Disclaimer: Twilight is the property of Stephenie Meyers, my OCs belong to me
This chapter is dedicated to Alphabloodwolf, WriterNMomma Anonymous Guest and Noble
Sorry it's been a while since I've uploaded anything, but I've had a busy few weeks with very little writing time. I hope the next few weeks will be less hectic.
Leda
I awoke and was aware that Loki was near me. I felt reassured for a moment, but then felt panicked when I remembered I was in my bed.
Loki? I thought toward him.
"Yeah?" He asked aloud and he sounded wide-awake.
Are you crazy? Papa will kill you if he finds you in my bed!
"We're not in your bed." Loki replied.
"What?" I asked as I opened my eyes to find myself staring at the bare wood of the tree house wall.
"You were sleep walking last night." Loki explained.
"Sleep walking?" I asked as I turned to face Loki and he moved a little to give me more room.
"Yep. Walked all the way down here then curled up on the floor."
"I see." I said, and frowned. "How am I so comfortable?"
"I went and got the cushions from the practice hut. I didn't want you sleeping on the floor all night."
"Thank you my lover." I whispered, feeling a rush of warmth toward him.
"Plus I promised Alec I'd take care of you." He added and that sent a wave of worry through me.
"Papa knows I'm here?" I asked, feeling a slight hint of trepidation.
"Yeah. He knew that you sneaked out. I had to go talk to him on the border, tell him where you were. He wants to speak to us this morning. Also, why didn't you tell him the GT hurt you?"
"I hurt myself." I grumbled.
"They were the cause whatever." Loki insisted.
I did not want this conversation.
"Even if you didn't say the why, you didn't even let Alec know you were hurt. You told me you'd tell him."
"I forgot." I said and Loki gave me a look. "I was concussed yesterday, it is likely this happened. Besides, I was disgruntled by Adrian's ceaseless questioning about how he should approach Mischa. I wanted nothing more than to escape to my room."
"Lee, you should have told him." Loki said flatly and then he sighed and sat up. "Anyway, it's in the past. Today we're gonna be busy. Right now we'll head back to my house so I can shower and dress in something suitable to wear when we go talk to Alec. Though I guess anything is more suitable than what I was wearing last night."
"What did you wear?" I asked as I sat up too.
"Nothing." Loki said as he stood up.
"You talked to my father naked?" I asked, feeling somewhat horrified by the thought.
"Yep. Well I wanted to get back to you. I didn't have time to mess around pulling my shorts on." He said as he helped me to my feet, and now that I stood it was apparent that we were on sofa cushions on a hard wood floor. "Let's get going."
"Should we take the cushions back?" I asked.
"We can do that later. We got more important things this morning." Loki said as he took my hand and led me to the door.
We made our way to his house and I did feel a little apprehensive as we stepped inside. What if we encountered the GT?
"Hi guys." Tony said from the kitchen where he was sat with Grace.
"Mom, Dad, I'm gonna hit the shower and dress, then me and Leda are heading up to talk to Alec." Loki replied.
"Ok." Tony said with a nod.
"Leda, would you like some breakfast, or would you prefer to sit in Loki's room to wait?" Grace asked.
My first thought was to wait in Loki's room, at least I wouldn't encounter the GT there, but then I felt my stomach rumble.
"Breakfast would be nice thank you." I said.
"I won't be long." Loki promised, and kissed my forehead before he stepped down the corridor toward his room.
I went into the kitchen and sat in the chair Grace indicated.
"What do you want?"
"I'll eat whatever's on offer." I replied.
"Ok. Bacon and pancakes it is." Grace said as she got up and went up to the cooker.
"How are you feeling this morning?" Tony asked me.
"I'm fine." I replied.
"How's you're back?" He continued.
"No longer hurting." I assured him.
"And your head?" He questioned.
"No longer aching." I stated.
"You sure?" Tony asked, giving me the steady look Loki wore at times he thought I wasn't being honest with him.
"Yes." I said firmly.
"Our wolf boys like to worry about us." Grace said as she hugged Tony form behind and winked at me. "They're worse when there's nothing to worry about."
"I'm not." Tony argued and Grace kissed his cheek.
