Blood Double (God Wars #1)(4)
Those records came from many worlds, and they'd been written by many vampires at the direction of many Vampire Councils. Unmanageable vampires were often killed. Vampire children who disobeyed their vampire sires were harshly punished at the least, destroyed at the worst. As I had no desire to die on my first, pain-free day as a vampire, I went to my office to tend to assigned duties.
*
"You're the new one." I stared at the vampire standing inside my office. He hadn't been there before, and my curse informed me he was one of the Queen's assistants who'd been away on vacation when I arrived.
"I suppose I am." I lowered my eyes. I'd seen what he was with only a quick glance. No, he wasn't awful—he was a bit timid. He was also terrified of my sire—just as I was.
"I'm Grant. Heathe is out hunting Rigo down for a few signatures on paperwork."
"It's nice to meet you, Grant." I nodded briefly before sitting down at my desk. I'd almost gotten everything caught up before my arrest and subsequent beating. That had been fourteen days earlier. I'd lain in the dungeons, barely alive and in terrible pain for three days before Gavin came. Nobody thought to provide medical care or any comfort.
"I'm glad they cleared you of the charges, but Rathik got away."
"Yeah." I knew Rathik had gotten away—that's the other thing I'd seen in Grant's eyes—guilt. He'd hired Rathik after a hasty interview. I also saw what I hadn't known before in Grant's expression; I was supposed to have been paid. Rathik had stolen my salary and my credit chip. The credit chip had gotten me arrested for a murder I hadn't committed—Rathik scanned it to get inside a hotel to do the deed.
In fact, I hadn't left the palace the entire time I'd been a resident of Le-Ath Veronis. All I could think was that Skel Hawer was a piss-poor excuse for an ASD agent, and he'd almost killed me with his fists. I didn't know what happened to Skel Hawer, but I intended to find out. Eventually.
"Well, I'll just get to work, then," I nodded at Grant. Whatever I might have been paid before, there would be no paycheck now. Young vampires weren't allowed to earn money until their five-year training period was over. Before that, they were dependent upon a sire for their needs. After seeing Gavin's face when I woke as his vampire child, I wasn't expecting anything from him.
*
"Trev, he let him go." Kooper Griff shook his head.
"Norian let that murderous bastard get away with this?" Trevor schooled his face—his sire, now long-dead, would be ashamed of how much emotion Trevor had shown of late.
"Not only let him go, but allowed him to keep his job. He was demoted—one placement—and his name was changed so the media won't follow him around. He should be in jail." Kooper snorted.
"He should be charged with attempted murder," Trevor, vampire Sheriff for Casino City, growled in response. "How's the woman?"
"Made the turn, according to my sources at the palace."
"Then it's a miracle," Trevor sighed. "She should be dead after the beating Hawer handed out. The prick left her there for three days, hoping she'd go ahead and die, no doubt. I've spoken with Drake and Drew, but they're army and not palace guard. Those vampires who knew about this should have stopped it. I think I'll have a word with Flavio."
"Her new sire should be weighing in on this. He is over the palace guard."
"Gavin?" Trevor stared at Kooper in disbelief.
"Yes. That's the name I heard." Kooper sipped a hot drink from a recyclable cup he'd brought with him. He'd come to Trevor's office in Casino City—Trevor asked to be updated after handing information to Kooper. Kooper was off-planet on assignment when Hawer, who'd been left in charge of the local ASD office, abused his authority and exacted vengeance against an innocent woman.
Trevor cursed softly before asking his next question. "What happened to the real culprit? I haven't gotten anything since he disappeared from Erithia Cordan's casino."
"Probably light-years from here by now, under an assumed name," Kooper huffed. "Hawer let him get away while he was busy beating a helpless woman."
"Are you going to the palace soon? I'd like to know how she's doing."
"I'll probably go soon. I'll let you know."
"I'd appreciate it. Gavin isn't the easiest person to deal with, and I have no idea why he decided to turn someone now instead of asking one of the experienced vampires to take it."
"I'm worried he did it just to keep his palace guards out of hot water. No offense," Kooper held up a hand as Trevor started to protest, "but I know enough about compulsion to realize she can be ordered to keep her mouth shut."
"I hope you're wrong," Trevor muttered.
"I'll let you know about the woman." Kooper stood and stretched his tall frame. "Thanks for your help with this. If you hadn't notified us, we'd be looking at two murders instead of one."
"Yes," Trevor nodded. "I know."
*
Breanne's Journal
"Breanne, why did you refuse this request?" Grant was back and tapping a finger against his comp-vid. One of the small comesuli councils had requested funds for a new water cooler for their meeting chamber.