Caught in Between

-36-

Keith, Kaleb and I entered the council building with ease while Jen waited outside in hiding. Everyone knew who we were and the guards expected us. We were led down a large hallway into the council room, which was very circular and open, with six white stone columns that bordered the room. In the back was a long podium that three vampires sat at. The middle one was the oldest looking one and I could tell he was the Head Councilman. He was the only one that wore a chain with around his neck that had a gold insignia of a sunburst with a diamond cross in the middle of it.

His wrinkles remained in place as he held his cold brown eyes on me as he flipped his long silver hair to the back of his shoulders. The vampire on his right was a woman with a small frame, cocoa colored silky skin, dirty blonde hair and dark blue eyes. The vampire on his left was the youngest looking one with spiky brown hair, honey colored eyes and rough caramel colored skin. All along the walls were normal vampires that stood there as witnesses.

They all stared at me as I approached them. I stood on the giant insignia that covered the middle of the glossy marble floors and I peered up to meet each of their gaze.

The old man cleared his throat. "Allow us to make our introductions before we begin with your trial. I am Edgar, the eldest of the councilmen appointed by late Queen Liliana." His hand hovered over to the woman next to him.

"I am Reina, second in command, also appointed by late Queen Liliana," she spoke with a strong voice that echoed through the room.

Then, Edgar's other hand lifted up to the young man next to him. "I am Anthony, third councilman in training and recently appointed by His Excellence."

"Now that those are out of the way, let's move on to the matter at hand," Edgar said as he picked up the handwritten note that was in front of him. "Here is a report that I received by one of my men stating very clearly that you are the reason why this war has started. Do you acknowledge?"

My palms grew sweaty as I kept my gaze on Edgar. "Yes, I acknowledge."

"Very well." He set the paper back down and kept his hands clasped together in his lap. "The report also states that you had a violent outburst toward Zachary, the commander of the werewolves, over your dead friend Debby. Do you acknowledge?"

"Yes." My voice almost came out as a whisper. Keith and Kaleb could tell that I was extremely nervous and I began fidgeting. I felt as if I was backed into a corner.

"Now that you've acknowledged what was defined in the report, I will inform you of the decision the councilmen and I have come to prior of your entrance." Edger turned to Reina and held up his hand. She grabbed another paper and gave it to him. He moved the paper in front of him and read it out loud. "'Rebecca is a newly born vampire of lowly status. The repercussion of her action of serious nature has casted the entire race into a state of darkness. Due to the incitement of the war, the punishment bestowed upon Rebecca is: death.' Do you find this punishment just?"

I glanced at Keith and Kaleb for encouragement, but they remained silent. I guessed that the power the councilmen held was enough to tie their tongues, but I couldn't blame them for not wanting to speak out of turn.

I took a deep breath before returning my gaze to the councilmen. Edgar patiently waited for an answer. "No," I responded. Reina and Anthony were shocked, but Edgar remained levelheaded.

"And your reasoning?" Edgar pressed on.

"I.. I am the Vampire Queen," I stated out loud, my voice with a slight tremble that I tried to hide. The witnesses gasped and the room was quickly filled with chatter.

"Silence!" Reina shouted and the vampires immediately hushed themselves.

Edgar gestured for me to continue. "While I admit that what I did wasn't exactly the correct way to go about it, this war must happen in order for me to do what needs to be done as the Vampire Queen. Under the guidance and agreement of the late Queen Liliana, we have to press forward with this war. I am here to lead everyone. I know I may sound crazy, but it is possible for vampires and werewolves to live in harmony with each other," I explained, my anxiety finally gone and determination taking over.