"You're not as bad as you used to be." Grace observed and I giggled.
"Haven't you got pancakes cooking?" Tony asked.
Grace rolled her eyes at me as she straightened up, ruffled his hair, then went back to cook the pancakes and bacon.
"Alec was worried about you." Tony said.
"Yes. After my little sojourn into being a somnambulist." I said warily.
"Yeah. Anyway, I talked with Tina and some of the more senior Elders this morning. They've given their permission for him to cross the border."
"They have?" I asked in shock.
"Yeah. But only for the duration of the trial. I have to pick him up, drive him as close to the meeting place as possible, then drive him straight back once the trial is over." Tony explained.
"It's not that serious!" I argued.
"That's up for the pack to decide." Mags said from the doorway of the kitchen, and then came to sit next to me. "They're really letting Alec cross?"
"Yeah." Tony confirmed.
"Here's your breakfast." Grace said as she placed it in front of me.
"Thank you." I muttered, I had lost my appetite, but now had to force myself to eat the food for I had asked for it.
"Leda?"
"What?" I asked looking up.
"I asked if you were ready to go." Loki said, and I realised he was sat opposite me with an empty plate in front of him.
"Yes." I said and stood up.
"Loki, don't forget to tell Alec I'll be up at ten to bring him down for the trial."
"Sure." Loki said. "I'll let him know."
With that Loki and I left, and climbed once more into his car.
"You ok?" Loki asked once we were off the Res.
"Ask me once I speak to Papa." I said glumly as I felt my stomach roll with nausea.
"He won't be mad with you." Loki assured me. "He might be a little upset that you forgot to tell him yesterday, but we can always put that down to the concussion."
"I suppose." I said despondently. "Although perhaps it would be wise not to lie to him further."
"Why did you lie to him?" Loki asked.
"I didn't want to deal with it last night. What if he bans me from coming to the Res?" I asked, giving Loki a pleading look.
"Then I'll come visit you and Alec will just have to get used to us practicing up at the house." Loki said with confidence.
"I will think of that as a reason for me to continue coming down." I said with a smile, knowing Papa wasn't the biggest fan of rock music.
"It really won't matter cause the GT will be punished and they won't do it again." Loki said as he nodded.
"I hope Papa will accept that." I said sadly.
"I'm sure Dad will convince him." Loki said still with confidence.
"I hope so." I said as I looked out the window as we entered the winding lane between trees that led up to my house.
Loki gave my shoulder a squeeze and risked kissing my cheek.
Then there was no more putting it off for we pulled up outside the house. Papa had pulled the door open by the time Loki and I had walked to it. He pulled me into a hug, which was rather cumbersome given that I was a good half a foot taller than him.
"Papa I'm fine." I said firmly.
"Elfleda, do not lie to your papa." He said.
"Can we at least go in and sit down and you not hold me like a baby?" I asked, unable to keep the annoyance out of my voice.
Papa stepped away and looked up at me for a moment, but then he stepped into the house. Loki and I entered and we went to take seats on one of the many sofas. We sat opposite Kitty-Kat, and Papa sat beside her.
"Before we really get into this, I just want to say we're on a bit of a time limit this morning. The Elders have agreed to let you cross the border for the trial and Dad will be here to pick you up at ten." Loki said.
"Very well." Papa said and checked his watch. "We have three hours. We may talk for an hour and that will leave two for Leda to prepare for the trial."
"Joy." I said warily.
"Would you prefer to have a shower first?" Kitty-Kat offered.
"No. I will discuss this." I said warily. "Although I see no reason why it should take an hour. Long story short, when I was running down to meet up with Loki yesterday afternoon Lydia and Astrid accosted me a little over the border. I was worried about their intentions so I threw my power at them, and when they were rendered senseless I leapt into the trees. My intention was to go to Loki and I made it as far as the Res before I misjudged a handhold and fell to the floor. I landed on my back and possibly made it worse because I was wearing my backpack. I know my laptop didn't fare well, but it was my fault."
