Okay things are going to heat up a little in this chapter and thanks to all who have been reviewing. Remember, fanfic authors need love too, so press that 'Review' button and make my day. :-
Schuyler shivered as Jack stood and walked across the room. This conclave scared her, it wasn't the volume of blue bloods or the proximity of Mimi that provoked her feelings, but something tugged at her mind and raised the hairs on the back of her neck. As Jack confirmed his name and began to answer Forsyth's questions, she turned to face Oliver and whispered in a low undertone.
"So what's going to happen?"
"Questions will be asked." Schuyler started and stared to her left, Oliver had not spoken, Mimi had beat him to the punch with words as soft as a whisper. Her eyes were keenly facing the dais and she gave no indication that she had uttered a word. Schuyler stared, her words continued. "You will have to speak."
"But I don't know anyth.." Sky's voice rose and Mimi pressed her fingers into the upper part of her thigh.
"Quiet." Her voice was low and filled with warning and her fingers, pinching Schuyler's leg, stopped Sky from further noise. "We're not supposed to talk."
Sky nodded, biting back the tears of pain and wondered why Mimi had bothered answering her at all. As Mimi's fingers left the soft flesh of her leg, she risked a sideways glance at the older girl, wondering just what was going on. Mimi stared straight ahead, her eyes fixed on Forsyth, watching his every move.
Mimi stared up at the dais, she did not know why Forsyth was taking charge of this conclave, there were many others far more suited to the task. She supposed that he was the only one who volunteered for the task, the rest of the rabble unwilling to make a decision. She mentally condemned the cowardice of her fellow Blue Bloods. Even the stupid half-breed; she sighed, remembering Jack's instruction to be nice and she quietly corrected herself; Schuyler had more guts than some of her fellows. At that moment, Sky opened her mouth and asked what had to be the most idiotic question of all time. To forestall attention from the stage and other members of the committee, she answered Schuyler's question and nearly punched her only a moment later as she raised her voice. After she pinched Schuyler's thigh and hissed at her to be quiet, she glanced up at the stage and caught Jack's eye.
Why do you want me to be nice to her? She's driving me crazy...
Because I asked.. Now if you don't mind Azrael dear, I'm kinda busy right now.
Mimi pressed her lips together and folded her arms, this was turning into a long day. Out of the corner of her eye, she felt Schuyler's eyes upon her. What was the girl's problem? Had she never had to be silent for any length of time before? Did she even know what the hell was going on? Mimi closed her eyes and mentally counted to ten. What the hell had Jack been thinking?
"Thank you Abaddon." Forsyth's words broke her from her reverie and she watched her brother leave the stage. "Schuyler Van Alen. Please come forward."
Sky stood and crossed the floor, glancing across the silent crowd as she reached the steps. Along each aisle, a venator moved into positions, blocking the routes out. Schuyler's heart hammered painfully in her chest as she reached the dais and sat.
"Miss Van Alen." Forsyth's voice echoed throughout the room and Schuyler felt shivers trickle down her back. "You claim that Lawrence was killed by Leviathan after being tricked into releasing him?"
"Yes!" Sky felt her teeth chatter together and she forced herself to calm down. "That's what I said."
"Yes you did." Forsyth moved away from Sky and addressed the room at large. "So Schuyler Van Alen, you are a half blood who has never lived before. How can claim to have seen Leviathan or in fact seen Lucifer? You have never interacted with any of us before last summer. How can you claim this with a straight face."
Sky swallowed and glanced about the room, witnessing hostility on every face. She sought out Oliver, wanting to find some support in the room. Beside him, Jack and Mimi watched the proceedings, their faces blank.
"Lawrence told me before he died." Sky blurted out, how could he not believe her? She could feel the negativity in the room building against her and the pressure made a bead of sweat trickle down her face.
"Convenient. Of course there is no one to back up your story." Forsyth glanced about the room. "I think you're a liar." Forsyth's phrase echoed around the room and Sky felt tension spike through her. "There wasn't anyone there. You claim to have received your mother's sword, when no one, least of all a half breed like yourself should have been able to lift it. Your testimony is full of holes and outright fabrication. Why were you in Rio?"
"I went to help Lawrence." Sky's voice was husky with repressed emotion. "He needed help."
"Some help you gave him. A sword through the chest." A flutter of voices echoed about the room and Sky saw the Venator's step closer.
