LOGINCaius POV “Bonnie of the Northern Coven,” said Head Councilor Jucintha, her voice echoing like stones dropped into a well. “You have requested an audience to speak on behalf of the accused, Kieran and Caius. You understand the gravity of these proceedings. Kieran stands charged with treason, conspiracy to incite war, and the murder of secondary guards and citizens. Caius stands charged as his accomplice.”“I understand,” Bonnie said. “And I understand that you have already decided they are guilty. But I am here to tell you the truth, whether you want to hear it or not.”A murmur moved through the chamber. Caspian’s smile widened.“Then speak,” Jucintha said. “But know that every word will be weighed.”Bonnie took a breath. She looked at Kieran, then at Caius. Both were bound. Both were silent. Both had sacrificed everything. She would not let their sacrifice be buried beneath Caspian’s lies.“I met Kieran five years ago,” she began, “when he and Caius came to the secondary coven seek
Caius POV Evans entered the hall.Not only Evans, but all the members of my party: Klaus, Bonnie, looking white-faced, Beau, and the Force. It meant something to me that I had given each of them the option to leave, and they had chosen to stay with me. I watched as a look of surprise passed through Caspian’s face when he saw Klaus and Bonnie. He already he already left them for the dead.Luckily, I, with the force were able to get to them and the guard that were stationed with them before they were hanged on a stake for a public ridicule.I decided not to kill the guards, which was something the force were happy to do. They grumbled as we left the guards tied up by the edge of the fortress with a jar of water. I pray the same fate they wanted to bestow on Bonnie and Klaus keeps them awake. I knew what Evans, Bonnie, Klaus and The force risked. Today’s event can take another turn but they all stayed. Their loyalty touched me.I knew that Kieran didn’t like it. Kieran wanted to do e
Caius’ POVCaius let his voice carry, cutting across the hall. “And what am I accused of? That I have lain with Kieran?” Caius’ eyes raked the Council. “I have. I found him honest and true. He stands before you wrongly accused. And if this is a fair trial, you will hear me.” “This is insupportable!” Caspian said. “We won’t hear testimony from the vampire spawned from hell.” “You will hear me,” said Caius. “You will hear me, and if when you have heard me you still find him guilty, then I will meet my fate alongside him. Or does the Council fear the truth?” Caius found himself with his eyes on Caspian, who had re-ascended the dais of four shallow steps and now sat, enthroned, supremely comfortable. His gaze rested on Caius in turn.Caspian said, “By all means, speak.” It was a challenge. To have Kieran’s past lover in his power pleased Caspian, as a demonstration of his larger power. Caius could feel that. Caspian wanted Caius to entangle himself, and wanted a victory over Kieran
Caius POV The soldiers were nervous.Caius, in the moments before they hurriedly ushered him in through the gate, the crowd grew. Caius. The name spread from mouth to mouth, like a spark into a line of leaping fire, awed, fearful, shocked.Caius the vampire. The guard to the right just continued to look at him blankly, but there was growing recognition on the face of the guard to the left, who said, fatally, ‘It’s him.’ It’s him and the spark ignited into a blaze, seizing the crowd. It’s him.It’s him. Caius. Suddenly it was everywhere. The crowd was jostling, exclaiming. A woman fell down onto her knees. A man shoved forward.The guards were close to being overwhelmed.They pushed him inside, roughly. His public surrender had accomplished that much: he had won himself the privilege of being manhandled into the palace.If it worked, if he was in time, how long could a trial last? How long could Kieran stall for time? The trial would have commenced in the morning, how long until th
Caius POV He arrived in the cool of morning, alone. Leaving his horde alone, he went the last of the way on foot, choosing the goat tracks first, then passing through avenues of apricot and almond, and the dappled shade of olive trees.Shortly after, the tracks ascended, and he began to climb a low limestone hill, the first of the rises that led him up, and up further to the white cliffs, and the fortress.The fortress; the place where massacres happen without any question, built into high mountain cliffs that crumbled and broke off into the sea. The familiarity was so strong it was almost dizzying.On the horizon, the sea was a clear blue, only a few shades darker than the strident shade of the sky. He expected to be challenged at the outer gates by guards warned and wary, on the lookout for him. But perhaps they were on the lookout for Caius, the arrogant Vampire at the head of his army, not a single man in an old worn cloak, a hood that came down over his face, and sleeves to h
Caius POV I walked out of the house into the cold air and did not let myself look back at the room where his scent still lingered like a hand on my shoulder. Sentiment was a luxury, and I had not been able to afford one in centuries.By the time I reached the treeline, I had already sorted the plan into its parts. First: The Force. I would give them orders they could understand which was patrols, scouting formations, blood rations measured out in strict amounts. A pack with a task does not turn on itself. I would not let them hunt the way Gabriel had let them hunt. Not yet. Not until I had a use for that kind of savagery.Second: the river. Bonnie had told me once, years ago, that the old fortress had been carved into a mountain riddled with natural caves. Kieran would know the same. He had spent years inside those walls, listening, learning. If he had left us a direction, it was because he knew it led somewhere. I intended to find out where.Third: Kieran himself.My jaw tightened
Caius’ POV The presence of his breathing rattles me, it's a constant reminder of the presence of his essence. I watched as he filled his lungs with air for survival. I watch as he breathes in my essence, filling himself like an appetizer after a long meal. The drop of blood slipping down his bot
Kieran’s POV.I stare deep into Caius' red blooded eyes as fear curls around my chest, curling around it so tightly I barely have the strength to breathe. The variations of colour in his eyes makes my entire being tremble from deep within me. And I know the reason behind this colour. He's hungry
Kieran’s POV.Three days later, sliding my finger lazily across the carpet in search of my drink, I frown as I bring it to my lips. There's not so much left, so I'm forced to lap the froth caked around the rim. Beau plays his piano in the background and once in a while, he scribbles down notes acr
Professor Evans is one of the youngest lecturers in the academy. And that makes it easier to be able to confide in him. He understands young adults and sees things from our own point of view. And that’s one of the reasons he is my best history lecturer to ever exist. He turns sharply from the pul