"If the wolf pack thought there was no cause for concern they would not give me a pass." Papa said flatly. "I'm Alec of the Volturi, they don't over look that lightly. They still think of me as such despite the fact I left the fold nigh on two decades. If the Elders see fit to allow me to pass it must be for something grave indeed."
"I wish everyone would stop making such a big deal about it." I groaned as I rubbed my temples.
Kitty-Kat tapped Papa's shoulder and he looked at her for a moment.
"I think perhaps it's for the best that you go to shower and dress. Then we shall talk. It will be nothing of the situation, I will hear everything at the trial, but we must talk."
"Very well." I said as I got to my feet. "Can Loki wait in my room?"
"You are only showering." Papa said, and I frowned slightly as I took Loki's hand and led him upstairs.
"I won't be long." I said once we were in my bedroom, and kissed Loki before I gathered some clothes for the day and went into the bathroom.
I stayed in the shower as long as I could, but it was foolish to hide from Papa. He wanted to speak, so we should. I sighed and got out of the shower. Once dressed, I entered my room where Loki was sat in my wicker chair looking through one of my art books.
"I just need to dry my hair." I said and sat down in front of my mirror.
I removed the towel from my hair and reached for my brush. I started brushing my hair but my back still felt a little stiff.
"You want me to do it?" Loki offered as he came up behind me.
"You would?" I asked in shock.
"Not many guys get to brush a siren's hair." He said, smiling at me in the mirror and I couldn't help but smile back.
"Then by all means." I said intensely as I held the brush up for him.
He took the brush then started on my hair. He started at the bottom and worked his way up, which surprised me somewhat, I wouldn't have thought him much of a hairdresser.
"I've watched you enough times." He whispered in my ear before he grabbed my hairdryer.
I enjoyed Loki drying my hair, mostly due to the fact that he was running his fingers through my hair. It felt wonderful and for several minuets I forgot about the upcoming trial.
Once my hair was dry there was no holding off the inevitable.
"We may as well go speak with Papa now." I said despondently, sure that he would ask me more of the situation despite his assurances earlier.
"I'm here for you." Loki said and he hugged me and kissed my head before we made our way downstairs.
There was a strong scent of hot chocolate in the air and Kitty-Kat emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray with three steaming cups.
"I thought you would feel better with your favourite drink." Papa said from one of two love seats that had been set up either side of a table of adequate height.
"Thank you." I said as I sat opposite him and Loki sat next to me.
"I made it just the way like it darling." Kitty-Kat said as she placed a cup in front of me before continuing as she placed a cup in front of Loki, "I hope you drink it the same."
"Hot chocolate's hot chocolate." Loki said with a shrug and he picked up the cup and took a gulp of what was probably scolding hot liquid, but then he always drunk his hot drinks at the temperature of lava. However, there was a little extra something to this particular drink and he almost choked as he forced himself to swallow the liquid then coughed. "That's got a kick."
"It's chilli." I informed him as I blew on the top of my drink then took the sip, letting the sweetness of the sugar; the bitter chocolate and the kick of chilli form a comforting cloud throughout me.
"Well now I know." He said and this time he sipped the drink. "Yep, much better."
I giggled and then noticed Papa smiling at me.
"It's good to see you laugh Elfleda." He said.
I shrugged before taking another sip.
"I wish I could join you in this tasting." Papa said. "Perhaps you can describe it to me one day?"
"We'll try darling." Kitty-Kat assured him.
"I hope so." Papa said before taking a deep breath. "Loki, I wish to speak with you."
"Ok… Um sir." He stammered.
"It's nothing grave and you need not call me sir." Papa said, sounding amused. "I merely wished to commend you for your priority last night. You were more concerned with seeing Leda to safety and putting my mind to rest than your own embarrassment. You thought nothing of the fact that you stood before me naked, something that leaves one so vulnerable. Leda was the most important thing on your mind."
"Of course. Leda's always the most important thing on my mind." Loki said firmly.
"I realise that now, and that is why I've decided that you may stay up of a night." Papa said, and I almost choked on my drink.
"In my bed?" I asked curiously.
"Provided you respect my roof as you did Tobias' then yes." Papa said, and I waited for more previsions before I realised there were no more.
