"Auntie," Adley grunted.
"A little further, Addie."
Aunt Janet helped her bend as best she could to fold herself in half. Adley huffed, while she attempted to reach out and touch her toes.
"That's it," she complimented. "How are you feeling now?"
Adley slowly sat up and rotated her shoulders. She'd been going through a few salutations and meditations with her aunt for the past hour. Her neck was sweaty, and her shirt clung to her back from the sweat. She took her towel from beside the yoga mat wiping her brow and neck.
"A bit better, thank you Auntie. I needed this." She smiled.
"A little yoga never hurts to relax the brain." Aunt Janet commented. "Do you wish to discuss what is worrying you?"
"It's not much really, beyond the opening statements tomorrow and presenting the pending charges against that Warlock. I'm a bit nervous they will retaliate more. They already bombed the library."
"I saw the damages, so many books lost. Irreplaceable scrolls and works some of them. It is one thing to threaten someone, but to endanger resources and the lives of the inhabitants."
"How is Cassandra doing? The others?" She asked.
"Cassandra remains under critical care in the medical wing. The other three were discharged yesterday. They will be receiving therapy and such for a while. Cassandra took the brunt of the blast."
"Has she woken up?" Adley stood from rolling up the mat.
"In the time I have seen her no."
"Would you mind if I go see her?"
Aunt Janet pursed her lips, brows crowding together. "I do not know if it is wise for you see her right now. While she maybe unconscious, her brain is still registering the pain. Her emotions when I stopped by have been raised. Medication can only dull the effects on the body for so long. She may not be conscious to notice, but her body knows."
"You're worried I may be influenced by her and risk the twins." Adley noted. "I won't go then."
"In time when she is conscious. Then you may go see her. Your pregnancy we do not wish to risk."
"I understand Auntie."
"Can I see the library?"
"If you wish, it is under lock right now while it is being cleaned and investigated. Where is Marcus at this time?"
"Aro and he went to go get a meal. They must travel so as not to alert authorities again. The state is still on alert after all those missing and murdered people."
"They left you without guard?" Aunt Janet questioned.
She pursed her lips crossing her arms after she placed the mats to the side of the room.
"Ibrahim is around. Even if not always visible." Adley assured. "I am protected do not fret Auntie."
"Alright, but if he gives you trouble at all. I will be there."
"I know," she laughed embracing her Aunt. "You probably have work to do, I am going to go get changed and head out."
"I do, do stop by again Addie. I enjoy our time together."
"Yes Auntie." She kissed her Aunt's temple before taking her waiting bag and heading across the hall to change.
Adley changed into a pair of yoga shorts and a simple sleeveless blouse. The scoop neck allowed her to be cool. Summer was making itself known still across the west coast. She headed over to the sink to splash some cool water on her face and neck. She padded face with a piece of paper towel. She was glad she had opted out of makeup this morning, Aunt Janet made it a waste of product. She pulled her hair out of the braids leaving her hair with waves and left the upper bit pulled back.
She slid into her sandals securing the clasp. Her bag slipped over her shoulder she made her way out of the bathroom. The hall remained empty. She looked for Ibrahim. not visible. She paused. There was no need for him to be invisible here it was a Volturi property. They knew he existed.
"Ibrahim?" She called.
No response.
She headed down the hall passed the closed room where her aunt was meditating. She didn't want to bother the woman. So, she headed around to the other side of the hall, going to the little foyer that was near the elevators. Nothing.
She closed her eyes taking a steadying breath. She sent her feelers out. The walls, the metal… she extended her reach. Doors, nothing. She sensed the peaceful presence of her Aunt. Her aura humming with peace, pure white. There was no sign of her guard.
She opened her eyes quickly, pulling open her bag shifting through for her phone.
She got hold of the silver flip phone. She flipped it open, scrolling through her contacts.
"Not so fast," a deep voice greeted.
