CHAPTER 5

　　Elena's POV

　　Dad heaved a deep sigh. "Where is the vampire in question that attacked the young witch and caused the whole conflict?" He asked. His brows furrowed as his gaze shifted between everyone sitting.

　　The courtroom became dead with silence as no one dared to move nor say a thing. In the silence, there was confusion, panic, and terror. My heart hammered fast and my body trembled. The moment the flow of words stopped was the time the blazing truth dawned on us all.

　　Dad scoffed and said calmly, "I believe I asked a question that demands an answer."

　　"Where is Diego?" Dad hollered with his mouth quivering with anger. His strong voice made me flinch in my seat and I could tell everyone was paralyzed by fear.

　　"He is dead," Bastiana responded, with eyes wandering every corner of the room except towards Dad, whom she obviously couldn't look in the eye.

　　Rule number one just got broken and things were about to get really bloody.

　　Dad's feet rhythmically tapped the wooden floor and his nails dug deeper into the table. He was apparently trying to suppress his anger.

　　"Now, what should we call this?" He let out a low peal of laughter. "A twist of fate? Or an entirely unwelcomed surprise?"

　　"More like an entirely unsurprising welcome," Mom suddenly said, and strolled to the front of the court to face everyone.

　　She was a tall and confident woman with beautiful chestnut hair that peeked the eyes of sea spun souls, the bluest of heaven's best. Her bodycon gown hugged the softness of her curves and emphasized on her slim-thick goddess-like figure that no one dared not admire.

　　"Harry's mate was almost killed by a blood-sucking vampire so it is no fault of his to stand up to Diego and even kill him if the need arises, after all, we know how quick they are to stir up trouble," Her smile grew bigger and a twinkle illuminated in her blue eyes as she spoke those words.

　　"This is my city, things run by my rule only-" Dad started but was interrupted by mom.

　　"I'm sure he didn't mean for it to happen." Mom nudged her head at a downcast-looking Harry.

　　"That doesn't change the fact that he broke my most important rule," Dad roared as veins popped up from his forehead, so much that anyone could tell he was almost losing it.

　　"Father Kinley, the overall ruler of the human faction; you must be itching to say something, so the floor is yours." Dad said, scratching his tousled dirty blonde hair.

　　Father Kinley was a priest and he led the Sunday service and abided by all sort of Christian doctrines. He was the pillar of the community that maintained the city's supernatural balance. He had to ensure the humans remained ignorant about the supernaturals and he ensured they stayed out of one another's way. Merely looking at him, one could tell that he was in his late fifties. His eyes and grey hair were a reflection of wisdom and experience.

　　"I think justice should be tempered with mercy. I rest my case," Father Kinley voiced out his own opinion, then raised his hand to prove his point and sat back to harmoniously watch the possible outcome.

　　"We won't sit here and watch you kill Harry or give decrees that are only in favour of the vampires," A wolf with long dreads stood up to protest and the other wolves murmured in agreement. Dad rushed towards him in blinding speed and snapped his neck at once.

　　"Is there any other miscreant who might want to challenge my authority?" Dad raised his brows and his gaze shifted between everyone sitting.

　　When no one said anything and silence prevailed again, he spoke: "This meeting will be adjourned. My final verdict will be announced today." Dad hit the gavel and stood up.

　　__

　　Final verdict and xenophobia)

　　Marriage isn't usually a pathway filled with roses, although weddings always have several bouquets of flowers adorning everywhere. Marriage is oftentimes is filled with sharp-pointed and poisonous thorns and deathtraps and at any slight incident, the two players could get checkmated and beaten at their own game. My parents aren't exempted from folks that thrash things around and I don't need a soothsayer to foresee the tension between them and it all started with the courtroom incident.

　　Have you gone mad? What was that all about, Cedric?" Mom stood with her arms akimbo over Dad.

　　"Setting things straight. I can't afford to let them get away with this," Dad replied as he ran his hand through his hair and paced around his private chamber.

　　"Why can't you listen to a single thing I say? You have to let the case die down else things might escalate," Mom told him amidst furry while placing her slender fingers on her throbbing head to massage her temple.

　　"I have a right to be angry," Dad hollered and punched the wall aggressively.

　　"I can't just sit by and do nothing when you are being biased in the courtroom," Mom raised her voice at dad and stabbed a finger at his chest to portray her annoyance.

　　"My rules state that there should be no killing of vampires and no performance of magic in the quarter." Dad leaned forward to mom, then continued, "This city runs by my rule and if anybody breaks those rules, they die," He decreed with clenched teeth.

　　"So, this is about your ego," Mom scoffed and continued, "If you ignore my warnings and you do whatever you deem fit to do, then you must be prepared for another war."

　　"Well, it is always the same war even though the enemy might differ," He said with wide eyes and shallow rapid breathing.

　　"And in wars, there are always casualties. Prepare to lose more of your most prized vampires then," Mom spat in his face, then walked away.

　　"You look so hot when you are angry." Dad raced towards her in a blurry velocity and grabbed her by the waist.

　　"All your charms and flirtations simply prove that you are every bit of the liar and manipulator your father once was," Mom said through clenched teeth and stared at him in disgust, then tried to walk away again, but dad's grip was too strong.

　　His once playful smile was replaced with an extreme grimace. "Is that what you really think of me?" He cocked a brow up.

　　"By all means, prove me wrong," Mom's eyes widened with a strong eye contact and raised eyebrows.

　　"Very well, come on," He held her hands and led her back to the court.