Page 54 of Captive
Sebastian watched the exchange with predator's focus, his body coiled with tension despite the ancient bonds. His fangs had descended again, responding to the sudden surge of aggression in the chamber. A satisfied gleam flickered in his eyes at having provoked such a reaction.
"That was deliberately cruel," Boarstaff said sharply, turning his gaze on Sebastian. "And unnecessary. These people have lost family to your kind's raids."
"Truth often is cruel," Sebastian replied, though some of the satisfaction faded from his expression. "But they needed to understand the stakes."
The tension in the chamber remained thick, weapons still half-raised, breathing still sharp with anger. Boarstaff slowly released Thornmaker's spear, his movements deliberate and calming.
"Step back," he commanded quietly, his voice carrying the authority that had kept them alive through countless battles. "All of you. Step back."
Gradually, reluctantly, the warriors lowered their weapons. Thornmaker's grip on his spear remained white-knuckled, but he took a measured step backward. The circle of council members widened slightly, giving the binding circle more space, though their eyes never left Sebastian.
"The intelligence is detailed and verifiable," Boarstaff said once the immediate threat had passed, his voice steady despite the storm that had just swept through the chamber.
"Intelligence extracted after you spent considerable time in his presence," Oakspear said, his voice growing harder as he finally found his opening. "When did a vampire's word begin to matter more than your own people's concerns?"
Murmurs rippled through the council. Boarstaff felt his control slipping as heat rose in his chest.
"That's enough," he said, but Oakspear pressed forward.
"Is it? Perfect intelligence. Perfect timing. A child in danger that appeals to every protective instinct." Oakspear's voice carried pain beneath the accusation. "Almost as if someone knew exactly what would motivate you."
Before Boarstaff could respond, rapid footsteps echoed from the passage outside. A young scout burst through the chamber entrance, breathing hard from her run.
"Warchief," she paused to catch her breath. "The lookouts report new signals from the citadel."
"What kind of signals?" Boarstaff asked.
"Ceremony preparations," the scout answered. "Three resonance beacon sequences, followed by sustained atmospheric releases from the central spires."
Sebastian's body went still, his eyes finding Boarstaff's across the chamber. The color drained from his face as the implications hit him.
"It's begun," he said quietly, his voice barely carrying to the assembled council. "The preliminary rituals." He swallowed hard, the noble composure finally cracking. "If they've started the preparation sequences, you have less than three days before they begin the first procedures."
The chamber went still. Sebastian's reaction was too visceral, too genuine to be performance. His distress at the news was unmistakable.
"How long do we have?" Boarstaff asked.
"If the signals began today," Sebastian said, his voice tight with urgency, "then tomorrow at dawn gives us our best chance. After that, the procedures begin and..." He couldn't finish the sentence.
Oakspear's expression darkened. "This proves nothing. Perfect timing could be part of an orchestrated trap."
"Or perfect opportunity," Boarstaff countered. "To save a child and strike at their power."
Oakspear stepped closer, his voice dropping so only Boarstaff could hear. "If you're wrong about him, if this mission fails because you trusted a vampire over your own people's safety, will you step down as warchief?"
The question hung between them like a sharp blade. Not asked in anger, but in genuine fear for what Boarstaff might be risking.
"And if I'm right?" Boarstaff asked quietly.
"Then I'll admit I was wrong," Oakspear answered. "But I need to know you understand what you're risking."
Boarstaff met his gaze directly. "If this mission fails because I misjudged him, I'll step down."
"Then I propose we make this formal," Oakspear said, raising his voice. "A vote of confidence as much as mission approval."
"This is without precedent," Moonsinger said. "Trusting vampire intelligence to guide our warriors into their territory."
"Everything about this situation is without precedent," Boarstaff replied. "But the intelligence has proven accurate at every point we could verify. And a child's life hangs in the balance."