She stiffened, she looked over to the corner of the wall. There in the stones a man came into sight. In hand he held a cane, with a snake's head. Sapphires catching in the florescent lights. He was well dressed in a three-piece grey suit. His under-vest swirling patterns of dark blue embroidering. That matched his tie.
He was a pale man, with golden hair cropped close at the bottom allowing for the top hair to be longer. Whisps of white scattered through. Crinkles near his dark brown eyes. He had an angular face, with light facial hair trimmed and kept. He was tall and lean.
Adley took a step back.
He gave a wave of his hand. Dark blue surrounding as he stepped closer.
Her heart increased. She tried to move away. A chill ran through her like ice had been dumped on her. Her feet did not move. She tried again. Nothing.
"Calm yourself, no need to work yourself into a tizzy. An expecting mother shouldn't panic, it'll harm the baby." He cooed approaching.
He cupped Adley's cheek. She cringed pulling away.
She may not be able to move her feet, she could still pull away from him. She took a few relaxing inhales.
"That's it."
"Who are you, and what do you want?" She sneered.
"Oh, come now, Lady Adley. No introductions? It is very rude of you to not introduce yourself." He reprimanded with a curl of the lips.
"It seems you already know me," she shot back. "Who are you?"
"Such an ill-mannered girl. You're constantly with Royalty, lecherous kind, but Royalty nonetheless."
"I am kind until threatened." She snipped. "You did not approach in a kind manner, but you wished to intimidate me."
"You are quite the Empath, aren't you?"
She did not respond as he pulled back looking her over. She caught his gaze. She took a deep breath. She moved her hands from her face and went to push her current panic on him.
"Don't try and use it on me. You don't want to be the one it's mirrored onto."
She stopped.
"I will only ask once more, who are you and what do you want."
"Such an impatient thing. Fine," He stood straight. "I am Hartford Aster."
She went rigid at the surname. Aster. What in the fuck could he want…
"What do you want?"
"I want your demon lover to drop the charges."
She blinked a few times. He got straight to the point. She looked him over. He didn't give her the impression he would. Not after the little entrance he just gave.
"I am not in control of the Volturi."
"I am well aware." He rolled his eyes. "I know the women do not hold much say. You are however a vulnerable piece to them. One they would go to the end of the world for."
"You seriously are here to threaten me?"
"Well Gideon wanted to kidnap you, and have you tortured until your lover withdrew the charges. I thought a subtle way was more appropriate."
Her heart increased slamming into her chest, dread crept through her veins like liquid ice. She was immortal. She could survive anything they tried to do. Mentally she may take a toll. She though would live. Her hands fell to her stomach, that was bulging.
"Your children make you fragile."
"How?"
He held up his hand to silence her. "I have my eyes and ears around. We all do. So little Volturi if you want yourself and your children to make it. I suggest you run off and tell your demon."
"You are fighting a battle with empty threats." She snipped crossing her arms.
She could see his voltage filled aura, surrounded by blue weaving in and out of the grey. His nostrils flared and sparks of rage showed. The over all he was bored. She tilted her head.
"You do this out of blind loyalty. You have no interest in actually harming a pregnant woman."
A twitch to his bottom lip showed her she was right. The blue voltage tried to expand over his aura. It clouded the aura but not enough. The embarrassment was there.
"Why do this for your family member? I get the whole family first, type shit. I do. You, however, aren't into this."
She pressed on.
His hand came to her throat. She cringed trying to pull back, but she lost her balance. The world around her flashed. The underground instantly became light. Bright sun light above them beating down from a rising sun. She narrowed her eyes. Her hair blew in the sudden breeze. The heat damp as it got closer to noon.
"Changing locations?" She huffed.
His hand he pulled back. She tried to move but she was still stuck to the ground. Idiot, messing with my day… she mentally grumbled.
"If you do not think I won't push you off this building." He snarled.
She hissed as fingers grabbed roughly into her hair. He pushed her towards the edge. Her eyes bulged. Her stomach fluttered as if an angry swarm of wasps had entered her. She took even breaths trying to calm her racing heart.
