Ezra was brought into the courtroom, which resembled a grand throne room within the facility. The atmosphere was thick with tension, the air heavy with anticipation. As he walked in, his wrists bound in tattoo-made restraints, he felt the weight of many eyes on him. The room wasrge, adorned with dark tapestries and intricate carvings. At the far end, a raised dais held an imposing throne.


    Target stood beside Ezra, a smug expression on his face. "It''s not toote to reconsider, Ezra," he whispered. "You can still save yourself by giving up a piece of the gang."


    Ezra remained stoic, his expression unreadable. He said nothing, his silence a clear refusal. He wouldn''t betray his family, not for anything.


    Olivia and Gen entered the courtroom and took their seats on one side, their faces a mixture of concern and determination. They gave Ezra a reassuring nod, taking in the small scattering of vampires in the room. Most of them seemed to be peacekeepers. Across the room, Macmin entered with Sarah, taking their ces on the opposite side.


    Macmin''s eyes gleamed with a mixture of satisfaction and malice. He crossed his legs and leaned back in his chair, rxed.


    A hush fell over the room as the Arbiter entered. It was a very beautifuldy, her hair glowing in different colors, shifting like the famous vampire chameleon.


    The atmosphere shifted, the air growing heavy with the weight of her presence. She was a woman of formidable stature, her Aura devoid of emotion but almost tangible in its intensity. It pressed down on everyone present, a reminder of her authority. She climbed the dais with measured steps and sat on the throne, her gaze sweeping over the assembled vampires.


    "The court is now in session," she announced, her voice resonating with power. Her eyes fell on Target who took a gulp. "Begin."


    Target stepped forward, presenting the charges with a flourish. "Ezra Matten is used of breaking the Law of Secrecy," he dered. "We have irrefutable evidence."


    The Arbiter waved and the evidence was presented, a video ying on therge screen. It showed Ezra stepping out of an elevator without his sunsses, his red vampire eyes visible. The security guard''s confusion and subsequent reaction were clear. Ezra watched the footage impassively, his mind already formting his defense.


    "We have the witness here with us." Target announced and Ezra blinked in surprise. His eyes turned to the crowd and picked out Olivia and Gen. They''d failed. Fuck. Thisplicates things.


    "Bring him in." The Arbiter waved in apathy.


    The witness, Samuel, was brought in, his eyes wide with fear as he faced the room full of vampires. The Arbiter''s gaze locked onto him, her Aura surging forward and enveloping him in a powerful grip. "Tell us what you saw," shemanded.


    Her Aura wasced in a surprisinglyplex array of emotions carefully designed to ce the targetpletely under her control and it had been almost instant. Samuel''s eyes zed over as he fell under her hypnotic influence. "I saw him," he said in a monotone voice. "His eyes were red. I was confused and scared. Medical modifications to the human genome is banned.


    Anyone who could boldly flout thatw had to be dangerous. But he didn''t do anything to me. He put on sunsses and left."


    The Arbiter''s Aura continued to hold him as she considered his words. "Very well. She nodded and added, "You will forget this encounter."


    Samuel nodded slowly, his expression nk. He was led out of the room, his memory of the event wiped clean. Ezra could see Olivia and Gen exchanging nces, recognizing the sheer power of the Arbiter''s Aura. She made Olivia look like an amateur posing as a pro.


    The Arbiter turned her gaze to Ezra, her expression neutral. "The evidence is damning," she said. "Present your defense."


    Ezra stood, his posture calm andposed. We can still salvage this. "This footage is not genuine," he began. "The supposed breach of the Law of Secrecy urred during the day. I was inside with my wives throughout that day. There is no way that could''ve been me.


    Furthermore, we have additional footage of the person in this video strolling freely under the sun and without disying any signs of weakness. An ability which I do not possess."


    He gestured to Olivia, who came forward with a USB stick. The Arbiter gestured and the new footage was yed. It showed a figure resembling Ezra walking casually in broad daylight, entering a café. The sunlight fell directly on the person, who showed no signs of difort or fatigue, something that would be impossible for a vampire. Ezra knew it was him but the others didn''t know.


    He could tell even Gen and Olivia were confused.


    "I believe that this should be sufficient evidence that this is a crime against me. I think we shouldn''t be so quick to condemn an innocent man. Instead, we should ask the capable officer Target where he got the footage."


    Target eyed Ezra in amusement. "We all know that some vampires are capable of walking under sunlight and can sometimes temporarily grant this ability to others. Your defence is weak Ezra Matten. It has no leg to stand on. Your honour." Target turned to the Arbiter. "There is only one clear way to uphold thews of our society."


    "Do not presume to tell me what to do." The Arbiter''s voice was cold, her eyes narrowing slightly as she stared at Target. Target bowed low, avoiding her gaze. The room was silent as everyone awaited her judgment.


    After a long pause, the Arbiter spoke. "The breach of Secrecy is a grave offense," she said. "Given the seriousness of the charge and the evidence presented, I will adjourn this court for a day to review all the evidence thoroughly. We must ensure that justice is served and that no miscarriage of justice urs."


    Her words hung in the air as she rose from the throne, her presence still pressing down on the room like a physical weight. With quick strides, she left the room as quickly as she appeared. The court was dismissed, and the tension began to ease slightly as people started to leave.


    Back in his cell, Ezra closed his eyes and took a deep breath. The battle was only beginning, and he was ready to face whatever came next. The next twenty-four hours would be crucial, and every second counted. But for now, he allowed himself a moment of calm.


    I''ve done my best from in here. The rest is up to you, Olivia, Genesis.