One side of the atrium is made of rows of seats going up at an incline. I realize then that the Lunarium is actually the stage of an amphitheater, with a bridge leading to a smaller stage closer to the audience. On that small island, there’s a silver cage, and inside, bound by chains around his wrists and ankles, is Lord Indigo. His chin is dipped low, and his long white hair is loose, covering his face. He wears a simple linen tunic and dark pants.
A jolt of pain hits my chest, but it has nothing to do with sympathy for the male. The sight makes me think of Karl. Even though I didn’t witness his beating, I can imagine how horrifying it must have been to be strapped to a pole and whipped within an inch of his life for a crime he didn’t commit. Thinking about it makes my blood boil till this day.
Ronan puts his hand on my lower back and asks, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” I lie, which is silly, because he can sense my inner turmoil. But he doesn’t call me on it. Maybe he can guess where my thoughts went.
King Koran and Queen Endaya are already seated on their respective thrones, wearing the same style of austere clothing that was given to us, save for a jewel-encrusted pin in the shape of a lynx attached to their chests on the left side. Their respective crowns are silver and bejeweled with stones that resemble stars. Castiel stands next to his father’s throne, sporting a solemn expression. His teal-colored hair is pulled back, and he wears a simpler crown, thin and silver without any stones. He’s a very handsome male, I can’t deny that, and the dark coloring of his clothes makes him look like night itself.
A bout of irritation hits me, and Ronan’s hold on my hand tightens. Crinkling my forehead, I turn to him to find him grinding his teeth hard.
“What’s the matter?” I ask.
“Nothing,” he grits out without meeting my stare.
I’d insist on knowing, but the escorts encourage us to keep walking until they present us to the king and queen.
“Your Majesties, the witnesses have arrived.”
We didn’t bow to the rulers of Lynx before, but here in the Lunarium, in front of their entire court, it isn’t smart to defy protocol. Ronan and I bow, copying our escorts.
“Thank you for coming, Cheryl Eriksson and Ronan McLaren,” the king says in a loud and clear voice that I’m sure can be heard all the way to the last row in the amphitheater. “I wish your visit was under more joyous circumstances.”
“So do we, Your Majesties,” Ronan replies as he stands straight.
“How much contact did you have with my son while he was working with Valkor, the Sea Serpent?”
Sea Serpent?I wonder why the king called Lord Valkor by that name and left the title “lord” out of it.
“I’ve had very few dealings with your son, Your Majesty. I only saw him on the day of the shadowbeasts’ attack,” Ronan replies.
“Lord Indigo was responsible for the female vampires,” I reply in turn. I don’t mention my suspicion about his involvement with Ollie’s mother. I don’t want the king to believe Ollie is Lord Indigo’s daughter, even though the little girl looks nothing like him.
“I see.” King Koran narrows his eyes. “Tell me everything.”
I glance at Ronan, and his encouraging nod gives me strength to talk about my experience in captivity. I relate all I witnessed while living in Lord Valkor’s manor, including my interactions with Lord Indigo. When I mention my suspicions that he helped facilitate Lord Valkor’s sex trade, the queen lets out an audible gasp. I have no idea how my testimony is affecting Lord Indigo, because I’m facing his family and not him.
Once I finish my story, I feel unbearably sad. Those females didn’t deserve to die in that brutal manner. I glare at Castiel, wondering why he didn’t stop his monsters from killing the innocent.
“Thank you, my dear,” Queen Endaya says once I’m done. “I know that must have been hard.”
“Respectfully, Your Majesty, not harder than finding the mangled bodies of my companions.” I make eye contact with Castiel. “Why did you kill them?”
He winces, visibly shaken by my question.
“May I remind you that Castiel is not the one on trial here,” the king retorts, his brows creasing beneath his silver crown.
“Forgive me, Your Majesty, but I can’t help thinking that those deaths were unnecessary. Those females were victims, after all.”
“Permit me to answer, Father,” Castiel interjects.
King Koran shifts forward in his throne to look at his son. He doesn’t speak for several beats while engaged in a staring contest with Castiel, who doesn’t move a muscle. I don’t even think he’s breathing. Finally, the king nods. “Very well. You may answer.”
Castiel takes a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. “I didn’t know what the shadowbeasts would find inside the Sea Serpent’s manor. I had to assume all inside were the enemy besides Cheryl and Ronan; hence, only they were spared along with my brother, who needed to be brought to Lynx for trial.”
Lord Indigo finally signals he’s alive in his cage. His self-deprecating laugh gives me chills. “The lies you tell yourself, brother. You knew that not all who were inside the building were guilty. You simply didn’t care.”
Castiel’s jaw locks tight, and his cheeks hollow. He doesn’t offer his brother a reply, though.