"Okay I will tell him." She hissed.
The world shifted once more. She was pushed forward. She grunted hands hitting the wall to soften her impact. She did not feel him push up against her like she expected. She turned immediately finding her feet able to move. She glared over at him panting.
Not a single hair was out of place, nothing on him was roughed up. He fixed his tie standing tall. A smirk on his face. She was feeling sweaty again and heart racing. She frowned but did not lower her gaze.
"I will deliver your message but do not think it will not carry consequences." She snapped back not losing her edge.
"I look forward to a war," He chuckled, grabbing gloves out of his pocket.
How could he endure the heat? His aura thrummed. He was aroused and finally sparking his interest.
"You crave violence, it arouses you." She crinkled her nose.
The man shrugged. "What my pleasures are, are not yours to know. I do not get off on fucking vampires. Lowering yourself to such damned creatures, you lay yourself like a whore for a profit."
"You're repulsed by the fact I carry his children?" She scoffed.
"You are bringing more demons into this world, with craving for blood. Vampires are filthy barbarians. They are soulless and do not care of the harm they do."
"Yes and your just the shining example of morals aren't you? Threatening to throw a pregnant woman off a building."
"Spawn of the devil himself for all I care, the world would thank me." He sneered.
"Yes, and the humans would only see you toss a woman off a building who was pregnant. They don't know."
"They should. They deserve to know what scum slinks in the shadows around them. They only need to be armed to realize the threat the likes of those creatures are."
He had stormed forward, his hands balled into fists. The blue around him missed, the strength that had been clouding his aura. She didn't give him the chance to see or sense her feelers. His rage was growing. She wanted him to snap. Just enough.
"What would they think of your kind? They hunted Witches and Warlocks before. They now only have the weapons to do it." She reminded him.
"We still are mortal. Not selling our souls to the devil and demons."
There. She sent out waves of his rage, enhancing it.
"Ah! What are you doing?" He screamed.
His body began to shake, growing worse and worse. He fell to his knees. She did not let up. She kept her eyes on his not allowing him to break away. She watched his fear roll over him, curl and combine with his rage. His all-mighty self wasn't the only one with tricks. She stepped forward. She got within a small distance standing at his right side.
He flailed trying to get control of his limbs.
It didn't help. The blue in his aura swirled and danced losing the cloudy base. She reached down. And touched his forehead.
He went limp. Eyes shutting.
She shook her head. Releasing a large exhale as she ran her fingers through her hair. She dropped her bag. She dug for her phone.
"Lady Adley!"
Ibrahim popped into existence. His eyes blown wide as he rushed to look her over. He took hold of her in a light embrace. He was careful not to jostle her.
"Ibrahim. Where the fuck were you?"
"He had me frozen in a corner. It was his magic that cloaked me." He explained. "I couldn't move or do anything. The bastard is powerful."
"Yes." She affirmed. "Hartford Aster. He was sent as a warning."
"He will not go near you. Not again. I will request Master Aro's personal guard. Renata. She can shield them from you."
"While I appreciate it, I am not scared. I'll personally kill him." She ground out.
Her rage had her flexing her hands. She stared, a sneer on her face.
"Lady Adley, I highly advise against it. The consequences."
"Are worth it. He called you all scum. He wants to be above the dirt so bad. Allow me to slam him down to reality." She huffed. "No one is soulless. He's one of those, I am more holy than thou type bastards. Bet he's got a small dick."
Ibrahim snorted, trying his best to remain composed. Adley cracked a grin.
"You are crude at times. Right though, he does give off the impression of a small manhood."
"I never said I was a lady. That was all on you guys. I am a woman, not some lady." She snorted.
"I will call the council guards in and get them to come arrest him for his attack on you."
"They won't try to arrest me, will they?"
"No. Question you? Yes." Ibrahim flipped open his phone.
They arrived back at the Cabin. Adley relaxed a bit more. She exited the passenger seat of her Jeep. Ibrahim flipped open his phone. Quiet whispers, and exchanges she heard as she followed him into the cabin once more.
