"Did you hear The Ambassador is coming here? What if he discovered we were at the town fair that night?" Georgina asked Eliana troubled.
"Yes, I am scared about that too. Do you think Sophie will rat us out? She didn't see us that night but the one before."
"She most definitely will say something, no doubt. But more importantly, do you think someone saw you speak to that stranger inside the tent? Or maybe people saw us bumping into them outside?"
"But how would they know that those two strangers had been the werewolves?"
"They turned amid a crowd, there must have been witnesses, and they had a distinguished look."
"Hmm, yes, that is possible." Eliana looked at Georgina, having dubious feelings about their current conversation. They hadn't spoken for a week, and Georgina acting as if they had never fought in the first place, confused her.
"Gio, I missed you and am so sorry for the mess I created. How have you been the past week? Do you think we can get passed this?"
Georgina was taken aback by Eliana's confession but felt the same and wanted to make peace. "I missed you too, Eli, and you don't have to apologize for fighting for the right thing. I was scared and lashed out at you; I am sorry too." Georgina smiled at her and opened her arms. "Let's not fight like that again. Come here." Eliana was relieved about her sweet reaction and put her arms around her to hug her.
While embracing each other, Georgina tried to explain herself. "Look, Eli, I thought about what you said, and you are right. If nobody acts, nothing will change, and your view on these things is why I believe you can become a great doctor one day. But you still need to make sure to live until that day arrives. Sometimes I am concerned that you react too hasty and don't consider the consequences."
"Hmm, I know. You were right that I could have gotten us in real trouble. I still might have - The Ambassador coming here is not a good sign."
"We didn't do anything wrong. We were only at the wrong place at the wrong time - they cannot punish us for that."
"That is true as long as they see it that way as well. So what will we say if they ask us about the town fair? We might be questioned separately."
Georgina took a moment to think about her question. That was a good point; they should probably have the same story. "Ah, we will tell the truth. We sneaked out to go to the town fair, ate, and watched the werewolf fight until we couldn't take it anymore, and we left. We will get punished by the governess for that, not The Ambassador."
"Alright, I like our plan."
After agreeing on their strategy, they returned to work until The Ambassador arrived at the orphanage. Upon his arrival, all the children were assembled in the dining room so that he could address everyone at once.
"Good afternoon, students. What a pleasant view to see all of you well-fed and working hard. I apologize for my sudden appearance; there is nothing to worry about. We only want to ask a couple of questions to some of you who seem to have been at the town fair a week ago."
Immediately the crowd started to whisper, discussing who those students could be. Georgina also started whispering to Eliana. "What does he mean by well-fed? This is just an orphanage and not a homeless shelter. It is so typical for a vampire to be this condescending."
"Sshh Gio, be careful what you say. You know vampires have extraordinary hearing." Georgina only rolled her eyes at her.
Before the children could spread rumors, the ambassador listed who he wanted to speak to. "Arabella, Eliana, Elsa, Fiona, Georgina, and Sophia. Please meet me in the dean's office."
All six girls went to the headmistress' office and were called into the room individually. Eliana and Georgina exchanged one last look before it was Eliana's turn, and as soon as she entered the room, melancholia hit her. The last time she had been in this room was when Miss Rada was still alive, and it looked exactly the same. There was a heavy wooden table situated in the middle of the room with a chair behind it facing the door. The sun rays streaming through the large windows ahead lit up the whole space, and there were pictures and drawings hung on all the walls from the children. It was odd to see The Ambassador sitting in Miss Rada's chair with an irking gaze as he observed her from head to toe, smirking in satisfaction about what he was seeing.
"Eliana, please have a seat." Smiling, he showed her where to sit with his extended arm, signaling to the chair on the other side of the table across from him.
"Yes, Ambassador," Eliana replied shily.
"As you already know, there was an attack, and many people died. I am here to discover what happened and ensure it won't be repeated. There is no reason to be scared as long as you tell the truth. – Let's get started right away. My reports tell me you were at the town fair last Saturday evening. Is that true?" His monotone voice suggested him being bored.
Eliana was reluctant to answer that question but knew there was no way around it. "Yes," He scribbled something in his notebook.
"And I would assume that you wouldn't escape the orphanage alone. Who accompanied you?"
She blinked a couple of times before answering. "I – well, I went with Georgina." And again, he wrote her answer down.
"Good, so far, no lies. Better you keep this up." He smiled at her creepily – his look was one of a predator who had found his dinner. She wanted to get out of there as fast as possible.
She patiently waited for his next questions. He leaned back in his chair, holding his pen with both hands and elbows on the armrest. "One witness mentioned that two beasts came to save or kill the other two Lycans who were forced to fight in the illegal battle. Were you in the tent when they turned?"
Eliana didn't understand. 'What did he mean by they came to save or kill the other Lycans? She thought they wanted to save them. Does that mean they are dead?' Asking him would make her look suspicious, so she had to keep her facade and answer with as little detail as possible. "No, we went outside because I couldn't take the sight anymore."
"Hmm, interesting. What a coincidence that you were out of the tent when the wolves attacked the humans. So, you didn't see who the two werewolves were?"
"No, I didn't see them turn."
He narrowed his eyes at her response and choice of words. "Was there anyone who seemed suspicious to you?"
"It is difficult to point out anyone because we weren't looking for anybody questionable."
The ambassador looked and listened attentively to determine if she was telling the truth. He could read facial impressions well and hear her heartbeats, indicating whether she was lying. To his astonishment, everything pointed toward her being honest.
"You are doing very well, Eliana. Thank you for your candor. On another note, I am intrigued by your eye color, which is unusual for humans. Do you have any recollection of your family and as of why you have those eyes?"