CH.105

The air itself seemed to vibrate with residual energy even afterward.

Knox, Enzo, and Meredith strode in at the front while their small entourage followed a few paces behind.

The two men cut imposing figures in their crisp, tailored black suits, while Meredith's slinky black dress hugged her curves in a way that would make a Renaissance artist weep.

They didn't seem even remotely fazed that the royal family remained stubbornly, insolently seated upon their arrival in a blatant snub.

Their masks glinted in the candlelight, adding an air of mystery and danger to their already intimidating presence.

Knox's mind was racing behind his stoic mask. His thoughts were whirling as he analyzed every subtle shift and nuance.

He knew this whole dramatic meeting was nothing but an obvious trap conspired by that wicked fake Queen Sahar. But he'd decided it was finally time to stop hiding behind others. It was time for the supernatural world - hell, maybe even the human world too - to know he was the real, flesh-and-blood deal and not just some boogeyman myth to scare naughty children with.

His only worry gnawing at his gut was Serena left back at his secluded villa while this potential chaos erupted and put everything they'd built at risk.

However, he felt a little better knowing Seven and Killian were with her, sworn to protect her with their very lives should the inevitably hit. Still, he couldn't fully shake the nagging feeling that he should be there with her, especially with how rocky and tenuous things had been between them as of late ever since...well, ever since he'd revealed his true nature to her.

The memory of her hateful words and the hurt in his eyes still haunted him.

Enzo didn't seem too concerned about any of the rising tensions or potential for violence simmering beneath the surface,

A faint smirk played across his dashing features behind his mask as always.

He leaned in close to his wife and murmured in a conspiratorial tone, "Well, this is certainly a warm welcome if I've ever received one. Think they'll break out the party hats and noisemakers next to really kick this rager into high gear? Maybe sacrifice a virgin or two for old times' sake?" he chuckled.

Meredith suppressed a snort at her husband’s devil-may-care antics and ability to find humor even in the most high-stakes of situations. "Let's hope not," she whispered back. "I left my dancing shoes back at the villa. Wouldn't want to show up unprepared for the festivities. And you know how hard it is to get virgin blood out of a good gown."

Enzo chuckled at her remark. However, he could tell she was visibly more on edge despite her sarcasm.

Her blue eyes darted warily around the hall as she unconsciously ran a fingernail over the elaborate silver bracelet adorning her wrist.

She was worried about Knox's depleted energy levels since his recent awakening from slumber.

Her gaze kept flicking to Queen Sahar, trying in vain to read the woman's intentions behind that facade of indifference.

The trio ascended the steps to take their seats at the elevated platform next to the royal family.

The air was thick with tension. It was like a suffocating miasma of hostility that curdled the blood as they faced off against the smug-looking monarchs.

Each side eyed the other warily, waiting to see who would make the first move in this dangerous game of chess they now found themselves unwitting players in.

“Well…” Sahar finally broke the tense silence. "Welcome, honored guests," she purred, though the words held no real warmth. "We are so... pleased you could join us for this little gathering. I do hope you'll forgive our little breach in protocol. These are, after all, rather unusual times we find ourselves in."

Enzo met her gaze with a sneer tugging at his lips behind his mask. "Indeed they are! Though I must admit, I find myself curious as to why you've summoned this gathering with such urgency. Surely it must be a matter of great importance to warrant such an assembly.” He leaned forward and nonchalantly crossed one leg over the other.

"Oh, it is, I assure you.” Sahar’s smile widened. “You see, we find ourselves at something of a crossroads. The old ways are changing, whether we like it or not. And I believe it's time we reassess certain long-standing arrangements."

A murmur ran through the assembled crowd at her words.

Sahar’s eyes slowly scanned the vast hall. She took in every detail - the confused expressions, the nervous fidgeting and the wary glances exchanged between council members.

A cruel smile played across her red lips as she relaxed further back into the plush velvet of her seat, getting comfortable to truly savor her little game.

"Pray tell, my dear subjects, what punishment awaits one who is discovered to be a traitor to our kind?" she finally posed her opening question in a deceptively light tone that nonetheless carried to every corner of the cavernous room after she had sufficiently built the tension to a fever pitch.

