"And what did your findings show?"
"I immediately crossed off Schuyler Van Alen. She was a victim of two Silver Blood attacks and did not show any indication of being drawn to the Dark Matter," Kingsley said, taking out a small notebook from his jacket pocket and flipping through his notes.
"Bliss Llewellyn was a more promising subject. She has complained of nightmares and delusions, similar to those suffered by Maggie Stanford before her demise. But due to these delusions, I had to conclude that Bliss was a possible victim and not a perpetrator."
"And Madeleine?"
"I have concluded that Madeleine Force harbors the Silver Blood that has been attacking our community," Kingsley said, his tone of voice almost casual.
"Quiet! Quiet in the court!" The Chief Warden admonished, as the crowd became even more angry and agitated. Several vampires stood from their seats, and there was hissing and booing at Kingsley's testimony. Mimi Force --the Regis's daughter--Silver Blood accomplice? Was this some kind of joke?
"And the basis for your evidence?" The Chief Warden grunted from the high platform.
"She expressed a desire to learn more about the Dark Matter. Specifically, she wanted to know how to perform the Incantation Demonata. The call for the Silver Blood."
"And why did she say she wanted to do this?"
"She said she wanted to finish off an enemy," Kingsley said, looking straight at Mimi.
Mimi quavered in her seat. Lies, lies. All lies! Stop talking! Shut up! Shut up! You were my friend! Traitor!
"And that was Bliss Llewellyn."
"No."
"No?" The inquisitor looked mildly surprised.
"No."
"Who was the intended target?"
"Schuyler Van Alen."
There was another angry buzz among the audience.
Schuyler felt herself freeze. So she wasn't just paranoid--Mimi did want to destroy her. She remembered her dream in which her mother was awake and speaking to her. What had Allegra said? Beware.
"Why did you allow her to perform the incantation?" The Chief Warden asked.
"I needed the evidence. I thought I could control it, stop her before it happened. But I could not. It was obvious she had done this before. Many times."
"Thank you, Venator."
Kingsley stepped down. Now that his identity was known, he looked much older, the cocky adolescent boy had been a facade, merely a pose. He walked gravely to his seat in the front row next to the Duchesne kids, and they gave him a respectful berth.
"The investigation now calls Charles Force to the stand," the Chief Warden announced.
The head of the coven staggered down to the podium from his seat on the high platform. His own daughter, har- boring a Silver Blood! The shame of it was written all over his face. His silver hair looked white under the light, and there were heavy bags under his eyes. He looked like a bro- ken man, not the indefatigable leader of the vampires.
"State your full name for the record," The inquisitor ordered.
"Charles Van Alen Force."
"Have you witnessed your daughter meddle with the Black Spells?"
"Yes, but..." Charles answered, wiping his brow with a silk handkerchief.
"Incantations. Forbidden spells."