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“One of the Council members owns the hotel. He’s hosting the trial.” She waved her hand. “Neutral ground and all that.” Baron slid between two vehicles. “I’ll stay in the car, in case we need to make a quick getaway.”

I jumped out of the car and hurried to keep up with Talia’s stride. Multiple vampires walked in the same direction we did, toward the glass doors showing the group inside. All vampires—hundreds of them. The chatter and cacophony of traffic caused a conglomeration of noises.

“What did Baron mean about if this goes badly?”

“Imogen thinks you’re dead. If she sees you. Crimson Coven is done.”

“She can’t do anything?—”

“It’s not about what she can do.” She scowled. “You don’t understand.”

“Obviously,” I snapped, having enough of her attitude. “I thought we turned over a new leaf after our conversation.”

She sighed.

“You don’t understand howuniqueyour situation is. If Imogen sees you, there will be questions. We don’t wantquestions.” She gave me a pointed look. “They will not give you over. They will fight. Five against everyone else. Even then, we will still be outnumbered. That’s why there’s an exit plan. If things go bad, we’re to get you out of here and out of the country.”

The gravity of her words slapped me across the face. They’d choose me over their entire species?

“Where would we even go?”

“If they manage to survive and get out of there. Anywhere outside of the United States Vampire Alliance.”

“So, we’d just disappear into another country?—”

“Hopefully you won’t find out,” she interrupted. “Now shh.” I slowed, stepping slightly behind her and kept my head lowered as I followed her across the carpeted hallway behind the crowd.

I couldn’t believe what she was saying. Why hadn’t they been more direct with me? They were putting literally everything on the line.

Two wide doors were propped open, allowing a peek inside. It looked like an area a convention could happen.

I kept my eyes forward, not looking at anyone directly.

It was set up like an actual court, the kind you see on television, except there was a panel-esque set up, with eight vampires seated in black robes behind a semi circle of tables on a raised platform. Carpet covered the floor, and wooden benches were lined in front of a long podium. The first rows were already packed. Talia grabbed my wrist and guided me to the furthest row. The one closest to the door. Excitement and chatter echoed off the walls and a certain atmosphere filled the air.

Vampires were big on theatrics. I ducked my head, keeping my face angled down. Since I was at the end of the row, I only had Talia to my right side.

The large doors slammed shut and the vampires milling around took their seat, offering me a clear view. Asher, Tobias,Ren, and Jax sat behind a long table on the right side of the room, directly facing Imogen’s side. She sat alone, hugging her arms, curled into herself.

She was going to feed into the poor-me script.

A young-looking, red-headed vampire sitting to the furthest left of the panel stood, his robes rustled with his movement. The room immediately went eerily quiet.

“Witnesses,” he boomed, sweeping his gaze across the crowd. “You are present to spread information of what occurs today as we settle a Coven dispute.” He paused. Dramatic, like I said. “Imogen Crimson has claimed unfair treatment and is formally requesting the restitution of all assets owed to her by Crimson Coven. They will each make their case and then we will vote.” He waved an arm toward Imogen, the sleeve of his robe fluttering.

“Fred,” Talia whispered so low it was practically only a movement of her lips.

Upon him taking his seat, Imogen stood. She approached the middle of the platform and looked up at them, giving her back to us. She’d worn a very basic khaki skirt with a blouse tucked inside the waistband. Her hair was slicked back in a ponytail. She’d made an effort to make herself look plain, like she lacked the necessities needed to make herself look well-off.

“Council members, witnesses. I begin by stating that we all know there is sanctity to a Coven. When one is formed, our alliance becomes only to one another, and yet, they have betrayed that. Betrayed me, and all that a Coven stands for.” Imogen went quiet and her voice sounded choked. She sniffled in. I clenched my hands in my lap. I scanned the platform to study the Council members that had been brought together to vote.

No one I recognized.

I kept perfectly still when all I wanted to do was take off running.

“What is worse, is that their betrayal was not even for a valid reason. They . . .” Her voice hitched, like she was holding back a sob. “They betrayed me for a human!”

There were audible gasps from on-lookers. Several vampires in the audience held their hands up to their faces in shock. My lips thinned. Fred shifted in his seat, alarm crossing his face.