They run for 45 minutes before reaching the outskirts of Seattle. Aria doesnt feel tired, but Jackson looks left worn out. He takes her hand and they walk into the city.

Seattle is massive. Sky scrapers and people everywhere, she likes it more than Portland. Jackson walks through the city, admiring the sights. She can't stop smiling.

They come to an old looking building grey building and his grip tightens on her hand. Its small and not visible the street. To humans it probably looks like a old courtroom.

This is it...

They walk inside to a long corridor. It is barely lit, but they can still see. They walk to the end and they stop at a large door. Suddenly hands grip their shoulders and they're dragged apart. Aria yelps, but jackson growls.

'Stop!' He yells, and the tugging on their arms stop. Someone raises a flashlight and shines it in their faces. Aria squints.

A man with deep red eyes carries it. 'Bare your fangs.' He commands. They both obey, their fangs sliding free. Her heart would've been pounding if she was alive. He glares at them and opens the door in front of them. Several other people are holding them, as they are pushed into the room. Everything is golden coloured. The tiled floor is slippery under their feet. A large oak table with several chairs surrounding it is the only furniture in the room. Aria looks behind her. Two men hold her arms and two men hold Jacksons. They share a look of nervousness.

The guards continue to push them and just a few feet away from the table, they are shoved to their knees.

This is all traditional right?

'Yes. Its like a trial. Dont be afraid.'

I'm not...

But aria doesnt quite believe it herself. Jackson and aria kneel side by side. They don't look at each other. They just wait.

Suddenly feet walk across the tiles. Sneakers squeaking and heels clicking. Aria doesnt dare look up, but she hears the chairs being pulled out from the table as they sit.

The hands let go of their arms and she hears them retreat, a door thudding.

'Your names.' A loud deep voice commands. Its a male, his voice reverberates within her.

'Jackson Miller and Aria Lestiva, sir' Jackson speaks up. She doesnt look at him.

'And what is it that you seek?' The voice says again. Aria knows its best to let Jackson do the talking. Their language is formal and old.

'We seek a fair hearing and just decision into our reported crime.' Jackson says loudly. She wants to look up, but resists.

'You may stand.' The voice orders. aria and jackson rise to their feet, finally looking at the counsel.

A large man with very dark skin sits directly opposite them. The side chairs are filled with four other men and two women. They are all harsh to look at and have bright red eyes. Aria doesnt move from her standing position.

The dark skinned man stands.

'Your eyes...' he says, squinting at aria. Her stomach drops. '...I've never seen anything like them before.' He continues. The other members murmur as he walks closer to her. He stops in front of her, examining her. She can't breathe.

'My name is Abel. You are so unusual...' he says, reaching a hand up and touching her cheek. She feels so uncomfortable.

Dont freak out Jackson.

Abel brushes her face and runs his thumb over her chin, she doesnt move.

A woman at the table interrupts. 'What is the reported crime?' She asks. Abel turns around and holds up his hand.

'Patience. Where are you from Aria?' He asks, finally taking his hand away. She relaxes a little.

'Forks, Sir' she says as bravely as she can. He nods.

'Such divine views there...' he says, talking a step back. 'How old are you, Aria?'

'18, sir.' She says

'Vampire age, I should have specified.' He says, flashing her a smile.

Use formal language aria... she tells herself.

'I am only a few weeks old sir.' She says. Abels' eyebrows lift, clearly surprised.

'Welcome newborn' he says excitedly. 'Now you shall inform me of the crime.' He says, looking at jackson.

'Sir, we want to report the corruption of Miss Victoria Macalister, headmistress of St Nightfalls Academy.' Jackson replies strongly.

Some at the table laughs, another snickers. Abel looks at his shoes.

'Victoria is one of the most powerful vampires in the world. Your accusations if found false will result in death. Do you wish to continue?' He says sternly, looking up at them again. Jackson glances at aria quickly.

'Yes'

'Very well. Carry on...' Abel says waving at them.

aria cuts in before jackson can speak. 'Sir, before I can explain, I need to show you something...' she says. Jackson glares at her, she knows shes doing something she shouldnt. Aria lifts her hands in front of her, and Labels empty chair at the table tips over. It crashes to the ground and the counsel members stare at her. Abel grins.

'Impossible. Youre a descendant!' He shouts. He isn't shocked, hes excited. He walks quickly back to his chair and picks it up.

'Incredible.' A man mutters from his spot at the table.

'Victoria knows what I am. She said she needed my powers for a task. She told me Isabella herself had asked her to murder the other vampire she created. She wanted me to help her complete that task...' aria says. Jackson doesnt speak. Abels face drops.

'Unfortunately there is no proof that this conversation ever took place...' Abel says.

Aria begins to panic. She looks at Jackson and he looks scared too. suddenly the door which they came through opens and they turn to look.

A tall woman with ginger hair walks towards the table. She doesnt look at them, just Abel. Her dress drags along the ground behind her. Shes stunningly beautiful.

'Abel, you do not have a say in this matter anymore.' She says loudly. She waves her hands at him, and he snarls, before disappearing. The woman looks at Aria.

'I believe you.' She says. Aria is shocked. Shes heard everything.

'I am the vampire Victoria wishes to see killed. My name is Genevieve and it is not Isabella that wants me dead, it is Victoria herself. I know this because she has been attempting to murder me for half a millennium.' She says. 'To be in the presence of the blood of Isabella is a privilege. This information is true and i would be dishonoring her if I did not act upon this...' she says, walking over to Aria.

'Myself and the counsel will travel back to the Academy with you. I will not deliberate on the decision of this case. Victoria will be executed.' She looks back at the members at the table. Their mouths hang in disbelief. Aria can't believe it either. The oldest vampire in the world has sided with her. Genevieve smiles.

'Aria, yourself and Jackson are courageous for coming here. I admire that.' She says. Suddenly Jackson is beside her, her hand in his. He kisses her on the cheek.

You did it

We did.

Aria can't get the smile off her face.

Genevieve coughs. 'We leave now.' She commands, and every member at the table stands. Aria and jackson follow her and the counsel members out of the room, corridor and onto the street. Several black cars are parked outside and Genevieve tells them to get in. The cars drive them to the edge of the city and they all get out. They run into the forest and towards the academy; uncertain of what happens next.