Chapter Eight #2
“And now you play pet to a mage,” Claudius said softly. “Following him around like another trained dog. One would think you and the service animal have much in common. How far the mighty have fallen.”
Viktor’s vision flashed red. His fingers dug into the arms of his chair hard enough that the wood splintered.
Don’t get upset, Ant sent calmly. He’s trying to provoke you into acting out in the hopes you’ll attack him in front of witnesses.
I’m going to tear his fucking head off.
No, you’re not. Not yet, at least.
Ant turned to face Claudius fully. “We have been over this, but I imagine someone of your advanced age might not remember correctly, and that’s understandable.
Viktor isn’t my pet. He’s my fated mate.
We’re bonded through magic that predates your coven by millennia.
The fact that you’re either unaware of or deliberately ignoring the significance of a true mate bond suggests your understanding of the rest of the paranormal world is severely limited. ”
“Mate bonds are fairy tales,” Claudius said firmly, as though just saying it made it law - something that Viktor had seen countless times before.
“No, they’re a documented physiological phenomenon studied extensively by the Justiciary and the Academy.
” Ant’s tone remained neutral. Viktor could imagine him giving the same lecture at the Academy.
“The bond creates a telepathic link, allows sharing of energy, and connects two souls across lifetimes. It’s extraordinarily rare and considered one of the most powerful forms of magic in existence.
Your dismissal of it reflects poorly on your education, not on its validity. ”
I love you so fucking much right now.
I’m simply stating facts.
You’re destroying him with those facts, and it’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.
Edmund leaned back in his chair. “If you’re so powerful, Doctor Channon, why haven’t you simply read the scene already and left? Surely it would take you mere moments to get all the details you need for your report.”
“I could read it in a short amount of time,” Ant agreed.
“If this were a personal case, then you are exactly right. Viktor and I would be home by now. However, I’m conducting a thorough investigation for the Justiciary, which requires understanding the context, the environment, and the political landscape of the situation, as well as the scene reading itself.
Rushing would be unprofessional and potentially compromise the evidence. ”
“Or perhaps,” Claudius said, “you’re stalling because you already know what you’ll find, and you’re reluctant to accuse a coven leader without ironclad proof.”
“I don’t require ironclad proof,” Ant said.
“My testimony, especially in front of a truth sayer, is generally considered enough to at least provoke further investigation. What I am doing is adhering to responsible standards. The Justiciary expects comprehensive evidence collection regardless of the status of the victim or who’s potentially being accused.
Whether you’re a coven leader or a street criminal makes no difference to the law. ”
Vivienne laughed as though Ant had just told the joke of the century. “The law? How positively quaint. Laws are created by those with power to control those without it. They’re tools of oppression dressed up as morality.”
“Then you should appreciate them,” Ant said. “Since vampires like Claudius have historically held significant power and influence. Or are you suggesting the laws your coven helped establish centuries ago were actually designed to oppress yourselves? That seems counterproductive.”
He’s going to have a stroke, Viktor observed. Claudius’s face had gone dangerously still.
Vampires can’t have strokes.
Figure of speech, babe.
The servants brought out the main course.
A simple roasted meat with vegetable side dishes.
Nothing fancy. Viktor had to ask for gravy because the meat was definitely overcooked, but it seemed the rest of the diners didn’t seem to notice anything wrong.
They probably eat the same stuff every single night.
Everyone ate in tense silence for several minutes. Viktor was pleased to see that Ant was eating well - he needed it. Viktor also snagged some pieces of roast meat and wrapped them in his napkin. There was no reason Able couldn’t appreciate a treat when they got back to their room.
The meal was almost over when Claudius set down his fork. “Tell me, Doctor Channon, what will you do if your scene reading reveals...inconvenient truths? Truths that might be difficult to prove in court?”
“I’ll document them and turn over my findings to the Justiciary,” Ant said. “They’ll determine how to proceed based on the evidence.”
“And if the evidence is circumstantial?”
“Then they’ll investigate further.” Ant cut the last of his meat with precise movements.
“That’s how investigations work. The report of the dead body was not manufactured - you reported it yourself.
Crime scene photographs are also considered evidence.
My job is to read what actually happened that resulted in the crime scene, and that information will be added to the case notes. It’s not complicated.”
He’s fishing to find out if you need physical proof or if a scene reading is enough to convict him, Viktor sent.
Yes, I gathered that.
