Page 208 of Vampire so Virtuous

“Not as smooth this time,” Jorge said.

“Entomb him!” Roberto demanded.

Leonard shot him a look, then turned away. “What do the rest of youthink?”

“He claims he was injured,” Jorge said thoughtfully. “But he lied earlier, so he could be lying about that.”

“But feeding on another vampire?” Raphael said. “If we let that slide, it would be disastrous. We have no choice but to make an example of him.”

“I agree,” Jorge said, with a hint of reluctance. “But entombment seems severe, when Minh was equally guilty.”

“My lady?” Leonard prompted, turning to Belle.

Belle paused, regarding Antoine with more interest than she had shown so far. “I agree with Jorge,” she said thoughtfully. “Entombment seems unwarranted. Banishment, perhaps?”

Antoine fought to keep his expression neutral, but it was becoming difficult. He knew what Belle wanted—him back under her power. How was this the support she had promised Cally she would afford him?

Leonard turned to Roberto. “Would banishment satisfy you?”

“Meaningless,” Roberto said bluntly. “With his power? He would simply claim another territory.”

“I could take him back to Paris,” Belle mused, as if the idea had just occurred to her. “It would take him much longer to gain a foothold in Europe.”

No.

“Very well,” Roberto said, his eyes vindictive as he stared at Antoine. “Strip him of his territory, kill his thralls and chattel, and take him back to Europe in disgrace.”

“No.” Antoine couldn’t stop the word from escaping.

Gabe took a half step forward. “Forgive me for interjecting, my lords, but I lost many thralls assisting Antoine with his territory in the battle against Minh. May I propose, then, that his territory falls to me?”

Antoine stared at him, fists clenching at his sides.

“Yes, yes,” Leonard said, waving a hand impatiently. “I care little for what happens to his territory.”

“Thank you, my lord,” Gabriel said, carefully avoiding Antoine’s gaze. “I will keep his thralls and chattel as my own.”

“No.” Antoine shook his head. “I do not accept this.”

“Quiet,” Roberto snapped. “You stand before the Curia! Keep your place.”

But Antoine could not remain silent. “I will accept banishment, if that is Curia’s will, but I will take my thralls and chattel with me. In return, I will vow not to seek another territory.”

Jorge shrugged. “Seems reasonable to me.”

Raphael fixed him with a hard look. “You would choose to live as an outcast?”

Gladly.

Antoine bowed his head, keeping as much humility as he could muster. “If that will placate the Curia, my lord.”

“It will not,” Roberto grated. “I want his taint expunged, his thralls and chattel dead. I want him gone! Send him to Europe.”

“Very well,” Leonard said wearily, looking at Antoine with a hint of reluctance. “His territory falls to Gabriel, his property will be destroyed.” He turned to Belle. “My lady, he is yours.”

No.

“Noah! Get Cally out of there. Take her and run.”