Claire shifted uncomfortably in her chair. It was too big, and too high up; her toes barely touched the ground. She gripped the arms firmly, tried to remind herself that she was strong and courageous, that she had to be, for Shane. Did you kill her? Shanes mother? she asked, as bluntly as she could. It still sounded timid, but at least shed gotten the question out.
For a second she thought Amelie wasnt going to answer her, but then the vampire looked away, toward the fire. Her eyes looked orange in its glow, with dots of reflective yellow in the center. She shrugged, a gesture so small, Claire barely even saw it. I have not lifted a hand against a human in hundreds of years, little Claire. But that is not what you ask, is it? Am I responsible for his mothers death? In a larger sense, I am responsible for anything that is done in Morganville, or even beyond its borders if it relates to vampires. But I think you ask if I gave an explicit order.
Claire nodded. Her neck felt stiff, and her hands would have been shaking if they hadnt been grabbing the arms of the chair so hard her knuckles cracked.
Yes, Amelie said, and turned her head back to meet Claires eyes. She looked cool, merciless, and absolutely without conscience. Of course I did. Shanes mother was one of the rare cases who, by focusing on a single event in their past, are able to overcome the psychic block that is placed on them when they depart this place. She remembered her daughters death, and from that, she remembered other things. Dangerous things. As soon as we became aware this was happening, it was brought to my attention, and I gave the order to kill her. It was to be done quickly and without pain, and it was a mercy, Claire. Shanes mother had been in so much pain for so long, do you understand? She was damaged, and some damages cannot be healed.
Nothing heals if youre dead, Claire whispered. She remembered Shane on the couch, blurting out all the horror of his life, and she wanted to throw up on Amelies perfect lap. You cant do things like that. You arent God!
For the safety of all who live here? Yes, Claire, I can. I must. I am sorry my decisions do not meet with your approval, but nevertheless, they are mine, and the consequences are also mine. Shane is a consequence. My agents warned me at the time that they believed the boy might have been tainted by his mother, that his block was slipping, but I chose not to expand the tragedy by killing a boy who might not have been a threat. Amelie shrugged again. Not all of my decisions are cruel, you see. But the ones which are not are usually wrong. Had I killed Shane then, and his father, as well, we would not now be facing thisbloody and painful farce.
Because hed be dead! Claire felt tears sting hard in her eyes and at the back of her throat. Please. Please dont let this happen. You can find out the truth, cant you? You have powers. You can tell that Shane didnt kill Brandon.
Amelie said nothing. She turned back toward the fire.
Claire watched her miserably for a few seconds, and felt tears break free to run down her cheeks. They felt ice-cold in the overly warm room. You can tell, she repeated. Why wont you even try? Is it just because youre angry at him?
Dont be infantile, Amelie said distantly. I do nothing out of anger. I am too old to fall into the trap of emotion. What I do, I do for expedience, and for the sake of the future.
Shane is the future! Hes my future! And hes innocent!
I know all that, Amelie said. And it does not matter.
Claire stopped, stunned. Her mouth was open, and she tasted woodsmoke on her tongue until she closed it and swallowed. What?
I know Shane is innocent of the crime of which he is accused,Amelie said. And yes, I could countermand Oliver. But I will not.
Why? It burst out of Claire like a scream, but it was really just a whimper, all the fight kicked out of it.
I have no reason to explain myself. Suffice to say that I have chosen to place Shane in that cage for a purpose. He may live, or he may die. That is no longer in my hands, and you may save both your breath and your hopes; I shall not stand up dramatically at the last moment as they light the pyres, and save your lover. Should it come to that, Claire, you must be prepared for the harsh reality that the world is not a fair or just place, and all your wishing cannot make it so. Amelie sighed, very lightly. A lesson I learned long, long ago, when the oceans were young, and sand was still rock. I am old, child. Older than you can possibly understand. Old enough that I play with lives like counters in a game. I wish this was not so, but damn me if I can change what I am. What the world is.
Claire said nothing. There didnt seem to be anything left to say, so she just cried, silently and hopelessly, until Amelie pulled a white silken handkerchief from her sleeve and gracefully held it out to her. Claire dabbed at her face with it, honked her nose, and hesitated with the silken square clutched in her hand. Shed grown up with disposable tissues; shed never actually held a handkerchief before. Not one like this, all beautiful embroidery and monogramming. You didnt throw these away, right?
Amelies lips curved into that distant smile. Wash it and return it to me someday, she said. But go now. I grow tired, and you will not change my mind. Go.
Claire slid off the chair and stood up, turned, and gasped. There were two of Amelies bodyguards standing right there, and she hadnt even known they were behind her the whole time. If shed tried anything
Go to sleep, Claire, Amelie said. Let things be. We shall see how the cards fall in our game.
Its not a game: Its Shanes life, Claire shot back. And Im not sleeping.
Amelie shrugged and folded her hands neatly in her lap. Then go about your quest, she said. But do not come back to me, little Claire. I will not be so well-disposed to you again.
Claire didnt look back, but she knew the bodyguards followed her all the way to the door.