They have to listen,
Anya said inwardly.
Eilian stood on the other side of Steffan, preparing the injection while the family looked on in grief.
We will prevail. I promise you that.
Promise?
I never break a promise.
And now, you have two promises out there, one to me and one to Chloe.
Once we’re back here, don’t make any plans with the family to celebrate. I’m planning to take you upstairs and celebrate all over your body.
My, my. Was that the “after” you were talking about with Eilian?
No. That is a surprise.
Eilian sunk the long needle deep into Steffan’s arms. His veins pulsed erratically as the serum invaded his system. Steffan closed his eyes.
“What will happen to him? Will it paralyze him? How long does this work?” Anya asked.
“We developed this to incapacitate vampire abilities. Everything else in him will function as it should. The serum lasts less than three hours. I never tried to extend its potency since the victim would be…” Eilian trailed off and looked down.
“Dead,” Anya finished his sentence.
Michelle walked over to Steffan. “Steffan, I will see you when you return.” She hugged Steffan and then moved aside to allow the family members to say their good-byes and well-wishes.
* * * *
Steffan and Anya walked hand in hand, tightly bound to each other as they made their way to the Nemesis. Their pace was slow. They trailed behind Eilian. Anya’s focus unwittingly settled on her surroundings, her senses capturing every detail of the subsurface quarters.
The elaborate honeycomb system of carved-out earth was an engineering marvel. She had toured the area before with Steffan, but couldn’t figure out why she hadn’t given it much thought back then. Maybe learning of the community’s vampiric background alone was more than she could handle at the time.
She looked at Steffan in sheer amazement. His preparation, prudence, and dedication for an undertaking of this project were immeasurable. He was a remarkable man.
“I can’t believe this.” Anya stopped in her tracks. “You created all of this, not for yourself, but for the entire family.”
She released Steffan’s grip and looked him deep in the eyes, holding her hands out to her sides. “Look at this, you’ve taken steps to protect and produce our synthetic composition formula. You created access points not only from the homes here in Ambrose, but throughout the labyrinth maze to allow unrestricted use of the training room and enthrall hall. Then there’s Nemesis, meant to keep the entire family safe and sound. Where is the loyalty in what you’ve done for all of them? Where is the justice? The same family that is reaping the benefits of their leader’s foresight, commitment, and intellect is the same family preparing to destroy you.” Anya shook her head.
Steffan sank his hands deep in his jeans pockets. “They’re only doing as I have trained them to do. They’re carrying out everything I would’ve done in the same situation, protecting the entire family by forsaking one that is proven to be a threat.”
Eilian spoke from behind Steffan, “Anya, the council is not making this decision without great remorse. No one wants to see this happen. No one wants to believe it. But the evidence was too strong against Steffan. Knowing the council members, they’ll want to listen to this new evidence we have. I think we will be all right.”
They made their way down through the tunnel corridors to the Nemesis. As they approached, they observed two council members manning the entry.
“I commend you in carrying out your duties as bearer, Eilian. We thank you for your loyalty to this family and upholding our laws and creeds,” one of the council members said to Eilian as he turned to address Steffan. “Steffan, we’re ready for you.”
Anya instinctively gasped at the words as he continued. “I trust that you have made your peace with your immediate family and said your good-byes?”
Steffan nodded.
“I will still allow a moment for you two to have a last exchange,” stated the council member, nodding at Anya. He led Steffan into the room by his shoulder. Eilian, Anya and the remaining council member followed close behind. The metal door slammed shut behind them with a great force, sounding a deep and sturdy resonance. All three mechanisms locked in place, one right after the other, sealing off the room.
The room was dimly lit. Twelve folding chairs meticulously laid out in formation on each side of the room, creating a defined walking path down the middle. Madeline and Ryan quietly sat in the first row. In the next, the council segregated in even groups of four. Two empty seats sat behind the council, intended for Anya and Eilian. The chairs faced the far end of the room where the circle of chambers sat. A lone steel chamber was wheeled out to the forefront, its door wide open, displaying the razor sharp spikes that protruded from the door’s inner frame.
