They stepped forward to take the children.
"Stop!" Daimon said his powerful voice resounding throughout the Hall. "I did not say I was accepting this so-called 'tribute'."
The Abbess and the nuns stopped immediately. They couldn't help but tremble at the ferocity of the Beast. However, they were also caught between him and the equally fearsome Head Priest. Afterall, they were servants of the Holy Light. And the Head Priest was its representative here on Earth. Defying the Beast could endanger their mortal lives. Nevertheless, defying the Head Priest imperiled their immortal souls. There was really no decision that wouldn't result in certain destruction. But if they had to choose, they would follow the commands of the Head Priest.
Fortunately for them, it did not yet come to that.
"Forgive us for overstepping our bounds" said the Head Priest quickly trying to diffuse the situation. But it was obvious to Daimon and Rowena that he was angry about being challenged.