"We can do that." I replied, realising that a chaste night or two in a comfortable bed with my Loki was worth more than making love on a wooden floor.
"Yeah." Loki agreed.
"Then I see no reason why you can't stay up." Papa said before quickly adding, "Perhaps tonight?"
"Shall we see how the trial transpires first?" I asked.
"Of course." Papa said.
"What is the time now?" I asked.
"Nine." Papa answered after consulting his watch.
"Then I shall return to my room for a while to rest." I said as I stood up and took Loki's hand, pulling him up too.
"Then I advise you return at quarter to ten so we will be ready for when Tony arrives."
"Very well, but I will be travelling down with Loki." I stated.
"Of course. He will want to take his car back." Papa said with a nod.
"Yes. See you later." I replied, suspicious that Papa was up to something as I led Loki up the stairs.
Lee, what's up? Loki thought toward me as we started up the second set of stairs.
I don't trust Papa. He's up to something. I thought angrily.
I didn't sense any ulterior motive other than we're less likely to fool around if we're up here. Loki replied as we entered my room.
Yes he is right. I realised as I slumped down onto the edge of my bed. But I don't think I could spend a night on the tree house floor again, even with the cushions.
Don't worry about it. Loki said as he sat beside me and put his arm around me. I don't need sex from you all the time. It's great an' all, but if you just wanna snuggle so you can sleep in a comfy bed I'm ok with that.
I know that, but I don't like the thought that Papa will think he's snookered us.
Just give him this one victory, soon we'll have our own place and we won't have to think about it again. He soothed and kissed my temple.
That is true. We will have to look through the properties Kitty-Kat suggested. Perhaps later once the trial is over?
Of course. Sooner we get our own place we don't have to worry.
Yes. I said as I leant into him.
And yesterday, you said Jane had offered to buy us a house? Are you sure about that?
I still am. I replied. My reasons still stand.
I guess we won't be living there forever. And maybe we can use it whenever we're in the area.
And we won't have to worry about rent. I pointed out.
There's that too. Loki agreed. Ok. I'll think about it, but mostly as long as you're ok with it I say we go ahead. Get things moving?
Yes. I agreed. And we will discuss it more when I can show you the selected properties.
Where are they?
I believe they're still in my backpack, which should still be in the practice hut. I replied.
Ok. Then we'll look through them later. Loki said.
Hopefully there's something there that we both like.
There'll be lots. Loki said firmly and I hoped he was right.
Alec
"Alec, you wanna sit up front? I can brief you on the way." Tony said, as I was about to open the back door so that I could join my love Kitty in the back.
"Very well." I said and side stepped once, which brought me level with the passenger door.
I climbed into the front and sat in the seat. Kitty reached her hand between the seats and gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze. I gave her a smile but turned back to the front as Tony folded his enormous frame into the driver's seat and I felt small beside him. It was one of the many disadvantages that came with being inducted into eternal life at fifteen years of age. I often wondered how tall I would have grown by the time I reached my prime, but it is something for which I will never have an answer.
"Ok. So first up, I'll get us as close to the meeting place as possible. The Elders were pretty specific about that." Tony said as he pulled on his seat belt.
"Aren't you an Elder yourself?" I asked as he started the engine.
"Yeah, but it's weird putting myself in the group." Tony said as he shrugged.
"I suppose when you look youthful it does take some getting used to." I said, whilst not adding my own experience, that it took me several centuries to fully grasp my senior status within the Volturi, due to the fact that many were still not comfortable with my past.
"Not only that, the Elders have always seemed like these wise old beings, I'm not that wise." Tony said dismissively as he made his way down the winding drive.
"If you weren't you would not be given a seat." I pointed out.
"I guess, but we're getting side-tracked. I'll get us as close to the meeting place as possible and then I'll walk you there. Once there I'll leave you in the care of Liza. I have to take my place at the head of the circle. You'll be at the open end with Leda, Kitty and Liza. Lyd and Ast will be in the centre. We'll open proceedings with Real Old Quil, he'll be conducting the trial since it's my girls who done bad. He'll state the charges then Lyd and Ast will have a chance to answer. If they say anything that doesn't line up with the truth Leda'll get to have her say. Along with anyone else who wants to speak up. I know Mags wants to say her piece. She was the one who saw Leda fall and brought it up to the rest of us. As soon as Mags witnessed it, it became a pack matter. I know Leda doesn't wanna make a fuss, but they broke pack law."