A heavy silence blanketed the crowd as people shifted nervously, exchanging uneasy glances.

The soft rustle of fabric and the occasional clink of jewelry were the only sounds for several long moments.

"The ultimate punishment, Your Majesty. For traitors are to be struck down without mercy or delay. Their very existence is to be erased from our histories." a lone voice finally rang out from the back of the hall, trembling only slightly.

Sahar's smile stretched wider, revealing perfectly white teeth that seemed just a touch too sharp. She hummed thoughtfully, tapping one long nail against the armrest of her throne.

"Indeed. And what of those who harbor traitors?" Her eyes glittered with wicked delight as she leaned forward slightly. "What if traitorous vipers were discovered amongst the very leaders of this esteemed council? Amongst those meant to guide us? Would they still be deemed fit to stand in the presence of their king and queen?"

People began to try and piece together her insinuation. Whispers flew back and forth, growing louder with each passing second.

"N-Nay, Your Majesty. It would be impossible for such vile betrayers to be allowed amongst our ranks. Traitors must face execution - this is the law, unbreakable and immutable. To do otherwise would be to invite chaos and destruction upon us all." At last, a wavering voice called out from somewhere in the middle of the crowd.

"Mmm, so it would seem," Sahar purred, her gaze sliding over to the three masked figures of Enzo, Knox, and Meredith.

Her eyes danced with undisguised malice as she studied them. Despite the growing unrest in the hall, the trio remained perfectly still, betraying no emotion behind their masks.

"Then you must have suspected something wasn’t right when this gathering was called on such short notice," Sahar continued. "Why you were all summoned here so urgently, pulled from your comfortable homes and important duties."

She tsked softly, shaking her head in mock dismay. "Yet these the traitors dared to attend regardless, fully aware they were being lured into a trap. One must admire their brazen defiance, if nothing else."

"Enough of your games, woman!" King Frederick's booming voice suddenly cut through the tense silence. His powerful frame tensed with barely restrained impatience as he gripped the arms of his throne so tightly his knuckles turned white. "Cease this insufferable dallying and get to your point! You try the patience of your king and your subjects alike!"

Sahar turned to her seething husband, placing a placating hand on his arm. Her touch seemed to calm him somewhat, though his jaw remained clenched in frustration.

"Calm down, my love," she cooed. "Allow me to revel in this moment a while longer. After all, it's not every day one gets to unmask traitors of such high standing."

She glanced back at the gathered assembly before pacing leisurely around the edge of the podium.

Her hips swayed hypnotically with each deliberate step.

"Have you ever wondered why your vaunted 'Imperial' and 'Regal' have never seen fit to reveal their true identities?" She paused for effect, drinking in the attention of the crowd.

"Why they persist in sending envoys and representatives to stand in their stead whenever their esteemed presence is required? Why they finally deign to grace us with their presence this night...yet still hide their faces in cowardice behind those masks?" Her voice was soft but carried clearly through the hushed hall.

Murmurs began to rise as people considered her words, which quickly crescendo into a dull roar of competing opinions and theories.

"We assumed it was for their own protection, Majesty! To rule at such heights, they surely make many envious enemies who would strike them down for that power! It is a sensible precaution, is it not?" One brave voice finally called out above the noise, silencing the others.

Nods and sounds of agreement rippled through the crowd at this reasoning, while others shouted over them, offering alternative explanations.

Through it all, the masked trio remained utterly impassive and still as statues, giving no indication that they even heard the chaos unfolding around them.

Sahar finally lifted one delicate hand and the raucous rabble slowly died down to a tense quiet once more.

She began descending the elevated stage steps, each click of her heels echoing loudly in the silent hall until she stopped before the seated Knox.

She stared up at his concealed face for a long moment. The silence stretched, becoming almost unbearable as everyone held their breath, waiting for what would come next.

"I have often pondered why a mother could never form a bond with her own flesh and blood. Why that nurturing instinct never blossomed, leaving only bitterness and resentment in its wake."

A shocked murmur went through the crowd at her words, but Sahar ignored it.

Her expression twisted into one of immense hatred. "That's because you were never truly my child, were you... son?"