"I told you about Leviathan. I'm telling the truth. Why don't you believe me?"
Forsyth stepped closer and she could see the veins standing out on his forehead. "I don't believe you because this sounds ridiculous. It makes no sense for Lawrence to trust you. There is no evidence besides Lawrence."
"It was an illusion.. there wouldn't be anything.."
"Ahh yes the illusion. A convenient and pretty fantasy." Forsyth sneered and waved his hand about the room. "but for the sake of argument let me believe you. Why would Leviathan let you live to impress us all with your tale of woe?" Sky bent her head and stared at the floor. She could not think of any answer. Once again she saw the demon pierce Lawrence's back. "Well?" Forsyth raised a disbelieving eyebrow and then gave a humourless chuckle. "It is my contention that you killed Lawrence for his earthly goods and concocted this story to absolve you from blame."
Sky started and stared up at Forsyth, hearing the increasing whispers from the rest of the committee ripple about her. They seemed to be in agreement with Forsyth. Why didn't they believe her?
Sat in the front seats, Jack and Mimi watched with identical frowns on their faces. They had followed the conversation carefully and as each word fell from Forsyth's lips, their faces had grown even stonier.
This is wrong.. Jack's voice echoed in his sister's mind and she nodded staring at the stage with a grim gleam in her eye.
You get no disagreement from me Jack. I know Leviathan is free, I can feel it. Forsyth doesn't want to see it.
Then he's a fool and he needs to hear the truth. Jack pushed himself to his feet and approached the dais. Mimi took a breath and stood, following him to the platform with a look of resignation on her face. As they reached the wooden stage, Forsyth stared down at them with annoyance on his features.
"Abaddon; Azrael. You've had your interview and I would ask you to please take your seat."
"No." Jack stepped forward and stood on the first step. "Schuyler is not lying."
"Oh course Abaddon, I understand that you would stand up for her." There was a leering innuendo beneath Forsyth's polite terms. "But I'm afraid a character reference from you about your current whore does not hold any weight here."
A rush of shock rippled about the room and Jack clenched his fists, trying hard to rein in his temper. "This is not about that."
"Oh really." Forsyth smirked as he surveyed the teen. "Your history is against you my boy and I can't take your word for it."
"Then take mine." Mimi stepped forward, placing herself at Jack's side. "While I dislike her, I can't deny that she speaks the truth. Leviathan is free and walks this Earth. He will open the way for Lucifer. We should prepare..."
Forsyth laughed, cutting off her flow of words. "Ahh yes, predictable Azrael. I wonder when you will stop standing by your man?"
"Are you insane Forsyth?" Mimi snarled, stepping forward to poke him in the chest. "We are talking about Leviathan, the brother of the Morning Star. I do not believe that is a subject for mirth."
Forsyth seized her finger and stared her full in the face. "No Azrael, I would agree with you if that were the case. But Schuyler Van Alen is a half breed who clearly is lying to cover her guilt. She is an abomination that should never have drawn breath. She has been tolerated because her Blue Blood parentage is of the highest calibre. But it is clear now that we were mistaken." Forsyth turned back to the crowd and shouted.
"What say you? Do we believe a puny half breed and Lucifer's lieutanents on this? It is clear we have been infiltrated by the Croatoan at the highest level but we would have felt the arrival of Leviathan. You may say he hides, but I say he is a flimsy excuse concocted by a creature who should not be to hide her own guilt."
Jack moved closer to Sky. Get ready. He thought to Mimi, who nodded slightly and moved into a running stance. Behind them, Oliver prepared to move.
"It is clear that Schuyler Van Alen killed Lawrence and lied to cover it. She had no reason to be in Corovada and less reason to be where she was." The Venators moved closer to the stage and Jack and Mimi subtly settled into fighting stances. If they had to fight, then so be it.
"Well what says the committee?"
From the centre of the room, a Blue Blood stood. Dressed in vintage Chanel and carrying a clutch purse, she pointed at Schuyler. "She needs a full trial Forsyth. This is not a full trial. It has not been declared as such."
Jack and Mimi relaxed slightly, but still they watched the Venators out of the corner of their eyes.
Forsyth sighed and nodded. "Very well. Venators, please escort Miss Van Alen to the home of the Regis. She is to remain there until the trial."