Chapter １４

There were ropes that bound my hands. It wasn’t like it was impossible for me to untie the ropes. I could have done that with my power since I practiced basics enough today. But the ropes had a certain magic in them. They were especially meant to hinder the magicians from using their power.

I never thought such things existed. Well...I didn’t think magicians existed either, but look what happened! I am already a vampire magician. I don’t think there’s anything in this world that could make me even more surprised.

Sighing helplessly, I rested back on the back seat of the car as it sped in the highway. I closed my eyes and reflected my past actions carefully. Back when I had tried to save Derrick from being attacked by these vampire magicians, I used a spell to unlock my powers that were sealed since my childhood. But then, how did George know that I had awakened the power and ended up killing three wizards? Was he involved in the conspiracy?

I sneered at the thought. It would be strange if this vile man wasn’t involved.

If he was involved, then were the clan members that were supposed to be nearly extinct should also be alive? Then he was also connected to the clan members as well?

I remember faintly hearing those three wizards talking about the current leader of the clan. Didn’t that man say that the current leader would feel happy after seeing me miserable? But why? Did that person know me?

Then it seemed like George was connected to both British king and this unknown leader of the clan. But how did George know so many dangerous people?

Millions of questions formed in my head, but no one answered. I was swiftly taken away and the car stopped after an hour of traveling. By this time, I had already calmed down. Just as I reached, I opened my eyes and stared at the unfamiliar building calmly.

No matter what George wanted to do, if I was going to die today, I will take him down with me!

With determination hiding inside my eyes, I obediently followed George and his vampire men in black inside a big building that seemed more like a IT company with multiple floors. Glass door shone in the sunlight as I tilted my head to see the top. I had no idea what this building was, but I clearly didn’t want to find out.

Someone shoved me as I stumbled forward.

“Keep walking.” George’s impatient voice echoed.

I grunted, but didn’t respond. I knew George had made several calls, even telling the worst case scenarios of what had actually happened. And who were the people on the other side of the phone? I have no idea. I just knew that these people were the American Vampire’s council.

It took us ten more minutes to reach the conference room that was on the topmost floor. There was a circular stage in between and twelve chairs were surrounding it separated by steel railings. But not everyone was sitting there. One seat was empty and I had a faint hunch about who should be sitting there. The chair seemed to be on a higher spot as compared to the rest of the seats. Of course, it was meant for either Derrick or Liam.

The guards took hold of my arms and pushed me on the stage. My gaze swept past every single one of those vampires, but I didn’t find anyone familiar.

“I would request everyone to put justice to this matter.” George said while standing on the side, holding a microphone. “She awakened her magician bloodline and killed three vampire subordinates of mine, even harming King Derrick in the process.”

The conference hall was filled with murmurs of these twelve vampires.

Seeing the situation, I lowered my head, hiding the cold glint in my eyes. I knew George was an evil man, but I didn’t think he was a liar too! But if he had told anyone that the murders that occurred were of vampire magicians, the vampire council would doubt him even more.

George nodded and took out a pendrive, inserting it in a laptop. The projector flashed, showing pictures of a car that had already turned dark because of fire and blood stains all over the road. Not a single body part could be seen.

The murmur started growing louder. But I couldn’t be calm anymore. The images presented before my eyes in an enlarged form reminded me of the thirst for blood that I couldn’t quench that day. My throat went dry as I licked my lips.

Emily, control yourself! That’s blood, not some kind of delicacy you want to eat!

But how could I control my body despite scolding myself? A wave of pain suddenly washed over my mouth, gums specifically. I could feel something growing out of my mouth. Perhaps it was canine? I trembled at the thought and clenched my jaw. George did this on purpose! He wanted to show off the canine of a person who used to be a human a few hours ago!

Was this supposed to prove these council officials that I was really a person who killed these people? I glared at George and tightened my fist until veins appeared on my arms.

No matter what, I wouldn’t let myself show off my canines today!

I averted my eyes from the projector and focused on my breathing. The pain slowly subsided after a while and everything went back to normal. It was as if my canines had never strived to grow at the memory of the blood.

I could see George getting anxious from the corner of my eyes. His expression made me extremely satisfied.

Just when I thought I had passed the test, George suddenly said, “Let’s release our power on her and see how she reacts.”

