Eternal bondage (Book One of the Eternity Series)

Chapter 15 | Part 2

“Court is now in session.”

The judge banged her gavel on the wooden circle resting on her desk.

“Prosecuting attorney, please call your witness.”

The sleekly dressed lawyer rose and called Jayda to the stand, he had her swear to tell the truth then asked her to tell her story, she shakily told what had happened, the jury whispering amongst themselves when she told that she had read Ethan’s mind.

As she stated that the Defense Attorney stood in haste. 

“Objection your honor, how do we know this is true?”

The lawyer the Mayin’s had hired looked up at the judge.

“We have other witnesses your honor.”

“Objection overruled.  Please proceed.”

Jayda finished her story and the lawyer moved to ask her a few questions.

He sat and the defense attorney inquired as to the extent of the relationship and the nature of the way he treated her.  

After a while he asked,

“So you would agree then that you cannot be certain that my client meant you any harm whatsoever?"

"I suppose not."

“No further questions.”

Jayda made her way from the stand and the lawyer called Hayden to the stand.  

Hayden told his story of the advancements Ethan had made, trying to convince him to leave Jayda, the attorney asked him a couple of questions then turned the witness to the defense, who asked a couple of questions before asking.

“How then do you KNOW,”

He emphasized the word.

“That Mr. Roshe’s intentions were for harm?”

“I believe his actions answer that.”

“How do you know that he wasn’t simply, stating his mind, or taking you to see one you loved before she died?”

“I guess I don’t.” 

“No further questions.”

At that point the judge called a 20 minute recess and retired to her rooms.

Jayda turned to her dad,

“This isn’t looking good.”

Anrai leaned forward from the place he was sitting behind the table.

“Don’t worry.  I’ve more than enough to put him behind bars.”

“I hope you’re right.”

20 minutes later the judge re-entered the room and called the court back to order.

The lawyer called Anrai to the stand.

They heard a low growl from the defendants table.  

Anrai gulped and tried to breathe steadily.

He swore to tell the truth, and told his story.

 

“So,” 

The attorney said. 

“Mr. Roshe voiced his intentions to you?”

“Yes.” 

“And if you didn’t supply him with sufficient information, there were consequences?”

“Yes.”

“YOU LITTLE!”

A yell came from Ethan as he attempted to rise from his restraints, two guards moved to hold him back.  

He snarled at them and bared his teeth, but instead of the standard two white fangs, the entire courtroom saw a mouth full of pointed teeth, the first sign of a werewolf.  

The defense lawyer gasped and rose from his seat.

“A hound?! Your honor I will no longer defend this man.”

The judge stood up.

“Mr. Roshe, is this true?" 

“Yes!”

He cried,

“We still live, free, among you!  We will not be stamped out!”

Ethan shook his head, he began to grow large ears and pant. The judge looked flustered, but attempted to regain her composure. 

“Ethan Roshe, I sentence you to life in Rotne Dou.  The werewolf concentration camp that you will never again make an attempt on Miss Mayin’s life.  All of your property will be transferred to the family of the persecutor. Court adjourned!” 

Ethan began to howl desperately as he was dragged out of the room, which very suddenly, became quiet. 

Jayda, realized that she had been holding her breath, she released the air.

They looked up to the witness’ stand, but didn’t see Anrai where he had last stood, Jayda pushed her chair back and ran over to the place he had been.

Hayden came from the pew he had been sitting in to join her in the search for the boy who had become his friend over the past days.

They reached the stand to find him cowering under the small awning, hands above his head, shaking in fear.  

Jayda reached down and touched his arm, he let out an almost silent scream, not daring to look up.

“Anrai, are you alright?”

He slowly looked up, expecting to see his master standing angrily over him, waiting to devour his flesh, but instead he saw two concerned faces looking down at him.

He nodded.

Jayda offered her hand to him, he took it and she pulled him up.  She threw her arms around him.

"Anrai, thank you so much."