He unlocked the door for her and held the cell phone for her.
She raised a brow taking it anyways. "Hello?"
"Are you alright, Little one?" Marcus' deep tenor rumbled over the line.
She blew a sigh of relief. Her shoulders feeling heavy. "I'm alright. Shaken up, but I am alright."
"This vile thing will never see the light of day. I assure you."
"Marcus, you can't murder everyone or thing that threatens my life." She chuckled.
"This is a serious manner," he gruffed. "You could have been harmed, or worse killed."
"When you come home, I'll let you do a thorough investigation to see if I am okay." She offered.
A there was a growl, and a bit of crunching of wood. "Do not tease."
"I'm not." She murmured. "I came to no harm, beyond a bit of fear. I trust you to take care of this."
She'd calmed down on the car ride home, Ibrahim had ordered her a chocolate chip Frappuccino from Starbucks on the ride home. It had sufficed to fill her… Okay the triple chocolate muffin may have also solved some of her pent-up energy. She'd been more enraged than fearful. The man had the audacity to insult not only Marcus, but her children.
There was some jostling from the opposite side.
"Marcus?"
"He is on his way back,"
"Aro."
"Truly you are unharmed?" He questioned her.
"More angered by the audacity of the idiot. He called you demons, and scum. So, I kind of knocked him out." She replied.
"Well done," Aro laughed. "Your heart for us, still astounds me."
"You are not soulless creatures. He has gull to him. His family seems to be of the belief that there is reason to their making humans aware of us. Aro, I fear that even though this was a warning, flaunting their power… they may be trying something. He believed what he said, with conviction. He felt real disgust of us –well me –when he was speaking and raging. They were not for show. He was bored he needed to threaten me. The promise to see it through for torture seemed empty, but the words of outing us. There was more to that."
Her stomach churned as Aro took the time to digest her words.
"You are certain sister?"
"I may doubt myself on a lot of stuff. When it comes to emotions, I am sure."
"I will do some digging around. I may request you mingle as you can."
"They seemed aware of my abilities."
"How?"
"I've never hidden the fact I am an Empath. Especially when interacting at the library and with the guard. Can we fully trust Cassandra in this matter not to have told people?"
"She may be nonpartisan in this, she does hold resentment to the Aster family."
"They know I can harm people with my abilities. I will keep silent on the true strengths of it. I'm not sure if they are aware how in depth my readings are."
"Be careful sister, we will investigate tomorrow during the first opening statements. Be aware of the surroundings. Keep vigilant and do be careful. You may be immortal, but your children are fragile."
"I was careful." She scoffed.
"If I read your mind, I will not find you mouthing off to Hartford?" He challenged.
"I did not mouth off, just told him what was true." She crossed her arms. "Ibrahim told you didn't he."
"My guards tell me everything,"
"Traitor," She huffed.
"No trying to get revenge on Ibrahim." His words stopped her.
Her cheeks turned read. "You take away my fun. I will speak with you later Aro."
She handed the phone over to Ibrahim whose hand was out for the phone. He eyed her but took to speaking too fast and quiet for her to hear. She stomped off to the on-suite bathroom.
She wrapped herself in a towel as she exited the bathtub. She'd taken the past hour to relax. Very needed to get the nerves from her body. Her hair in a bun atop her head to keep it from getting soaked. The door opened, allowing the steam from her bath to leave. The cool air washed over her. she shuddered.
Marcus had her in a tight embrace before she could blink.
His lips caught hold over hers. She moaned against his mouth as he slid his tongue into her mouth to twist with hers. She relaxed further into him. Her hands immediately went to his neck letting the towel be held between their bodies. Her nipples hardened. Goose flesh broke out across her body.
His chest vibrating as a low rumble was heard.
"See? I am perfectly alright. The vile thing did nothing to me." She whispered breaking the kiss.
