Empire of Blood

Chapter 4: The Hearing

"Because I agreed to help," Azrael sternly replied.

Selena never thought that Azrael would be the one to offer her assistance; she was sure he would have been ecstatic to see her rotting in the catacombs. "I cannot understand your character: first, you and Doragon spent a good deal of time hunting us down for the Obsidian Order, then the general asked you to be a coroner. Now, you made a complete change by showing me any form of compassion—"

"That's enough from you," he hastily interrupted and nodded at Silver. "You don't know when to stop—you're just as bad as he is."

Silver smirked, taking the comparison as a compliment. Selena, however, hid her burning cheeks, hoping not to show her embarrassment. Since the two confessed their affections and kissed at her birthday party, she couldn't help but long for his company; she wondered if it dampened the small relationship the two shared, but Silver acted as if they had never been apart.

"If you two are ready to play nice," Silver said, "I would like to remind Azrael of the plan."

He hissed at Silver's cooled words but eventually nodded. "Let's hope your former fellow captain doesn't ruin it again."

Selena banged her fist against the large, smooth crystal beside her. "So, it was Ashur who was behind this. I swear by the Divines, if I ever see that rat again—"

"Not to worry, my dear," Silver interrupted, a smile brightening his face, "your father, Kain, and I came up with a plan. Although, as for your suggestion, Azrael, I'm beginning to question your sanity."

"It will work. I guarantee it."

Selena huffed but nodded. "What do you have in mind?"

Silver fixed his glasses. "We have one chance to show the Council how much of an asset you and Thor are. From what I gathered, General Araneus is planning a proposition to control your new awakened dragon state."

She immediately understood what he meant. "You mean like a weapon."

"Precisely." Silver's smile vanished when he noticed her lack of enthusiasm. "That may not be what you want to hear, but right now, that's his best argument to keep you two." His ice-blue eyes pierced Azrael's unrelenting expression. "Though, I still don't believe that, to wholly convince the Council—"

"Dammit, this will help get our point across." Azrael met Selena's smoldering stare. "I know you hate me, but can you trust me?"

Selena snorted. "Do I have a choice?"

Azrael sneered. "No," he said coolly.

Shortly after Silver and Azrael left to join the trial, General Araneus and his two sentry escorts arrived at the crystal catacombs. "Your trial will be held upstairs in the Council's headquarters. You and Thor are prohibited from speaking: Thor will continue wearing the Silent Vow until the Council decides."

Selena avoided the general's piercing gaze and trudged with heavy steps; he and the guards led her up the massive marble staircase branching into different wings within the mountain metropolis. Yet, she couldn't help but wonder if the Council would have kept her in the catacombs upon successfully relocating her before fleeing Helshire; Selena shuddered as her heart caught in her throat.

They passed many wings leading to Rune Citadel's different levels until marching through the main keep. However, General Araneus hastened his steps, and Selena was urged forward before taking in the lovely splendor of the throne room, taking the exit leading to another set of stairs behind the gold-streaked marble columns and red silk curtains.

The next chamber was a surprisingly shining welcome; the warm sunlight captured by the titanic glass dome ceiling and walls illuminated the marble floor's melting colors of ivory and silver. A beautiful water fountain with crystal-clear water sliding smoothly from a lovely mermaid statue was displayed in the center. As Araneus and the guards urged her to stand before the spring, Selena glimpsed at Alfheim's loveliness from the windowed walls, its glorious architecture and landscape glistening in magnificent radiance.