A/N: I don't own anyone but my OC's…though I wished I owned the guys…*sighs*
Alaric waited until he was allowed to speak. He watched as Markus finished up the opening call to order then finally allowed the older brother to speak.
"My fellow Council and Assembly members," he kept an air of neutrality knowing his arrogance could be a sway for some. "I am here because Dean Winchester stole what I rightfully purchased. He knowingly boarded my family vessel in Saint Louis and while we were in transit to New Orleans. He then stole my property, a human named Brooklyn, and fled while my family's vessel burned in the Mississippi."
He paused to gather his composure as the anger rose within his being. The memories of that night bled into his mind but Alaric averted his stare to the Council.
"For nearly a week he remained on the run with my property…"
"She's not property! She's a human with a soul and heart!" Dean shouted not caring when the cane was lashed across his back. Markus pursed his lips seeing the practice as barbaric but didn't wield the power to override the punishment.
"Dean Winchester if you speak out like that again you shall be caned harder," Markus warned him regretting every word. He hated saying as he had seen the same done to John centuries before under similar circumstances.
Brooklyn yelped in pain as the lashing crossed her vampire's back. She continued crying out but no one came to see what the commotion was about. The human slaves ignored her and carried on around the house even as she cried out for Dean. The wailing continued for several minutes until the crying subsided and silent came from the other side.
"Bastards!" She shouted indifferent to those who listened or happened to hear. Her heart was anguished and tormented and no one was going to have peace in the household.
Alaric straightened then continued.
"He then killed several of my father's finest bounty hunters and in the process brought damage to my property."
"She's not property! She doesn't belong to you!" Dean dared to defy Markus' warning and felt the cane beat across his back. At the same time his human screamed in pain. He knew she was feeling his pain and silently hoped she would forgive him for this.
"Dean Winchester I am warning you…." Markus growled.
"I don't care! I love her and she loves me! Alaric beat and raped her! She nearly died from infection because of his cruel hand!!"
Again and again the cane was struck across his back while the other vampires watched. Some admired him for being so bold and standing up to his accuser while others were downright disgusted he would defend the little gutter snape.
"Please take the accused out of the hall!" Markus commanded the sheriff. He was a tall dark skinned man with dangerous eyes and rigid posture. Victor didn't take kindly to members of his race acting in such a manner like Dean was. He took his arm in a tough tight grip and hauled him out to the holding cell across the room. Alaric grinned as his foe was dragged away like a common criminal which in his eyes was all Dean Winchester was. He waited until the doors were closed and picked up where he left off.
"Dean Winchester knowingly committed the worst offense short of murdering one of his own which is why I am asking to invoke the right of Penna de mortis."
A hushed whisper went through the Council and Assembly at the ancient method of punishment. The last time it was used was back in the early years of the vampire existence and wasn't used since.
"You realize what you are asking Alaric," Markus stood up and faced the Councilman.
"Markus I know exactly what I am asking of this council," he answered defiantly. "It is my right as a Councilman to invoke this as I see fit and today I see this as being a fitting punishment for a common thief."
"Why are you so intent on this?" Deacon spoke up. "We have punished other vampires with less severe means for the same crime. Perhaps the reason you wish to invoke this is because you have a personal vendetta against Dean Winchester?"
Alaric glared at Deacon and crossed the hall to face his opponent.
"Have you heard of the soulmate theory?" Alaric froze. "You have of course as we all here have."
"What does this have to do with anything?" Alaric spat.
"I suspect you are doing this because perhaps Dean Winchester is soulmates with this human? If this were another vampire you wouldn't be so keen on handing down such a cruel punishment am I correct?"
Deacon kept a cool calm face while Alaric stared hard at him. How dare this lower run vampire accuse him of such a thing?! Dean Winchester deserved to suffer the punishment he was calling for!
"Deacon please explain yourself," Markus called from across the hall. Deacon rose and continued to train his hard stare on Alaric as he started explaining his words.
"The theory of soulmates is as old as the birth of our race. There have been documented instances in which humans and other beings including vampires and werewolves have been the two halves of one soul in a manner of speaking. If Dean Winchester is indeed the soulmate to this human slave then it would make sense that Councilman Saltzman would seek such a harsh punishment. He wishes for Dean Winchester to suffer though I am in no way condoning his actions in Missouri."
The Assembly whispered amongst themselves while Alaric shot daggers at Deacon. He knew what the older vampire was trying to attempt and he wasn't going to let that old bastard get away with it.