The inner chamber was hollow. A distinct clasp mechanism attached to the back of the steel casing. Anya couldn’t help but notice the red and black stains that were etched along the chamber walls and floor. She shivered at the sight and searched Steffan’s mind to settle her fear.
There was no connection thread, no noticeable trace of energy from Steffan. All inward connections had been severed between her and Steffan from his Submission injection.
Anya and Eilian took their seats as the council member escorted Steffan to the front of the audience.
“Please note in the entry the time of 12:07 a.m., and let’s begin,” the council member spoke to the recorder as he turned to address the room.
“Tonight, we are all here to witness the chosen fate of Steffan Matthews. His actions, involving manipulation of facts and evidence, intimidation by force, misuse of specialized abilities and deviation of power for personal gain, was heard and judged by this council. Steffan Matthews has been sentenced to death by the Nemesis in accordance with our laws.” He paused and took a deep breath. “Steffan, please remove your jacket and shirt so that I can prepare your body.”
Steffan removed his articles of clothing and handed them to the council member. He nodded in Anya’s direction, and she walked forward to retrieve Steffan’s clothes. Steffan turned around, his back on full display for the audience. He folded his hands behind his back and was handcuffed. A large clasp dangled from the handcuffs’ metal chain.
The council member turned Steffan around to face the audience once again and doused his chest with a white powder. He rounded his body and generously coated Steffan’s back with the powder. He walked to the steel chamber and gave the floor a heavy dousing.
“What is with the powder?” Anya whispered to Eilian.
“It’s a biocide absorbent powder. It kills any organism that remains in vampire’s blood to assure that transference to another tissue is not a possibility. It also turns the majority of the bleed out into a gel-like substance to make cleanup a little easier.”
“Steffan. Are you ready to address the room and sound your thoughts before your sentence is carried out?”
“Yes.”
“You have the floor.”
“Why are we giving him this opportunity? He may still be able to use his powers right now! He was too powerful in this family to be given the same rights as others who have been put to death before!” Madeline stood and yelled at the council.
“Madeline, Steffan will be afforded the same dignities as in any proceeding. Please take your seat and allow him to deliver his address,” the council member directed.
Anya’s blood boiled as she watched Madeline. She glanced over at Ryan. As if sensing her, he slowly turned his head to the side and locked eyes with her. His stare was bitter. His face was almost mannequin-like since he’d attempted to mask his blemishes from the lightning strike with makeup.
“Council, Ryan, Madeline, Eilian, and my dearest Anya, while I have accepted the judgment handed down by this council, I have remained unchanged in my plea of innocence. I realize that the evidence brought forth was convincing, however, may I be granted time to present the council with evidence of my own to show where the true manipulation lies?”
“What is the meaning of this, Steffan? This is quite unorthodox.”
“Yes, I realize this, but this…” Steffan started to cough and struggled to finish his sentence. “…Evidence was just revealed a short time ago.”
“Steffan, are you all right?”
Steffan shook his head as his coughs intensified and his eyes began to tear.
A vapor permeated the room, slowly gliding into the air. One by one, the audience began to cough.
Eilian’s eyes widened as he realized what was happening. “Anya! Madeline diffused the liquid Submission serum through the air ducts. Our nervous system won’t be able to handle it. We’re going to pass out! Anya, use your kinetics to stop it!”
* * * *
Anya concentrated on the mist, but nothing worked. The vapor continued to dance above them, growing heavier as it swirled and mixed with the oxygen in the room.
“Nothing is working. I don’t think I can use my kinesis on water or air. It has to be something solid for me to focus my energy on!” Anya screamed as Eilian started to wheeze and dropped to his knees. “Eilian! Eilian!” Anya shook Eilian in panic.
She looked around the room at the scene that was unfolding.
All around her, the council members were out of their chairs, choking and gagging while she remained unaffected. Anya looked up at Steffan’s panicked eyes as he dropped to his knees. From the corner of her eye, Madeline and Ryan hurried to secure masks to their faces.
Suddenly, Ryan ran over to Steffan and kneeled in front of him. “Don’t think I was going to let you pass out. You’ll need to be up for this one. I am about to live up to my name. I will be your family’s new leader, their king. For my queen, I’ll take back my Anya,” Ryan said to Steffan as he secured a mask over his head.