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I pulled the journal from my purse, opened it to the correct page and held it out to her. She read it, saying nothing, then closed the book, placed it next to her on the couch and waited for me to continue.
“If I understand Sig, and what he told me the other night, then one of the protected vampires was killed on December sixth of that year. ”
Her smile thinned, and she brushed her hand over the cover of the book. “Perhaps. ”
“Then Holden couldn’t have done it. He was with me. ”
“And the Tribunal will take the word of a half-breed, why?” She wasn’t attacking me, I realized, she was testing me. I was prepared to answer this question; I just hadn’t expected her to be the one to ask it.
“The death of the three rogues I killed is on record. I had to stand before the Tribunal to account for the unsanctioned assassinations. Holden’s account was given the same night as mine. ” My eyes flared defiantly. Take that.
“It is as Sig feared. ” Ingrid picked up the book, then rose from the couch and took it into another room. I don’t know what she did with it, but when she returned, the journal was gone.
“Sig knew Holden was innocent. ”
“He did not believe a warden in Holden’s position would be capable of the charges in question. ”
“So why agree to the warrant?”
Ingrid looked at Desmond, then back at me, debating whether or not to continue while he was still present. She seemed to make up her mind and carried on. “Sig believes there is a betrayer in the council. He is quite certain it is someone in a position of tremendous power. An elder. ”
“Someone who would know about those under protection. ”
“Yes. Even I know nothing of their names or whereabouts. There are few who are trusted with such knowledge. Only a fool would believe Holden Chancery would be given such a treasured gift. But Sig agreed to the warrant because Holden was an easy target. Others in the council would be quick to mistrust him because—”
“Because he was my warden. ”
“His attachment to you…” She treaded lightly, knowing anything she said about Holden could apply to her master as well. “It put him in a regrettable position, especially with such a low rank. You are, at times, viewed as a corrupting influence, Secret. ”
If I didn’t know better, I might think she was complimenting me.
“Who knew the names of the vampires who were killed?”
“The Tribunal, of course. And a few select elders. But something else should be mentioned. ”
“Yes?”
“Several of the kills were, according to Sig, perpetrated a great distance away. In order for vampires to travel any great distance, they must have help. ”
“Daytime help,” I concluded.
“Yes. ”
“Ingrid. ” I shuffled forward on my seat. “Did you drive Sig when he came to collect me?”
She smirked. “No. That was a short drive. He could do it without me. I wouldn’t have minded to see your face when he showed up, though. ”
I shook the thought off. “So we’re looking for a vampire who knows how unpopular I can be and is old enough and powerful enough for a daytime servant?”
“Yes. ”
“Narrows it down a little, doesn’t it?”
“Well, it eliminates some possibilities, yes. ”
“It narrows them all down, Ingrid. I know who is responsible. ” If a little light bulb could have gone off over my head at that moment, it would have.
Who hated me enough to create a perfect situation for killing me? If Holden took the blame and I was assigned his warrant, then I was being set up to fail. They must have known I wouldn’t go through with it, and the expectation would then be that my life would be forfeit for my failure.
