The Trials

**Aileen POV**

For the last three weeks I have been kept away from my Father out of the DSS' fear of us 'conspiring' together. Over the course of the last few weeks, I had seen many investigators and detectives. There was an entire wing of the DSS I hadn't known existed. I guess I was the 'on field' investigator. These men questioned and did everything inside the walls of this castle.
Lena, Sam, and Trevor had visited me frequently since I was not allowed out of this room. I supposed I shouldn't complain too heavily about that. Sekai and Jacob had been locked in cells until the trials. I had been given no information on what was going on with Devon. All I knew was he was alive, but was still in the infirmary. The doctors here told me that he still hadn't healed properly and seeing him would add too much distress. They have been keeping me under close watch. Three days ago, the stress of everything going on had given me cramping in my stomach. The nurses called them Braxton Hicks. I wasn't ready to go into labor safely yet, so they made me relax. If I have another episode like that, they will put me on bedrest.
At least today, I'll get to see Devon. They are holding all of our trials together since we all have to do with Shiuku. Speaking of who, he has only used his stalker power to observe me once. It was the day after I had dinner with Trevor. All he got to see was me watching television and eating ice cream and cereal. The doctors would give me exactly what I asked for after I finished whatever my main meal was for the day.
Now, I was sitting in a plain chair in front of eight squad leaders of the DSS and a gray haired man in a robe who would be acting as judge. Each squad leader was either in an expensive tuxedo, or a flowing elegant dress. The judge and squad leaders all stood, while those who would defend themselves would sit unless speaking. On each side of the judge were four squad leaders. Squad Leader Lena was to his immediate right. Tom was near the end of the left side. I couldn't look at him long. The last thing any of my friends, or I needed was me losing control in the courtroom.
One by one the others on trial entered the extremely small and way too brightly lit room. Our chairs were lined about three feet from each other. I was directed to sit in the middle. Father was the next to strode in. He sat to my right. Sekai and Jacob came in after Father. Jacob took the right end and Sekai was directly to my right. Lastly was a girl I hadn't been expecting came forth. Mallory took a seat on the left end.
I could feel that familiar anxiety clawing at my insides. Devon wasn't here yet and there were no more chairs. They hadn't been lying to me had they? Was Devon really dead and that was why I couldn't see him? No! Just keep calm, freaking out wouldn't do anything. Father mentioned he was part of this trial in his letter. Devon wasn't dead. He wasn't allowed to die.
"Shall we begin the trials now?" Gray head asked, glancing over the squad leaders. None of them commented. *No, we have to wait for Devon!* I held my tongue remembering proper etique. Father had me sit in his court several times. When the accused spoke out of turn, they got in deep trouble for nothing. Their words would fall on deaf ears.
"Aileen, we will start with you."
My heart leapt into my throat at the sound of my name. Really, I was going to be up first. I had been so distracted waiting to lay my eyes on Devon after all this time, that I hadn't been mentally preparing for my defense. A dumb emotional choice, I would pay for now.
"Ms. Aileen Lutz, born from another dimension, adopted by the Hemmer family, and member of the DSS; please stand. Our comrade was abducted by Demon Lord Shiuku under threat of Mr. Trevor Hemmer's death. From our understanding of all these reports and testimonies, you were unwilling to go with him until this, correct?"
"Yes."
"You have not always been honest with the DSS. I have here the contract we all sign before entering the DSS' ranks. Any and all information pertaining to Demon Lord Shiuku is to be reported immediately. I have been informed that you have had dreams with the Demon Lord on multiple occasions. Why?"
*Who told him that?*
There would be no advantage to lying about anything. My face flushed knowing what I would have to admit, not only to my friends, but also the highest ranked squad leaders in the DSS. Worst of all, my Father. Well shit.
Keepin any emotion from my tone I stated the facts. "Shiuku...er Demon Lord Shiuku invaded my dreams fairly frequently. He stole Devon's aura to trick me into having feelings for him. Um... Devon turned out to be my true love. So, the demon lord would use that to touch and play with me..." I could literally feel my Father burning a hole in the side of my head. "He would tell me how he would soon make me his. I feared that if I informed the DSS you would think I was working for him; that I was evil. Demon Lord Shiuku is a master manipulator."
