92
POV Balthazar
As always in Temple meetings, hierarchy had to be followed and respected.
In the thirteen main chairs, in front of the platform, sat the leaders or representatives of the clans present. Right behind them, the firstborn and other children.
The oldest leaders always had priority in being the mediators. My father, Mordric, Viktor, Court, and Ordriz were among them, taking turns in this role during the debates. Since my father was being judged, Court was my grandfather, and Ordriz wasn't present, represented by his son Thorn, the chosen one was Viktor Romanov from Russia.
He sat on the right side of the high table on the platform, waiting for everyone to settle. Once he had their attention, he explained that the Temple was opened at the request of the Draganov Clan, which had accusations to make against the Severus Clan. He then invited Alexandar to begin.
Sitting right behind my father, between Thorn and Caliban, I felt the rage consume me from the inside. It was with great effort that I held myself back, dying to destroy the damn vampire who, at that moment, took the lead as if he owned the place, with his cynical and arrogant attitude as always.
My blood boiled, my mind divided between the image of Lio down below and my duties up here.
“I appreciate everyone's presence. Some may think this meeting is an exaggeration, called in haste. But, as we know, anything that threatens our unity must take precedence over everything else. I informed each of you of the reasons in writing, so I will be brief here.”
His gaze met mine, the depths showing his hostility and anger.
I knew he would do anything to have me marry his sister, that he would never accept the shame of her being dismissed. My father had to separate from his older sister. I wouldn’t do the same with the younger one.
“It is common knowledge that we, vampires, grow stronger the moment we begin to work together. We create rules, and we all agree to follow them. We have freedom, our own laws in each clan, but nothing can override the interests of the Cave. I open the debate by presenting the first topic: Antares Severus and his children tried to impose themselves on everyone here present when they brought a she-wolf to live under this roof. With the intention of creating a crossbreed between species and purebloods, which is forbidden by law.”
My heart beat in sync with the fury that grew exponentially. The silence lingered in the room.
“We know that there is only one loophole in this law: a pureblood may engage with a non-pure, as long as they are from a species as evolved as ours. That is how Kalygor determined, and we followed. Therefore, it would even be possible for them to try this, if they had informed us beforehand, made a formal request. Here lies the crime: they acted in secret and bad faith. Obviously, to have an advantage in case the experiment succeeded.”
My father raised his hand, and Romanov nodded, granting him the floor. He stood up calmly, adjusting his dark blue suit. He looked directly at Alexandar without flinching:
“You make serious accusations, but you have no proof. Simply because there is no crime. Lioara Constantini is here of her own free will. At no point did we act in secret. We simply wanted to observe her more closely and took advantage of her friendship with my sons to do so. I was studying her to see if she really was superior, if it was worth investing in a possible experiment, as Alexandar said. Of course, if I came to a positive conclusion, then I would summon all of you and inform you of my opinion.”
Draganov gave an ironic smile, raising one eyebrow:
“So, you concealed a fact and now you want us to believe your word?”
“Isn’t that what you want too? Making unfounded accusations?”
“How is the case of your firstborn, promised to my sister, being involved with the she-wolf, not without foundation?”
I held my breath, trying to contain the fury that was coursing through me like an electric shock. At my side, Thorn noticed and spoke to me telepathically, his voice entering my mind:
“He’s trying to provoke you. Don’t give him ammunition.”
I knew that. But it was becoming increasingly difficult to hold onto reason and not tell everyone to fuck off. Alexandar continued:
“She could even have gotten pregnant by him. If she isn’t already! After all, vampires with other species reproduce faster than among themselves. Just look at the number of sanguineous and ordinary beings in the world to prove it!” — His expression hardened, eyes locked onto mine. — “And you’re so in love that yesterday you invaded her room out of jealousy and assaulted me, without respecting my sister, who is staying at the palace.”
All eyes turned to me. Even my father, sending me a telepathic message: Don’t say anything. Don’t fall for the provocation, you’ll have your chance to speak soon.
I remained seemingly calm, but wanting to end the vampire who brought Lio’s name into this discussion this way.
“Were you in her room?” Romanov asked. “Did you also have sexual relations with the she-wolf?”
“I was interrupted.”
“And do you plan to, while accusing Balthazar of doing so?”
“Dear Viktor Romanov, I am one of the greatest defenders of Kalygor’s ideas. And it is very valid to consider a future alliance with the supremes, even with the experience of a superior child. But not with the Severus, because they hid her here. That’s the point. Moreover, Balthazar is already engaged. He must value his commitment above all.”
He was a cunning and dirty bastard.
“And who do you suggest should conduct the experiment?”
“I, of course.” — He smiled. I clenched my fists, livid. — “I’m a widower, I already have two children. For now, I haven’t been promised to any pureblood from the clan. I can do the job. Obviously with the approval of all of you, who will be informed of every detail.”