Cursed by Destiny (WG 3) (45 page)

“This is a perfect example of why I don’t wear makeup,” I told Taran.

Taran stepped forward with her hands on her hips. “How the hell is
she
a witness? I didn’t see her at the club that night! And Lord knows she would’ve stuck out.”

Emme trembled beside me. “Taran, please don’t get us killed!”

I gave my youngest sister’s hand a squeeze. “Steady, Emme.”

Judge Malika called Misha’s two witnesses forward. “Mr. Miller and Mr. Brown, which of you gentlemen would like to go first?”

Both “gentlemen” took one gander at Destiny and scrambled away from her. It was never a good sign when something scared a vampire. Hank, the bigger of the two vamps, shoved Tim forward.

“You may begin,” Judge Malika commanded. “Just concentrate on what you saw that night. Destiny?”

The four judges swiftly donned protective ear wear, like construction workers used, just as a guard flipped a switch next to the flat screen. At first I thought the judges toyed with us. Even with heightened senses, how could they hear the testimony through those ridiculous ear guards? Before I could protest, Destiny enthusiastically approached Tim and grabbed his head. Tim’s immediate bloodcurdling screams caused the rest of us to cover our ears. Every hair on my body stood at attention. What freaked me out was he wasn’t the one on trial.

Emme’s fair freckled skin blanched so severely, I feared she’d pass out. Shayna stood frozen with her jaw open while Taran and I exchanged “oh, shit” glances. I was about to start the “let’s get the hell out of here” ball rolling when images from Tim’s mind appeared on the screen. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Complete with sound effects, we relived the night of David’s murder. Misha straightened when he saw David soar out of Taran’s window in flames, but otherwise he did not react. Nor did Misha blink when what remained of David burst into ashes on our lawn. Still, I sensed his fury. The image moved to a close-up of Hank’s shocked face and finished with the four of us scowling down at the blood and ash.

Destiny abruptly released the sobbing Tim, who collapsed on the floor. Mucus oozed from his nose and mouth. I didn’t even know vamps were capable of such body fluids.

At last, Taran finally seemed to understand the deep shittiness of our situation. “Son of a bitch,” she whispered.

Hank gawked at Tim before addressing the judges. “If it pleases the court, I swear on my honor I witnessed exactly what Tim Brown did about David Geller’s murder. My version would be of no further benefit.”

Malika shrugged indifferently. “Very well, you’re excused.” She turned toward us while Hank hurried back to his seat. “As you just saw, we have ways to expose the truth. Destiny is able to extract memories, but she cannot alter them. Likewise, during Destiny’s time with you, you will be unable to change what you saw. You’ll only review what has already come to pass.”

I frowned. “How do we know you’re telling us the truth?”

Malika peered down her nose at me. “What choice do you have? Now, which of you is first?”