A Midnight Dance: Chapter Three

Chapter Three

I haven’t been to The Tomb since I was ten. That trip had been to notify Tianna of a clansmen’s recent death. Looking back to that day I remember being afraid of The Council. And now seven years later that same fear is still with me. Maybe that’s because I am old enough to understand what The Council is…and what they can do.

The Council is made up of five of the most powerful beings on earth. With unlimited powers and an eerie feel to them, they are definitely something to be wry of. The five move and talk as one unit and represent the Vac’Nolli Clan’s God. When in their presence there are rules and traditions needed to be followed. Any who should choose to not follow said rules are eliminated. The Council also knows what paths each member will take throughout their lives. I can’t count the number of times I have been punished for something I haven’t done yet. There is no hiding from The Council for us Vac’Nollis.

Madi lightly touched my arm. I jumped, not realizing she had moved to my side of the car. Turning I met her gaze and with my “gift” I saw the outcome of the meeting. Pain, suffering and humiliation were awaiting me on the other side of the entrance. I let out a breath I hadn’t known I was holding and put on my best smile. Madissa regarded me for a second and then nodded. Though she wanted to protect me from my fate she knew there was nothing she could do to stop the punishment. Okay, it wasn’t going to be as bad as I though. It was going to be worse, a lot worse.

A silk robbing hitting me in the face shook me from my thoughts. Confused, I held out the garment at arms length, glancing from it to Madi and my mom. They had stripped nude and were in the process of putting on the robes. It was only then that I recalled the code for meeting with The Council. Quickly, I removed my clothes and donned the virginal white robe (as was tradition for all clans members who had yet to find their soul mate.) Madissa started to giggle when I reached to where they were standing.

“We match!” She laughed.

“Way lame.” I joked with her only to stop when my gaze reached my mom. Tianna turned to face us, her robe the color of rich blood.

There are three different ceremonial colors for The Council meetings. The first, which is white, is given to children and young adults until they meet their soul mate. Once the binding ritual is performed between the two souls they strip their white robes for a silver one. Silver is the most cherished color among the clan, since it has the privilege of sharing the same color as moonlight.

Tianna stood in neither white nor silver. As was tradition she stood in a full length red robe. It was a sign for all clansmen to know that the wearer was in mourning over the blood of their soul mate. It wasn’t the clothing Tianna was wearing that startled me, but the tears of blood streaking her face. I felt the need to reach out and comfort her.

I cleared my throat, moving to her to lend my support, but it was wasted. Tianna composed her face into a lack of expression and moved forward to The Tomb’s opening. She swiped her face with her hand and seemed surprised by the blood tears there.

“Well girls.” She paused to lick the teardrops from her fingers. “Shall we get this over with? I’m rather hunger.” And with that she danced on her heels into The Tomb, leaving Madi and me no choice but to follow.

As I walked through the barrier, magic danced across my skin. The cloaking spell The Council used hid the entrance almost too well. The Tomb back home had been lined with gold, statues of our fallen clansmen adored the walls. Life had been a lot easier in France. Here in Montana The Tomb was little more than rubble.

My eyes took a moment to adjust to the dark. The long tunnel leading to the main chamber was lit every few feet by burning wall sconces. The rock walls dripped with moisture that seeped into the dirt floor. The sound of running water echoed in the distance. Stretching my muscles out, I continued toward The Council meeting.

Madi grabbed my hand and gave it a squeeze. She leaned close and whispered, “I’ll be here for you.”

I smiled as she leaned back and returned the squeeze. Releasing her hand I refocused ahead and collided with Tianna’s back. Regaining my balance I peered around my mom into The Tombs Royal Chambers.

The little vamps back home called the Royal Chambers the punishment room. Judging by the looks on The Councils faces, that was exactly what was going to happen to me. Punishment. They stood in a loose semi-circle in the center of the room. Their expressions gave nothing away but the thoughts they were broadcasting told me all I needed to know.

Anger, disappointment, confusion, distrust and finally annoyance met me with such force that I nearly fell over. Clansmen cannot use their gifts on The Council unless they will it. However it is rare and considered the greatest gift. This time however rare I would have gladly traded to anyone.

“Jhena,” They commanded, “We have never known you to hide behind an elder. Step forward and accept your fate. Choose your witness.”

Licking my lips I forced myself to move and speak. “I choose Madissa, descendent of clans second Greys as my witness.”

Madi’s gasp reached my ears and I turned in time to see all the color drain from her face. Witnesses to a Council meeting must give their honest opinion on the question of innocence. They work as defender of they accused. If found guilty, the witness also must serve as punisher.


Taking a visible swallow Madi stepped forward until she was even with me. Reaching out I grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. She smiled a weak smile to reassure me and then let go. Looking forward once again I looked into The Councils eyes, ready to face the inevitable.

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I felt sluggish the next morning, which wasn’t unusual following a Council meeting. With the added punishments I felt like an eighty year old human. My body ached all over.

