Scarlet was carried roughly by the large group of guards, and this time, they descended down several flights of never-ending steps. They went deeper than she could have possibly imagined, deep into the into the bowels of the dungeon.
Finally, they reached the end. There was a small room, dimly lit, with only a single cell. She could feel its thick, silver bars, the energy radiating it off of them even from here. Moments later, there was a clanking of keys, and the cell was open. She felt herself hoisted, then thrown in.
She flew through the air and hit her head against the wall, and collapsed on the floor. This time she was alone, only with Ruth, who was thrown in after her, the silver cell door slammed behind them.
This time, behind the silver, clasped in silver chains, she was utterly helpless. She knew that this time, there was nothing left to do but await her fate.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Sam march with Samantha, Rexius, and Judas down the cobblestone entranceway to Pontius Pilate’s palace. They were followed by a dozen members of Rexius’ coven, and they marched like a small army, dressed in all black, right down the center of the stone plaza. It was dark out, late into the night, and the walkway was lit by flaming torches on either side of them. They came to a big arched gate, in front of which stood a dozen Roman soldiers.
To Sam’s surprise, several of these soldiers had the temerity to step forward and form a wall to block their approach.
But the vampires kept marching, never even pausing, and as they did, Rexius merely smiled and held up a single hand before his face. Sam watched as the soldiers suddenly collapsed, slumping to the ground.
Sam marched with the others right over their bodies, and he could feel their soft corpses beneath his feet. They continued marching, across the big circular stone plaza, past the Roman fountains, past the perfectly trimmed cypress trees. They passed huge columns, rows of open arches, and Sam saw the worried faces of the Roman aristocracy looking down and watching. Their footsteps echoed as they walked right through the main entrance, and into the palace.
As they entered, a dozen more Roman soldiers approached. Another confrontation was about to ensue—until suddenly, Pontius Pilate, the Roman Prefect, appeared. He stepped up, front and center, to meet Rexius.
“Relax your guard!” Pontius commanded his men.
It was a wise move. His soldiers gave way, hurrying off to the side, leaving Pontius alone to face off with Rexius.
Pontius stood there, wearing a royal Roman toga with gold trim and a red sash, and with a look of grave concern etched across his face. Rexius stopped a few feet away from him, as did Sam, Samantha, Judas and the others. The tension was so thick, one could cut it with a knife.
“What is the meaning of this?” Pontius demanded to Rexius. “I was never informed you were coming.”
Rexius smiled back, more of a snarl. He took his time.
“I will only inform you if it serves me,” he answered slowly, in his gravelly voice. “You are my servant. I will call upon you anytime I wish.”
Pontius’ face flushed red, as his brow furrowed.
“You cannot talk to me this way! I am governor of this district. I tolerate you with mutual respect. If you don’t show me that respect, I will have my soldiers send you out. We have silver weapons, you know.”
Rexius laughed.
“But I have weapons far greater than yours.”
Pontius, fed up, turned and gestured to his soldiers as he stepped out of the way. Suddenly, a dozen archers stepped forward, pulling back their bows and aiming them at Rexius and his men.
A big mistake.
Sam burst into action, along with the rest of Rexius’ men, and within the flash of an eye, before the archers could release their arrows, they all pounced on them, sinking their fangs into their throats and pinning them to the floor. In moments the marble floors were running red, streaming blood, every soldier down.
Pontius stood there, staring down at his soldiers, looking terrified. His face was ashen, his eyes open in fear. His body began to tremble, and he swallowed hard.
Rexius’ men regained their feet, standing beside him again, and Rexius smiled back.
“Are there any others you would like me to kill?” Rexius asked. “Or are you ready now to do my bidding?”
“What would…what do…what would…you like?” Pontius stammered, his voice shaking with fear.
“Master,” Rexius corrected. “What would you like, my master.”
Pontius swallowed hard.
“What would…what would you like…my master,” Pontus said.
Rexius stepped forward, lay his old, wrinkled hand on Pontius’ shoulder, and squeezed.
Pontius face creased in pain as he dropped to one knee, groaning.
“You are going to do me a great favor,” Rexius said. “There is one who I despise. That rabble-rouser, Jesus. He stands in the way of my final plan. You are going to fix that. My soldier Judas is going to infiltrate his men, and when the time is right, he will betray him. And then you will put him on trial, for all to see, and have him crucified. Do you understand?”
“I can’t do that!” Pontius said through clenched teeth, squirming in pain. “His following is too great!”
Rexius squeezed harder, and Pontius groaned out.
“Do you understand?” Rexius asked again.
Finally, Pontius groaned, lowering his head.
“Yes,” he said, finally. “As you wish.”
“Good. After his last supper, you will have him arrested, in the garden of Gethsemane. Then you will have him crucified. Do you understand?”
“Yes,” Pontius groaned.
“Yes, what?” Rexius pressed, squeezing harder.
“Yes…my master.”
Rexius released his grip, and Pontius sighed in relief.
“There is one other matter,” Rexius continued.
Pontius looked up, sweating, fear in his eyes.
“There was a young girl. The daughter of the one we are searching for. My friend here,” Rexius said, gesturing to Sam, “tells me that he can sense where she is. That she is with you. Underground. In one of your dungeons. Behind silver bars. Is that true?”
Pontius looked at Sam in fear, then slowly nodded.
“My men did capture a young girl, yes. She was causing trouble in the marketplace this morning. They took her to the royal dungeons. She is behind silver. They are still not certain of the origin of her powers. She has caused us great trouble. Is she one of yours?”