"It's not merely adolescent tom foolery gone too far?" I asked, because it seemed Tony felt guilty that his daughters had acted in such a matter.
"No. I know exactly what they wanted." Tony said warily.
"It does not reflect on you." I assured him.
"It does. I don't know where me and Grace mucked up with those two, but I guess we'll have to take them in hand. Time to lay down the law and no getting away with things."
"Perhaps allow the pack their punishment first." I suggested.
"That's what I intend, but we have been ignoring little things, thinking they'll grow out of it. They're just getting worse." Tony sighed then shook himself. "Anyway, if you wanna speak just make it clear, but don't butt in at the wrong moments."
"I will remember this." I said, then looked out of the window as I realised the momentous occasion that was about to take place. "We are at the border."
"Yeah. You're about to do what very few vampires get to do." Tony stated.
"I wish it was under different circumstances, but I am honoured." I said with all the solemnity the occasion demanded.
"Even Dad can only cross on special occasions." Tony stated, and I reasoned he wished things were different, for both Tobias and myself.
"Perhaps once the fangs outnumber the other wolves they might vote to change the rules so that all of their family may attend." I observed.
"Don't even joke about stuff like that in front of the other Elders!" Tony said urgently.
"I won't." I promised.
"Sorry. I'm a little on edge."
"That's understandable darling." Kitty said from the back seat and Tony heaved a sigh.
We past a big building that must have been the hotel before passing beneath a gateway that bid welcome in both English and Quileute. This was the barrier in the human world. The one that denoted where the mile square so generously bequeathed by the American Government began. It rang hollow, similar to how Aro would generously allow vampires to live if they conceded their autonomy to Volterra.
Then we passed a small square on the left, around which wooden shops clustered. A car park lay on our right, beyond which lay a beach. I longed to go out onto rain soaked shingles and look out across the iron-grey ocean, but the Elders would not agree to that.
There were many wooden houses dotted here and there, the Quileute no doubt making use of the most abundant material available to them. It reminded me a lot of my younger days where most buildings were wood, the only stone ones being churches and the odd grain store. We didn't stop at any building however. Our destination was parked up at the side of the road near a circular field hemmed in by trees. Wooden logs marked the perimeter and a fire pit the centre. Around the fire pit an inner circle had been marked out with stones. For the time being the clearing was empty but Liza soon joined us, as did Leda and Loki, who had been following us in the latter's car.
"They're not here yet?" Leda asked, looking grumpy.
"They're on their way." Loki said as he placed his arm about her and Leda leant into his body.
I turned my attention back to Liza.
"Do we take our places now or wait until the others arrive?" I asked.
"We wait until the others arrive. We are guests after all." Liza replied.
"You're not on the Council of Elders?" I asked with genuine surprise.
"I am not a wolf." Liza said with a shrug.
"But it was my understanding that some civilians were Elders too." I stated.
"Perhaps when I am older, but I'm barely forty." Liza said with a chuckle before she sobered somewhat. "As for today, I am merely your minder."
"Back to old times?" I quipped.
"I suppose." Liza said with a brief smile before she looked toward the entrance of the meeting place.
A very ancient man entered, and although he was faltering somewhat he was shooing away the help of men almost as old as he as well as the other men and women of varying ages down to those who had the unmistakable musk of wolf. That I could smell it over the permeation of wolf scent was something. I had thought perhaps my nose had shut down in self-defence, but it had merely grown accustomed until these new wolves arrived.
The ancient man came up to me and glared slightly with surprisingly clear brown eyes. It was this close I realised the height on him. He too had once been a wolf.
"So you're Alec of the Volturi." He said.
"Once upon a time." I said guardedly, I had encountered the Quileute several times in my duty as a member of the Volturi Guard, I could not be certain on which occasion I would have encountered this person.
"Yeah, when you came to take Renesmee." He said darkly.
