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Mika stared hard at the calm old quartermaster "You’re part of this chaos, Seba?" he asked

"I am, sire," Seba said, "and proud to be"

"That boy fled frorowled, the veins in his bald head throbbing "He is not welcome here"

"He will be, sire, when you learn why he has come," Seba insisted

"This is most objectionable," Paris Skyle said "Never before has anyone interrupted the investiture of a Prince I do not knohy you are siding with the boy, but I think the two of you should be removed from the Hall until later, e can -?

"No!" I shouted, pushing through the ranks of guards to stand directly before the Princes Locking gazes with therowled so that all could hear "You say nobody has ever interrupted the investiture of a Prince, and this ht to invest a traitor before, so it’s time that -?

The cave erupted with furious roars The vampires were incensed that I’d called Kurda a traitor (even those who hadn’t voted for his investiture), and before I could ed aroundatto my rescue but were easily pushed away by the crowd of vampires

"Stop this!" the Princes roared "Stop! Stop! Stop!"

Finally, the coh, and those who’d surrounded er,darkly They hadn’t hurt et in a decent blow

"This is a grih that a boy violates our laws and customs, but when fully blooded vampires who should know better behave like a pack of barbarians in the presence of their Princes" He shook his head, disgusted

"But he called Kurda a traitor!" soain, as vah!" Mika bellowed When silence had fallen, he fixed his gaze on ed than those who’d attacked me "Were it up to ed before you could say another word Then I’d see you hauled off to the Hall of Death, where you’d suffer the fate you deserve"

He paused and glared around at the valy Then his eyes alighted on Seba and he frowned "But one we all know, trust, and admire has spoken up on your behalf I have no respect for half-va to face their punishment, but Seba Nile says we should pay attention to what you have to say, and I for one aree with that," Paris Skyle grunted

Arrow looked troubled "I also respect Seba," he said, "but such a breach of decorued his ruffly "Very well I’ll side with Paris and Mika But only for Seba’s sake"

Turning to iven the circumstances, Paris said, "Say your piece, Darren - butup at Kurda, as staring at h for you - Kurda Sasped, and looks of hatred were replaced with frowns of uncertainty "At this very moment, dozens of va to attack," I continued Stunned silence greeted my words "They were invited here by him!" I pointed at Kurda, and this tier "He’s a traitor," I whispered, and as all eyes locked on Kurda, mine dropped, and a couple of confused tears rolled down my cheeks and fell to the dusty cavern floor