"These are but the musings of myth! Of bedtimes stories we tell our children to get them to sleep! The Assemblyman is merely distracting us from the main issue- the theft of my slave by Dean Winchester!"
Deacon raised an eyebrow as the vampire shifted tactics and returned attention to Dean.
"So I am asking for what I want and for swift delivery of justice for the wrong doing committed against me!"
Sam and Jessica took count of the guards surrounding the house and spotted the entrance to the basement.
"This way," she and Sam hurried and darted between buildings and houses keeping out of sight of human slaves and vampires. Jessica knew her brother was still arguing his case with the Council as he was always one to put on a show. She rolled her eyes at the thought and scanned the area before leading Sam to the cellar door. They opened the doors and slipped in unseen.
The basement went on from where they stood to well under the street ahead. It was built that way to provide shelter from violent spring and summer storms.
Jessica led Sam by the hand towards the waiting stairs and listened to the heavy footfalls of vampire and human pass the door and down the hallway.
"Come on," Sam followed Jessica in the exact manner to keep the wooden boards from groaning or creaking. They stopped at the landing and Jessica shot up a hand. Sam held the sword ready to run it through anyone or anything that stood in their path. Jessica placed a hand on the knob and slowly twisted the ancient brass to the right until the lock clicked and gave way. She carefully pushed it open enough to get a view of the narrow but long corridor. Her sharp eyes watched for sudden movement as her sensitive hearing was tuned for the slightest sound or scuffle.
Several tense moments passed before the vampires moved from their locked positions and entered the hall. The statues and art works adorned the walls and pedestals a clear sign of the arrogance and prestige the Saltzmans were determined to uphold. Sam's face scrunched in disgust as they silently passed the various rooms along the way. Neither could detect the scent of the human which signaled to them both she had to be upstairs.
They rushed the stairs but the goon spotted them as they dashed across the landing.
"Intruders!" Several more appeared all armed with machetes and guns. Sam knew those were meant to kill or maim vampires and the urgency took hold. The footsteps of their pursuers thundered up the sturdy steps despite protest from the boards beneath. Sam and Jessica rounded the corner nearly running into the guard that was waiting for them.
"Well if it isn't Jessica and her lapdog Sam Winchester!" The largest of the group sneered. Jessica flashed the gun in her hand taking aim at the vampire. But he flicked his hand knocking the gun from her grip sending the gun across the floor.
"Wait till your daddy finds out what you've been up to," Sam lunged for the vampire knocking him to the ground. His eyes exploded in black as his fangs unsheathed in a primal display. The other vampires went for Jessica but her small size gave her the advantage. She leapt up kicking on in the face and the other in groin then scurried for the gun.
The vampires recovered instantly but not fast enough. Jessica fired off the gun hitting the vampires straight in their hearts. They collapsed to the ground writhing in agony as she grabbed a machete and lopped off their heads with two fluid swipes. Blood poured from the stubs where heads one stood soaking the expensive carpet and area rug. Jessica didn't care if they were costly to replace as her father wouldn't bat one eye.
Sam struggled with the vampire fighting to get from beneath the behemoth but his assailant grinned and belted the smaller vampire across the jaw and in the eye. The younger Winchester kicked and battled but was losing the war.
"Jess find Brooklyn!" Sam hollered. Jessica didn't want to leave him but his eyes begged her to go.
Jessica could only nod as she darted off. The scent of the human crossed her nose and the vampire sped up racing down the hall until she came upon the door where the scent slammed against her like an invisible tsunami. The powerful earthen tones of the human caused her fangs to slide down but she snapped out of it and ripped the door off the hinges.
Brooklyn looked up and screamed in fright until the form of Jessica appeared in the room.
"Brooklyn…" she saw the chains and the manner of dress she was in. Bound like an animal waiting for slaughter with eyes wide in terror until they relaxed.
"Jessica!" She was thrilled to see a friendly face again. Jessica hurried in dropping the bag in the process. The iron cuffs and chains proved to be easy for the vampire as they snapped like twigs under her strong grip. Brooklyn rubbed her wrists and stood up with a smile on her face. She hugged the vampire briefly before spotting the blade sticking out of the bag.
"Let's get my vampire back," she snatched it up and swung around with ease. The silver blade sung as it sliced the air and it was music to the human's ears.
Next update soon....