Chapter Eleven

The day came rather quickly. Last night Sabrina, Mark and I talked and worked out the plan as best as we could, knowing that Sabrina's father and all of my fathers and Celestial's friends would be there to help as well. I shook in my seat, nerves finally consuming me. Mark reached over and grabbed ahold of my hand. Sabrina sat next to me, anxieting radiating off her as bad as it was me. My father and Celestial sat in the very front, in front of the Council. The council consisted of Mr. Marcos, the Mayor; Mr. Stewart, my English teacher; Mr. Schmidt, the main Elder in the Council; Mrs. Tucker, a widow to Mr. Tucker who was another Elder within the Council; Mrs. Silk, a very unimpressive woman that maneuvered her way onto the Council by use of blackmail, even though it couldn't be proved; and, Mr. Irvine, a wholesome man who was appointed to the Council as a stand in for just incase purposes, however, he managed to stay.

Each one stared hard at my Father and Celestial. Mr. Schmidt cleared his throat.

"Does everyone know why we are here?" His voice echoed with a boom through the tiny room. My face went red, my nerves rigid, my whole body shook with anger just from the sound of his voice.

The room was silent. No one dared to speak until it was time for them to speak, if we were actually allowed to speak.

"Well, we're obviously here because you're a bunch of imcompetent idiots and don't know a thing about people being in love." My eyes went wide in shock, the words leaving my lips before my brain could stop myself from voicing how I was feeling. All eyes were on me now. Mark and Sabrina's mouths dropped, smirks forming on their faces, their eyes showing fear and pride swirling all together.

"Ah, yes, Morgan." Mr. Stewart leaned forward, resting his chin ontop of his folded hands propped up by his elbows. His voice dripped with hatred. I never liked him and he never liked me. Mostly because I handed the work in, but never showed him that I worked hard on it in class when we were supposed to. I mentally shrugged at the thought. "Please, come forward." He leaned back, motioning for me to come and stand at the front.

I willed my body to stay still and not move, eyes shooting daggers at each member of the council. Still, I stood up, maneuvering my way to the front. Mark, held my hand till I walked past him, shooting him a glance, letting him know I would be fine. Celestial and my father's face came into view, horror filled their eyes, their faces cold.

*"Please don't do this!"* Celestial mouthed. I shook my head at her, showing her that I was sorry.

"Morgan, please, tell us how we're *incompetent.*" Mrs. Silk sneered.

"Oh, you want to know how you are all INCOMPETENT?" I emphasized, venom dripping from my voice. All of the Council member's raised their eyebrows at me, except Mr. Schmidt. His eyebrows furrowed to the center, a scowl appearing on his face at my rebellion to them. "Let me tell you. What you're doing is wrong! You're killing my family, MY FAMILY!" Throwing the words back at them.

"They broke the rules." Mrs. Tucker pursed her lips, a frown covering her face.

"FUCK. YOUR. RULES!" I bellowed, my voice strong and confident. The Council member's were taken aback. Fury showing on each of their faces, yet I didn't care. My hands found my hips, stomping a foot to show my reluctance to fold under their glares. "The rules have been thrown out the window since the 20th Century! Who cares who we love!" I wasn't just talking about my father and Celestial anymore. I was also talking about Mark and I, but they didn't know that. At this point, each member in the room stood, Mark and Sabrina included. "We are standing here, in front of you all, because these two people," I said pointing towards Celestial and my father, "mean the world to each and every one of us. We love them. We don't care that Celestial is a Vampire. She loves my dad, she takes care of me as a mother. She doesn't harm me, she doesn't come close to human blood, because it makes her sick." I quickly added, seeing the disbelief flash in each of the Council's eyes for just a second. "We are here, because the rules need to be changed! Who cares who anyone loves anymore! As long as the people stay safe, why should it matter who marries who? You can't stop people from falling in love. The heart wants what the heart wants." I put my hands over my heart, trying to calm it down while my mind drifted to Mark, my mate.

The whole room fell silent. If someone dropped a pin, it would have echoed loudly through the whole room. Mr. Schmidt cleared his throat and leaned forward.

"And each person here is to defend the accused of the court?" I tried my best to swallow around the lump that just formed in my throat by the word "accused".

Each person grumbled a response, nodding their heads, flashing smiles at my parents. Mr. Schmidt pinched the bridge of his nose, staring down at me.

"Morgan, you are a problem child." He sighed.

"She is not a problem child!" My father outburst. "She's intelligent, strong-willed and believes in things that normal people like you wouldn't understand." He slouched in his chair, folding his arms over his chest, shooting daggers and knives at the Council with his eyes, grumbling to himself in a manner that made Celestial blush. I smiled big at my father.

"You obviously never seen her in class." Mr. Stewart snickered.

I rolled my eyes at him. "I'm still passing your class." His nostrils flared.

"Just barely." He breathed.

"Oh please! I do all my work, I'm a great student, I just hate your teaching style. All my work is done and handed in on time, just because I don't work on it in class doesn't mean I dont work on it." I roll my eyes again, pouting my bottom lip out. I could feel my father completely bore through my skull with his gaze he was giving me. It sent shivers down my spine. I tried my best not to look back at him.

"Enough of this bullshit. Mr. Marcos cut in between Mr. Stewart and myself as we shot each other menancing looks. He pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance, shooting a glance towards Mr. Schmidt, like he was begging him just to end it all and kill the traitors. However, it seemed Mr. Schmidt had a different plan entirely. He sat back in silence, rubbing his long grey beard. The man seemed like he was over 100 years old, but that couldn't have been possible.

"Morgan, you love your family?" He finally spoke after what seemed like forever.

"Well duh." I retorted. He chuckled, again rubbing his beard. The rest of the Council looked directly at him, jaws agaped as they heard his chuckle.

"I have come to a conclusion." He again voiced, taking forever to respond. The entire room waited in anticipation. Although most came to rub their noses in the Council's face to basically mock their rules like I had done. But I know that I had the support of each and every one of them. Their voices spoke through me, which gave me more confidence than I thought I had.

"Well, we're waiting." I said impatiently. "We do have lives to get back to." Mr. Schmidt chuckled once again, more heartfelt this time.

"Yes, I suppose so." He sighed. "I will stay the execution. Although, the rules are there for a purpose, we will acknowledge that things may have to change, although, most likely change not in the way you would think. Those are vile creatures." He said pointing to Celestial. "Regardless what any of you say. I have seen my fair share of damage done by all the damn creatures that walk or crawl this Earth." His voice dark and his eyes narrowed. I gulped.

"That's not fair!" I started to shake. My hands balled into fists unintentionally, as my anger again started to rise. Mr. Schmidt held his hand up to stop me from continuing.

"If you want your family safe, you will listen to me before going on a spheal, Morgan." His voice low and gravely. I glared at him, nodding showing I understood. "Celestial and Chris, you are hereby exiled from the Township. You will no longer be allowed to step foot in this community again. As for Morgan," he looked down at me with a devilish grin, "Morgan will stay here to finish her high school education. Mr. Stewart, you are not to fail her just because you don't like her. I know her work, and it is far from subpar as you suggested." He added, victory showing on my face as I knew I wasn't going to fail English after this. At least I know the Elder believes my work isn't subpar. "Once you graduate, as long as you are of age, you may come and go as you please, however," he smiled again, this time his eyes cold and distant. "However, I can't guarantee your safety after this." He leaned back, smacking the gavel down before anyone could counter. My heart sunk.

*'My safety? Does this mean that I will, too, soon be in danger?'*