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Everyone’s attention turned towards the ten council members. Oh, how I thanked the Creator at that precise moment of time that I wasn’t one of them.

“The decision we made is both final and irreversible. No appeals will be accepted,” Tieran said clearly and strongly, in a tone that brooked no argument. “The four defendants’ fear and violence stems from mainly vicious rumours and lies. Older individuals and those expected to know better, are spreading falsehoods, that those easily influenced, listen to.

“But the council will not tolerate brutality, and neither will our people. We have all fought to keep our way of living what our ancestors wanted us to have. That meant nothing to these four men.

“Their actions decry them as men despite their age. Boys would not have committed this crime. Which means they no longer have the right to call themselves children. So, they shall be punished as adults. Our younger generation must be shown to make the choice between right and wrong. Youngsters have to be shown that we will hold them accountable for committing a crime,” Tieran paused and drew breath. His gaze settled on the four men and their parents.

“Therefore, it is the decision of this council that they shall be exiled to the large continent North of Kaltos. Their parents and families may follow if they wish.”

A gasp resounded around the chamber.

Exile! It had not been used in centuries.

“However,” Tieran banged again for quiet. “A lesson must be learned from this. A document shall be made, one that all children will read by law, and they’ll learn the lessons that this teaching will underline. Violence is not the way of Kaltos.

“Your four names will be known as pain and suffering, brutality and wickedness. I’ll not demand that your names be forgotten. Instead, every man, woman and child in Kaltos will know you. Your names will be known to our future children. You’ll have your place in our history, a place our descendants will scorn that and spit upon.

“Furthermore, apart from this learning document, your names will be struck from any public or private record. You’ll be forgotten as a part of our community and only known as evil. Let this be done. In ours, the victims, and in the eyes of the Creator, you are guilty. Guilty, I say, and so do we all.”

People sat riveted in their seats as the council rose and turned their backs on the four and then left the room.

Revenge!The word ripped through my mind. We had some justice.

The rumours would persist. However, the council made a difficult choice. They had given one of us, a victim, justice. Maryn wouldn’t benefit from it at this moment. Over time, she may start feeling safer and possibly sleep through the night without nightmares.

Slowly, the chamber emptied, and the Vam’pirs and our families were left alone. Maryn clung to Diana’s hand and looked at us in silence. I wondered what she was thinking. Did she blame us for what had happened?

Surely Maryn knew that we would have given anything, including our lives, to spare her this. Even Ami and Li’zel would have. Maryn stared at me through large sad eyes as if she was trying to read my thoughts when suddenly, she gifted me with a faint smile.

My heart lifted as relief flooded through me. Maryn knew how we all felt.

Conversation flowed softly as we made our way to the entrance of the hall. It was night outside, the hearing itself hadonly lasted two hours. Funny, it had seemed a lot longer than that. We had intended to celebrate if we had got a victory, and we still had that intention.

A sudden flurry of movement caught my eye, though, and I saw Petra, Gideo’s mother, fall at Diana’s feet. She lifted her hands pleadingly as her soft voice begged Diana for forgiveness.

“Why should we forgive?” Diana asked coldly.

I pushed my way past Inka and Tobais and Nathan joined me as we flanked Diana in unspoken support.

Petra’s eyes acknowledged us.

“You’re a mother, too,” Petra replied, her head bowed. Large tears land on the grass.

“Yes, I am. The mother of that little girl,” Diana said, grasping Petra by the arms and hauling her to her feet. “I have feelings, too. My child, my daughter, was beaten to within an inch of her life.Forgive you. Why should I? Who holds Maryn when she wakes screaming? Who cuddles Maryn at night when shadows make her jump? A deep-seated terror that your son caused.”

“Gideo was frightened too. He acted out of fear,” Petra cried wildly.

“Of what?” I inquired, catching her gaze and that of the onlookers fixed on this. “Of us? Why should Gideo fear us? We have harmed no one. Nor anybody, or is there something you’re aware of that we aren’t? Well? Answer me.”

“The rumours all say—”

“Ah, yes, the gossip,” Nathan said, cupping her face in his soft hands.

Diana released her into Nathan’s gentle hold. Petra made no move to pull away, seemingly mesmerised by Nathan’s voice.

“Of course, the gossip is true,” Nathan drawled scornfully. “Where is the proof, Petra? You were familiar with a few of us prior to the Great Experiment. What has changed apart from our immortality and need for blood. Have we been known to take itby force? No, we simply ask for donations so that we can live, too.”

Julius stepped forward and drew her eye next. He also caught the eye of the crowd that had gathered just to see what was happening. Nosey bastards.