Page 142 of Immortal Bastard (The Order of Vampires)

“What is this place?”

This is the Safe House. It’s where The Council conducts all its business.

He hadn’t answered out loud so she sensed he wanted her to hold all questions and comments until the end. When they entered the bishop’s office, he waved them toward two chairs facing the large desk.

“Please.”

She sat beside Christian, adrift and terrified the moment he let go of her hand. A gaping fireplace dominated one wall, but not a speck of ash filled the hearth. A small stain from a steady drip formed a puddle as water slowly trickled from the flue.

“How many mortal witnesses?” the bishop asked, cutting right to business.

“Four”

Her gaze cut to Christian’s, prepared to object but he sent her a mental command to keep quiet. He couldn’t mean to count the baby.

“That’s four hundred lashes.” It was clear that the bishop did not relish, but great authority came with great responsibility. As the lead magistrate, he was obligated to uphold their laws and discipline his flock as necessary.

“I will be her proxy.”

“I assumed as much.” The bishop looked at her for a long moment. “Do you understand the consequences of your actions? Has Christian explained this to you?”

Her jaw trembled.

“You have my permission to answer the bishop,” Christian said.

Her voice wasn’t easy to find. “I…didn’t mean…”

Just answer his question, pintura. No excuses.

“Yes, I understand.”

The bishop nodded gravely and turned to Christian. “Tomorrow, you will attend council. Brother Abraham will perform the flogging. Your mate will also attend and watch in silence.”

“Eleazar—”

“My decision’s final, Christian. This is not a minor offense.”

Her desperate gaze sought Christian’s. This was barbaric. She couldn’t do it. It didn’t matter that his skin would heal. Christian hadn’t done anything wrong. These were her crimes. “Wait.”

Both men looked at her expectantly. “I don’t want Christian to do this. It was my fault. I should be the one to face the consequences.”

“Absolutely not,” Christian objected. “The decision’s been made.”

“No. I have a say—”

“You have no say in this, Delilah. As your mate, I’m deciding for you.”

“I can’t watch them whip you, Christian.”

“You can. We’ll get through this together.” He turned his stare back to the bishop. “Before we leave, I’d like to take her downstairs.”

What’s downstairs? She wondered, sending her thought directly to Christian. When he ignored her, she asked again. What’s downstairs?

“Be careful. They’re all awake. You can let yourself out when you’re finished.”

“Thank you, Bishop King.”

She glanced up at Christian when he stood and held out a hand to her. “What’s downstairs?”

“Something you need to see.”

CHAPTER 24

Christian led Delilah to the cellar doors and paused. The necessary distance this evening required of him was gutting him. Everything inside of him wanted to take her in his arms and reassure her that everything would be okay. But what she’d done today was not a minor crime, and she needed to understand the gravity of her choices.

He didn’t trust himself to touch her beyond holding her hand, which was why he’d forbidden himself to let her drink from his vein tonight. He’d also blocked her from his thoughts so he could rein in his temper and find his bearings.

“I don’t want to go in there,” she said, backing away from the doors.

He placed a staying hand on her lower back. “You need to see what happens when we give our blood to mortals outside of God’s divination.”

She shook her head. “I don’t want to see that, Christian. I trust you, and I know what I did was wrong. Why do I have to see anything else?”

He took both her hands in his and sent a wave of calm to her. “Delilah, my love, you must be brave. Had the child died today, had he taken his last breath before you gave him your blood, you would have saved his life but destroyed all traces of innocence.”

“What do you mean?”

“Dane’s sister is down there. Two years ago, she had an accident and was gored by a bull. In a foolish attempt to save her, Cain Hartzler fed her his blood, but it was too late. Her heart stopped on impact, and she was already gone. You see, there’s a window when mortals can be brought back to life, but it’s a very different life when this happens. Their soul is lost.”

Her brow pinched and she took a step forward. “Can we please just go home? I don’t like it here. I don’t want to see what’s down there.”

“You must. It’s the only way you’ll fully understand.” He unlocked the door and led her down the dark corridor.

Moans echoed in the distance, followed by a pattern of inarticulate screeches. The scent of damp earth greeted them as they took the stairs lower. A torch was lit when they entered the long corridor, and he stilled. “Dane’s here.”

He expected to find the half-breed by Cybil’s cell, but instead, he was seated on the floor across from the witch. Christian frowned at seeing him in such a place.