Chapter 37: Burden of Proof
The cool night air stung Emilia's face as she ran, clutching the stack of documents tightly against her chest. Her heart pounded, not just with exertion but with fear-fear for Dorian, who had stayed to fight, and fear at what might happen if she failed to get the evidence through.
Moonlight fell on the streets to light her way, but every shadow was alive, each sound a potential danger. She knew her way back to the estate quicker than anybody, but it was unfamiliar territory now-as if Viktor reached out even to these streets.
Her breaths came in shallow gasps, her legs burning as she pushed herself harder. The council needed to see what she carried. This might just change everything—if she could get it to them in time.
She rounded a corner, and a faint sound arrested her. The rustle of fabric. The scrape of a boot against cobblestone.
"Running somewhere, little bird?
Emilia's blood ran cold as a man stepped out from the shadows. His smirk revealed elongated canines, his eyes glowing faintly in the dark. He wasn't one of Viktor's enforcers—at least, not one she recognized—but his presence was no accident.
"Hand over the papers," he said, his voice low and threatening. "I'd rather not ruin that pretty face of yours, but orders are orders."
Emilia's grip on the documents tightened. "You'll have to catch me first," she shot back, even surprising herself at the boldness in her voice.
The man chuckled, taking a step closer. "Brave. I'll give you that. But bravery won't save you."
Before he could move further, Emilia turned and ran down the alley. She didn't dare look back, but she could hear him behind her, his footsteps unnervingly light for someone so large.
Emilia's mind was racing as she ran. She could not run forever, and she needed to think of something—anything—that would delay him.
Ahead of her, she saw a stack of crates and swerved toward them, using her momentum to knock the top crate over. It fell to the ground with a crash, scattering debris in her pursuer's path.
The distraction gave her a few precious seconds, but she knew it wouldn't be enough. Her only hope lay in reaching the estate before he caught up.
The gates came into view, their iron bars a welcoming sight. Summoning the last of her strength, Emilia surged forward, shouting for the guards.
"Open the gates! Hurry!
The guards reacted quickly, yanking the gates open wide enough for her to slip through. Behind her, the vampire skidded to a stop, snarling in frustration as the gates slammed shut.
"You can't hide forever," he called after her. "Viktor always gets what he wants."
But Emilia didn't stop to respond. She was rushing inside, clutching the documents as though her life depended on them—which, it suddenly occurred to her, it probably did.
Within the estate, the council members were already in one room, faces twisted in debate over what to do next. Emilia burst into the room, breathless and disheveled, the focus of every eye.
"What's the meaning of this?" one of the councilors demanded.
"I have proof," Emilia said, holding up the papers. "Viktor's plans—his targets, his supply lines. Everything."
Dorian's most trusted friend, Lucien, stepped forward to take the documents. He scanned quickly down the pages, growing grimmer with each line.
"She's right," Lucien said, turning to the council. "These documents detail a planned attack on both the alliance and our human allies. If we don't take action now, we'll lose everything."
A buzz of outrage and incredulity stirred across the room. Emilia stood silent, her hands still shaking from the actions of the night.
One councillor turned to her, his face skeptical. "And how exactly did you come by this information?
"I went with Dorian to investigate an abandoned estate," Emilia explained. "We found these hidden in a chamber beneath the building. But we were ambushed. Dorian stayed behind to hold them off so I could get these to you."
The councilor frowned. "And where is Dorian now?"
"He's still fighting," Emilia said, her voice breaking. "We need to send help."
Lucien took another step forward, undaunted. "If Dorian stayed behind, it was to buy us time. We can't waste it. We have to mobilize now."
The council was faltering, clear fear in its eyes. Yet, in a curious way, the words now uttered by Lucien bound the room together. One by one, the councilors started to nod.
A wave of relief washed over her, tinged by concern. Dorian was still out there, fighting Viktor's enforcers all by himself. She really couldn't bear the thought of losing him-not now, not after all they'd been through.
As the council issued orders for an immediate counteroffensive, Emilia pulled Lucien aside.
"I need to go back," she said.
Lucien's eyes went wide. "Are you insane? You barely escaped with your life. If you go in there now-"
"Dorian needs me," she said, her voice firm. "I won't abandon him."
Lucien hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. But you're not going alone."
As the estate prepared for battle, Emilia joined a small cadre of trusted allies, Lucien among them, in returning to the abandoned estate. Her heart was racing as they approached the structure, its dark silhouette looming even more ominously than before.
Inside, there were struggling sounds echoing down the halls. Emilia's heart leapt as she recognized Dorian's voice, shouting orders and deflecting blows.
They burst into the chamber just as Dorian was disarming one of Viktor's enforcers. He looked up; his eyes widened in surprise—and in relief, too—as his gaze dropped on Emilia.
"What are you doing here?" his voice exploded with exasperation, mixed indeed with so much gratitude.
"Saving you," she said, smiling this little tugging of her lips.
Dorian shook his head but made no comment as the enforcers formed ranks and their eyes hoven with menace.
Together, they fought side by side, their movements instinctively in sync. Emilia wasn't a warrior, but her determination and quick thinking made her an invaluable ally.
By the time the last enforcer fell, the room was silent except for the sound of their labored breathing.
Dorian turned to Emilia, his expression equal parts admiration and frustration. "You're reckless," he said, pulling her into his arms. "But you're also incredible."
Emilia smiled, leaning her head against his chest. "I couldn't let you face this alone."
As they prepared to leave, Emilia couldn't he
lp but feel a renewed sense of hope. Together, they were stronger than any threat Viktor could throw at them.