Philodox, page 13
part #1 of The Delaney Jones Chronicles Series
They stood in order, and The Elusive, on the far left, was the first to vote. His voice was soft but clear. “We vote no.”
I leaned in to Jeanette. “No...we don't want to kill him?” When she nodded, I breathed a sigh of relief. “Oh, good.” I smiled at The Elusive, but he only had eyes for Damon, who offered him a nod of thanks.
One of the vampires I didn't know was next, and he stared right at me as he spoke. “We vote yes.” I wanted to give him the finger, but before I could, Jeanette patted my leg and shook her head slightly, so I just clenched my hands into fists and glared at him.
The third vampire to vote was the man that dressed as a clown at the meeting and turned out to be our bartender the night we went to the club. I was really going to need to learn his name. He stared up at the ceiling as he said, “We vote no,” and quite a few of the vampires reacted to his vote. A few vampires outright gasped, and there were murmurs and shuffling throughout the room. The vampire on the dais released another of those creepy laughs, then sat back down.
Next was Ray Traylor. He stood, gave me a wink, said, “We're a no,” and sat back down.
Apparently, that wasn't much of a surprise, because the vampires didn't react as they had to the previous vote. The big guy that clearly hated Damon for some unknown reason voted yes, obviously, and then it was down to the last vote. I didn't know this vampire, either, but I was counting on him to save Damon and end this whole thing. He still looked undecided, so I thought there might be hope, but that came crashing down when he stood up and said, “We vote yes.”
It was a tie. The vote had come down to a tie, and Jeanette already told me that the Prince didn't vote, so I had no idea what happened next. I turned to Jeanette and was just about to ask her, when the Prince spoke again. “At this point, I call on any faction outside of the Kine assembled who wish to make a statement regarding these proceedings. Now is your time to speak and be heard.”
The Prince gazed out upon those assembled, and I looked, too. I hadn't smelled anything but vampire around me, so I was curious to see what other type of supernatural creature was attending the trial. Were they able to hide their scent, or was it just that I hadn't encountered it before, so my senses couldn't identify it? Nobody stood, so I glanced back up at the dais. The Prince wasn't looking at me, instead allowing her gaze to roam the room, but Andre raised an eyebrow at me and then rolled his eyes, an exasperated expression on his face. Damon was staring at me as well, eyebrows so high they practically disappeared into his hairline.
If I hadn't heard the wolf howl, I'm not sure how long I would have sat there, wondering why everyone was staring at me. But the loud, mournful howl permeated the silence of the room and brought with it images of the Caern and Hustler, Farrah and Rast. I felt their love and their acceptance; their support surrounded me. I glanced out the window at the glowing white crescent in the sky, and it felt as if the moon herself was reaching down from her perch and urging me to stand. That's when I realized that she meant me. I was a representative of a non-vampire community, and I had a lot to say about this ridiculous trial.
I stood up, and while I wouldn't have thought it possible, the room became even more silent, and let me tell you – an entire room filled with vampires that don't even need to breath can be very quiet. The Prince finally looked at me, her face still that careful mask of indifference. “Delaney Jones, you stand before the council as a representative of supernatural beings outside the kine. Do you take this responsibility knowingly and without reservation?”
I had no idea what I was agreeing to, and that made me very nervous. I wanted to ask Jeanette what was going on, but I had a very strong feeling that wouldn't be appropriate. All I really had to do, though, was look at Damon, and I knew I would do whatever the Prince asked of me if it meant he got to live. So, with no clue what I was getting myself into, I drew myself up as tall as my five foot frame would allow, and said, “Yes.”
It may have just been my imagination, but I thought I saw the the Prince relax just slightly. “I hereby accept the public affirmation and acknowledgment of your commitment to represent all supernatural entities outside of the kine. As such, it is your right to vote in these proceedings. What is your vote?”
When I realized that my vote would be the tie breaker, I thought I would pass out from the relief that flowed through me. Then I had a moment of panic as I tried to remember which answer meant I wanted him to live. Clearly, I didn't do well in front of an audience. I took a moment to take a deep breath and calm myself down. “We vote no.”
