Bite Me Forever

Chapter 18: The Babel Trial

One of the Council members then stepped forward and began to speak. "Viktor Volkov, you stand accused of illegally turning a human into a vampire without permission from Her Majesty Queen Naran or any member of the Vampire Council." The council members glared at Viktor accusingly as the man continued. "Furthermore, you attempted to conceal this fact from Queen Naran, an action that's considered treason."

The room fell silent as all eyes turned towards Viktor, who stood still and emotionless before them. There was a long pause as everyone waited for him to respond. Finally Queen Naran broke the silence: "Viktor Volkov," she said in a low and powerful voice, "you may now speak your defence."

Viktor took a deep breath and then began to speak. His voice was calm yet firm as he told the Council what had happened on that fateful night.

"My fellow Council members, I understand the severity of this offence and will accept whatever punishment you deem fit, but I must ask that you hear my side of the story first. The woman in question is my wife Lucy." He said, and for the first time looked at me at the same time that he waved his hands towards me, as if to signal that I was the person he was referring to. "The night I turned her, Lucy was brutally attacked and was about to bleed to death. Turning her into a vampire was the only way to save her."

As he spoke, the members of the Council shifted uncomfortably in their chairs, gasping in disbelief. One of them croaked out nervously, "How in the world could you admit to such a heinous crime?" Queen Naran called them to silence and Viktor continued his speech.

"I know that this was a very risky and dangerous decision to make but I did it because I was trying to protect my image among the human villagers and therefore protect the vampire society's secrecy, as it would've been suspicious if my recent wife were to die suddenly and violently. So, with all due respect, I ask you to take into consideration the circumstances around my decision when determining the extent of my punishment."

The Council members looked at each other in confusion, unsure of what to say. I felt a sharp pain stab through my chest as I heard these words. Was Viktor only trying to protect himself and the other vampires? Did he not actually care about me at all? I would have risked my life for him. And yet, here he was, admitting that he had turned me into a vampire solely because of his own selfish needs. My eyes grew misty with anger and I felt a lump forming in my throat.

Another council member, a woman, stood up and spoke. "Viktor Volkov, you knew that turning someone into a vampire without permission is treasonous and yet you chose to conceal it from Her Majesty Queen Naran. Why did you not come forward sooner?"

Viktor looked up at her with determination in his eyes. "I simply headed first to the Red Moon Club so Lucy could feed because she was weak and feverish. My intention was to report to Queen Naran right after. Baba, the owner of the club, knew nothing about the affair." Viktor ended his speech with these words and bowed his head in an act of submission.

The Council remained quiet for a few moments before Queen Naran stepped forward. She shot me a searing glare and sneered, her lip curling with disdain.

"Your story is far too convenient for my liking, Viktor. You can't expect me to believe such a bunch of lies", she said in a cold voice. "Truth is you decided to turn your wife into a vampire and then invented this story about her being attacked. Need I remind the Council that you entered Babel under disguise? You were reported by one of the inn owners in the outskirts of Babel. Why else would you do this and then head straight to the Red Moon Club, if not because you intended to keep the fact hidden from me?"

The room fell silent again as everyone waited for Viktor's response, but he remained still and quiet – he had no answer that could save him now. Queen Naran rose from her throne and slammed her fist on it with a powerful thud.