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“Also,” Jacques added, “the spiritual and human realm would have been severed for much longer than it was.”
“Both are winning points for Luc,” Vito beamed.
“But have no benefit to Esmeralda,” Hugo added.
The king stepped forward. “As far as I’m concerned, both of you sacrificed for the redemption of the spiritual and physical realms. Maybe you weren’t aware of it, but it is still so. That will not go unnoticed in your trial tomorrow.”
The word brought me back to my original question.
“What happens at the Trials?” I asked.
The king smiled, instantly calming my racing heart. “We take a drop of every siren’s blood, and then mix it with mine. The blood will decide if you are pure or tainted. Should you be pure, you’ll be considered for your wings once again. Should you be found tainted…”
“You’ll vanish from this existence immediately,” Hugo finished.
“But you don’t have to pack anything for the next life, at least!” Vito said happily.
“Wait,” I interrupted. “Vanish?”
The king nodded, this time looking more solemn. “Tainted reincarnated sirens are returned to their curse and born into another human body immediately.”
“Then I won’t…” I shook my head at him. “You can’t take me away from my father, Your Majesty. Please…”
He brought his hands and gently touched my shoulders. “I understand your concern, Esmeralda, but I ask that you trust me.”
How could I? I had never met the man. Still, something in me wanted to trust him despite the situation. It was something in his voice, or his familiar demeanor, but I couldn’t put my finger on why the king felt so familiar to me.
“I don’t think she’ll be cursed,” Jacques said, seemingly to no one. “I can already tell that she’s been through a long purifying process.”
“A professional Judge!” Vito said with a clap. “Such experience!”
“It means that he’s cursed a lot of sirens,” Hugo added.
Jacques didn’t reply. He only looked off to the side of the room.
“I’ll have your meals brought to you,” the king said to us. “Please take this time as a cleansing period before your trial.”
“And the human crew?” I asked. “What will happen to them?”
“They will be tried after the sirens,” the king said. “After all, I can’t have tainted sirens judging humanity. That wouldn’t be helpful.”
“And if they’re guilty? The, uh, humans, I mean?”
Hugo made a fireworks gesture with a popping sound.
“They don’t feel a thing though,” Vito added.
I felt like my heart had stopped. The king gave an empty half smile.
“It seems cruel, I know,” he said. “But remember this: the balance of good and evil in both realms is far too important. If I don’t judge them, the humans destroy each other. There would be nothing left of that world at all should they go unpunished for their deeds.”
“But to destroy them in such a way…”
“They have a chance to repent,” the king replied. “They always have the option. But a hardened heart cannot be redeemed. It doesn’t want to be.”
He motioned back to the beds.
“It’s late,” he said warmly. “Get some rest. I will come tomorrow to fill you in on the other details.”
