Mine

Part 51

Colby gets up, and we wait in silence. It was only an hour later, that we heard a pair of footsteps coming up the stairs. I heard the mansion go quiet, the whispering sounding like hissing snakes. We both look at the door as it opens, Salina walking in with one of the Regime members walking in. He was wearing a similar cloak as the Messenger that came only a few months ago, but it was a darker black with a red strip of fabric tied around the waist. His hood was down, revealing a pale face with white blond hair. I recognized him as Maxime. I stood up, bowing and motioning for Colby to do the same.
"Stand up." Maxime says quietly. We do. "The Regime has been notified of a recent turn, and I've been sent to find out the reason of this turn in question."
I nod my head down. "Sir, please. The turn in question was not intentional."
Maxime turns to Colby, who follows my lead and bows his head. "Explain your turning." He demands.
"Micheal attacked me five weeks ago. He said he wanted to hurt Penelope the way she hurt him. He tried to kill me, but she was able to get me away from him. I don't remember anything else, but I was told that he bit me before she got me away."
Maxime turns back to me. "Do you know what he means by this Micheal wanting to hurt you?"
I nod. "Yes." I pause, feeling a little scared. "I killed his One."
Maxime raises his eyebrows. "And why would you do that? You of anyone in this clan should know that is punishable by death."
"I did it unknowingly." I say. "My past leader, James, he gave me many tasks. He kept me busy. Too busy to feed. I-I lost control."
"And you didn't know Micheal had a One?"
"No, I did not. I never knew she was his One. I didn't know what I had done, or who I killed, until after it happened. I didn't know that the woman I killed was his One until shortly before his turning." I explain, pointing to Colby.
"Very well." Maxime says. "What is your account of his turning?"
"I was with Colby. I wanted to be with him to protect him. Micheal had told me that he was going to try to get him, but I didn't know when. I had heard someone outside, and went to check, but when I went back inside, Micheal had Colby. I tried to reason with him, telling him that I hadn't meant or known what I did. He didn't believe me. He tried to kill Colby, but I got him away with only a bite."
"And Micheal?"
"I killed him."
Maxime doesn't reply. Then he holds a hand out to me, palm up. I knew what he wanted. I didn't tell Colby this, but it was possible that vampires had powers. Powers to dive into the mind. Powers to change memories to how they want. Powers to find truth. It was an incredibly rare gift, and only Regime members had it. I take a breath.
"What are you doing?" Colby asks, stopping me.
"I'm letting him into my mind."
"What? No."
"Colby." I warn. Maxime raises his eyebrows. "Back down." Colby stares at me, then looks away. I let Maxime take my hand, and he encloses it with both of his, looking into my eyes.
I feel a pulling in my head, and I play the scene of finding Micheal with Colby play. When it was over, Maxime drops my hand.
"Your story matches what I've seen." He says, then turns to Colby. "You will join Penelope's ranks. You will carry out any tasks she gives you. As leader, she has the power to banish you from her clan or kill you if she feels the need to do so. Do you understand?"
Colby nods. "Yes."
Maxime turns to me. "I will leave you to it." He disappears.