"That was some time ago." I said, blinking as I ventured to calculate this man's age. "You would be well into your hundreds."
"Yep." He said, giving me a look that demanded I make something of it.
"You look very good for your age sir." I said with a bow.
I felt his speculative look upon me.
"Don't try anything funny. I know you don't look much, but I know how much of risk your power is too." He said firmly.
"I'm merely here for my daughter's sake." I said steadily.
"Thought I'd warn you all the same since I'm the oldest here."
"Not as old as I." I pointed out.
The ancient one gave me an unimpressed look for a moment before he laughed and tapped my shoulder.
"Good one." He said. "Anyway, the name's Quil. Most call me Real Old Quil these days."
"You are the judge?" I asked.
"I'm heading this one, but we don't have judges, it's more a consensus amongst the Elders."
"Yes." I said with a nod.
"Anyway, got to go take my place fore my boys insist on carrying me like a baby." The ancient Quil said, rolling his eyes as if he were a teenager before making his way toward the opposite end of the circle where he sat on one of the logs, his entourage of descendents still fussing around him.
"You ok?" Kitty asked me.
"Yes. I was merely wondering what it is like to be that age. It will never happen to us."
"Thank goodness." Kitty whispered. "Let's keep focused darling." She added as she tapped my arm.
"Of course my love." I replied, refraining from pointing out that I was capable of such musings and keep a mind on proceedings, even Kitty was sometimes oblivious to the full extent of vampire consciousness. "I am merely trying to stall time. I wish things would begin soon."
"Not long now." Liza assured me. "Most of the pack will arrive as one and the Council of Elders is more or less here."
I nodded and followed a group of elderly people who entered the clearing and took seats to the left of the ancient Quill. Those who were clearly wolves entered and took seats to his right, although none sat directly next to Quil. It was Tony who eventually took the seat next to the ancient Quil and Tina on his right.
Then Mags entered the area and her sisters trailed in her wake. She led them to the central circle and pointed for them to enter. They did, and knelt either side of the fire pit and bowed their heads, facing the ancient Quil and Tony. Mags went to sit by the wolf girls I knew to be her pack. Loki kissed Leda, gave her one last hug, and then went to sit next to Addie.
The ancient Quil got to his feet and a quiet fell across the assembled. He gestured toward Leda and her party. Liza led us to stand at the open end of the circle.
"My fellow Quileute, we are here under grave circumstances. Two of our own members sought to hurt the partner of a fellow wolf. Not only a fellow wolf, but also their own brother. What do you have to say for yourselves?"
Lydia and Astrid looked at each other.
It was Astrid who spoke.
"We weren't really going to attack her. We were just messing around. It was Leda who overreacted and used her vampire power on us."
"Not for the first time." Lydia added.
"Only when you're at your worst." Loki protested.
Quil held his hand up toward Loki to caution silence.
"We're not here about past incidents, but for what took place yesterday." He said firmly. "Astrid. Lydia. Everyone here knows how you like to play your little pranks. It's the reason you're known as the Gruesome Twosome. You really want us to believe you was just messing like usual and Leda overreacted?"
"Don't know. Ask her." Astrid said with a shrug.
"Leda?" Quil asked.
"I don't want there to be trouble." Leda murmured so lowly that I fear only I heard, and only because of my keen vampire hearing.
"What was that honey?" Quil asked.
"I don't want there to be trouble." Leda said with a little more volume, but hardly enough to carry across the circle.
"Loki?" Quil said, and gestured toward Leda with his head.
Loki nodded, stood up and came back to Leda's side.
He put his arm around her and his forehead to hers. I was certain he was communicating telepathically to her.
"I'm sorry." Leda said, and now her voice carried across the circle. "I didn't want to get them into trouble, and I would not have mentioned it had it not been for Magda. However, I cannot lie, they did frighten me to the point where I really did fear for my life. They said that I crossed the border without permission. That I needed permission because I'm the daughter of Alec and the niece of Jane. They gave me five seconds to get off their property. Then they counted down from five and when I didn't move they charged at me, tooth and claw unsheathed. I didn't have time to wonder whether they were merely jesting or if they did intend me harm. I had no time to think other than to act defensively. Yes I threw my power at them, but it was the best way to defend myself without risking them harm. Then I ran, up into the trees and across the canopy. I have no idea how I missed that handhold, but I did. Had I not, I doubt we'd be here today because Mags would not have found me and discovered the full extent of the terror I felt in the moment two dire wolves were charging at me with no indication that they would stop."