“But scene readings are subjective, are they not?” Claudius pressed. “Based on your interpretation of events. One might argue they’re inadmissible as evidence.”
“Scene readings have been accepted in court for seventy years,” Ant said.
“There’s extensive legal precedent. Additionally, my readings are documentary in nature - I observe events exactly as they occurred, without interpretation or bias.
The Justiciary has verified my accuracy rate at over ninety-nine percent. ”
“Still,” Claudius said, “mistakes can happen. False memories. Magical interference. So many variables.”
Ant looked at him directly. “Are you attempting to establish grounds for challenging my findings before I’ve even conducted the reading?”
It was as if everyone held their breath.
“I’m simply ensuring,” Claudius said slowly, “that you understand the gravity of accusing someone of my standing without absolute certainty.”
“I understand that. I also understand that threatening a Justiciary investigator is a crime,” Ant replied.
“And that attempting to interfere with an investigation carries a minimum sentence of fifteen years imprisonment. I also understand that you’ve made at least three separate comments tonight that could be interpreted as attempts at intimidation or coercion.
Would you like me to document them formally, or shall we proceed with the investigation without further legal complications? ”
Fuck yes. Viktor couldn’t stop the grin that spread across his face.
Claudius’s expression went completely blank. “You misunderstand my intentions.”
“Do I?” Ant tilted his head slightly. “Then perhaps you should clarify them using more precise language. I take things quite literally, so if you’re not actually threatening me, you should avoid phrasing that suggests otherwise.”
He’s backed into a corner, Viktor observed. Either he admits he was threatening you, or he backs down and looks weak in front of his coven.
Yes. That was the intention.
Claudius picked up his wine glass, took a long drink, and set it down with slightly more force than required. “I merely meant to ensure you understand the complexity of the situation.”
“I understand everything I need to perfectly well,” Ant said.
“Ronald Finch was murdered. I’m here to determine who killed him.
My scene reading will confirm who that person was.
Once I’ve completed my investigation, I’ll submit my findings to the Justiciary.
The legal system will proceed from there. It’s actually quite straightforward.”
Nathaniel cleared his throat. “Perhaps we should discuss the logistics of tonight’s reading. What time would be most convenient, Doctor Channon?”
If Viktor had his way, they’d be doing that reading in the next five minutes, and then he’d carry Ant out if necessary, until they were well clear of the estate. Then Ant could take all the time he needed to record the events he’d seen.
“Nine in the morning will be sufficient.” Ant finished his meal and set down his utensils, as Viktor bit the inside of his lip to stop from saying anything along the lines of what the ever loving fuck?
Why don’t we do it now? “I work best with a full night’s sleep and an adequate breakfast beforehand. ”
“But I thought…” Vivienne started.
“That I needed darkness?” Ant looked at her. “No. That’s a common misconception based on outdated folklore. I can read scenes at any time of day with equal accuracy.”
The look on her face, Viktor sent. Priceless.
She appears confused.
She appears like she just realized you’re way smarter than she gave you credit for.
Claudius stood, and everyone else immediately rose as well. “Then we shall reconvene in the morning. Nathaniel will ensure you have everything you require.”
It was a clear dismissal, and Viktor was grateful for it. The last thing he wanted was to have to play nice for an entire evening – there was no way he could hold his temper that long. He stood, and Ant rose beside him, Able getting to his feet as well.
They left the dining hall in silence, walking back through the corridors until they reached their suite. Viktor locked the door behind them and let out a long breath.
“That was the worst fucking dinner I’ve ever attended,” he said. “And I once had dinner with a vampire who ate live rats at the table.”
“It was strategically productive,” Ant said, kneeling to remove Able’s harness. “Claudius revealed significant information about his psychological state and his concerns regarding the investigation.”
Viktor crossed to where Ant knelt and pulled him up into a fierce kiss. “You were amazing. Watching you dismantle his arguments with pure logic…”
“I simply followed his reasoning to its natural conclusions.”
“You made him look like an idiot - again.” Viktor cupped Ant’s face. “He’s going to be furious.”
“Good,” Ant said. “Angry people make mistakes.”
Viktor dropped a quick kiss on Ant’s forehead and then chuckled as Able nudged against his pants pocket.
“Yes, I got some of that roast meat for you, too,” he said, letting go of Ant and reaching into his pocket and pulling out the napkin.
“I’m sorry, I couldn’t find a way to carry the gravy boat as well.
That meat was damn dry and severely overcooked. ”