And just like that, it was done. The Prince turned to address the assembled vampires. “The votes have been cast and the fate of Damon Truvenart has been decided. This trial is ended.”
The vampires stood and started heading out of the room. Some were talking softly, but for the most part it was quiet. I sat in my seat until the room was mostly clear. Damon finally stood and came over to where I was sitting. “Well, that went better than I was expecting.” He gave me a relieved smile and a weak laugh.
I stood up and hugged him tighter than I have ever hugged him before, and if he hugged me back just as tightly, well, I wasn't going to tell anyone. When I finally released him, I sagged back down in the chair. “I truly regret my inability to get drunk right now. I could really use a stiff drink.”
As if on cue, Jeannette appeared, followed by the Prince, Andre, and an older looking man with long white hair wearing a white robe. His eyes were crystal blue, and when he smiled at me, laugh lines formed. “I would be happy to offer you the use of my kitchen this evening, if you wish. I'm sure Jonathan would be able to find you something to help take the edge off.”
Jeanette looped her arm through Damon's. “Damon, Delaney, this is the Magic Man.”
The Magic Man shook first Damon's hand, then mine. “I understand you have taken on the mantle of Mediator of the Supernatural.”
Again, I was really going to have to talk to Jeanette to find out exactly what it was I agreed to. “Uh, yup. That's me.”
“I know you will do a fine job. I have every confidence in your ability.” He spoke with such conviction that I didn't dare argue. “I do apologize that I cannot stay longer and get to know the two of you better, but I think we shall have more chances in the future to acquaint ourselves.”
“Yes,” Jeanette agreed. “We really must be going. Damon, dear, I am afraid you and Delaney are on your own this evening, as we have some matters to discuss at great length, which you will just find to be so very boring.”
“Please do take up my offer, and make use of my home this evening. The kitchen is fully stocked – I understand you have quite an appetite. I shall have Jonathan see to your every need.” The Magic Man made a gesture, and, as if summoned by magic, a tall man in a fancy suit – complete with gloves and coattails – appeared at his side. “Jonathan, please see to it that my guests here are afforded every luxury. Also, please be sure their items are returned to them, as well.”
Jonathan nodded. “If you will follow me, please?” He led us to an enormous dining room and pulled out a chair for me to sit on. The table was one long slab of marble with enough chairs around it to seat at least twenty people. Clearly, the Magic Man was fond of dinner parties. The chairs were plush and comfortable, with backs so high that it made me feel even smaller than usual. I didn't think I would be able to eat after the stress of the evening, but when a troop of men and women in white aprons came in and set silver dome covered dishes on the table, the smell made my mouth immediately start watering. As each of the lids were lifted with a flourish, my stomach assured me that it would be just fine. Jonathan told us to dig in, and I wasted no time at all.
I had a drumstick in one hand and a slab of steak speared onto the fork I held in the other – and Jonathan had a growing look of horror on his face – when a man came in with our things. He set my duffel bags on the floor next to my chair and held Mom out to me. I set the fork down and strapped Mom back where she belonged, that familiar sense of peace settling over me as I did. Damon strapped his blades to his back as well, and breathed a sigh of relief. “That's better,” we said, simultaneously.
“Rast comes back tomorrow?” Damon asked me, continuing a conversation we had started earlier.
I nodded. “Yep, and then we're going to do some sort of ceremony that will hopefully get rid of the ugly monster for good. Hopefully it will take care of Dad, too.” I spooned some potatoes onto my plate. “You know, Damon, you just got your life back. If you don't want to deal with this, I completely understand. Who knows what's going to happen tomorrow night.”
Damon rolled his eyes and looked at me like I was the stupidest person he had ever met. “If you think I'm going to let you perform that ritual without me, you're crazy. You know I've got your back.”
“Yeah, I know.” Having emptied nearly every platter, I finally pushed my plate away and sat back in my chair. “Do you think there will ever be time for us to just enjoy being supernatural creatures, or do you think someone or something will always be trying to kill us?”