Glancing around I noted I was home in my own bed, though I couldn’t recall how. Sliding the blankets back, I swung my legs over the edge. I was rewarded with the floor meeting my butt. My legs had given out. I stared in wonder at them. Not only were they sore but also covered in bruises. Now where did those come from?

Carefully as I could I pulled myself up using the nightstand and sat back down on my mattress. Further examination of my body showed multiple bruising and scrapes donning every part of my body that was visible. Checking my wrists, neck, and inner thighs I let out a sigh. My drinking points were unharmed.

The ultimate punishment short of death is the desecration of your drinking spots. They are cherished most on our bodies. Those who are marred never recover from the disgrace of such a penance. From that I was safe, but what happened last night?

Racking my brain I struggled to remember the exact events. Tianna, Madi, and I went to The Tomb. I went before The Council and chose Madissa as my witness. She accepted and...What? I know I was punished. Why couldn’t I remember? Better yet why couldn’t I remember the weapon?

Immersed in my confusion I didn’t hear the knock at the door. The sound of the hinge squealing in protest was missed. A thin hand touching my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts. On instant alert I shifted to vampire and whirled around to best my attacker-In time to see Madi squeak and stumble back, dropping the tray of food she carried. Her fear turned to anger as she stooped to pick up the mess.

“Devil, Jhena you scared me half to the grave.” Madi righted the tray and began piling the ruined breakfast onto it. Her eyes meet mine and narrowed. “Turn off the face Jhen! It’s creepy.”

Quickly I fazed back, muttering an “I’m sorry,” before reclining back on my pillows. The head ache I hadn’t realized I had stated pounding full force, making me close my eyes. Porcelain plates clanged together as Madi cleaned up, muttering cruses under her breath. I tried not to smile but I couldn’t help it. The corners of my mouth turned up which only seemed to fuel Madissa’s anger. My eyes remained closed as her stream of cusses increased and the clattering grew louder.

Giving one last curse Madi gave up and flopped down on the bed. The bouncing movements made me open my eyes and look at her. Red tears ran down her cheeks and her breath was uneven. I propped myself up and reached for her hand. Madi flinched and pulled her fingers away. My instincts flared to life. Head ache forgotten I sat up and faced my friend.

“Madi what’s wrong?” No response. “Come on Mad,” I reached for her again which only made her flinch. “What’s wrong with you? Why won’t you look at me?” The hurt in my voice came out loud and clear. Madi raised her eyes to meet mine.

Taking a deep breath she asked, “What do remember about The Council meeting?”


I frowned at her but relayed what I could. “And you accepted the weapon after The Council found me responsible and that is all I can recall.”

Madissa nodded in acknowledgement. My memory followed the actual events. But many things were still bothering me. I couldn’t remember the actual punishment and more than-

“Madi, why can’t I remember the punishment or the weapon? Or coming home for that matter?”

Her eyes left mine and filled with tears again. “I can’t…tell you…Jhen. I…just got…over it!” she cried. I tried to say something but she hiccupped and continued on right through me. “I’m not saying I won’t let you know. I just…can’t tell you.”

A light bulb went off in my head. I realized what she meant. Madissa turned to face me and I grabbed her hands. I unleashed them and slipped into her memories.

We were standing in The Royal Chamber side by side. The Council declared a Limit which meant that Madissa would be forced to choose a weapon from the Sacreds.
The damage with on was greater than all the other weapons combined due to the attached magic.

Madi walked up to the case and picked up the Spider Glove. The glove itself is made up of a material much like chain mail. The palm is covered with dozens of tiny spikes each tipped with a poison that creates the allusion of pain. The vision me watched in utter awe as Madi put on the glove and started toward me.

The memories shifted all jumbled and erratic. Madi hitting me over and over. Blood. Me passing out. Tianna screaming and falling to the ground. Hauling me into the car. A long fight with Tianna as Madi drove a still unconscious me home. Cleaning the broken me up. Going to school and making up excuses. Ridicule form Stacy at being alone. Coming home to care for me. Sleepless nights at my bed side.

I pulled myself from Madi’s mind. I sat there silent as Madi gathered up the breakfast tray and started for the door. My sheets were stained with blood, both hers and mine. I was speechless as I watched her turn the knob and step out. She paused before shutting the door completely.

“I will not apologize for my choice. I love you like a sister Jhena and I would lay down my life for you. But I had to do it. Not just the caring for you after but the actual punishment. I had to.” She cleared her throat. “Your well enough for school so I made you a thermos of A positive. You missing homework is done and in your bag. I will find a way to school on my own.” With that the door shut and I was alone.

I sat on my bed confused and hurt. Madi beat me within and inch of my life. I was unconscious for the majority of the first week of my senior year. My best friend took care of me the whole time. But was it duty or did she actually care for me. I was so flustered. Thank the devil we went to a year long school with only a week’s break in between each ending semester. It should be no problem to-

I shot off the bed. The reality of it all finally sank in. The Council meeting had been last Monday, the first day of my senior year. I had been out and unconscious for a week.