“Are you mad?” One of the vampire officials spoke, standing up from his seat in anger.

“I say, let’s wait for the king or at least prince to make the decision. We don’t even know the identity of this girl.”

That made me surprised. George didn’t tell them about me? They didn’t seem to know I was Liam’s human partner. But why? Just what was George planning?

I furrowed my eyebrows at that.

Hearing the reluctance of the council members, George slapped the table in anxiety. I don’t think everything was going according to his plans, but he hadn’t given up yet. “This is a dangerous criminal! If we don’t take action, she might end up killing the entire vampire family!”

No shit George! If you continue to say things like that, I don’t know about others, but I would definitely kill you.

After hearing his words, the entire council was silent. Then the murmur started again. After about ten more minutes of discussion, one of the council members stood up and said with hesitation, “We’re unable to make any decision.”

George grew angry at that and opened his mouth as if he wanted to curse these old men but the next words silenced him.

“We want to find a replacement who can sit on that throne to make this decision.”

My breath stuck in my throat at that. After Liam, only George was the person who had been capable enough to take the place!

Why don't they just call Derrick? He could come. But they were just staring straight at George with anticipation in their eyes!

No one said a word. Instead, they continued to look at George as if they worshipped the man.

Their expressions seemed to satisfy George.

But before he could say anything, one of the council members stood up and asked, “First, tell us the identity of the girl.”

That question made George’s expression dark. He had realized that the council members still didn’t trust him.

I sighed in relief thinking that as soon as these people would find out about my identity, they would leave me alone. But before I could rejoice in happiness, George pressed a button on the laptop and the next slide appeared on the projector, showing a certificate. I squinted my eyes only to see my photo on one corner. But that wasn’t the one that surprised me. What shocked me the most was the name that had been used.

Sara Jones.

Who the heck was this person? When did George have time to forge my identity just to punish me? Was he so confident that he would be successful in dragging me to the council today?

Thinking about it sent a shiver down my spine.

That identity proof seemed to satisfy a few council members and they sat down, gesturing George to continue.

Seeing such obedient expression on the faces of those old vampires, he smiled and turned toward me. “All the evidence goes against this girl, and thus, my decision is to give her an immediate death punishment on the accounts of murdering three vampires.”

“Shouldn’t I get a chance to defend myself?” My palms were sweaty when I said these words.I was afraid that as soon as I would end up saying something wrong, these people would kill me. I didn’t even have my phone with me at this moment!

“Oh? So how will you defend yourself, Ms. Sara?”

“I am not SARA!” I pronounced each word clearly and loudly for everyone to hear.

But George seemed to be prepared for this moment too. He waved his hand and said, “No need to reject your identity miss. You’re a threat to our nation, and I can’t let you continue to live like this.”

He took a few steps and went around to stand before the seat of the king, the topmost place among the twelve council members. His fingers caressed the seat as sat on it, smiling deeply as if this had been his longest dream. Then turning toward the council members, he asked, “Do you all agree to accept my decision in the absence of the king and crown prince?”

They all looked at each other and nodded reluctantly.

“Fine then. I announce an immediate death sentence.”

No one said a word. That throne seemed to carry a tremendous amount of power so much so that none of those vampire officials could reject. Perhaps it was the authority or maybe George was using some hidden tricks to make them nod at his every word. I didn’t know, but they were all silent even when someone came toward me and dragged me out of the conference room. My hands were still tied with the magical rope, and I was helpless against it.

I suddenly felt that those council members were useless. How could they just stand George doing such a thing in the conference? Was such an official place meant to be a center for justice?

We left the conference room, heading down the corridor. The council men didn't follow and I wondered for a while if they were also bought by George. For him to make it through easily, I wouldn't be surprised if he had a spy among the council members who was trying everyone to persuade all of them to bow down to this madman.

Even thinking about it made me angry. They should be the mediator to give justice, but they were doing completely opposite of that! There's even a possibility of a spy! I have to talk to Liam about this as soon as he comes back.

Only if I can be alive…

I let out an exhausted sigh and walked behind George and his men. After a long walk, we halted. I only had my eyes on the floor, so I didn't know why we stopped. Not until I heard a familiar voice snapping me out of my daze.

"You've dared too much this time!"