The next morning was marked by an unusual silence between Alice and Kara. The two had spent the entire night awake, discussing the summons and the Council. The weight of that trip seemed to grow every minute.
To keep up appearances, they both prepared fake medical certificates that would justify their absence from the university. Kara typed nervously on her computer, altering dates and digital stamps, while Alice, arms crossed, observed.
"Are you ready?" Alice asked.
"Yes… ready enough. If they find out, it won't be because of the certificate," Kara replied, trying to hide her nervousness.
Moments later, a familiar presence crossed the room. Albert, as usual, appeared silently, his almost spectral figure blending into the dimness.
"Alice, Kara." His deep voice echoed.
"The Council has scheduled the hearing. Friday, at midnight. You must go to Transylvania, to one of the Council's central cells, in the underground chambers of Brașov."
"Brașov…" Kara murmured in surprise.
Albert nodded.
"And a warning. You must not be accompanied. The Council demands absolute secrecy. Any violation may be interpreted as defiance."
Alice exchanged a heavy look with Kara, taking a deep breath.
"Understood, Albert," she said firmly, though inside she knew how dangerous it would be to face this without support.
Once Albert disappeared, the silence fell again. The trip was getting closer.
A few hours before their departure, Rose and Natalie crossed paths with them. Alice tensed immediately, but Kara tried to remain calm.
"We need to talk," Natalie said, her eyes fixed on Kara.
"Alone."
Alice hesitated, but Kara nodded, following Natalie down a secluded hallway. Rose and Alice were left facing each other, both tense.
"Kara… I know you're confused. I know it seems like we're hiding things."
Natalie began, her voice calm but heavy.
"You have no idea," Kara shot back.
"I can barely understand why Alice acts the way she does… now this Council, you going to that vampire club, these rules… all of this feels suffocating."
"I'm really sorry, Kara."
Natalie admitted. "But the truth is, I was curious about Alice just like you. From what Rose told me, this Council exists to maintain order, and most humans would never accept vampires if they discovered they live among us. And Alice… she's always tried to protect you from that."
Kara looked at her, eyes brimming with tears.
"Protect me? Or keep me away? Because to me it seems like she was just trying to hide from me."
Natalie took a deep breath, stepping closer.
"Maybe both. But I can guarantee one thing: Alice never wanted to hurt you. And now the two of you are about to face something that neither I nor Rose can interfere in. So please… take care of yourself, and take care of her."
The silence stretched for a few moments. Kara simply nodded, still not fully understanding, but feeling the sincerity in Natalie's words.
Meanwhile, Rose looked at Alice with a mix of frustration and pain.
"Do you really believe I turned you two in to the Council?" Rose shot.
"That's what it looked like, Rose. From the beginning, you were always… too careful, as if you knew more than you said," Alice replied coldly.
Rose stepped forward.
"I would never do that. You may not believe me, but I wouldn't have the courage to expose you… especially regarding Kara, despite what happened between us."
Alice looked away, her expression hardening.
"Then who was it?" she murmured, more to herself.
"I don't know," Rose answered firmly.
"But it wasn't me. And I hope that when all this is over, you realize that."
Alice remained silent, but doubt was already gnawing at her certainty.
Minutes later, the two pairs separated. Kara returned to Alice's side, carrying the conversation with Natalie like a weight on her chest. Alice, meanwhile, seemed even quieter, her gaze distant after her exchange with Rose.
Night fell, and with it, the departure. The bags were ready, the destination set.
Alice and Kara left for Transylvania, crossing the dark sky and leaving behind a city that felt increasingly hostile and full of secrets. The Council awaited them — and nothing guaranteed they would return the same.