She looked up at him from under her lashes, cheeks red and lips swollen. Her core began to dampen. The fire in her belly begun to build. It was amazing how a simple deepened kiss could ignite her loins on fire.
"He should not have been able to get near you." He rumbled.
"Look at me," she cupped his jaw, running her thumb over his cheek. "I am not bruised, not a mark on me."
He pulled back. The towel fell. She stood completely nude. Her nipples were pert at attention from the cool breezy of the steam leaving. Her chest rose and fell with her little pants. Her taupe skin was still the same complexion if not darkened a few shades from the summer. Her plan, if they were able to, was to get out this weekend and take some photos of nature. Maybe have Ibrahim snap a few of them.
She gave him a spin, shaking her behind at him. His lust washed over her. He pressed himself against her back, one hand on her hip. The other caressed her breast. She gasped leaning back. Cool lips kissed her neck.
"I see the bruises from the last 'warning' of theirs." He replied. "I also see your arousal, Little one. I can smell you."
She shuddered reaching back to catch his lips with hers. He held her hands gently trailing her side and the other lowering to her folds.
"Marcus—"
"Your picture show begins in two hours. I do believe you were to meet her sibling for dinner in forty minutes?"
Aro called through the closed door of the bedroom.
It worked like a bucket of ice tossed on her. Her body turned red as she turned to bury her face in his chest. Marcus grumbled pulling her tighter to him.
"We can skip the movie…"
"We already postponed yesterday. Anna only gets so many Tuesdays off." Adley sighed. "Aro kind of doused the mood."
"As you wish my dear, go change for the evening and then we will."
She snickered at his disappointment at being cockblocked by their plans.
Wednesday morning came in earlier than she expected it to. She grumbled as her alarm blasted through the cabin. Anna was partially to blame after they sat up chatting for hours, embarrassing their partners. Jordan challenged Marcus to Mario Kart on the Game Cube enjoying has he defeated him.
She huffed smushing her face into the pillow. "I don't want to get up."
"Yet you must greet the day." Marcus murmured kissing a trail down her neck.
She sighed pulling away to face him. Under heavy eyelids she met his gaze before she kissed him. She hummed against his closed mouth. His tongue seeking entrance.
"We must greet the day," She teasingly pulled back.
He shook his head a smile breaking across his face. He propped himself up on his elbows, the blanket falling down his chest revealing he was shirtless. While he didn't sleep she found sleeping with him with skin to skin contact worked better than the non existent A/C. A grumpy pregnant Adley wasn't fun.
"Are they settling well?" He queried. "They do not cause you any illness today?"
"The morning sickness has passed somewhat. I still cannot eat certain things but over all they are just fine. I promise. You can probably hear their hearts if you place your ear close." She replied.
He did just that as she pushed herself up to get off the large bed. He held her steady. His ear on her belly. She bit back growing giggles at the fact. He tilted back to meet her gaze.
"Their hearts beat stronger and stronger everyday." He replied.
"You can hear them from further away?" She quirked her brow.
"When you are sleeping, you move around. Sometimes my head ends up near your abdomen." He shrugged.
"Come on, Daddy let's get dressed and ready to work." She chuckled shaking her head at him.
"Daddy?" He hummed. "I am not sure how I feel about that…"
"Alright then, come with me Papi."
He stared nose crunching.
"I am not calling you Appa…" she crossed her arms. "That is my own father and I don't have Daddy issues. Granted you are an older man."
"Careful who you call old young lady." He stepped up to her, lifting her without issue.
She smirked sitting up with his support, she tossed her shirt to the side. "I'm not wrong."
"Physically I am only twenty eight give or take." He huffed.
"That's okay, I quite like you. You're antique…"
He smacked her behind.
Her cheeks turned red, the sharp pain stung. She bit her bottom lip. "We seriously need to get into the shower. We'll come back to this…"
His lust swirled in his golden aura. His eyes dark intently focused on her. "Yes… and your teasing will be dealt with."
"Can't wait." She kissed his lips. "Now shower."
"Yes, Little One."