Loki gave Leda's shoulder a squeeze and she buried her face in his shoulder. He kissed her head tenderly and I realised for the first time the full extent of his love for her. Could it really be more than teenage infatuation? It was more evidence to back the assumption I had come to the night previous.
As I was observing this Magda stood up to testify.
"I was out for a walk when I saw Leda fall. I went to help her up and that's when I got the full story right from her mind."
"Any chance what she was thinking could have been a lie?" One of the old humans asked.
"She was too dazed to think in a lie. Besides, it's pretty difficult to lie in your mind on a whim." Magda said authoritively.
"You can usually tell." Tina confirmed.
"Besides, Leda didn't want me to know. She was distraught that I'd read the truth from her mind. She didn't want to cause trouble between my sisters and I. Well they chose to attack her." Mags said darkly and she glared at her sisters. "Of course it was all confirmed when the GT got back to the house. I'd taken Leda there to recover because she was concussed, and you all got to get how hard the fall was for a dhampir to be concussed?"
There were murmurs of agreement around the circle.
"So they come into the house giggling, and in their mind they were picturing the look on Leda's face, she so thought they were gonna kill her. Whether it was a joke or not, how could they be thinking that? It's psychotic." Magda said, giving her sisters a disgusted look.
"It's true." Tony said solemnly. "I can't believe it, but that's what they were thinking. Even a few hours later when I got back from work. That's why we had to hold this trial. They need help and they need to make up for what they did. But it has to be a community decision."
"They haven't even decided if we're guilty." Astrid protested.
"Where's our due process?" Lydia put in.
"You're right of course." Quil said. "We have to vote on this. Who thinks Astrid and Lydia Black are guilty?"
"Guilty of what exactly?" One of the wolves asked and that was a good question.
"That they attacked Leda in the hope of causing her injury. They succeeded in a round about way, but since Leda herself doesn't want to blame them for that, we can only do it on what we do know. Either way, intent is a warning sign, we got to remember that." Quil stated and a susurration went around the assembled in agreement. "They intended to cause harm and felt no remorse when they did. So that's what we're voting on. Who finds them guilty?"
I wasn't sure if I had a vote but I felt my hand rise regardless along with everyone else assembled. Everyone that was, bar the two guilty, and their victim. Leda looked down at the floor, the wind blowing her chestnut hair about her, and despite being stronger than most of the men assembled, she looked as frail as her human mother Joan.
"It's unanimous." Quil announced. "Astrid and Lydia, you're found guilty by pack and village alike. You're behaviour has been getting worse. Therefore you will be signed up for a course of therapy with Dr Littlesea. Although I think Mal would be better suited, given he's your uncle and I know there's Town Folk laws that advise against analysing family members I think we'll have to put you with Nina. Separately of course. Might do you girls good to spend some time apart. As for your punishment, community service is in order. Three hundred hours each to be served, starting next Monday. You'll report to the Lodge at nine and you'll be assigned your first task by Phill Dwyer. Is that clear?"
"Ah em or pee em?" Astrid asked.
"In the morning." Quil said as he gave her a peeved look.
"Just wanna be sure." Astrid said with a shrug. "Don't wanna turn up late."
"That attitude won't help." Quil said gruffly.
"So what happens if we don't comply?" Astrid asked in a cocky fashion.
"Then I'll have no choice but to take this to the Coalition." Tony said solemnly. "I don't think Jane will feel so lenient when she hears you put her niece in danger."
"You'd really hand us over to Jane?" Lydia asked, and she sounded frightened by the prospect of my sister.
"If you can't comply to Wolf law, then I'll have to settle for vamp law." Tony said firmly.
"I'll be there. Nine on the dot." Lydia said quickly.
"Sure." Astrid said, although I didn't find her to be convincing.
