Chapter IV

After successfully sneaking my way into Seba's chambers and explaining the situation, we had laid out our plans for this, this night. This moment.

The wolves and I were tucked away in a hole I had carved into a weak spot of rock wall by the Hall of Princes. Soon, noises from the hall arose, and I knew it was the hour of Kurda's investiture.

Guards swiftly came to my side, grabbing my wrists with intense force and holding them behind my back. The same happened to the vampires who had tried to kill me before I revealed the truth- Kurda's allies.

"What is going on here?" Mika Ver Leth roared. Suddenly the chaos that had erupted, quickly came to a hush.

"That boy is not welcome here," Arrow growled bitterly.

"Sire!" Seba called out, stepping into the scene. "Those who raised their weapons to the boy are not our allies! There are traitors amongst us and I strongly advise you listen to the horrible story Darren has come here to tell us."

"You're apart of this chaos, Seba?" Mika asked.

"Yes, sire."

"Very well. Darren Shan, if not for him I would have you brought to the Hall of Death this instant so you may face your death for being a coward. But because I – and I'm sure my fellow princes will agree- have the utmost respect for Seba, we will hear you."

A roar swept through the crowd of vampires, all of them cursing me. I heard someone say, "the princess is not here to defend the child now". I locked eyes for Mr. Crepsley for a quick moment, and he gave me a look of bewilderment. I nodded to him, promising to explain later.

The Princes hushed everyone to silence once again.

"Kurda Smahlt killed my friend, Gavner Purl." I blurted out, pointing to the traitor. A gasp ran through the crowd. "This very moment there are troops of vampaneze camped out in the tunnels beneath us, waiting to attack. They were brought here by that bastard Kurda, and suddenly the princess mysteriously disappears! Coincidence? I think not."

A long silence was the response to my claims. The crowd of vampires stared at Kurda with looks of puzzlement, but when he lifted his eyes, they met only mine.

"Traitor," I mouthed silently, shaking my head as a tear fell down my cheek, hitting the dusty cavern floor. His eyes lowered again.

"These are very serious charges of treason to bring up against any vampire, especially one on the point of investiture." Paris finally said, breaking the silence. "Do you understand the repercussions you will face if you are lying?"

"I'm not lying," I cried, my voice weak and desperate. "I'm already facing execution for failing the Trials. By returning, I've ensured my own death. Do you think I'm sacrificing my own life for fun?"

"Do you have anything to say in defense, Kurda?" Mika asked, and the princes turned to face him.

"Nothing," He replied simply.

"You don't deny the statement?" Mika shouted.

"I do not."

At that, four vampires rushed into the Hall, all armed with knifes and swords. One held the princess hostage, who seemed to be unconscious with tape around her face and chains around her arms. The guards who had grabbed me earlier rose quickly to crush the small mutiny. The traitors, allied with Kurda, were obviously unaware that they had been revealed. Their plans had been thwarted, and due to the shock, they barely gave up a fight before being killed.

More gasps ran through the crowd.

"Lets kill him now!" Arrow screamed, his voice full of rage, and a roar of approval from the vampires followed.

I rushed to Ariel's side as she lay in the spilled blood of traitors.

"With respect, sires," Seba shouted above the vampires. "I believe we should see to the intruding vampaneze first, before executing our own."