[Kitten]

"I heard he killed a Princess right on the dance floor in front of the entire royal family."
"I heard he was executing humans on live television!"
"I heard he told Councilman Aurelius to jump up his own ass and die."

Elijah paused with his hand on the ornate gold door handle. The rumors surrounding his wayward Childe had reached a fevered pitch. Taking on a life of their own and blowing themselves far out of proportion. If a sliver of the truth remained it hardly mattered. He glanced back at Alice and Jorick for strength as he finally stepped through into the overcrowded hall.

The Council of Elders rarely meted out judgment in such a public way, usually an out of control Vampire was brought before them privately and their justice imposed in silence and quiet shame. Paterson was being trotted out in front of the masses as an example. A reminder of what horrors could lie in store for anyone who didn't toe the line.

The murmuring died down, though it hardly mattered if they gossiped to his face. Elijah knew this was a terrible black mark against the family name. Still, his chief concern was his beloved Paterson and the state the other was in. Had he been badly injured during his capture?

The knot of anxiety twisted over and against itself as he strode through the main halls of the Council Chambers and stopped just outside the cell door where he could feel a heartbeat that echoed his own, even if it was sluggish and weak. With a steadying breath, Elijah pushed the doors open and stepped inside.