Their cronies ran forward, including the temp, Faith. I pushed a little more of my power forward. What I was trying to do I wasn't sure, but I knew whatever was happening needed more from me, so I gave it.
Vines and greenery erupted from the ground, surrounding the three vampires. To my delight and shock, the climbing plants wrapped through their legs, around their torsos, binding their arms to their sides, so they couldn't move.
Smaller vines came out of the ground and held the others in place, wrapping around their legs, but not in a malevolent way. I knew in my gut that those vines were just trying to protect us, not hurt the innocent vamps.
The big vines pulled backward, toward the building, growing to act as pillars around the front of the mansion. It was still open, vamps could still come and go, but these pillars, containing Jeffrey, Lysa, and Dreven would be there reminding them to be on good behavior whenever they came or went.
I stepped forward and called out, “When you’ve learned your lessons and done your time, the magic will know. Karma knows everything you’ve done. You won’t just be paying for Quill and Bryan. Everything you’ve messed up in your lives will be paid for now. If you’re truly repentant, you will be freed.”
When my gaze landed on Trista, I was surprised to find her uncovered, not a single vine on her, not even the ones who were keeping us safe. It was nice to know that one of the vampires wasn't trying to hurt us even if her face was pale with shock and horror at what had just occurred.
If I was honest, I was slightly horrified myself, but this was Karma's will, not my own, so this was the punishment that fit the crimes.
"What did you do?" Trista asked as she walked over to us, her voice both awed and slightly terrified.
Vance pulled in as I turned to look back at my friends, a triumphant expression on my face. We waited while he got out and moseyed to the building, peering at the vines and writing down what he was seeing. “Will it hold them?” he finally asked.
I nodded. “I’d bet some good money you couldn’t free them if you tried.”
Vance chuckled. “I suppose that’s good enough for me.”
“They’ll be imprisoned until they’ve served the time Karma sees fit.” I motioned toward the house. “But the rest of the clan is free to come and go as they please. Though I think they'll need a new leader, coven master, whatever it's called."
“Well,” Vance said. “I certainly think the punishment fits the crime.” He stuffed his hands in his pockets. "With everything you and your friends found out I'm surprised the punishment isn't worse to be honest."
"Can someone fill me in?" Trista asked.
"Vance asked me to help find who murdered Quillan. Dreven had recently taken out a life insurance policy through his uncle, which is odd for a vampire, and he hired Faith to manage Quill's estate," I said, gesturing to the redhead. "Apparently the coven is out of money because of everything they, or at least Quill was doing to impress the kids he was recruiting to become vampires. I don't know what Dreven's plan was, but it seems like the three of them were in on it together and were about to make a getaway with the money."
Vance nodded at my summary.
"I suspected," she murmured. She turned and focused on me. "It's why I've been so closed off. I didn't want any of them to pick up on my suspicions. And investigating when people think you're an airhead is surprisingly difficult. So, what happens now?" Trista wondered.
"Well, I would assume the money would go to the next person in charge and that would also be your new leader." I shrugged.
"But that would be me!" Trista sounds aghast at the idea. Even though she said she suspected something, I don't think the thought that she'd be in charge ever occurred to her.
"Well, congrats new leader," I replied with a smile. "At least you'll have some money to keep the coven going."
"Not just some money," Vance added. "I took a look at the policy once you alerted me to it and the payout is huge. The coven won't have to worry about money for a long time."
"And I'm the new leader?" Trista asked, looking at Vance. The question was obvious not just from her voice but from the way she looked at Vance.
He nodded. "The only other person that would be a candidate would be Bryan as far as I know."
"I'm not interested," Bryan said practically before Vance had stopped speaking.
Trista watched him for a moment before nodding. "Then as my first act I'd like to offer Bryan some of the money. I know--" She held her hand up as Bryan started to interrupt. "I know, you've never taken our money before and you don't need it, and I know there's no way we can make up for what happened to you, but please let me help you start your new life in Mystic Hollow with Carol. You two deserve to be happy without worry and I can help with that. All I'm asking is that you let some good come from this crappy situation." She gave him a genuine smile.
Carol elbowed Bryan and nodded her encouragement. "Fine. I'll take enough to get set up, but that's it."
"Perfect!" Trista clapped. Her face changed a second later, filling with melancholy. "Now I have to figure out what to tell everyone else." She looked over her shoulder at the others who were still bound with vines around their legs. "They aren't going to be happy about it."
"I can help if you want," Vance offered.
"No, thank you though. I don't want Clan Dusk to be accused of meddling in Clan Scarlet's affairs."
"The vines will release them as soon as we leave," I noted.
