Chapter 174 Witnesses (1)
Alessias POV
Upon my arrival I find the council chamber doors shut and two informed guards are standing outside.
They bow in respect "Good evening council woman Gross"
I give them a sharp nod
“Open the door” I command as they quickly open it and I step inside .My eyes locate la Rosa first as it glows softly inside its glass casing.
I feel like it's calling me to it
Like a siren
For a moment My heart clenches as I remember my mother and how she used to clean the glass casing in La casas residence daily .
Never skipping
Always kept in pristine
Gulping hard I force the thought back down to the recesses of my mind locking it up in my head.
"Focus Alessia."
It takes a lot of will power but I finally take my attention of it .Miranda would not stare as if she was transfixed. Miranda would not pause in front of it as if she is paying it homage. I continue walking down the isle past la Rosa calmly ,I glance around the chambers and only Imelda Is in the room seated on one of the chairs watching my approach.
Her eyes calculating and sharp “Council woman Gross”
I nod once “Good evening high Priestess”
She waves around the empty chambers “You will have this room to interview the witnesses.”
“Thank you High Priestess”
Her gaze narrows on me for a moment “The witnesses that are connected to Thomas Sirrano.”
“Yes High Priestess" I respond calmly keeping my tone even.
She continues to stare at me for a moment and I fight the urge to fidget .I wonder what it is she is looking at.
Is my tone different?
Or perhaps my posture?
I wait holding my breath until-
She seems to notice nothing amiss and nods.
“They have arrived and are waiting outside”
Oh what a relief,Time to initiate plan A.
Leaning slightly forward I rest my arms on the table “guards send them in.”
One of them bows and leaves
Imelda leans towards me. “Do you believe these witnesses are genuine ?”
I meet her stare unflinching “I do believe they have some vital information."
Her eyebrows raise “You seem very sure of them.”
Little does she know that I actually know them personally and I will swear their loyalty to me on my life in an instant .Without even blinking or breaking a sweat.
"Thomas has an ego as big as a house ,he is also lousy and careless.”I add
Imelda nods chuckling. “That he is”
Here eyes fall on La Rosa "We can't let them attempt again.”
I smile confidently “We cant”
I say it with a calm voice
Miranda's loyalty does not waver after all.
She briefly glances at me for a moment as if she has something to add then changes her mind at the last minute she stands and gives me one last searching look.
“If you find out that they are lying and have come to our coven to waste our time.”
Her voice lowers as a dark sardonic look flashes in her eyes.
“Detain all of them and expose them”
I nod once, my mind racing. They really do not give second chances here "Your wish is my command Hugh Priestess.”
Satisfied with my response she leaves the room.
Soon the chambers is quiet again ,except for me and La Rosa. Outside I hear approaching footsteps and I bite my inner cheek hard until I taste blood to keep my emotions in check.
"Remember Alessia Miranda does not know Alex,Luca,Lucy and Angelica." I whisper under my breath
They troop in one after the other Lucy ,Luca , Angelica and finally Alex. Alex walks in last holding a black leather briefcase .His eyes meets mine for a second and I look away quickly as the guards shut the door behind them. I lean back in my chair studying my friends as if they are strangers.
As if I have never met them before
Then I address them just as Miranda would cold and authoritative. “Have your seat so we can begin”
They all sit down ,Lucy picks a seat first ,then Luca,followed by Angelica and lastly Alex places the black leather briefcase on the table before sitting down near Angelica. No one says a word for a few minutes , I continue to watch them and let the silence linger .
I have watched Miranda in action , it is her MO to make people sweat while she gloats .
Reaching for a notepad and pen left nearby I tap the table once to get their attention.
“Can you all state your full names for the record?”
Luca speaks first ,his voice is steady and controlled
“My name is Luca Voroni”
Lucy is next “Lucy Voroni”
Angelica shifts in her seat "Angelica Rossi”
Alex's voice drifts to me last "Alex Sonti" I nod once refusing to look up as I jot down all their names.
“I received an email from one of you alleging to have information regarding Thomas Sirrano”
Luca leans on his elbows
“Yes, Councilwoman.”
“Where is your information?” I ask
I watch as Lucy exchanges a knowing look with Alex before returning her attention to me. “We ran into him at a tavern trying to recruit some new hunters.”
I narrowed my eyes at them “You want us to believe that Thomas Sirrano was openly recruiting hunters at a tavern after losing 12 hunters?”
Luca cuts in “He was not only heard.” Angelica adds “We have proof.”
Intrigued, I lean towards the table slightly. “What proof ?Care to elaborate?”
Alex doesn't say a word as he reaches for the briefcase and unlocks it .
My pulse skips a beat , Alessia stay calm.
He brings out a slim laptop and places it on the table gently, as he opens it up.
“I want to show you the proof,”he says evenly.
My eyes fall on the surveillance cameras mounted in all four corners of the ceiling .
I watch as Alex plus a small USB drive into the side of the laptop and powers on the screen
All of a sudden the laptops screen blinks and all of the camera indicator lights in the room go dark.