The Lycan Princess and the Temptation of Sin
17. The Trial

SKYLA.

"We will probe the mind of Heather Penbrook first.” Janaina states clearly, looking at the youngwitch and motioning her to come forward. “Heather, step to the front of the podium.”

Janaina herself, steps up onto the dais and nods at Raihana and Magdalene.

“You got this,” Raihana says, giving me a small smile before she joins the other two on the dais.Although Janaina will be doing the spell, they will be making sure everything goes accordingly.Heather stands up hesitantly but before she can even step around the low barrier, her father standsup. “I object. How can a witch related to the suspect be a part of this?”

Raihana’s eyes flash as she turns and glares at him. “We are in a room full of many witches, any foulplay would be seen.” She says icily.

“Serafina...” Magdalene says warningly.

“I am stating facts.” Raihana cuts her off. “Remember that.”

Magdalene frowns, but even without being an official member of the coven, it's obvious she has astrong hold over them.

Delsanra stands up and leans over to get Heather's attention. She smiles gently.

"We are all here to do the right thing, there is a grave misunderstanding at play, and we just wantthe answers. Don't be afraid.” She says to her. Despite her smile, there's strength and confidence inher voice as she motions the girl to go to the dais.

I smirk when I spot Rayhan checking out his mate's ass. You ain't no innocent fucker.

I turn my attention to Heather as she walks hesitantly to the front.

I've got to admit; she does look fucking intimidated... Is she that scared? Is she so sure that it wasme who attacked her?

“I can assure you there will be no foul play,” Magdalene says to her. “We are all as concerned as youare regarding this matter. The spell does not hurt at all. This trial is held publicly, so if anything is tocome to light... no one can oppose it.”

"How about we get on with the actual mind probing?” Leo cuts in, his cold eyes looking at her. Afew of the Alphas on the council nod in agreement.

Magdalene looks at him and frowns. “They are all alike.” She mutters, not bothering to keep hervoice down.

She motions to Janaina to begin and without further ado, she steps forward, readying herself.

She whispers a spell, raising her hands, a faint glow spreads from her hands and she places twofingers to Heather's forehead. There's a frown of concentration on her face and I know she’s pullingforward the memories from that night.

The scene around us changes, and we're back in that forest.

She's running, and I realise this spell is showing us everything from her eyes of that night.

The room falls pin-drop silent as everyone watches the unfolding of the events.

A scream pierces the air, and she shouts out, terrified.

It looks like a scene straight out of a horror movie. I can't feel her emotions, but the shaky breathand the hammering pounding of her heart gives it away.

She turns to see her friend flailing in the darkness, the body being thrown around by an unseenentity as blood splatters everywhere.

She's screaming, as the survivors run for their lives and straight into the forest, while the Death-Noodle gives chase.

I hope those who have fought the Death-Noodle can recognise its movements.

She hasn't seen it yet, and it feels like every second is lasting forever. I glance around, trying to seethe rest of the people here.

I can see Leo leaning forward as he assesses the memory, Rayhan, Liam... Del... they're all observingit carefully. Dad's frowning as he watches, his eyes glimmering red, and I realise he's holding myhand..

Being so nervous, I hadn't even realised, and I can't help but feel protected.

Come on... get to the part I show up...

It's taking fucking forever, but what irks me is she really fucking can't see the thing attacking her, sohow did she pin it on me?

I'm here! I recognise the part where she had backed away when I had come into the picture andtold her to run.

Is she deaf? I mean, we can fucking hear the rustling of the leaves in the forest and the broken treesflying everywhere, so why cant she hear me?

They'll be able to recognise my voice!

"What the fuck...” Heather mumbles in the memory and I tense.

I can't remember word for fucking word, but didn't she say that later on? Why am I not in hermemory?

I keep watching, waiting for me to show, but there's only something dark out there. Something withplum eyes...

Unease settles into my stomach, and I turn to Dad.

“Dad... Dad, I told her to call the academy at this point.” I whisper. “Why can't she hear me? She didlook at me...”

I fought the Death Noodle here. Why can't she see me?

He frowns as we continue watching when suddenly, from the Darkness I appear, my eyes areburning purple and there's a look of pure evil on my face.

That shit ain't me.

My heart thuds as I look at myself stand there looking more like a demonic being than a fuckingLycan. There's no white fur, there's just... some kind of unearthly monster. My limbs look longer as Iadvance towards Heather.

She screams before she turns, abandoning her friend as she runs for dear life.

“That's not even what happened.” I whisper, fear making me feel nauseous.

What the fuck is going on?

The room returns to normal and Heather runs to her mother, sobbing hysterically.

“Fuck, even I'd be scared of that, but that wasn't me.” I say clearly.

"Visions can be distorted by fear. We see things differently,” Janaina says. “But your mind will holdthe answers, will they not? You fought the unseen beast.”

"Yes, I saw it! It's damn big and fucking purple with plum eyes.” I say, standing up.

Dad gives my hand a final squeeze and even when I look down at him, my head is pounding. Panicand worry are beginning to seep into me.

"You got this. You did nothing wrong.” He says firmly.

I nod, walking towards the dais. I need them to probe my mind so I can fucking prove my point.

I scan the room, feeling my stomach twist. Suddenly, I feel as if something bad is going to happen.