**IM**
She exited in a burgundy wrap dress. It was sleeveless but a light black blazer she pulled on over it. She was aiming for that crisp polished look after all. She slid into a pair of black heels. Her hair was knotted at the base of her neck, her bangs parted slightly to the side where they framed her face. Light makeup and diamond studs in her ears. Pendant, she grabbed and turned to face Marcus.
He looked perfect in a black suite with a tie that matched her dress. He gave her a once over. His eyes lingered on her stomach that was slightly showing through the shape of the dress.
"Come Marcus." She crooked a finger at him before she spun on her heel.
He was beside her, arm offered as they made their way out to the foyer. Aro handed her a breakfast wrap. He was pristine as ever. Black hair like a single straight wave of obsidian. His red eyes crinkled as he smiled.
"You look wonderful, sister."
"Thank you Aro, both of you are professional debonair as ever. Also thank you for this, nothing is worse than me without breakfast… I didn't realize the time…" She took a bite.
"Yes time tends to pass, when you're having fun. Do pay attention to her needs brother, she is carrying your children. I am sure you are old enough to refrain from sex." Aro drawled.
"Jealousy is not your colour brother." Marcus snipped back.
Adley chuckled before swallowing a bite. "To the vehicle, you don't mind me taking this in the vehicle?"
"Of course not." He assured her.
They slid into the waiting Rolls Royce. "Is this a different vehicle?"
"Yes, my other one is currently being driven home from BC."
"Why…"
"We ran back."
She didn't question any further.
They arrived in what looked like a simple building. It looked to be an old apartment building that had been rundown. She didn't trust it as Marcus guided her inside. The reception area opened into a grand open high ceiling entrance. The floors a polished marble tile.
The walls held many portraits and artworks across them, a man in all blue was scanning people with a glowing wand. He passed them through. She did not say a thing as she was scanned. She walked over to the side until Aro and Marcus finished up.
"Lady Adley, Lord Aro, and Lord Marcus. It is good to see you once again."
Adley looked to the approaching man. In a light grey suit with a sapphire tie with golden pentagram, Mr. Warner approached them. He gave a nod of his head to them.
"Mr. Warner, a pleasure. Even if circumstances aren't favourable ones." Adley offered her hand.
He took it shaking it gently. Aro nodded to him as well clasping his hands together. She noticed only Marcus and her shook hands. She didn't question it. Many probably did not give their hand willingly to him. His gift could come across as being naked in front of him.
"We are meeting in court room 3, The council is preparing reading over notes. Mr. Aster and his family have arrived. They are being held in a different area currently. We do not need any conflicts."
"No of course not, we do not break decorum when it comes to such serious matters. We have relations to up hold." Adley stared the man in the eye.
A polite smile on her lips, she batted her eyes nicely. She probed his Aura. The man returned a smile, brow crinkling momentarily. Confusion in his aura at her chosen words. She filed it away. So he didn't seem suspicious of her or any guilt in him. He didn't know then.
"I hear there is a change to your line up, with a witness?" Mr. Warner turned to Aro then as he began leading them down a hall to the right of the entrance and reception area.
"Yes, we wish to give a statement on her behalf, as you are aware she was injured gravely."
Warner frowned. Sorrow filled his aura. "Yes, my daughter said. She is friends with Cassandra. She's been visiting when she can."
"We wish her a strong recovery in the meantime. Let us continue up to the court house shall we? I believe I see Lady Martinez." Marcus spoke up.
He was right. Adley caught sight of the woman. She was a willowy woman with dark auburn hair pulled back in a tight bun. She wore a dress suit, of Navy. On her lapel was a pentagram. Her dark eyes zeroed in on them no expression given. She turned to motion them to follow her into the room.
Two double doors of light maple swung open. They stepped in side. It resembled a courtroom from what Adley could tell, the two sides of benches for the plaintiff side and then the defendant. The benches were dark wood. She could clearly see a few people in the rows of pews behind had filled up. She recognized a few guards like Abdul, and Demetri near the front of the room. She saw a good few on their side were vampires. One younger woman had a lap top open and was typing out what she saw.
