Free Web NovelChapter 221: Judgement (2)
Time for the trial took longer than expected much to the dismay of all the people in the community. Many could not wait for much longer to hear what Vincent had to say to them.
Some wondered if he was going to announce a cure to wolfsbane and that was the reason why he was fine or if he was never sick. Whatever the case might be, everyone young or old made it to the trial to know which of their theories was right.
Normally, many people did not feel the need to attend trials as the news would spread around right after but given it concerned Vincent, the crowd was large and the guards were meant to help organize everything. People were pushing to get in front as if it would help them hear Vincent better.
"It looks like a war zone out there," Jane commented from the sidelines. After being home with the children, she decided to return to work to watch over Vincent. Had she been there she believed Mari wouldn’t have had the opportunity to poison him.
"Stay close to me, Jane. These people are acting crazy just to hear what Vincent has to say," Derek pulled his wife close. "It’s a good thing we got Aurora to watch Tara and Abigail."
"I would have never brought them even if it was a peaceful trial. Vincent must hurry before these people destroy the sacred grounds. They’re acting like he won’t be here soon," Jane disliked their behavior of pushing one another.
"Well, their alpha dying and then perfectly fine is the reason for their behavior. I understand Vincent had to lock some people up but why did he need the extra two hours?" Asked Derek.
Before coming here Jane visited Vincent’s home and found the man to be in deep thought about something. "I think he has more to say to the community rather than just speaking about his uncle. He’s here."
Vincent entered the sacred grounds used for the trials from another entrance to avoid the crowd. He went to where he previously was when they decided the fate of the little humans but now, he was there without elders.
"He looks annoyed," commented Jane.
"When does he never look annoyed, Jane? They should really stop talking and pushing each other before he snaps," Derek said as he looked at the crowd. No doubt there would be children injured from this.
"Silence!" Vincent’s voice sounded like thunder out to silence the crowd. He stated he would explain everything to his people but their behavior was getting on his nerves. "The next person I see pushing will have to deal with me. From this moment on, I will be the only person talking."
He continued to say, "Is that hard for you to do or should I return home and never speak of this."
There wasn’t a word spoken by the adults. Only children who had no idea they should be listening to Vincent but he didn’t mind them as they were just children.
"As many of you might know, I was sick the last two days and then pronounced dead. The last part was done to bring my enemies out of their hiding places but I was poisoned with wolfsbane. What my enemy did not know was my ability to consume wolfsbane as a way to tame my transformation," Vincent paused looking behind him to bring two people onto the stage.
Cecilia was brought up first with her hands tied behind her back. She kept her head down at first but then she looked up to see where Graham’s accomplices were.
For over two hours she was not able to speak to anyone other than a guard telling her to speak her truth before the trial and eventually she did after it was told the others had already confessed. She tried her best to twist the events in her favor and have everyone else take the fall as they should.
"My uncle’s second wife was one of the people who knew of my enemy’s plans to kill me. She will receive a punishment today depending on how much she has chosen to confess to all of you. There are more like her, however," Vincent signaled for something to be brought out.
A series of gasps and low chattering started to fill the area when five heads placed on five sticks were brought out for everyone to see. frёewebnoѵel.ƈo๓
"No!" Cecilia dropped to the side seeing the five people she had confessed against were already dead. She became worried she would soon share the same fate. "Y-You were supposed to hear our words and then make a judgment."
Vincent glanced at Cecilia briefly before going back to look at what he had done long before the trial. "Who says I didn’t do that? With how much they tried to blame their actions on each other it wasn’t hard for me to piece together what each of them had done."
"From providing people to kill me to others, trying to poison me, working with our enemies, aiding in selling off our wolf children to vampires, abusing the people who borrowed money from them, and more. I heard it all from their mouths and your mouth Cecilia. Unlike you, they did not wish to stand for the trial so I made their judgment already."
Had she known they were dead, Cecilia would have never spoken about what she knew. These people and Graham were the only ones to know what she was involved with. There was no evidence pointing to her and had she kept her mouth shut, Vincent wouldn’t have been able to accuse her of anything.
Then it dawned on her. "You waited until I talked to kill them, didn’t you?"
"No. Your brain is trying to piece this all together but it gave you the wrong answer. The five of them had already told me what you did but you needed to confirm it with your own mouth. You wouldn’t have spoken if you knew they were already dead, right?" Vincent grinned. ƒrēewebnovel.com
"You tried pushing the things you came up with onto them and tried to downplay what you knew. As I said, it wasn’t hard for me to piece it all together. Everyone here must still be confused as to why my uncle’s wife is here on trial. The people behind poisoning me were Graham and Cecilia Law-"
"You have no proof of that! I was scared when I talked about it because I thought I was going to die! I don’t remember anything I said to you but I know for certain I never had any part in poisoning you!" Cecilia exclaimed, trying to save herself.
"If you are going to lie and change your story, at least come up with something smart. I don’t care whether or not you wish to admit what you did to me but I am giving you the chance to speak the truth to the community. I will admit that out of everyone who aided my uncle you are the most innocent," Vincent gave Cecilia.
She perked up thinking that she wouldn’t end up with her head on a stick as the others did. She was the most innocent one here. He was right about that, therefore, she should be released and given a second chance. It was Graham who needed to die, not her.
"However," Vincent said, ready to kill the little hope she had. "You will still be punished for the things you did. Since you are the most innocent one, I have left you alive to reveal all that you have done to the people here but it seems like the others you wish to take it to your grave."
Vincent revealed his clothes sharp and ready to strike her neck. He was merciful by giving her a less deadly punishment compared to the others if she would speak her truth to everyone.
Cecilia should know he was not going to let her walk away from this easily. Vincent was not the type to let anyone go after they were involved in plotting his life and working with vampires or any other enemy.
"Wait wait wait," Cecilia repeated when Vincent started walking toward her. She didn’t enjoy this mind game of him making her feel like she was safe one moment and then feeling like she was going to die moments later. "If I tell the truth, will I be free from death?"
"Cross my heart," Vincent promised her.
"I wouldn’t make that deal. He doesn’t have a heart," Derek said a little too loud. He smacked his hand over his mouth when Vincent glared at him. "Sorry. Carry on."
"I will bring out a person to help aid you in telling the truth since you were so concerned about evidence," Vincent motioned for the guards to bring out the second person he had prepared to receive a judgment. "You must know Mari, right? She had a debt to repay you and she’s the one who poisoned me."
Shaken up, Mari walked onto the stage afraid of the stares from the other werewolves. She mentally prepared herself to stand trial but it was nothing compared to actually standing here. Still, she wanted to say everything she knew and help Vincent one last time to make up for what she did.
