I've never been to the High Council building before. It's monumental, bright, and slippery. Every surface seems to have been shined every day before the building opens.
If I wasn't here for my hearing, I probably would take some time to admire the surrounding. Especially that large tapestry at the side of a renaissance-like painting of naked people.
We are lead by one of the attendants into a large chamber where light pours in at the centre through an elliptical glass ceiling.
I don't even have to look to the right to see that my father is here, along with his most trusted lackey, Dominic.
Sitting on seven high thrones are seven of the members of the council that are assigned to this hearing. At the very centre is Marcus Phenis, the Vampire chief of the third order.
I feel like I'm long way from Kansas.
Jeremiah, to whom it seems like today is just another day, approaches the dais and hands over a small stack of paper to the assistant who distributes them to the seated.
"Councilmen," Jeremiah says, "Lord Roman Casneigh is on a personal mission to punish his daughter because she had accepted her one true Alka, Alpha Hayden. Lord Roman calls that a treason. It is not."
A guy standing near my father who I didn't notice before, steps forward.
"Miss Riva—"
"Luna Riva," Jeremiah corrects the man.
"Luna Riva," the guy says as if he's swallowing vinegar, "is not just any member of our race. As the opposing counsel said, she is the daughter of the wizard king. The laws can be lenient to others, but not on the rulers who need to set an example."
Rulers? My father didn't even acknowledge my existence before this.
Jeremiah speaks. "The laws of Whitestone do not apply to Luna Riva's ascension, for her bond is shared with Alpha Hayden."
"But she is still a sorcerer. Being a mate of a werewolf hasn't turned her into one too."
The back and forth arguments go on for a while, before the man in the middle of the rostrum says, "I must say this is rather a unique case. I must hear both the parties as well. Lord Roman, please."
My father's strong voice resonates within the walls. "I have a duty to keep towards my subjects, Marcus," he says, addressing the councilman by name. I'm afraid my father's title does have some sway here. "I can not have someone of my blood break our laws. She needs to come back with me and be tried for her crime."
"But she did not commit a crime," Marcus says, "her counsel is right. Even if she is a sorcerer her ascension does not fall under your jurisdiction."
"And it's also like my counsel said, for as long as she's a witch she falls under my jurisdiction," father says.
Marcus turns to me. "Luna Riva."
I take a deep breath. "I believe you've just spoken for myself, councilman Marcus. You addressed me as a Luna. My father has no authority over me or my family."
Marcus smiles.
"Marcus," my father says, "this is not only about her and the werewolf. This case needs to set a precedent. By ruling in their favor the High Council will be obliterating interracial balance."
"Councilmen," Jeremiah says, "Lord Roman is overreaching. Not every witch or wizard out there is receiving a werewolf Alka. Luna Riva is an exception."
"An anomaly," father says. "She's an anomaly, and has to be treated as such."
Marcus sighs and looks at Jeremiah. "I don't mean to be disrespectful towards Luna Riva, but our ruling will set a precedent."
Jeremiah bows. "In that case, we wish to present witnesses."
"Witnesses?"
"For the argument that this case will not set a precedent."
Marcus looks over to fellow judges. They all nod. "Alright, present the witnesses."
This is news to me. I look back to the entrance and see a familiar face entering. Ivana Boldman. She's followed by three couples.
"I'm sure you're familiar with our key witness, Sir Marcus," Jeremiah says.
Marcus nods at Ivana. "Ivana."
"Marcus, you haven't aged a bit," she says.
I press my lips tight to not smile.
"What is this?" father angrily says.
"Other interracial soulmates who have been together since long before Alpha Hayden and Luna Riva. If the High Council is to set a precedent on interracial bonds, Luna Riva's case is the last thing you'll need to consider," Jeremiah says.
The opposing counsel promptly steps forward and says something I immediately noticed when the witnesses came in. "There is no sorcerer in that line."
"That's true," Ivana says, "Riva is one of a kind, the same way I once was. Dear Marcus, and the other gentlemen of the court, I've a question for you — if someone of your race, even from your coven, finds a soulmate who is a sorcerer, will you let Roman take their mate away? And as for your answers, let him hear that directly from you." She turns around, and everyone looks at the entrance again.
Hayden walks in.
"Alpha," Marcus says. "It's nice of you to join us."
"Always a pleasure, Marcus."
Why do I feel like my friends and I are the only "common" people in this place?
I didn't want Hayden to come because I was afraid it will only make things worse. But I'm so relieved he's here now.
Hayden says, "You heard, Ivana, gentlemen. I'm here to listen to your answers. If Roman wants Riva, he'll have to go through me. As for the High Council's stand, my suggestion is that there is no case here."
Marcus once again looks at his fellow judges. They all nod towards him.
My father says, "You can't, Marcus. It'll be a mistake for the High Council to make an enemy out of me."
Marcus smirks. "I've lived a thousand lifetimes before you, boy. And so has the council." He turns forward and addresses all of us.
"We agree with Alpha Hayden. There is no crime here. Roman has no authority over Luna Riva's ascension. At the same time," he turns towards my father, "you are also right. She's still a witch and needs to abide by your laws. If you feel she has broken a law of the Whitestone it's your responsibility to bring her to your court, not the High Council's. You heard Alpha Hayden, Roman. You'll have to go through him for that."
Marcus stands, everyone else follows. "The council rules: Luna Riva is not guilty of treason."
My father and his men angrily walk away.
After thanking the council, we turn to leave too when one of the councilmen, an elf woman seated at the left end calls out to me. "Congratulations, Eva."
"Thanks," I say. That was very generous of her.
"There are two," she says and walks away from the dais.
Confused, I turn to Jeremiah. He shrugs.
