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“Women lead with the left foot first.”
“Why?”
“Tradition,” Charline answered, and Theseus moved his head in agreement. At least they were on the same page.
Doing as they instructed, I dipped my left foot in before my right, leaving my brown feet covered in the colored powder.
“Now, pick up the bowl and return it to her,” Theseus instructed, which I did.
“Follow me. Theseus, if you wish to explain you may, but you won’t be able to speak without a turn at court,” Charline said, already beginning to walk away.
My head immediately turned to Theseus, waiting for an explanation as to why we were walking under bats, in a dark cave, with dust on our feet.
“I see your curiosity clearly.” He chuckled. “The Pahana believed that before going to judgment that one must walk the path of their ancestors for guidance. The red powder was charmed by witches, so they could see their ancestors. The walk had to be long so that by the time one reached the place of judgment, the powder would have come off their feet. By the time most mortals had reached the place of judgment, they were either filled with the confidence that they had done no wrong or so broken by the shaming of their ancestors that they confessed and sought judgment.”
I looked around the dark cave, seeing nothing but insects. “So, there are witches around to charm this power?”
“Not anymore…at least, not here,” Theseus said as we walked. “But as I said, President Swan takes tradition and culture from the past to this new time. This walk used to be essential to the peace of the Pahana. It allowed there to be no doubt about justice. It allowed their people to reflect, go on a journey before they were to be judged, and most times, justice was done.”
“I could see how this would work on mortals, but how would it work for vampires?”
“That is what is asked most. As you guessed, the walk was not difficult for vampires. Seeing their dead loved ones or families may have affected them, but there is something about us as creatures that makes us a bit cold-hearted. Maybe it is because our heart is cold.”
I smiled at his small humor. “So, what did they do?”
“They left them to other vampires and drank from them to know the truth. If said vampire was found guilty, he would be executed, no matter the crime. They would be tortured if they acted against mortals before death.”
“Just like that?”
He nodded. “We are stronger and live longer. No punishment but death can really be justice. The witches could be banished, or their powers bound. The stronger we are, the more severe the punishment.”
“When we are all vampires, what is the way to get the truth then? Will they drink from him?” I questioned, worried.
“It is not easy to drink from another vampire. It’s not exactly a delightful taste, nor does it serve as nourishment, but it is blood, so one can manage. However, it is hard to keep a vampire still for it. Second, they must be focused. There are so many memories in blood. Taelon said Jason needed a representative, and Lucy was not qualified because she is a Lesser blood. That would only matter if the representatives needed to drink. Therefore, a representative must drink the blood of the accused and testify on their behalf.”
“Theseus,” Charline spoke up, still leading the way in front of us. “Why are you speaking as if you have never been to court before?”
Shit. I thought as Theseus went silent. Think Druella.
“It’s my fault, Charline. I asked him to explain it to me as if he himself were just learning it for the first time.”
She was silent for only a second before muttering, “You pamper her too much, Theseus.”
“What are mates for if not to pamper?” he asked back.
“I believe it is either sex, emotional support, or power.” Her reply was sharp and quick. So much so that I wondered what she had been thinking about me all this time. “As you were fond of sex before her and had power before her, it must be emotional support you need.”
“It must be,” Theseus replied. “Is there shame in that?”
She didn’t answer and just kept walking. The pace felt infuriatingly slow. However, the distance did give me time to think of what was about to happen.
“If you are called to witness,” I said, putting the pieces together “then that means you are giving your testimony. The representative will be drinking because the accused will be focused on you, and those memories will be the strongest?”
“Aww, she figured it out, so this how your game works?” Charline chimed in, amused.
“Charline, I’m starting to think you don’t like me,” I said a bit childishly.
“You’re right, but most of us don’t like you.”
