“Come closer, Sarah Walkenhorst and Jonathan Ford.”

They came closer, right up until where the carpet began and got down on their knees to bow.

“Sergeij notified us that there has been a specific issue with Jonathan”, Flamel said, “Is that true Sarah?”

“Yes, it is, sir.”

“And is it also true that that particular issue is related to his now inhuman condition, Sarah?”, Belladonna asked.

“Yes, it is ma’am.”

“Raise your head, Jonathan”, Antigonus ordered and he did, shyly trying to look at them but not to make eye-contact out of shame.

“Why did you decide to not kill this creature right on the spot, Sarah?”, Belldonna asked. Sadie remained in her position. Bowed on the floor, as in prayer, not daring to look at the Council.

“Because he wasn’t turned into a vampire ma’am.”

“Tell me have you forgotten the eyes of a newborn vampire since last time?”, Flamel asked.

“I haven’t, sir.”

“Then what do you call this then? His eyes are red, his mouth and clothes clearly bloodied”, he made a short pause and Jonathan could see Sadie shake furiously from the corners of his eye. “Tell me, Sarah, have you not seen the hunger in his eyes?”

“I … have, your honor”, her voice began to crack.

“Then what is your excuse for not immediately executing this monstrosity and bringing it back into our headquarters?”

“Because he is only half vampire, sir.”

“Half?”, Flamel shouted and raised from his seat, “Do you take us for fools, Miss Walkenhorst?”

“I do not, your honor, I am merely telling you the truth.”

“Then explain yourself!”

“We were separated on our mission, so I didn’t see what actually happened, but I trust my judgement that Jonathan would not lie to me. When we reunited, I found Jonathan in this state. If he were a newborn vampire, my honor, he would have attacked us right then and there in the spot, he would have no reason left to give us the artifact and talk to us.”

“The artifact?”, Antigonus raised his voice.

“Yes, my honor”, Sadie said and pulled it out from a pocket in her skirt. She held the wrapped piece in her hands before her as an offering.