Masquerade (Blue Bloods 2)

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."

Mimi lifted her chin and closed her eyes. Schuyler stood on her tiptoes and put her mouth on Mimi's neck. She sank her fangs in...and just as with Oliver, she was transported into the past...seeing what was inside Mimi's memories...flying back to the night of the attack.

The dark underground of the Repository. Mimi and Kingsley laughing over the book. Standing inside the pentagram, the candle flickering and casting their shadows against the stone walls.

Mimi slicing her wrist, sending the blood over the flame and calling the words.

But then...nothing happened.

Mimi had fainted, but the spell had not worked.

She had been unable to summon the hatred needed to bring out the Silver Blood.

But Mimi had not been rendered unconscious, just dis- oriented. She had witnessed the events that unfolded next, but the memory of it remained in her subconscious, which is why she had not been able to recall it to prove her innocence. Now, through the blood trial, Schuyler was able to see what had really happened.

Kingsley cursed and picked up the knife. He sliced his wrist and called out the summons in a strong, deep voice.

There was a rip in the ground: the earthquake, the flame that shot out. Smoke filled the air, and suddenly there was a hulking dark mass going straight for Bliss Llewellyn and then killing Priscilla DuPont.

In the resulting confusion, Kingsley helped Mimi stand, and put a hand on her shoulder.

Schuyler felt a cold pressing on the back of her neck just as Mimi had experienced.