The judge pointed to Lena. "Has she been properly punished for this?"
"Yes, she suffered plenty while being abducted. I am sure she has learned her lesson from everything that has transpired in the last six months. I see no reason for further disciplinary action."
"Very well, let us move on to what has us all in a state of disquietude." Without consulting my brain, my hands cupped my ever growing bump. "Just for the official record and in case one of you is somehow not aware; Ms. Aileen is heavy with child. And not just any child; Demon Lord Shiuku's."
In Father's court, there would be gasping from Lutz's nobility. The squad leaders had more class then those noisy judgment rich asses. Even as a child I found them obnoxious.
One of the older squad leaders stroked his salt and pepper beard. "She is too far along to suggest an abortion. I, for one, would have been okay with it had we caught it at the beginning."
"I disagree." A man with his long golden hair tied back into a ponytail. "We do not kill innocent lives. Squad Leader Yi, please refrain from vocalizing such opinions in my presence. You should know this by now."
"I do apologize if I have brought up something you take personally, but this is for the good of not only this dimension, but all others. And AS. I. SAID. She is too far along. I am not a monster and Ms. Aileen is a member of the DSS...as of this moment in time."
The robed judge held a hand up and both of them shut up. "I want to hear from Ms. Aileen."
I swallowed bile in my throat. My mind was at war with itself. Part of me was angry that Yi would have wanted to force an abortion had I been in the early stages of pregnancy, another part was happy some members of the DSS would have taken my side, and then the last part was enraged I had almost believed Shiuku about the DSS not being safe for me.
"Demon Lord Shiuku had tried to convince me with his broadcast you all would murder my baby with no hesistation. It has been haunting me in almost every waking second since returning." That and my true love...
"What do you plan to do with the child? We have several documents and statements declaring that you have struck a deal with Demon Lord Shiuku and still bear his mark. Is this true?"
"Yes, when I first joined, my goals were always to find a way to return home. I still intend to do that, but thanks to Shiu- er Demon Lord Shiuku I will have to return in five years. My baby has given me powers of nullification and I will learn to use them. I also will raise him with love and support. I will not allow his Father to turn him into a heartless killing machine. The only way he'll have any kind of control over our child is if you all fail in five years. I have successfully given you that alloted amount of time."
The judge smiled through his beard. "Do any of you have something to add? I do not condone killing a baby and it seems as though the child will be raised away from Demon Lord Shiuku. He will be in a completely different dimension."
"How can we be assured of this?" Squad Leader Yi asked.
This time I had to look at Tom. "We will have someone go with her to that other dimension. Someone will have to keep tabs on her and the child." He motioned to his wife. "We are currently working with Kaibec to convince Demon Lord Kuzon to aid us. He has lent his ability to Kaibec twice before. Squad Leader Lena and I have also personally met with him many years ago ourselves. We are confident in cooperating with him again. In addition, he allied himself with the original guardian back when this all started; it is in my understanding his views have stayed the same."
The judge nodded. "Very well, Ms. Aileen will return to her dimension as soon as is convenient. She will be monitored by someone whom we will discuss privately. Demon Lord Shiuku's son shall be permitted to grow with no fear of the DSS. Ms. Aileen, I give you the DSS' support." He paused, hunting for the correct words. "In the meantime, you will be put on suspension from the DSS. We shall rediscuss reinstating your position upon reentry into this dimension. Any opposed?"
Silence and I was officially given protection under the DSS. I could run up and hug that old robed man.
"Aileen you may be seated." The judge was about to open his mouth, probably to move onto my Father, or Sekai; but was interrupted by a creaking noise.
Everyone turned to the sound of the doors opening. A doctor dressed all in white rolled in a pale faced man with a scar through his left eye. He gave me a soft smile when our eyes met. Loneliness that I had been struggling with, reflected in his piercing gaze. He was wheeled to the far right side.
My true love kept his promise to me, but was in a wheelchair.