“We have one more obstacle.”
“We do?” he asks curiously.
“Tomorrow, we face the Tribunal. I can only be queen if they deem me fit.”
“Oh yeah, I forgot about them.” He stops walking and faces me. “You got this. Nobody is more fit than you. It’s your birthright.”
“I know. I’m confident all will be well, but you never know what lies Claus may have told them. But I’m ready.”
“May I accompany you?”
I smile. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
T he next day, Kai and I make our preparations to depart New Orleans to meet with the Tribunal Council. The council is made up of several elders from various families. It was designed to have a governing body step in to settle differences that could not be reasonably handled by coven leadership or myself, as queen. Claus must have made a legitimate case in how he took the Blood Empire from me without allowing me to argue my case. Now, it is my turn.
The Tribunal is located in a remote area of Louisiana, in a small town called Cocodrie. The area is so remote, it is almost surrounded entirely by marshes. There is only one road, Route 56-or better known as Little Caillou Road-that will take us there. I used to love coming to the Tribunal meetings with my father when I was still part human. The area is so peaceful and quiet and such a vast difference from New Orleans.
We arrive at the council building and are taken directly to the meeting room. It is very much like a human court room, but instead of one judge and a jury, there is a bank of six council members, each with a number from one to six in front of their seat. We are directed to sit at the table in the center of the room.
Council member number three speaks first and says, “Serena, I have to say, we all”-he looks at the other council members-“are surprised to see you here.”
Council member number two speaks next. “We just met with Claus a few days ago, and he assured us all was well.” She takes a sip of her drink, which I assume is blood and then says, “I remember being equally surprised a few months ago, when he had first come to us to let us know you have given the rule to him. It was not what we wanted, but he assured us you had turned your back on your coven and the Blood Empire and were never coming back.”
I stand. “I am sure you have heard many stories, most of which are not true, especially what he told you. I ask for you to please allow me to set the record straight. You all have known me my entire life and my father before me. We do not lie and have always ruled the Blood Empire with grace and humility.”
Council member number one smiles and says, “Your father was a good man, and one we trusted. He maintained peace with the humans and always followed through on his promises. You may state your case.”
They all nod in agreement.
“Thank you. First of all, I did not voluntarily relinquish control of the Blood Empire to Claus. He lied to you all, and for that, I am sorry.” I step in front of the table and take a deep breath. “I guess it is important to start at the beginning. Several months ago, Claus devised an army of humans and invaded the Blood Empire. These humans were enslaved and forced to fight for him. He beheaded both my parents and banished me. I left the Blood Empire defeated. As you all know, Claus was my destiny and the vampire chosen by my father to remove my humanity. I’m ashamed to say I was captured because I took my relationship with Claus for granted and could not believe he would hurt me or my family.” I look over at Kai and then back at the members of the council. “I assure you all, I will never make that mistake again.”
“So you say Claus had an army of humans? We knew he did not believe in our ways of co-existing with them, but he went so far as to use them against the empire?” Council member number two asks.
“Yes, he did. I returned to the coven with the hope I could get close to Claus again, to help him see that his way was not the right way, and I had hoped he and I could rule together. But it didn’t take long for me to see that Claus would never change. He would not answer to a queen and he despised humans. One of the things my father taught me was once a prejudice roots itself, you can’t change it. I knew then I had to do something.”
“And what did you do? Did Claus face the true death?”
“No, Claus is still alive but in my custody.” I gesture toward Kai. “With the help of Kai and several loyal subjects from the Blood Empire army, we were able to secure Claus and take back what was rightfully mine.”
“But you said Claus is still alive?”
I was dreading this question. I knew they would want to know why I kept him alive. They know not killing him is dangerous, as there is always the chance he escapes. “I kept Claus alive for selfish reasons.”
“Are you still in love with him?” Council member number one asks.
I smile. “No, I am not. I could never love someone like him, someone who doesn’t have the same values as me or those of my family or this council.”
“Then why, Serena?”
“For his blood. Claus’s blood gives me strength. One feeding of his blood lasts twice as long as several feedings from other vampires or humans.” I pause for a moment and then say, “And him being a prisoner in my dungeon is a constant reminder to never get too comfortable again. I must always protect the Blood Empire, and I will be reminded of it every time I feed on him.”
“I see. And how have you secured him?”
“He is caged in silver and shackled. He is fed enough human blood to sustain him. I have also removed the special powers that were gifted to him by my father.”
“I think we have heard enough. We are going to convene in the council room for a bit, but we shall return shortly with an answer.”
“Thank you.” I return to my seat. Once they all leave the room, I turn toward Kai. “So?”
“You were amazing!” he says with a huge smile on his face. “I am so proud of my queen.”
I reach for his hand and squeeze it. “And now we wait.”
“And now we wait,” he replies, squeezing my hand back.
We sit in silence for almost an hour before the council room opens and the six council members proceed into the room and take their respective seats.
Council member number one stands. “Serena Valentine, please stand.” I do as he asks, and he continues. “We, the Tribunal Council of the Blood Empire, have deemed that you are the true and rightful queen. From this day forward, you will serve your empire to the best of your abilities and the guidelines of this council. Do you accept?”
“Yes, I do,” I reply.
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