Damon thought for a moment. “I think now that we are dealing with creatures of darkness on a regular basis, there's bound to be a lot more darkness in our lives. But hey,” he picked up a meatball and flicked it at me. “At least we have each other, right?”
I caught the meatball with my mouth. It was delicious.
Damon and I made it back to Jeanette's with time to spare before the sun came up, and spent the rest of the evening playing cards and just trying to relax after a very stressful couple of days. Jeanette came home shortly before sunrise, said goodnight, and made her way upstairs. Damon went to his room shortly after, and I curled up on the couch, falling asleep as soon as I closed my eyes.
I was standing in a clearing in the middle of a forest. The clearing was surrounded on all sides by fog, like something out of a horror movie. Hustler was sitting at my feet, staring up at me with a wolfy grin, tongue lolling out of the side of his mouth. A man stepped out of the fog and into the clearing in front of me. He wore leather pants and a leather vest without a shirt, his chest covered in elaborate tattoos. His long blonde hair was divided into hundreds of tiny braids, all of them tied off with small beads that clicked together every time he moved his head. His smile was wide and warm, and made the corners of his green eyes crinkle. He walked toward me, and when he was close enough, he took my hands in his. “Delaney Jones,” he said, his voice smooth and a little loud in the small clearing. “It is an honor to meet you.”
“Am I dreaming?” I asked him.
“In a way, yes.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Who are you?”
“My name is Leif. I walk with Gaia as you do, though I spend more time in the spirit world than the physical one. Rast has asked me to assist with the ritual later this evening.”
“Oh, you're friends with Rast?”
He chuckled. “Rast is my mentor and the man I most aspire to be. I have trained under him for many years. If it is possible to be friends with your hero, then yes, I suppose you could say that I am friends with Rast.”
“Okay, so what are you doing in my dreams?”
“Well, like I said, I have been asked to assist this evening as we attempt to destroy the Black Walker once and for all. As I believe you are aware, Rast has been very busy making preparations for the ceremony. He will return this evening, and wanted me to make sure you were aware of the Black Walker's location and had made the proper arrangements with the vampire leader.”
“Arrangements?” I frowned. “I don't think I know what you're talking about. Do you mean the trial? Because that's over and done with, we finished that up just a few hours ago.”
“I do not know anything about a trial. The Black Walker is located inside your city, which the wolves have been prohibited from entering. Obviously, if we wanted to enter, we would, and the vampires would be unable to stop us.” He grinned at me, but not in a friendly way. It felt more like he was showing me his teeth, and for a moment, I felt sorry for any vampire that thought it would be a good idea to keep him from the city. “However, we have agreed to these terms, and do not lightly go back on our word. This is no longer a problem, though, because now that you have been named Mediator, you are able to speak to the leader directly, and gain permission for the wolves to enter and take care of the Black Walker without having to worry about being attacked by other entities.”
“So, you're saying you want me to ask the Prince if you guys can come into the city?”
“Precisely. We should only need a few hours, if that will help in the negotiations. We already know where the beast is, so it should only be a matter of going to the location and defeating the beast, then performing the ritual to ensure it can never return.”
“Where is it?”
“The Black Walker is currently holed up at the water treatment facility near the river. Are you aware of that location?”
Unfortunately, I was more than familiar. I grimaced as I remembered my last trip there, covered in blood and guts, being rescued by Damon. “I'm familiar,” I grumbled. “I can ask the Prince, but I can't guarantee she'll say yes. She's kind of hard to read.”
“Oh, I understand completely. Honestly, asking is really just a courtesy. Even if the Prince, as you call her, does not allow us into the city, we will still put an end to the Black Walker. With Gaia's favor, after tonight, you will never have to fear the beast again.”
I was surprised at how certain he was about that, and wondered how much interaction he'd had with the Black Walker to be so confident that he could defeat it. I didn't argue with him, though, because as each day passed in my new life as a werewolf, the one thing I was learning quicker than ever was that I didn't know nearly as much as I thought I did about anything. “Okay, well where should I meet you guys? And when? You know the vampires don't even wake up until the sun goes down, and then I still have to find out where the Prince is and ask her for a meeting before I can get permission, so...”
