Hexed

earsplitting thunderclap that shocks all three of us into stunned silence.
    Something stirs above us. Samual spreads his hands, face turned upward. “You see what I mean about these mortals, Elder? They have no respect. No reverence for their betters. It’s a travesty to have admitted them into your presence. Let us be done with this. Let me have them.”
    Silence greets his request. Too much silence. I start to think maybe whoever is up there is actually considering turning us over to him. I glance at Stephen. I could probably put up a pretty good fight against Samual, but what about Stephen?
    “Wait,” I hear myself saying. “I’m sorry. If I offended you, I apologize. But I thought this was to be a trial. A trial signifies you have some kind of judicial system, which in turn means you have laws. Evidently I broke one of those laws. I think I can justify my actions.” I wave a hand toward Stephen. “What can’t be justified is holding this man. It’s me you want. Send him back.”
    Stephen shifts beside me, grabs my left hand. “I won’t go without you.”
    “Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t—”
    “How noble,” Samual interrupts, baring his teeth. “But he stays.”
    “Why? He had nothing to do with what happened.”
    “Maybe. But you took two lives that day. Remember?”
    God. Burke’s bodyguard. “You can’t be serious. He attacked me. I had no choice—”
    Samual turns on that thousand-watt angelic smile. “No matter. Two lives were lost. Two lives must be accounted for.”
    A terrible awareness stirs the hair on the back of my neck. “You had no intention of sending this man back, did you? You are a liar.”
    Before Samual can reply, the rustling voice from above speaks. “If you are found guilty, both your lives are forfeit. It is the law.”
    Samual looms over us. “And you will be found guilty.”
    I look at Stephen. “I’m sorry.”
    He grimaces and says through a tight-lipped smile, “I knew it was too easy. Just don’t be found guilty, okay?”
    Suddenly the Elder interrupts. “I understand your outrage. Evidently, you were brought here under false pretenses.”
    Is it my imagination or does Samual cringe a little at that? But I don’t have time to gloat. The Elder continues speaking.
    “Our laws are based on concepts of justice tempered with mercy. One must be cognizant of all the facts if one is to make a just decision. You will be heard. As to facing your accusers, we have hidden our physical form from you because we are not like you and thought you might be disturbed by the difference. However, if you insist on facing us, as is your right, we will comply with your request.”
    I’m not sure if I should be relieved or nervous that I’ve won this first little skirmish. One look at Samual, though, and the uneasiness fades. He’s furious. I must be doing something right.
    “Please be seated,” the disembodied voice says. This time the tone is conversational, polite.
    Stephen and I take seats behind the desk nearest us and look up to watch.
    The thrones sparkle as if made of diamonds. First they appear empty, then gradually robes of gossamer, shaped like the human body, fill the spaces. Ghostly hands materialize from the sleeves, bare feet from the hems. Just when I begin to wonder what could be “disturbing” about their forms, the apparitions solidify and the differences become apparent.
    Where the head should be, faceless skulls peer down at us through eyeless sockets. Jaws open and close continually as if of their own will. No sound emanates except a rasp, like rusted locks on a broken gate.
    Explains the wind-in-the-willows sound of the voices we heard.
    The seven appear identical, though the throne in the center is a bit larger than the rest and set a little above the others.
    Stephen prods me with his elbow, jerking a thumb in Samual’s direction. “Think he looks like that, too, without the glamour?”
    Samual casts us a poisonous glare, obviously having heard Stephen’s remark. His expression changes, though, when he addresses the tribunal. “Shall we proceed, Elder?” he asks. His tone loses its sarcastic bite.
    I flinch, thinking of the joy ride that brought me here. Yikes. But as the one in the middle is nodding, his constantly moving jaw snapping closed for an instant at the motion, I put that disgusting thought out of my mind. Better concentrate on the one who seems to be in charge.
    Is this Elder Samual shows so much deference to the chief