Page 102 of Fated to Her

“What happens now?” I ask Cyrus.

“They have no proof of your father’s murder, but they have enough for the herbs and him juicing the hunters with vampire blood. Though, that isn’t a death sentence. But if he did kill your father, when they take his blood, that warrants a death sentence. But not only that. He or Jamison would have organized the hit on Maverick’s pack, so even that should be enough to sentence him,” Cyrus says.

So, even if he didn’t kill my father or the children from the pack, he still might have the answers we are looking for.

All three judges surround him, and Pete struggles, but the two men standing on either side of him hold him down before Latham slices his hand and forces his blood into a cup.

One by one, they each drink some of his blood. Latham is last, and the other two men silently walk back to the bench, not giving anything away while Latham remains.

“My, oh my, you have been busy,” Latham says.

“Pete Mastrone, we hereby find you guilty of illegal growth of herbs. We also find you guilty of the murder of the three children from the sacred forest pack and the kidnap of the others. We find you guilty of the murder of Michael Paisley and guilty of supplying the herbs to hunters and juicing them with vampire blood,” Latham says. Pete smirks and shakes his head like he thinks it’s ridiculous.

“I hereby sentence you to death,” Latham declares before looking over at us.

I find the entire thing very quick and easy compared to the human court systems.

“You may want to leave, Addie. Wouldn’t want to see this, and neither would your son,” Latham says.

Cyrus tugs me with him as he and Eli follow. Maverick, however, stays, glaring at Pete. Eli drops his hand on his father’s shoulder as we step past and into the aisle.

“I want to watch him burn alive,” Maverick says, folding his arms across his chest.

Eli nods to him. “Enjoy the show,” Eli tells him, patting his father’s chest.

“Cyrus, can you organize dinner? I will be up in a while. I’ll bring some wine,” Latham says, making me glance at him. He then stares down at Pete. “I like to burn them slowly, really make them scream,” Latham says smiling.

Pete tries to run but is caught instantly. Eli’s hand on my lower back pushes me toward the doors. Pete’s screams can be heard throughout the corridor. Eli and Cyrus push me into the elevator and hit the button. Eli puts the key in the panel above the buttons and turns it, then closing it again. Cyrus gets out on the first stop, and I go to follow, but Eli puts his hand out.

“You shouldn’t be around others right now. Most are human on that floor, Addie,” Eli says.

“When can I see my family?” I ask. I gaze down at my son in my arms. I’m eager for my mother to meet him.

“Tomorrow if you like,” Eli says.

When we get back to the apartment, Eli wanders off to the kitchen while I sit on the couch. Then he returns shortly after with a fresh bottle. The bottle tinges red with his blood.

“Want me to feed him?” Eli asks.

I swallow but shake my head.

“Addie?” he asks.

“I’m fine,” I tell him, taking the bottle from him.

Eason hungrily drinks it down, gulping his bottle. When he’s done, I burp him over my shoulder and rub his back. My gums tingle with his scent so close to my face when I stop. My mouth is unable to close before Eli walks in front of me, his hands grabbing him.

My hands are shaking as I let him take him. Guilt smashes into me. The struggle to control my urges is driving me insane; I don’t know how Cyrus puts up with it. Worry eats at me, making me wonder if I’ll ever be able to be close to him without someone nearby to babysit me.

“Hey, it’s normal. Not many newborn vampires also have a baby, okay? We won’t let you hurt him.”

“Yeah, I know, but you also can’t trust me around him, and that sucks.”

“It’ll get easier, Addie, I promise.”

Cyrus returns half an hour later while Eli is bathing our son. He seems so natural at everything, while I feel useless because I can’t stay close for too long. One minute I’m fine; the next, I’m scaring myself.

“I brought Chinese,” Cyrus says.