Chapter 653 The Night Everyone Had To Decide Which Side They Were On

"I think you and I and every single one in here knew the reason why I am now sitting in here. Delude yourself all you want, but this seat… I earned it that night those who weren't present lost their limbs."

N0 v el Next. CoM

Aries slowly rose to her seat with her palms on the table.

"I will say this just once. I am the empress of this land, the holder of Maleficent, the wife of a Grimsbanne, and a demon who crawled her way out of hell. Do not cross me." Her eyes glinted with malevolence, scanning each one of them. "If I find out that any of you has even the slightest involvement in what happened to my brother, or you were scheming to cause disharmony in this empire, rest assured I will come knocking at your door and let you remember why you begged my husband for my attendance for the night gathering."

Aries straightened her back and smirk, pleased to hear their silent response. Her eyes glossed over the people sitting around the table before they landed on Abel. He was already standing up, offering his hand to her.

"I think that is enough for tonight. Shall we go on our date?" he asked, simpering while Aries clasped his hand.

"I am looking forward to what you prepared this time." Aries chuckled, following his lead as they walked away.

"Aside from passionate and wild sex?" Abel shrugged. "Something romantic, obviously."

Both of them chuckled, feeling zero shame for letting the night council hear their casual conversation. But before they could leave, Aries slowed down, eyes on Abel.

"Were you curious whose tongue falls off first?" she asked, making Abel slow down before the two of them stopped.

Aries smirked, looking back at the table. As soon as she did, the person who was audacious enough to piss her off tonight stared at the surface of the table. From that man's opposite spot, a crack on the table appeared, crawling rapidly towards him.

SNAP!

Some of the night council jumped from their seats as the table was split in half. The person Aries bantered for a moment had his eyes wide open, holding his breath as the way the crack crawled from across him looked more like a dagger flying towards his throat.

The night council slowly raised their eyes to Aries and Abel. She had her arms hooked around Abel's arm, both of them smirking wickedly, eyes glinting with rancor and confidence. Some of the night council gulped.

That night of the coven, everyone knew that Aries simply had an awakening and wasn't able to control her 'gifts.' They were confident controlling Maleficent's power would be a challenge for her. However, it seemed Aries was much more capable than she appeared.

What happened just now… required precision in handling just enough force to not hurt anyone, but show her warning clear to them.

The new member of the night council wasn't just the holder of Maleficent, she was the new Maleficent.

"If this was my husband, he would truly show everyone how speaking too much can cost you your tongue. But I am not as ruthless as him. I don't see this as a race just like him." Aries chuckled, pleased to see their stunned reaction. "However, I only give first and last warnings. The next time you try to shame me, I cannot guarantee what I will do."

"Did you really think I'll let her come here, knowing she couldn't control her witch?" Abel grinned deviously until his eyes were squinting. "Oh, silly people. Arent you too naive for your ages?"

"Anyway, if there's someone to blame, blame my sister, Marsella," he continued. "She's the one responsible for this. Don't worry, though. Even if she is my sister, she won't get away from messing with you all and is now being punished for it. Even so, I'll make sure to send your words of gratitude to her — she'll be elated."

Abel snicked before facing Aries. "I am impressive, am I, darling?"

"You are amazing." Aries raised her eyes at him and smiled affectionately. "The best of the best."

"Oh, darling. My heart is too weak for your praises. I'm melting."

"Melt in my arms."

"I would definitely." He grinned at her. "Shall we?"

"Mhm." Aries nodded, but before they resume their steps, they looked back at everyone. Their lips stretched even broader while enjoying the sight they would be leaving. They didn't say a word as they faced each other once again before they walked away while flirting and giggling.

Meanwhile, those members of the night council could only stare at the emperor and empress's retreating figure in silence. Aries and Abel might purposely didn't mean it, but while the two of them were looking back at them, the bright glint in their eyes was enough to send a chill down everyone's spine.

Those two… a Grimsbanne and Maleficent… what a cursed pair.

The members of the night council looked at each other with stern expressions. No one spoke a word for the next several minutes before they gazed in the direction where Aries and Abel disappeared to.

"Three Grimsbanne… and Maleficent… in this land...?" a woman's quiet voice broke the prolonged silence in the air, listening to everyone's careful breathing. "I am unsure if this would reassure the witches or a reason we have to start looking over our shoulders."

"You only fear them if you plan to stay on their bad side, Gloria," another woman — an older one — spoke, smirking at the first woman named Gloria. "Otherwise, this is a good sign that the order in the empire, especially the truce between witches and vampires that were being threatened to be lifted, would not happen."

"Marcia Graves… this is a surprise," said Gloria sarcastically. "Weren't you bereaved after the death of your dearest friend, Firion?"

"Firion died, good for him. He is now at peace."

"Marcia," another man, Dante Balthier, who had always been vocal in every gathering, chimed in. "I am just as pleased to know that the empress has good control over her gift. It put my hearts at ease, knowing an old witch will have less chance of manipulating someone to make her a weapon for our race."

"If I were you, Dante, I would hold your tongue." Marcia smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.

This was the night council. They might be gathered together and had a mutual agreement in every coven to end Abel. However, that didn't mean the members had a good relationship. After all, the matters of the empire weren't just between humans against them, it was also witches against vampires, witches against witches, vampires against vampires, and so on.

No wonder Abel barely kept a sound mind.

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A/N: THIS IS THE LAST EXTRA CHAPTER FOR VOLUME 3. NEXT IS THE PROLOGUE OF VOLUME 4. 

Nove l B(in).C OM

ANOTHER NOTE: I JUST SIGNED A SUPPLEMENTARY CONTRACT FOR THE COMIC ADAPTATION. I'M SO EXCITED AND HAPPY I WAS LITERALLY CRYING. I'LL RESUME UPLOADING EXTRA CHAPTERS NEXT WEEK, HOPEFULLY. IT'S BEEN A BUSY MONTH FOR ME DUE TO PERSONAL ISSUES, BUT I AM OKAY. I HOPE YOU ARE ALL HAVING A GOOD TIME ON YOUR END.