“As Allegra’s daughter, you may have inherited this ability,” Lawrence had said. “You may be able to clear Mimi Force.”
“Grandfather,” Schuyler pleaded, “I’m not . . . I can’t . . .”
“Listen to me closely, the blood trial will mean you will have to drink Mimi’s blood to discover the truth of what happened that night. Only the Uncorrupted have the power to ascertain real memory from false in the blood memory. But it is a great risk: drinking the blood of another vampire means there is a chance you may give in to the temptation that afflicts the Silver Blood, kill Mimi, and become doomed in the process by becoming Abomination yourself. It is a risk only you can decide to take.”
“And if I choose not to?” Schuyler asked.
“Then punishment will be rendered.”
The thought that she held Mimi’s life in her hands oppressed Schuyler. To risk her own life to save her enemy’s! How could she volunteer for such a task? She had visited her mother in the hospital for guidance.
Allegra slumbered peacefully in her bed.
“I don’t know what to do. If I don’t do it, Mimi will die. But If I do, then I could become a monster. . . . Tell me what to do, Mother. Help me.”
Yet, as usual, there had been no sign from Allegra.
And now Jack was studying Schuyler carefully. What did Jack mean by bringing this up now? Shouldn’t he stay by Mimi’s side and help her to accept the inevitable?
Jack looked over at Lawrence, who was watching the two of them keenly. He returned his gaze to Schuyler. “You are your mother’s daughter. Only you can perform the blood trial.”
She took a step back.
Lawrence cleared his throat, but held his tongue.
“Lawrence, you said so yourself, that Schuyler has powers none of us have. Schuyler, please. I’m begging you.” Jack said, with tears in his eyes. “You’re her only chance. They will destroy her.”
Suddenly, Schuyler understood what was at stake. This wasn’t a game the Conclave was playing. This wasn’t make-believe or a play put on for their amusement. They had conducted an investigation and pronounced judgment. Punishment had been recorded in the Book of Laws. They had traveled across the ocean to Venice, to the ancient prison, to fulfill the sentence.
Mimi was going to burn.
Schuyler looked askance at Jack. Your sister tried to destroy me! She wanted me dead—taken by a Silver Blood! How can I . . .
But she knew what she had to do. This was the sign she had been seeking all along. She looked deep into Jack’s anxious green eyes.
“Okay,” she said, taking a deep breath. “I’ll do it.”
FORTYSIX
The condemnation was held in one of the ancient rooms deep inside the Ducal Palace and began with a formal pronouncement of the sentence. Mimi Force was led to the front of the room in shackles. A black robe had been placed on her shoulders, and her blond hair was covered by its hood. The Conclave of Elders stood in a semicircle around her. The Chief Warden had finished describing the process when Lawrence halted the proceedings. “As Regis, I have cause to call for a blood trial to refute or confirm the findings in the Conclave session.” “Blood trial?” Edmund Oelrich, the Chief Warden, asked. “But surely, there is no way. Allegra is still asleep, is she not?” Charles Force, who was seated in the front next to his son, leaped up. “I second the motion for the blood trial.”
“Lawrence, is this wise? What are you talking about?” Nan Cutler asked.
“Allegra’s daughter, Schuyler Van Alen, has volunteered to perform the ritual.” Lawrence called for Schuyler to come forward.
“The half-blood?” Forsyth Llewellyn exclaimed. “I oppose this! How do we know she is worthy?”
“Allegra’s daughter?” another Elder asked.
“She is gifted with powers far beyond the norm, and I am confident she will be able to carry out this task.”
The Conclave murmured, and a stay of execution was granted while they convened on this new development in another room. A few hours later, the Conclave returned. Finally, the Chief Warden spoke.
“The blood trial will be borne out.”
Mimi and Schuyler were led to a small cell next to the courtroom. Lawrence patted Schuyler on the back. “Be safe, and remember what I told you.”
When they were alone, Mimi pulled the hood off her head and looked at Schuyler with distaste. “You.”
“Me.”
“I don’t need you. I’d rather die.”
“Would you? Because that’s certainly the other option,” Schuyler snapped.
Mimi flushed. “My brother put you up to this, didn’t he?”
“Yes. It’s him you’ll have to thank for your life, if indeed you are proved innocent,” Schuyler replied.
Mimi crossed her arms and studied her cuticles. She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Let’s just get this over with.”