Ruby:
I found myself sitting in a cell, as Mr. Smith had ordered, while we all awaited the arrival of the chief spirit judge. Unfortunately for me, as Mr. Smith was still the council president, his authority meant that no one could oppose him.
On the bright side, this cell was far more comfortable than the first one I had been in.
Even though I had experienced a brief victory, I knew I wasn’t out of danger yet. I could only hope that Damian would come to my rescue before Lilith got her way.
After what felt like an eternity, the cell door creaked open, and the elder with white hair walked in, scratching his chin before clearing his throat. He still had an air of authority around him, but I could tell he was here to deliver news I wouldn’t be pleased to hear.
“We were unable to reach the chief spirit judge,” he announced, shattering the last bit of hope I had. “Despite our best efforts, he remains out of contact. Therefore, we have no choice but to proceed with the trial immediately without him.”
My heart sank, but I gave him a small smile, rubbing my hands nervously on my dress as I tried to maintain a calm facade. This was not the news I had hoped for, but I couldn’t afford to show my disappointment. I had to be prepared for the trial and face whatever Lilith might throw my way.
“Are you ready to proceed?” the elder asked, his gaze piercing as he awaited my response.
“Do I have a choice?” I replied with a touch of sarcasm, trying to mask my inner anger.
“I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
He gave a curt nod, as if acknowledging my resilience, and gestured for me to follow him. I rose to my feet and walked out of the cell as my mind raced with possible outcomes and strategies.
As I followed the elder back to the courtroom, it was evident that my chances of having a fair trial had greatly diminished without the chief spirit judge’s presence, but I knew I had to fight for my innocence and defend myself with everything I had.
As the courtroom came into view, I saw the elders seated with stern expressions. Lilith was among them, just as before, and when she caught sight of me, her gaze locked onto mine with a mix of hatred and satisfaction.
I rolled my eyes at her and took a deep breath, preparing myself for the trial. As the elder, who had white hair, led me to my designated place in the courtroom, I held my head high. Regardless of the outcome, I knew I had to fight for my life and seek justice. This was my chance to prove myself, and I intended to make the most of it.
“Kneel,” Mr. Smith commanded. I shot him a sharp glare, but he began coughing violently, as though he were on the brink of death.
Moments later, I felt a forceful shove from behind, pushing me forward, and I instantly recognised that the cold, harsh hands gripping my skin belonged to the rude warrior from earlier. He forced me to my knees once again, my hands bound behind my back.
The elder with white hair took his place among the other elders, while Mr. Smith sat at the centre with a smug look of victory on his face. The elder, with white hair, cleared his throat as he picked up a large scroll.
I wish I knew his name.
“You have been accused of impersonating a nurse named Jane and brutally beating her, almost to the point of death,” he began, his tone grave. “You are also accused of trespassing on the council president’s property and threatening his life. These actions are considered serious offences and are punishable by death.”
Death?
I kept my face stoic, though internally I felt a surge of disbelief. It was true that I had impersonated Jane, but I had my reasons for doing so. As for beating her, it was because she was involved in my son’s case, and I had to protect him.
And as for the council president, I had only used his secret against him as leverage, not a threat. I wanted to counter these accusations, especially the one involving the council president, by revealing his secret. But without solid proof, it could backfire on me and worsen my situation.
I had to weigh my options carefully.
The elder continued, “However, since you are a first-time offender, we have decided to grant you leniency. You will receive a lighter punishment in place of the death sentence you would otherwise face.”
A glimmer of relief flickered within me at the mention of a lighter punishment, but I knew not to get my hopes up too high. This was still a precarious situation, and I needed to tread carefully.
“What is the punishment?” I asked, feeling intense pain under my knee due to the prolonged hours of sitting down.
The elder’s gaze hardened as his gaze locked on mine. “You will be banished from our world, including all surrounding territories. Your scent will be masked, and you will never be allowed to possess any higher position ever again. Any attempt to return will result in your immediate execution.”
My breath caught in my throat as the elder read out the punishment. It was harsh, cutting me off from my pack, my home, and my title. This sentence would make me an outcast, leaving me vulnerable and alone. What would happen to my son? I couldn’t accept this punishment-it was all Lilith’s doing, not justice.
“I did not commit these crimes,” I asserted, my voice resonating through the courtroom. This was a critical moment. I had to make my case and fight for my innocence.
“I demand a proper investigation into these accusations. I will not accept this punishment for crimes I did not commit. You’ve accused me without presenting any proof or witnesses to establish my guilt.”
The elders exchanged cautious glances, taken aback by my defiance. It seemed they had expected me to simply accept the fate they had decreed.
“We did not accuse you without evidence. The council president and Lilith are witnesses to your threat against his life. Miss Ruby, do you deny impersonating a woman named Jane just to get your way into the home of the council president?”
“I did impersonate her, but I had my reasons,” I asserted, my voice firm. “She took my baby away from me and left him in the woods to die.”
Lilith leaned forward, her hands clenched on the table. “So, is that why you beat her up?” she demanded, glaring at me with intense anger.
“You have no proof of that,” I countered, baring my teeth at her.
The elder with white hair raised a hand, getting my attention. “Actually, we do,” he stated, his voice authoritative and calm. “Here is a handwritten letter from Alpha Liam, stating he arrived just in time to save Jane; otherwise, you would have killed her right in his academy.” He held up the letter, his piercing gaze making my breath catch.
What? Liam reported me? No, it couldn’t be. My shock and disbelief were written all over my face. Could he really betray me twice?
The elder tossed the scroll at me, and with trembling hands, I hurriedly opened it. My jaw dropped as I read Liam’s unmistakable handwriting. I was speechless, my thoughts racing as I struggled to process the betrayal. How could Liam turn against me like this? He knew I did what I did for the sake of our son. Did he let Jane go intentionally? If so, he hadn’t changed, and he’d lied to me.
That bastard.
“Escort her out of the territory immediately,” the elder commanded.
My heart sank at his words, but I refused to let my spirits be crushed. The guards approached to take me away, and as my eyes met Lilith’s, she gave me a slight closed-lip smile and muttered, “I won,” without the elders noticing.
My head fell in defeat, and a tear slipped down my cheek as I realised everything was over.
As the guards reached me, I expected them to lift me and drag me away, but instead, a heavy silence fell over the room. The guards’ hands left me, and I looked up to see all of them bowing, including the elder and, surprisingly, Lilith too. They all bowed to someone in a sudden display of fear and respect. Even Lilith struggled not to bow, but the power in the room was beyond her control.
Was it Damian?
No, it wasn’t him; the power was far greater, and even I couldn’t resist the urge to bow.
The shift in power was suffocating, and a sense of dread washed over me as I wondered who or what held such immense authority to command fear from these powerful figures.
“Why is this woman on her knees? Lift her up immediately because I sense life-new life growing inside her,” said a mysterious voice, sending a mix of emotions coursing through me. The voice felt both distant and familiar, leaving me both intrigued and unsettled.
Surely he couldn’t be talking about me, could he?