Page 119 of Alpha Power

Zamorra nodded, mentally snickering at his descriptions.

"Ye-yes," Niya whispered softly.

"Speak up!"

Niya flinched again and cleared her throat, raising her chin a little higher in the air. "Yes, my Lord."

"You stand accused of exposing the existence of our world to the humans. How do you plead?"

"I-" the shifter licked her lips nervously and gulped. "It was an accident."

Theodora scowled, unimpressed. She leaned forward, bracing her elbows on the table and clasping her hands. Gold flashed through her eyes. "You lost control of your creature and shifted in full view of humans."

"I'm s-sorry. I didn't mean to. I was-"

"We do not want to hear your excuses," Theodora growled, cutting her off. "You went viral. Your shift was recorded and posted all over the internet. Do you haveanyidea of the repercussions of your actions? Not only did we have to hunt down every single soul that saw you and alter their memories, we also had to create an entire new film production to explain the videos of a phoenix showing up online! We arestillin the process of cleaning up your Goddamn mess."

"Please," Niya begged, dropping to her knees. "I-she-my creature-she just-I was just too-"

"If you are not strong enough to handle your creature that is onyou. You have had your whole life to get her under control."

Niya burst into tears, sobbing uncontrollably as the Regents stared at her with anger and disappointment.

A twinge of sadness cut through Zamorra. She felt bad for the poor shifter. Zamorra knew what it felt like to lose control. It happened to her on occasion, when she couldn't get a hold on her anger and her werewolf just wanted to come out and blow off some steam. It was hard to hold back that almighty presence sometimes.

She was lucky enough to have never been caught on camera before but she had been caught by humans. Unfortunately, she had to kill them so that thisexactthing didn't happen to her. They were innocent. Just the 'wrong place, wrong time' kinda thing. The guilt still ate her up inside, so she tried not to think about it. Ever. She had no problem with killing. There was even a small part of her that liked it - okay, a big part. But she wasn't a big fan of killing the innocent, unless it couldn't be avoided.

"You have put our entire community at risk with your foolishness. Is there anything you'd like to say before we deliver our verdict?" It was the first time Ignacio had spoken and his voice was just as smooth as Thaddeus'.

Niya hiccupped. She savagely swiped at her face, sniffling as she shakily rose to her feet. "I-" she hiccupped again. "I'm so sorry. Please, have mercy."

Void scoffed, adjusting slightly in his seat.

"Mercy is for the weak," Balthus snarled, making the poor phoenix shifter flinch again.

"Mercy is not in our nature, Miss Winter," Luther's deep voice rang out. "Your actions have consequences that affect us all." The Regents nodded in unison, agreeing with Luther's words. Theodora got to her feet and started slowly making her way to the front, flanked by her shifter warriors. "You exposed yourself, your creature, your kind. You broke the one sacred law we all vowed to uphold. The punishment for such an offence is death," Luther continued as Theodora stopped in front of Niya.

"They're-" Zamorra darted her eyes between the two shifters, "they're not gonna kill her here are they? Now?"

Thaddeus sighed grimly, that light inside him dimming just a little bit. "Yes."

Zamorra reeled back, stunned. "But-"

Theodora gripped Niya's shoulder and spun her to face the crowd. With a swift kick, she was brought to her knees, crying out in pain at the sudden drop. Ignacio clicked his fingers, a spark of his dark magic hitting the air and the iron cuffs around her wrists dissipated. Niya gasped in shock. A warrior shifter gripped her by each arm and flung them into the air, holding them tightly and baring her chest to the crowd.

"I, Theodora Iliyas, shifter Regent of Australia accept the responsibility my position bestows upon me. Niya Winter, you have been sentenced to die. May Vargas bless you and help guide your soul to the afterlife," her voice rang out loud and clear, authority and power dripping from her words.

"Please," Niya cried, "ha-have mercy! I didn't mean to!"

Sobs wracked her body, tears streamed down her soft face as she stared out into the crowd, looking for someone to save her. Nobody moved to help. Nobody said a word. Everyone watched on, silent as the night as Theodora rammed a clawed hand straight through Niya's back, coming out her front in a spray of blood.

In agonising pain Niya choked. More tears sprung from her frightened eyes as they flashed bright gold and blood trickled from her quivering lips. Shakily her head lowered, eyes widening in shock at the arm through her body. Niya's heart beat in Theodora's hand, thick red blood dripping through her fingers and onto the ground. Theodora yanked her arm back and Niya jostled, choking again, spitting more blood from her lips.

"Jesus," Zamorra breathed.

The life died in Niya's eyes and her body sagged.

Theodora turned, blood dripping from her hand and leaving a trail of it on the ground as she dumped Niya's still beating heart on the wooden table. Thesplatof it made Zamorra cringe. She turned back to address the room.

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