Part 29 (1/2)
”And what did she say?” the prosecutor said.
Marilyn stared at Ryan. ”She said that many things were impossible, and now she had done them all.”
”And what was your reply?”
Marilyn seemed momentarily at a loss. ”I was in shock, I could not comprehend that our leader was dead. I told Ryan she would have to take his place.”
The prosecutor did not seem surprised at this seemingly contradictory revelation. ”The law of succession,” he said.
Marilyn nodded. ”Of course. It was the one thing she could have done to at least mitigate an unforgivable act.”
”And what was her reply to you?”
A strange look pa.s.sed over Marilyn's face. ”She told me I didn't understand what she had done. I told her, of course I understood what she had done. She had killed our King.”
This, apparently, was unfamiliar territory to the prosecutor. He wrinkled his brow. ”And what did Ryan say to you?”
Marilyn stared at Ryan, as if she could will the girl to explain the phrase that was now 200 years old. She hesitated, although she could not possibly forget words that had baffled her for two centuries.
”She said: *No, I have done worse than that'.”
The enigmatic statement hung in the air, and again, many eyes turned towards Ryan. But Ryan sat stiffly, her expression unreadable, her unblinking gaze forward looking at nothing.
The prosecuting attorney let the words linger a few moments longer, then he bowed to Marilyn. ”Thank you, madam.”
Marilyn stood as if to step down, but she was stopped by a clipped, British accent. ”Not so quickly, your Honor. I have a few questions to ask the witness.”
A ripple of surprise went through the courtroom and Abigail herself raised an eyebrow. She fingered her gavel. ”Why certainly, counselor, it is your right.”
Marilyn had obviously not expected this. She gazed at Edward with barely concealed contempt as she sat back down. She made a great show of settling in, then turned her icy gaze on him.
”By all means, counsel, ask your questions and be quick about it.”
Edward gave a mocking show of confusion. ”Oh, I'm sorry. I thought our Kind were never in a hurry.”
The insult struck its intended mark and Marilyn shot him a venomous look. The mood in the courtroom subtly altered. Abigail herself looked with greater interest on Ryan's lawyer.
Edward stood and walked toward Marilyn. He paused about halfway there, as if mentally sorting things through. He glanced up at Marilyn.
”Now you,” he paused thoughtfully, ”you are one of the most powerful of our Kind.”
Marilyn smiled a cool smile. ”Yes.”
Edward nodded his understanding. ”And you, you once-” He stopped, turning back to Ryan as if searching for a thought. ”Ah yes,” he said, as if remembering on his own. He turned back to Marilyn.
”Now you once Shared with Victor, didn't you?”
The blunt question brought gasps from many in the crowd. Abigail covered her mouth to hide a smile. The little man's theatrics were quite amusing. She glanced over at Marilyn, who was now infuriated.
”Yes,” Marilyn said icily, ”I once Shared with Victor.”
Edward nodded, beginning his pacing once more. He appeared to still be sorting things out. ”Now, this made you more powerful, correct?”
Marilyn nodded stiffly. ”Yes, that's correct.”
Edward glanced at Ryan who was watching him curiously. He turned his attention back to Marilyn. ”Now, I don't imagine you Shared with Victor at all after Ryan became his companion...”
Marilyn stared at him in silent fury.
”Did you?” Edward prompted, turning to look sideways at her.
Marilyn shook her head. ”No, I did not.”
Edward nodded once more, as if digesting facts he already knew. He headed off in another direction. ”So, if you Shared with Victor, which made you more powerful-” He stopped abruptly, turning to look at her fully. ”Then that means you yourself usurped the hierarchy you have accused Ryan of violating.”
Marilyn was livid and could not speak. The prosecuting attorney leaped to his feet.
”Objection, your Honor. The defendant has not been accused of violating the hierarchy. She is being tried for the murder of Victor Alexander.”
”Oh really?” Edward asked before Abigail could rule, his insinuation obvious.
Abigail stopped her gavel halfway, again surprised at the skill of the defense attorney. She set the mallet down.
”Objection sustained, counsel. As enjoyable as this is, will you please stop baiting the witness?”
Marilyn turned her venomous look on Abigail as Edward nodded agreeably. ”Of course, your Honor. My apologies.” Edward started his slow walk, glancing over at Ryan.
”Now, Madame Fontesque-” he began over his shoulder. He stopped, as if trying to phrase a difficult thought. He shrugged, giving the impression there was no delicate way to say what he needed to say. He turned and looked squarely at Marilyn.
”You want my client, don't you?”
The uproar was immediate. The prosecutor leaped to his feet, shouting objections. Abigail's gavel came cras.h.i.+ng down, at first drowned out by the noise. The continued rapping of the mallet was finally heard over the din, and the crowd settled.
”I object, your Honor!” the prosecutor said vehemently.
”On what grounds, counselor?” Abigail asked mildly.
The prosecutor, as dignified as he was, gave a brief impression of a fish thras.h.i.+ng about. ”On the grounds of relevancy,” he finished lamely.
Abigail shook her head. ”I'm afraid this is highly relevant, counselor. It reflects on the credibility of the witness. Objection denied.” She turned to Marilyn. ”Please answer the question, dear,” she said with just a trace too much enjoyment.
Marilyn turned back to Edward and her eyes fairly burned through him. He appeared oblivious to her anger. ”Well, Madam?”
Marilyn would not look at Ryan. ”Everyone in this room wants her,” she said finally through gritted teeth.
Edward would not let her off so easily. ”Including you?”
Marilyn's fury burned unabated. One could almost hear her teeth grind. ”Including me.”
Edward nodded. ”And you wanted her, even when she was standing covered in her mentor's blood. In fact,” he said, gazing out over the packed hall, ”you wanted her more at that moment than you had ever wanted her before.”