"Then this meeting is adjourned." Quil said. "Astrid and Lydia, until Monday you're house bound unless a family member will vouch for you."
"I'll escort them back to the house." Mags volunteered, for after all Tony had to escort yours truly to ensure I cause no bother upon the Res in all my vampire glory.
"Thank you Magda." Quil said. "With that, we're adjourned."
Leda sighed and slumped slightly. Loki tightened his arm about her in support. I stepped up to her side and placed my hand to her arm.
"It's over now Elfleda." I said softly.
Leda nodded, but didn't look up.
"Will you be coming home?" I asked.
"I think I'll stay down for a while. I'm sure Addie and Robyn will want to discuss this matter. We didn't have chance yesterday. And we should practice." She replied.
"Of course. However I meant what I said this morning and should you and Loki wish to…"
"I will let you know." Leda cut me off. She wished to be off the subject.
"Sorry Alec, but we need to leave." Tony said, and he sounded apologetic that he was cutting into our conversation.
"Of course. Rules are rules." I said solemnly. "I will see you later Leda."
"Yes Papa." She said.
Kitty took my hand and together we followed Tony back to his car. This time I climbed into the back seat with Kitty, after all there was little more to talk about with Tony.
I longed to be back at the house where Kitty and I could discuss the outcome in the privacy of our own home.
Tony remained quiet in the front seat as Kitty and I remained silent in the back. I could tell by her body language that she wished to talk to me, to know my feelings on the matter, but was not so rude to ask in front of Tony. After all, his daughters had been the defendants in the case and were now to be punished.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, we arrived back at the house. After exchanging a cordial goodbye with Tony, Kitty and I entered the house while he drove away.
"How are you feeling darling?" She asked as she placed her hands to my cheeks.
"I'm unsure at present. I'm still confused about why Leda was unwilling to speak out against those girls."
"Probably didn't want to cause trouble between them and Loki. I know they were the instigators, but they're still his sisters." Kitty reasoned.
"I suppose." I said, although I wasn't happy with such a reason.
"What do you think of the outcome?"
"The best we can expect, but I can't object to rehabilitation without becoming a hypocrite."
"Yes. You did some terrible things in the past." Kitty said gravely.
I looked at her feeling somewhat hurt by her remarks. Kitty giggled and kissed my cheek.
"You are a better man now because you were given the opportunity to be. Hopefully the GT will do the same with their opportunity." She said.
"We can only hope."
"Yes." Kitty said as she pulled me into her arms. "And you will have to trust that Leda will be safe."
"I do. For the most part. I won't be able to protect her forever, and had she not fallen out of the tree she was doing her best to escape the situation. It will not stop my worry, but I'm more certain than I was before that she can handle herself. I merely hope that this scenario will not put her off venturing from the house."
"Then why are you making her come back up tonight?" Kitty asked.
"If they are here then they have to behave." I said, and grinned.
"That's underhand." Kitty said in a scandalized voice, although she was only jesting.
"No. It's give or take. I understand that they're a young couple and will sneak off together from time to time. I accept that as part of my daughter becoming a woman, but in return they will show how adult they are by respecting our roof when they're here." I explained. "Besides, given that Leda injured her back, I would prefer her to sleep in a bed for a while, and if Loki's presence will be enough to stop her sleepwalking down to the Res once more, I'll accept it."
"And give them reason to want to stay of a night once they move out?"
"Yes." I agreed.
Kitty smiled and hugged me tighter.
"I'm proud of you darling." She said warmly.
"For what?" I asked.
"For being reasonable. In the past you may have lay down the law, forbade Loki from entering the house and devised a way to secure Leda to her bed lest she sleepwalk, but not anymore."
Unfortunately it was true, so I could not help but feel bolstered by Kitty's observations. I had grown much in the two decades since leaving Volterra and it helped me to see this when other people showed recognition. Especially when it came from Kitty because she didn't lie to me to spare my feelings. She always called me out when I was being unreasonable, although never in front of other people for that would do neither of us any good.
"Thank you." I said solemnly as I wound my own arms around her and held her to me.
Thank you for reading
Reviews are welcome
Gemma x