Chapter 76 Seventy six
Chapter 76 Seventy six
Luna PoV
There were murmurs of agreement and a shuffle of feet, as the large group of vampires all sat around the lower table, the voices dying down as they waited for their prince to lead the meeting.
It was haunting, and they were all looking at me as though I was dirt on their shoe. As though I was an inconvenience to them.
He let the room of undead have a moment to all settle in their assigned seats, his voice strong and littered with power. “You all know why I have called you here, there is a rather treacherous female vampire that has caused quite a stir for us all. Though the question remains, has she done enough to warrant war?”
“We know that you mean Elizabeth Phantomhive, she has been a problem for many years, my prince. Why is it now that you wish to strike?” Came an unfamiliar thick Italian accent, though form the way he spoke, I guessed it to be Ezio’s father, Luka Caprotti. “And why is her brother present?”
Oh no, I had a horrible feeling that they were going to kill Vincent. I hoped not, he saved my life.
I owe him everything.
“Agreed, he should be in the dungeons, NOT our meeting.” Growled a female voice, though I couldn’t concentrate on that; something more pressing was eating away at me. “Or better yet, let me render him nothing but a pile of ash.”
Vincent was here in this room. But I could t find him. Where was he hiding?
I hadn't seen him when we entered nor heard his voice against the crowd. My head shot up, suddenly worried for my friend as I searched the room for him, my pulse spiking.
The growl from beside me made me yelp and refocus my gaze on the floor, a clear and harsh warning that we had barely begun, and I had already disobeyed my master.
“I appreciate your fierce loyalty to me Victoria, and I would never believe the Astaroth family of outright treason. But Vincent has denounced his family name and the power that came with it, he has taken my mark and his loyalties lie with me. So, any act against him, is one against me.” The Prince’s voice was loud and emanated power, leaving no room for discussion. His word was law.
“Very well.” The Female that I could name but not give a face to growled but accepted the words of her prince as she must.
As we all must.
“My Prince, you know my wife means well, her temper always seems to win over her logic however.” A smooth feminine voice began, her accent one I was unable to place. “Please accept my apology on her behalf.”
“I accept your apology Kanata, on the behalf of your stubborn wife.” Laughed Silas, and I could practically hear the anger radiating from Victoria.
“Sire, may I also enquire as to why there is a mortal witch here for such a secretive meeting? Surely she would be a better fit waiting with our slaves on the lower floors.” Came another voice, this voice smooth with ragged edges, he hated witches, I could tell instantly.
“Believe me, if I could leave I would.” I uttered silently to myself, focusing on keeping my breathing even and my eyes locked onto the plain carpet.
I wished I could be anywhere else.
“Ah, Remus Griswold. It is always a pleasure.” Silas greeted, and though at first, I thought it had been a snide comment, I now realised that it was genuine. The Prince liked him. “My witch has never visited the lower floors; I do not allow her to interact with others of her kind. She stays on one of the upper levels close to me.”
Murmurs rang out from several different creatures, each voice as cold as ice.
“You allow her such finery?”
“IS that why she is dressed in silk?”
“Why is she unable to see others of her kind?”
“Is it because she is rebellious?”
“You spoil the mortal!”
“That is ridiculous!”
“If she is disloyal break her!”
“Lock her away until she obeys!”
“Make an example out of her!”
My head swam as I tried to process their words, I wanted to stand up for myself, tell them that I wasn’t disobedient, and I didn’t choose any of this. Though I knew as soon as I spoke, I would be punished, and their anger would only increase.
“She knows not to disobey me!” Silas bellowed loudly; the room suddenly silent when he continued. “I keep her close to me because she is little older than a child and still impressionable. She is also quite a valuable find, and I will not risk my property being stolen Again.” I knew the last word had been directed at Vincent and I shuddered inwardly, I didn’t want to remember what happened there. It hurt too much.
The room echoed in growls, but only one male spoke, someone else that I didn’t know, or recognise, though I was sure there would be a lot of that. “Valuable my Prince? Surely, she is replaceable, all witches are.”
I tensed, knowing that the conversation was inching towards the question of what powers I possess, and that was a bridge I didn’t want to cross. I wanted to disappear, shrink through to floor and vanish like a ghost. But unfortunately, that was a power I didn’t possess. They were talking about me like I wasn’t even present, and it seemed like they were deciding whether I lived or died, which I knew I had no say in; but the urge to defend myself was becoming stronger.
“Frey Octavian, I assure you that this one is not so replicable.” Ezio spoke up from somewhere around the table, though I couldn’t pinpoint him without the use of my eyes.
“Son, you know of her?” Said another voice, and now I was completely certain that his father Luka was present.
Before Ezio could speak, it was Victoria’s voice that echoed brutishly; “And pray tell Caprotti, why is she so irreplaceable? What power could possibly warrant the fine treatment she is receiving?”
“I will tell you all, but first, I must warn you that if this information is leaked beyond this meeting, I will obliterate the one with the loose tongue.” Silas growled lightly, the threat clear in his voice.
“Luna is a sunlight witch AND a shifter.” Silas announced, and my heart threatened to rip out of my chest.
“She can also heal a vampire who is on the brink of death from Diamond poisoning, something which Vincent can attest to.” Added Ezio, and I could picture the shrug he had given as he broke the news, acting a though such a thing was common.