Chapter 23 The fire inquiry
Isabella stood in front of her mirror, while Mira fastened the collar of her gown.
“Are you sure you have to do this, Ms Thorne?” Her face was sceptical.
Isabella smiled softly, as she adjusted the position of the necklace on her neck. “You can't ignore the summons of the council, Mira.”
Mira sighed. “I know, but you didn't do this. This is not fair. I would suggest you stay and ask them to meet you in your chambers.”
Isabella's face broke into a small grin. She could tell that Mira was very stubborn.
“That's not how it works, Mira. Besides, if I refuse the invitation, it only spells that I'm guilty and I'm trying to cower behind the King's protection.”
Mira nodded, even though she didn't completely agree. “I think you're set.”
“Besides, it's cowardly to hide especially knowing that you didn't do it. They want a trial? I'll give them one and shove the lies in their asses.”
“Yesss,” Mira hailed. “That's my lady, that's the spirit.”
Isabella blushed. She was going to give them a run for their time.
Mira stepped back and allowed Isabella a full view of herself.
The woman gave a satisfactory nod. She was impressed with the job Mira had done. She wanted to look classy and at the same time, give off a simple vibe and the dress had crossed that mark.
“Let's go.” She mouthed to her reflection in the mirror as she picked up her purse.
Taking one last look at herself, she walked out of the room. Anyone who saw her there, would have thought she didn't care about the Council's summons and was just honouring their invitation because she didn't want a bad name for herself.
But deep down, Isabella knew that this was not going to be an ordinary summon today.
Two things were either going to happen. Whether she was guilty or not guilty would be determined by the council, but she was not going to go down without a fight.
As she passed by Lucien's study, the bond pulsed. He was inside, probably holding reading lessons with Elias.
He hadn't said anything, hadn't called for her since the accident in the East Wing.
She knew he was aware of the Council's summons. He was the king, he would always know.
She made her way carefully and gracefully downstairs, where she would walk to the Council chamber.
As she walked, she could feel the eyes of servants and guards on her. Since the incident, most of them had become more fearful that the gossip had stopped.
Although she knew it hadn't stopped completely. What they'd been doing differently was to do it in places where she could not hear them.
She stopped in front of the large dominating tower that served as the Council chamber.
The last time she'd come here was to defend her name and blood, insisting that she had good intentions for the kingdom. She had come with Lucien by her side and he'd defended her. At least for a bit.
But now, she was here all alone, another accusation looming at her door.
The guard opened the door, announcing her presence as she walked in.
The room was chilly, the tension in the room high as she stepped in. She trained her eyes to look forward.
“Eyes on the price,” She whispered. She didn't want to look around, couldn't afford to look around, not when she was this jittery.
The bond pulsed again, and Isabella almost staggered. She'd not seen him but he was here.
Then she saw him. He was sitting on the podium, a chair and table carved out specifically for him. He was going to be presiding over the trial.
She walked to the centre of the hallway and stood in the box she'd assumed they'd set up for her.
It was truly a trial. Her eyes travelled around the hall now that she was standing in a particular position.
The number of vampires in the hall had reduced from the number she'd seen the previous time.
They were about 23. She looked around, her eyes squinted looking for a face. Actually, two faces.
Harlan.
Blackburn.
She gave a small nod as she studied the facial expressions of all the Council members seated in the hall.
They looked at her with hostility in their eyes. And she knew if they had the power to do anything to her other than the kill-look, then they would have done it.
Isabella forced herself not to glance sideways, where Lucien was seated. He was cold and had barely acknowledged her when she stepped in.
How had he managed to appear in the Council before her, when she'd felt the pull towards him in the study?
Lord Sloane stood up, interrupting her thoughts. The hall was quiet and if a pin dropped down, one would hear the drop even as far as the main gate.
“Welcome, Ms Thorne. I believe you know why you're here.”
Isabella shook her head, indicating she didn't have any idea why.
The hall erupted in whispers, before calming down almost immediately. Aside from the hostility in their eyes, the old men had a solemn look.
Lord grunted. “There was a fire in the East Wing, some days back and all evidence is pointing to you.”
Isabella nodded, urging him to continue.
“Silver flames were found in the scene,”
His next words brought a thin smile to Isabella's lips. She knew where this was headed.
“...And Silver flames are only found in the Moonlit blood. And currently, you're the only Moonlit blood we know.”
Isabella's lips thinned. “The only Moonlit blood you know?” She repeated for confirmation.
Lord Sloane stared hard at her before nodding. “That's right, Ms Thorne.”
Isabella pursed her lips. How convenient for them to blame the attacks on her.
“The East Wing is also a restricted area, where very few people have access to it.” Lord Sloane concluded.
“And I am one of them,” She supplied for him.
Lord Sloane shrugged. “If you decide to put it like that, then that can be accepted as well.”
He looked around the hall, studying the faces of his fellow Council.
“Now, Ms Thorne over to you. What can you say for yourself?”
Isabella exhaled deeply. She glanced first at Lucien then allowed her eyes to travel to the other members of the Council, studying their expressions.
“I don't have much to say. I can only say that I was in my room when my personal attendant came to inform me of the accident.”
Murmurs erupted in the hall.
“Quiet!” Lord Sloane shouted. “Let's hear her speak. Who is your alibi, Ms Thorne? Who can confirm you were in your quarters during the attack?”
“I was in my chambers,” Isabella repeated. “As I said earlier, I was in my room when Mira came to inform me of the accident.”
“Are you saying,” Lord Sloane's voice was loud. “Were you alone when the incident occurred?”
“Yes, I was alone in my chambers.”
“And who can confirm this?” He pressed.
“No one. My attendant stepped out at that particular time to attend to her own needs.”
“How convenient,” Lord Sloane took the words out of her mouth.
“This means you have no alibi, Ms Thorne. No one can pinpoint where you were during the incident, except yourself of course.” He added the last bit in sarcasm.
“And I am not credible enough?” She fired.
Lord Sloane gave a small laugh. “You know these things, Ms Thorne. Of course, you aren't going to say you did it.” He stared her down.
“That's if you actually did it.” He added after a pause.
But Isabella knew what he was playing at. The whole trial was just a formality, a process, just to fulfil all righteousness. They all believed she did it.
And of course, they would. She had no alibi to even defend herself.
“I did not do it.” She began, her voice quiet but steady. “I know you think I did because all evidence points to me, and I have no alibi, but I did not do it. Why would I have done it?”
She paused, studying their faces to make sure they were all paying attention.
“I already know that I'm not accepted here, so, why would I start an attack that would draw more attention to me?”
She giggled, as if amused by the entire scene playing out in front of her.
“And that's not all. Why would I leave evidence that would trace the incident back to me?”
The hall erupted noisily.
She looked around, waiting for the noise to subside before continuing.
“I understand you do not like me, but I need you to know that I was framed. I didn't do it.”
“You didn't, but the moonlit blood did.” Someone said from the back, and all eyes turned to him including Isabella's.
Lord Harlan.
“The moonlit blood controls people, Isabella. You may not have known you did it.”
He sat down gently, a smirk plastered on his face.