Leif squeezed my hands. “We will meet you at ten. There will be quite the contingent of wolves, as so many of us refused to stay behind for such an adventure. It seems you have made quite an impression on everyone in the short time you stayed at the cairn. Also, the Black Walker has been a thorn in many of our sides, and taken too many of our loved ones. Many of us want nothing more than to destroy this beast once and for all.” He gave me the address where we were going to meet, then released my hands. “Go, get some sleep, you will need all the rest you can get. This will be a trying time for you, Delaney Jones, but in the end, the death of the Black Walker will make it all worth it.”
Hustler gave a little woof and I glanced down at him. He licked my hand and gave me that wolfy grin again. When I looked up, Leif was gone and the fog was starting to slowly fade out. It was one hell of a trick. Then everything went completely black, and I fell into the deepest, most relaxing sleep of my entire life.
And now I was back in my father's room, saying goodbye to him once again. This time, though, he was sleeping peacefully and didn’t wake up when I arrived. I sat quietly in the hard chair and watched his chest rise and fall. With any luck, tonight's ritual would cure him, and he wouldn't have to spend another day in this care facility.
I reached for his hand, careful not to jostle him too much. A nurse came in and fiddled with the machines, offering me a gentle smile. She took his blood pressure and stuck a thermometer in his mouth, and still he did not wake up.
“Is it normal for him to be sleeping so heavily like that?” I was concerned that he was in such a deep sleep. If someone was shoving things in my mouth or manhandling my arm like that, I'd like to think I wouldn't be able to sleep through it, no matter how heavy a sleeper I was.
“This happens sometimes,” the nurse nodded. “Every once in a while he sleeps so soundly that I'm pretty sure we could bring in a marching band, and he would sleep right through it. I wish I could sleep so well!” She took the thermometer out of my dad's mouth and smiled at me again. “I wouldn't worry too much about it, I'm sure it's perfectly fine. If it happens more frequently, then we can start to get concerned.”
She sounded pretty confident for someone who had no idea what was wrong with my dad, but she said it with such a hopeful, cheery voice that I found myself being soothed. She was trying to be kind to me, and I appreciated it. I hoped that after this evening, she wouldn't have to use fake cheer and would instead be able to give me actual good news. I squeezed my dad's hand one last time, thanked the nurse, and headed out. I had a monster to kill.
Waiting for Jeanette and Damon to wake up was excruciating. Apparently, the best way to torture me is to make me wait for something. I filled the time packing up my duffel bags, filling them to near bursting with weapons and ammunition, first aid supplies, spare clothes and anything else I could think of that I might need to defeat the Black Walker. I even contemplated finding a duffel bag to fill for Damon, but since he was pretty much a walking weapon, I wasn't sure what I would put in it, aside from a few emergency blood pouches.
Packing took me less than an hour, so I turned on the television and spent the rest of the time pacing in front of the couch while soap operas and daytime talk shows played in the background. When I got hungry, I cooked in Jeanette's kitchen, making sure to clean up my mess. When Jeanette found me, I was arms deep in a sudsy sink, scrubbing the pot I had used like my life depended on it, so focused that I didn't even hear her enter the kitchen.
“Has that pot done something to offend you, darling?”
I jumped about a mile into the air, soapy bubbles flying everywhere. Jeanette was a lady, so she did not laugh at me, no matter how much she probably wanted to, which I appreciated. Coughing to hide my embarrassment, I pulled the plug in the sink and rinsed the bubbles off the pot, before setting it on the counter. “Good morning, Jeanette. I'm glad you're up, I need to know how to go about getting a meeting with the Prince.”
To her credit, she didn't ask me what I needed to talk to the Prince about, but let's face it, this was Jeanette. She probably already knew exactly what I wanted to ask the Prince, and what the Prince was going to say in return. The woman was always about a hundred steps ahead of everyone. She simply smiled at me and told me she would take care of it right away, then disappeared into her office, leaving me to clean up the wet mess I'd made.