She glanced to the furthest side to the right, there a few dressed in navy and grey were spread out in a few rows of pews. In the second one, a head of blond hair caught her eye. She narrowed in on Hartford Aster. A few other blonds and other Warlocks and Witches were around him.
She took a steadying breath, with Marcus' arm on her waist she turned her nose up and chin held high. She wasn't here to get revenge. It could wait. They made it to their bench and table. Aro slid in first, followed by her in the middle, then Marcus. He kept close. Marcus placed a brief case on the table pulling out a few files to lay out a few papers and a pen in front of her.
She thanked him silently taking it. She was the only one who would need notes and to remember their case and what they had discussed. Aro and Marcus were vampires, they memorized everything.
She glanced in front of the room. There was a bit of space for a lawyer to make their case. She noticed that there was a slightly step down in front of the other bench. She raised her brow seeing in the step down surrounded by fence a man sat. She could only see his profile. Dark hair was to his shoulders, skin pale. He had a hooked nose. He looked like a buffer version of Hartford. His aura was grey. She could see a weak hum of sapphire magic veering through him.
Odd she turned to look back to Aro.
"They have his magic weakened. He is limited to summoning spells of close safe objects. He is being held on serious crimes."
Adley nodded looking over the bench. There she saw a man with dark skin, he ran a hand over his bald head. He was reading through many papers in the file in front of him. His aura was green sparks of electric snaps were going wild on him. His aura from what she saw was fear, nerves.
She touched Aro's hand under the table. 'They are nervous.'
"So they should be." He replied barely loud enough for her.
She turned to look to the wall of raised chairs, a wall of two rows. Four in the back, five in the front. She watched as a few of the council were present. They slid into the places for their work spaces. To the left of her, three people were at what looked like court writers.
She took a deep breath as Ms. Blackburn stood up. Her hand raised. Everyone turned their attention to her.
"Thank you for meeting us here this Wednesday morning. G. Aster Vs. Volturi and Western Council."
She looked over to where a soft thud came from her right. She looked to beside Aro. There, a young man plotted his forehead. She raised a brow but said nothing. Who he was she'd question later on.
"Plaintiff, you will rise, please present your opening argument."
Aro and this man stood up. "Honourable Ms. Blackburn, council. I represent the Western council to present charges from our case. Also, presenting along side with the Volturi, Lord Aro, Lady Adley, and Lord Marcus. We will be presenting the case for charges presented previous. Charges of attempted exposure in the first degree, we have evidence Mr. Gideon Aster had intent to expose the Magical world, and expose the vampire world. He intended to cause harm, that could very well lead to many deaths and injuries."
"We present charges of trafficking in the second degree, his attempt to traffic an original vampire to a woman who planned to reck havoc upon not only other covens but mortals as well. She succeeded to nearly expose vampires, with an Original vampire that had been acquired by Mr. Aster in an underground black market ring. Our evidence is the Accords in section 5, subparagraph 10, the prohibition of any paraphernalia that could potentially expose vampires to mortals. Evidence of magical traces upon the chain itself used to capture and control the beast, and whose signature is upon it. Witnesses will be presented to confirm the existence of the Original and the use of said being."
"In our case we have evidence of previous attempts of exposure, and little care or concern that Mr. Aster has towards exposure. He has previous attempts of smuggling and trading in prohibited materials. Witnesses and evidence are to be submitted to the council."
The man held up a list of papers.
"Please bring these up to us."
Adley saw Abdul bring up a black box and a few files up from the back. He placed them to a waiting Warlock who took them with a nod.
"Is this everything?"
"Yes,"
"Good. Does the Defendant wish to proceed with an opening statement currently, or wait until evidence is presented?"
His lawyer stood up. "We wish to proceed after, your honour."
"Alright, bring up your first witness and case," Ms. Blackburn waved on.