With my head held high, I pushed those thoughts away as Danny escorted me to the Greek architectural column-structured room I had once explored during the Masked Ball. For the evening, the stunning room was packed with various species of Headmasters, while most of the Headmaster Lights gathered on the second-floor balcony to witness my execution.
A golden chair stood prominently in the center as a beautiful glass coffin was brought in by four vampires. It was the very same glass coffin I had once seen inside that hidden memorial chamber where they honored the dead and willingly detained of those who lost their mates, offspring, or adopted granted children from the previous wars.
To the left, Morbius stood among the crowd, and Uncle Aaron positioned himself across from the throne chair of death. Edgar, however, was conspicuously absent, and I hadn't seen him since breakfast.
Remaining resolute in my strength, I sat upon the throne of death, relaxing as comfortably as the despair burrowed inside my heart would allow me. Two vampire guards securely strapped me in by my arms and legs, ensuring I wouldn't budge.
In a dull voice behind the chair, Danny's words flowed like a haunting melody into my ear, "I promise I'll make it quick and painless."
"I hope you choke on my blood for your mistake," I affirmed, neither being too loud nor soft in my tone, but tranquil, as I felt Danny's breath breathing down my neck.
Sickened by his breath, I closed my eyes, unable to bear Uncle Aaron's sorrowful gaze as Danny's fangs grazed my flesh.
"STOP THE EXECUTION!" Edgar's voice reverberated through the room.
My eyes snapped open as Danny's fangs withdrew from my neck. A cluster of Headmaster Lights, attired in chic black suits and red silk vests, entered with an aura of authority. Each step they strode emanated with confidence and elegance of grace.
Another Headmaster snapped from the right side of the room, "What is the meaning of this intrusion!"
"Tides had altered the girl's fate," Edgar affirmed, approaching Danny directly in the center as the others stood back.
"What are you blabbering about? Enough riddles!" Danny growled, raging in deep anger. "Spit it out already!"
Edgar scoffed before addressing everyone within the room, "War has broken out in the dimensional worlds. An Allegiance has attacked planets associated with the unfolding Rebellion. Kai Collin and Orlando Mill were confirmed responsible for leading this massive army, which makes the girl innocent."
Uncomfortable silence heightened the room's tense energy as everyone seemed to absorb the shocking news.
Soon, unraveling rage consumed Danny as he gritted, "The Seekers have been trailing him for two days! How did he evade them?" Danny's dour demeanor fumed with intense fury, akin to a raging forest fire.
My heart fluttered as a faint smile formed my lips. All along, in the depths of my heart, I had always known Kai wouldn't let anything happen to me or our unborn vamp babies.
Above the balcony, another Headmaster Light hissed, "I knew we should have detained Orlando Mill with him!"
Tension increased as the mention of Orlando's name sent a coldness down my spine before my gaze caught Morbius's wicked smirk directly on me.
Danny's fury erupted, "The Seekers lost his trail only a day ago! How could Kai wreak such havoc in such a short time?"
Amidst the heated exchanges, Aaron's mocking laughter sliced through the room, gradually silencing everyone as he stepped forward to stand beside Edgar. "Do you honestly need to ask that?" he taunted. "Anyone who knows my nephew shouldn't be surprised by how quickly Kai can sow chaos, whether in days or mere hours," he declared as his voice etched with a hint of amusement.
Dead silence stifled the vacancy, leaving everyone speechless. Aaron's statement served as a stark reminder of Kai's lethal capabilities.
More calmly poised than before, Danny requested from his fellow Light. "Edgar, I want you to focus on Kai's future. Tell me what lies ahead for him within this rising Allegiance."
Everyone remained quiet as Edgar shut his eyes. Behind his closed eyelids, his eyes convulsed in a seizure for over five minutes. In the snap of a finger, his eyes snapped open, streaking in redness. Clearly, he wasn't pleased with what he had witnessed in my husband's future.
Vividly spoken for all to hear, Edgar announced, "Future events have altered, further confirming the girl's innocence."
"Let me see what you saw," Danny demanded, outstretching his hand for Edgar's grasp.
With slight hesitation, he slowly clasped Danny's hand. Within mere minutes, the vision transferred before they opened their eyes.
"Kai Collin!" Danny angrily bellowed, releasing Edgar's grip. "That ruthless brute!"
"You can't deny what my vision foretold. Now release the girl," Edgar retorted, demanding my freedom from this fate.
"For now, she's off the hook!" Danny fumed.
But he wasn't the only one snarling in vexation, while the crooked sneer on Morbius's face made me uneasy when I glanced his way.
After the Headmaster Lights passed the image to each of their fellow Lights, a chorus of growls reverberated in the room as two guards unfastened the belts on my wrists and ankles. Once I was free to stand, Edgar held my hand to ensure I was safely by his side as the angry rants only grew louder.
"What has altered!" a vampire shouted amongst the clamoring crowd.
Danny explained the vision, "An Allegiance has risen against the Rebellion. War has been triggered between both forces over the girl's fate. If we execute her now, the vision shows that the Allegiance becomes a greater threat over the Rebellion, and Kai Collin will become its leader. Humanity and the Vampire Covenant will likely cease to exist."
A Slither Headmaster snarled from the crowd, "Lights only care about humanity when they can easily be rebred!"
As the furious crowd began to bicker, Aaron took me from Edgar and shielded me with his body. Everywhere, lethal, furious eyes darkened upon me. All they desired was to end me where I stood, and given the chance, I had no doubt they would.
Near the left, a Hunter Headmaster opposed, shouting over the tumultuous crowd, "Let the Vampire Covenant determine what is suitable for us and humanity!"
From the second floor above, a Headmaster Light exclaimed as the rants diminished, "Thank you! Allow us to determine a fair solution."
Beside the vampire who spoke, another Headmaster Light declared, "Further debates about the girl's fate must get evaluated. Her votes will proceed as originally planned. To prevent this altered future, if Victoria loses her votes, Kai Collin and Orlando Mill must first get detained before her execution. Otherwise, Kai Collin will become an unleashed monster, and the Vampire Covenant and our future will be vanquished."
Silence chilled the room to stillness upon this predicament, and my heart was the only sound I heard. By killing me today, Kai's agony will unleash a monster to destroy life itself through his mourning.
"To ensure we are on the same page," another Headmaster Light requested, "I ask our fellow Lights to raise your hands if you agree. Keep them down if you don't."
More than hundreds of hands gradually went up, including Danny and Edgar's hands, while Aaron ushered me out of the room. For extra protection, over ten Guards escorted us out and took me back to the safety of my cell.