The castle in Switzerland was ancient beyond measure—built before the Roman Empire, expanded through the centuries, now serving as neutral ground for supernatural politics.
Adrian felt the weight of history as they entered. These walls had witnessed countless meetings, alliances formed and broken, wars started and ended. And now they'd witness his defense against a demon lord's accusations.
"Nervous?" Kieran asked, his hand finding Adrian's.
"Terrified. I'm five years old as a vampire, and I'm about to face a council of beings who've existed for millennia."
"You've faced worse. You died and came back. Survived transformation. Helped stop the resurrection of the old vampire lords. This is just politics."
"Politics might be harder than fighting."
The council chamber was massive—a circular room with a vaulted ceiling, lit by chandeliers that predated electricity. Seats arranged in a circle, each occupied by a representative of a different supernatural community.
Lord Konstantin's replacement from Russia—a vampire named Yelena with ice-blue eyes. Alpha Chen from the European werewolf confederation. Grandmother Chen from the Asian witch covens. Representatives from the fae courts, looking beautiful and bored. And demon lords—including Asmodeus, who watched them enter with a smile that promised pain.
"Lord Kieran Ashford and Consort Adrian Chen," the council moderator announced—a neutral vampire who'd served in this role for three centuries. "You stand accused of theft, bargain-breaking, and endangering the supernatural community. How do you plead?"
"Not guilty," Kieran said firmly. "We acted to prevent a catastrophe."
"A convenient excuse for criminals," Asmodeus interjected smoothly. "They stole my property, broke our bargain, and now they lie to cover their crimes."
"The Mirror of Souls isn't property—it's a weapon," Adrian shot back. "And you were planning to use it to find Cain."
Shocked murmurs rippled through the council. Cain's name still carried weight, even after three thousand years.
"That's a serious accusation," the moderator said. "Do you have proof?"
"I have testimony," Adrian said. "Lord Bael of Seoul is willing to testify about Asmodeus's true intentions."
More murmurs. Demon testifying against demon was rare—it suggested deep rifts in the demon community.
Bael entered the chamber, his expression neutral. "Honored council members, I come forward because the stakes are too high for demon politics. Asmodeus sought the Mirror of Souls not for collection or study, but to locate Cain, the first vampire. His plan was to use Cain's blood to control all vampires, creating an army under demon command."
"Lies," Asmodeus said, but his voice lacked its usual confidence.
"I have communications. Plans. Evidence that Asmodeus has been searching for Cain for centuries." Bael produced documents—actual paper, because magic didn't work well with modern technology. "He saw the Mirror as his final tool, the key to finding what three millennia of searching couldn't locate."
The council members examined the evidence, their expressions growing grave.
"If this is true," Yelena said slowly, "then Asmodeus attempted to violate the fundamental principle of supernatural coexistence—that no race should dominate another. Controlling all vampires would have been tantamount to enslaving us."
"It's speculation," Asmodeus argued, but he was losing ground. "These documents prove nothing—"
"They prove intent," Grandmother Chen interrupted. "And intent matters in bargain law. If you intended to use the artifact for purposes that would harm other supernatural communities, then the bargain itself was made under false pretenses. Adrian Chen had no obligation to fulfill a bargain that would enable genocide."
"Genocide is a strong word—"
"Is it?" Alpha Chen leaned forward. "What would you call controlling an entire species? We werewolves remember what happened when vampires tried to dominate us centuries ago. Blood and war. We won't stand by while another species faces the same threat."
The fae representative spoke for the first time, their voice like music. "The balance must be maintained. This council exists to prevent any one species from gaining too much power. Asmodeus violated that principle. His bargain is void."
The moderator looked around the chamber. "Is there consensus? Should the accusations against Lord Ashford and Consort Chen be dismissed?"
One by one, the council members nodded—even the other demon representatives, who clearly didn't want Asmodeus gaining the kind of power Cain would provide.
"The motion passes," the moderator declared. "The accusations are dismissed. Furthermore, Asmodeus of the First Circle, you are censured for attempting to violate supernatural balance. Your activities will be monitored, and further transgressions will result in stronger penalties."
Asmodeus's beautiful face twisted with rage. "You think this is over? You think censure frightens me? I'll have my revenge, Ashford. On you and your precious mate. No council protection will save you."
"Is that a threat?" the moderator asked coolly. "Because threats against council members are themselves punishable."
Asmodeus forced his expression smooth. "Not a threat. A promise. Within the bounds of law, of course."
He vanished in a swirl of sulfur, and the tension in the room eased slightly.
"You've made a powerful enemy," Yelena observed after the council adjourned. "Asmodeus doesn't forgive or forget."
"I know," Kieran said. "But we stopped him from finding Cain. That was worth making an enemy."
"Perhaps. Or perhaps you've only delayed the inevitable." She studied Adrian with ancient eyes. "Be careful, young one. Demons play long games. This isn't over."
As they left the castle, Adrian felt the weight of her words. They'd won the battle—cleared their names, stopped Asmodeus's immediate plans—but the war was far from over.
"She's right," Adrian said as they drove away. "He'll come for us again. Maybe not today, maybe not this year. But eventually."
"Then eventually, we'll be ready." Kieran took his hand. "We've survived a thousand years of separation, Viktor's movement, the old lords, and now demon politics. We can survive Asmodeus's grudge."
"You make it sound easy."
"Nothing about loving you has been easy. But it's always been worth it."
Adrian smiled despite his worry. "Flatterer."
"I speak only truth."
They returned to Shanghai to find their penthouse had been fully repaired—Marcus's efficiency at work. Wei waited for them with her pack, celebrating their council victory with entirely too much alcohol for vampires who couldn't get drunk.
"You actually pulled it off," Wei said, impressed. "Went up against a demon lord and won. I'm almost proud of you baby vampires."
"Almost?" Adrian asked, amused.
"Don't push it. You're still only five years old in vampire years. Practically infants."
Despite the lingering threat of Asmodeus, despite the knowledge that revenge would come eventually, that night felt like a victory. They'd stood before the supernatural council and been vindicated. They'd exposed a demon's scheme and prevented catastrophic war.
It was enough. For now.