Shane's POV
As me and Claire were sat in the back of Amelie's limo I was starting to get seriously worried. Before pulling the bolt out of Myrnin's chest she made Michael and Eve go home. For some reason she just wanted me and Claire and I knew whatever the reason was it wasn't good at all. Claire was slowly coming around more and becoming more aware of what was going on around her and she didn't seem to like it either.
Soon the limo was pulling over and one of Amelie's guards opened the door to let us out. I realised we were in Founder's Square. When Amelie got out of the limo a load of her guards appeared around us and started to lead us somewhere. I didn't like Claire being out here with all these vampire's around us and I kept her close to me, keeping my arm around her waist.
We were led to the grass area in the centre of the square where they did the executions in those cages, another sign this wasn't good at all. Amelie came to a stop in the centre and so did her guards around us. Both me and Claire just stood and waited before I finally opened my mouth. "Amelie what are we doing here?"
She turned around and looked at us with that ice cold, emotionless stare. "You are both being charged."
"With what?"
"The attempted murder of a vampire. Claire shot Myrnin the first time and did indeed almost kill him and I suppose you shot him this time Mr Collin's."
I knew it was Eve who shot him last but I knew her punishment would be more severe than mine because she was human. "Yes but-"
"No buts Mr Collins, that in fact is a very serious crime and you both will be punished."
"If you haven't noticed we didn't exactly do it without a reason." I motioned my hand over myself. "He did this to me and then he tried hurting Claire."
"I understand that but what he did is not an actually crime."
"AKA, Myrnin has a get out of jail free card."
"That is enough Mr Collins, let's just proceed with the punishments."
I looked over at Claire with fear in my eyes and I saw it reflected in hers. All I could do was pray that this wasn't going to involve Claire being put in one of those cages to wait to be burned alive. Amelie turned her head towards Claire. "Let's start with you."
Claire sighed before saying. "Well I'm human so I'm guessing it involves burning right?"
"Actually child no it doesn't. Miss Danvers, had I not arrived at Myrnin's lab when I did without a doubt Myrnin would be dead right now."
"I did it to defend Shane!"
"Shush child. To pay back for the loss you almost caused you have a choice. Become a vampire now or die."
I stared at Amelie, I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I knew this had never been done before and it was just cruel. To make some one choose between those two things was sick. I jumped forward and growled. "You can't do that to her!"
"I can and I will Mr Collins. Now Claire, what will your choice be?"
I turned my head to look at Claire whose mouth was hanging open in shock. She tried to speak but nothing came out. So I tried to speak for her, or rather beg. "Please Amelie don't do this, not to her. After everything she has done for can't you just let her off or at least choose a punishment not as harsh."
"She has been given a choice, that is more than anyone else in this situation usually gets so I would say I am being quite fair."
"That is in way fair and I know the only reason you are doing this is because you want her on the fang side."
Amelie gave me a look that told me everything, I was right. She was only doing this because she had always wanted Claire to be a vampire, she was more valuable to her like that. But me knowing that wasn't going to save Claire because the Ice Queen wasn't going to change her mind. "Say what you wish Mr Collins it won't change anything."
"Alright fine, what's my punishment then? You can't make me a vampire, that ships sailed already and I doubt you are going to burn me alive."
"Indeed you are right, I won't be killing you as I don't kill my own. No I have the perfect punishment for you. You are going to be the one to turn Claire into a vampire." That's when I knew that my worst nightmare was in fact coming true. Claire becoming a vampire was one thing but me being the one to turn her was the one thing I felt sick just thinking about. When I looked at Claire she was staring straight forward, trying to hide what she was feeling as she fought back the tears. I shuck my head violently.
"You can't expect me to do that!"
"I don't expect anything, but it will be you or no one, meaning she dies... Gerard!" As soon as she shouted the name one of her guards stepped from behind her with a crossbow and immediately fired. Because it was a crossbow I thought it was meant for me but the bolt whistled past me... and as a sickening sound hit my ears the bolt flew straight into Claire's chest. "No!" I screamed as she let out a whimper. She looked down at the bolt that was imbedded just to the side of her heart before she looked up at me with wide eyes. Then as blood began to soak into her t-shirt and drip from her mouth she collapsed.
I dropped down next to her and lifted her into my arms as tears spilled over my eyelids. "Claire stay with please!" I begged her as she slowly started to slip away. Before turning and walking away Amelie called back to me. "Like I said Mr Collins, you have a choice. I trust you will make the right one."