Chapter 4. Law and Order

Elena’s POV

Laws are important, but they can only be effective if the people know about the particular law, and rule number one of the supernatural states: no killing or slaughtering of vampires.

In accordance with the noise and the crowd gathered outside the quarter, it was clear that they all demanded justice which had nothing to do with what went on in a courtroom, and more of what came out of it.

We were all gathered in the official courtroom of the quarter and I could tell everyone was itching to spill one thing or the other. Father was sitting at the seat allocated to the judge and trying to get things kicking in motion, while mom stood right behind him to serve as the queen of the vampires and the alpha of the wolves.

“Can we all now be quiet?” Dad asked rhetorically with his strong baritone voice which instantly silenced the indistinct whispers, not forgetting the part I played in ensuring the total silence in the courtroom as I had sent a wave of calmness to everyone. It was one of my gifts to tamper with emotions as a vampire.

“Everything is running right on schedule. Could someone stand up and inform this court about the cause of the conflict without saying too much?” Dad asked, resting his angular jaw on his fists.

A vampire known as Oscar stood up immediately to speak and he looked really pissed at first. “It is no news that witches aren’t allowed to use magic, because Section 2(1) of the Constitution states clearly: In order to peacefully coexist, no witch is allowed to use magic,” he paused, then continued with a smirk, “However, it would seem that one of the witches, Mary, was caught cooking something magically delicious...”

The vampires cackled at his choice of words and the witches face mirrored disgust.

“Enough!” Dad thundered as he held his hand to stop Oscar, and signaled to the witches to air their own argument.

“Your vampire attacked a young witch and almost killed her,” an elder witch lashed back as soon as they had been given a chance to speak, then folded her arms to her chest and crinkled her nose.

“Guilty or not guilty?” Father asked, obviously ignoring their own side of the story as he cocked his brows at the oldest witch known as Bastiana Lopez.

“It doesn’t change the fact that she was almost killed. I leapt to save her life,” A werewolf known as Harry chipped in, then slammed his fists on the table and wore a deep frown.

“Oh! Loverboy to the rescue. The mighty power of a sugary healthy pussy,” Suzy whispered in my ears and chuckled.

“What does pussy have to do with what is going on?” I rolled my eyes and exhaled heavily.

“So much, sugar plum, so much that you can’t even imagine.” She then licked her lollipop and shot a wink at a hot werewolf guy.

“Why was she performing magic when it was clearly forbidden in the first place?” Dad nudged his head at the curly-haired witch that sat in a corner and appeared flustered.

“I owed a debt to the ancestors and I would have been dead in no time if I didn’t pay up my dues,” Mary replied, sniffing and fiddling with her trembling fingers.

“Why didn’t you come to seek my permission before breaking my rule?” Dad asked in a harsh tone and cracked his knuckles, eyeing her from head to toe inquisitively.

“Because the last time I checked, it was none of your business,” Bastiana retorted, glaring furiously at dad.

“What do you mean? You have something you intend getting off your chest, isn’t it? Let it out then, old witch,” Dad said as he inclined his head and leaned back to his chair.

“The last time, I asked for permission to put the soul of my dead sister to rest...” She paused as tears welled up in her eyes, struggling to give a tight-lipped smile.

“...but you refused!” She yelled, pointing an accusing finger at dad. She then went on, “So tell me, why should anyone even seek your permission when they will be rejected either way?” She concluded.

Dad heaved a deep sigh. “Where is the vampire in question that attacked the young witch and caused the whole conflict?” He asked. His brows furrowed as his gaze shifted between everyone sitting.

The courtroom became dead with silence as no one dared to move nor say a thing. In the silence, there was confusion, panic, and terror. My heart hammered fast and my body trembled. The moment the flow of words stopped was the time the blazing truth dawned on us all.

Dad scoffed and said calmly, “I believe I asked a question that demands an answer.”

“Where is Diego?” Dad hollered with his mouth quivering with anger. His strong voice made me flinch in my seat and I could tell everyone was paralyzed by fear.

“He is dead,” Bastiana responded, with eyes wandering every corner of the room except towards Dad, whom she obviously couldn’t look in the eye.

Rule number one just got broken and things were about to get really bloody.

Dad’s feet rhythmically tapped the wooden floor and his nails dug deeper into the table. He was apparently trying to suppress his anger.

“Now, what should we call this?” He let out a low peal of laughter. “A twist of fate? Or an entirely unwelcomed surprise?”

“More like an entirely unsurprising welcome,” Mom suddenly said, and strolled to the front of the court to face everyone.

She was a tall and confident woman with beautiful chestnut hair that peeked the eyes of sea spun souls, the bluest of heaven’s best. Her bodycon gown hugged the softness of her curves and emphasized on her slim-thick goddess-like figure that no one dared not admire.

“Harry’s mate was almost killed by a blood-sucking vampire so it is no fault of his to stand up to Diego and even kill him if the need arises, after all, we know how quick they are to stir up trouble,” Her smile grew bigger and a twinkle illuminated in her blue eyes as she spoke those words.

“This is my city, things run by my rule only—” Dad started but was interrupted by mom.

“I’m sure he didn’t mean for it to happen.” Mom nudged her head at a downcast-looking Harry.

“That doesn’t change the fact that he broke my most important rule,” Dad roared as veins popped up from his forehead, so much that anyone could tell he was almost losing it.

“Father Kinley, the overall ruler of the human faction; you must be itching to say something, so the floor is yours.” Dad said, scratching his tousled dirty blonde hair.

Father Kinley was a priest and he led the Sunday service and abided by all sort of Christian doctrines. He was the pillar of the community that maintained the city’s supernatural balance. He had to ensure the humans remained ignorant about the supernaturals and he ensured they stayed out of one another’s way. Merely looking at him, one could tell that he was in his late fifties. His eyes and grey hair were a reflection of wisdom and experience.

“I think justice should be tempered with mercy. I rest my case,” Father Kinley voiced out his own opinion, then raised his hand to prove his point and sat back to harmoniously watch the possible outcome.

“We won’t sit here and watch you kill Harry or give decrees that are only in favor of the vampires,” A wolf with long dreads stood up to protest and the other wolves murmured in agreement. Dad rushed towards him in blinding speed and snapped his neck at once.

“Is there any other miscreant who might want to challenge my authority?” Dad raised his brows and his gaze shifted between everyone sitting.

When no one said anything and silence prevailed again, he spoke: “This meeting will be adjourned. My final verdict will be announced today.” Dad hit the gavel and stood up.