Selene typed in the code at the gate, surprised that it hadn't yet been reprogrammed.
"I don't have very nice memories of this place," Michael said, cringing at the thought of the last time he was here.
"Trust me, neither do I," Selene responded. They walked through, only to be stopped by Erika, flanked by two buff dudes.
"What do you think you're doing here?" Erika demanded. "You've killed Viktor and Markus, and in a way, Kraven! What more do you want to destroy?"
"I know and understand how you're feeling," Selene stated calmly, "but if you would just allow me to explain, for our elders were not who you thought they were."
"I'm also a witness," Michael said, feeling he should chip in.
"Ha, trust you, sure," Erika replied sarcastically. "I guess we could allow you to explain, Selene," Erika said reluctantly, knowing that with Selene there was either the easy way or the "hard" way.
Erika led them to the trial room, along with twenty-five jurors who, as they realized who was there, started angrily chattering and giving Selene and Michael glares of hatred. Selene sighed in relief when they reached the trial room, she had grown tired of all the chattering. She took her place at the podium and waited for everyone to be seated. Once they were all settled, Selene began speaking.
"Okay, I know you all detest me, but all I'm asking is that you listen," Selene pleaded, "You have probably heard that I killed Markus and Viktor, and that is all true." Shocked gasps and accusations emanated through the crowd. One of the men who had previously been with Erika fired a pistol into the roof, ultimately silencing them.
"But, you must know that my intentions were good," Selene persuaded, "All those years when I thought the lycans slaughtered my family, I later learned that it was Viktor, the man who I loved like a father." At hearing this, the jury froze in shock, now completely engrossed in Selene's story. "Viktor killed his own daughter, Sonja, for loving Lucian. This is what caused this painstakingly long war, not the lycans." The jury was starting to whisper, seeming very shocked and surprised at what they were hearing. Some of the women even started tearing up a bit. "And Markus, he tried to release William so he could control him, killed Alexander Corvinus, and almost succeeded in killing my mate," Selene gestured to Michael, who gave her a look of reassurance.
"And so, that is why I did what I did, I hope that you will forgive me and allow me to lead you." Selene pleaded, stepping down from the podium. Erika then took her place and said, "All those in favor say "I"."
"I."
"I."
"I."
"I."
They continued to say "I", with the exception of four very stern-looking vampires.
"Well, Selene, I guess you are the new leader of this coven." Erika said a little happily.
"Thank you, I won't let you down," Selene said proudly, thanking all of the vampires as they left the trial room.