Ghost Town Page 0,31

The vampire you staked was known to be extraordinarily violent, and we have been considering for some time what to do to restrain her appetites; you have removed this problem for me, and although I can't be seen to celebrate this, I must acknowledge that you did me a service in this matter. Again."

Amelie's long white fingers tapped the table in a little dry clicking rhythm, and her eyes went half-closed as she stared at Claire. Finally, she looked to Richard Morrell. "What say you?"

"She acted in self-defense. It's unusual, but there are plenty of precedents--I did it myself once, and you found that what I did was justified. I don't support any kind of punishment for her."

Amelie looked at him for several long beats after he'd finished, and neither of them blinked. She turned her attention to Hannah. "And you?"

"Not guilty," Hannah said. "You changed the rules in Morganville. You gave humans rights to defend themselves, even if it cost vampire lives. Claire was within the law to do what she did, and she saved her own life and the lives of at least some of the people in that room."

Amelie closed her eyes for a moment, and said, "I'd have preferred you to use nonlethal methods in your heroic defense, but I cannot deny that there is right on your side. On mine, there is only tradition, but tradition is a very powerful force to vampires. It will be quite difficult to convince them that you shouldn't join young Kyle in the cage. Oliver already cast his vote. I will be obliged to overrule him."

Claire knew, without Amelie saying so, that overruling Oliver in his angry mood would be hard, if not impossible. Amelie and Oliver had struggled for control of Morganville in the past, and even though they had developed a kind of respect, that didn't mean they couldn't fight. Viciously, if necessary.

Amelie opened her eyes and said, "As the Founder of Morganville, I rule that Claire Danvers is innocent of the crime of deliberate murder. However, she is not innocent of all charges. Claire, I give you two alternatives. First, you will be given into Myrnin's charge until you complete the repairs for which he requires your assistance. During this time, you cannot leave his lab, nor see your friends or family, nor rest until the repairs are completed to Myrnin's satisfaction. I will not deny you food and water, however."

Claire swallowed. "What's the second alternative?"

"You can choose someone to suffer punishment in Founder's Square in your place," Amelie said. "One of your friends, or your family. It will not be the punishment Kyle faces, but it will be severe, and it will be public."

If a vampire said it was severe, then it was nothing Claire even wanted to think about. And choosing one of her friends? Her mom or her dad? She couldn't do that. She could never do that.

"Think carefully," Amelie said softly. "The first alternative may sound reasonable, but there will be no sleep, no rest, no contact until you have finished your work. It may well be a death sentence on its own, if the problem is as complex as Myrnin tells me. You'll find that such a sentence is brutal in itself."

"At least it's my risk to take," Claire said. "I'll do it."

Hannah sighed and looked grim, and Richard shook his head. "For the record, I lodge an objection to this," he said. "She isn't guilty. You're bending the laws to benefit vampires."

Amelie raised her pale eyebrows. "Of course I am," she said. "Morganville is still my town, Richard. You'd do well to remember that."

"Then why have us sitting here? Just to make it look legitimate?" Richard shoved his chair back. "The kid's not guilty. And you're manipulating things to get what you want."

Amelie didn't bother to reply this time. She looked at the security guard instead. "I believe Mayor Morrell and Chief Moses are finished," she said. "Please see them out."

The vampire woman nodded, opened the door, and gestured for the two humans to proceed. Hannah looked like she might protest, but it was Claire's turn to shake her head. Don't, she mouthed. I'm okay.

"No, you're not," Hannah muttered, but Richard put a hand on her shoulder, and they left the room together.

That left Claire and Amelie. No guards. No witnesses.

"You knew I wouldn't let anybody else take my place," Claire said. "Why'd you even ask?"

"Because if I had not, Oliver would demand that I did so," Amelie said. "I