Lucien watched in tense silence as the hands rose one by one, each movement feeling like an eternity. His keen eyes counted them methodically, each vote for death feeling like another silver stake through his chest. Lord Inferno's burning hand rose first, flames dancing around his fingers like eager serpents. Lord Constantine's calculating gesture followed, his ancient eyes never leaving Lucien's face. Lady Victoria's trembling fingers lifted next, red tears still staining her cheeks. Three more hands joined them - six in total, condemning Scarlett to death.
The opposition showed their stance with equal gravity. Five hands stood against execution, including Lady Mara's ghostly signal of dissent, her ethereal form flickering with emotion. The vote now balanced on a knife's edge, with only
