Night still hung over Brasov when Baroness Crowell began to move her pieces. In her dark hall, lit only by tall candelabras, she met in secret with James, the most easily influenced member of the council. Her cold, calculated voice echoed across the room.
"James, you know as well as I do that this involvement with humans is a risk to all of us. Vlad may be blinded by mercy, but we can't allow this precedent to exist."
James kept his gaze on the floor, hesitant.
"But… what are you suggesting?"
Crowell stepped closer, resting her gloved hand on his shoulder.
"I'm suggesting we create obstacles. Make sure they can't return to the council without being tested, tested until their weaknesses show. One mistake, and everyone will see how dangerous this little romance really is. Alice will lose credibility. And Kara… will become nothing more than another human memory."
The seed of conspiracy was planted. James, torn between fear and loyalty, agreed in silence.
Meanwhile, across the city, in their hotel room, Kara settled into bed beside Alice. The council's ultimatum still weighed on them, and the silence between them was almost suffocating.
Kara exhaled deeply and picked up her phone. First, she called Natalie again.
"Nat… I know I already dumped everything on you, but I needed to hear your voice again."
On the other end, Natalie answered with warm firmness:
"You never dump anything on me, Kara. I just want you to be okay. You've come too far to give up now. Whatever you choose, I'll be proud of you."
Kara almost broke into tears, but held them back and thanked her before hanging up.
Then she called her parents again. She didn't tell them the truth — just chatted about small things: how they were doing, silly memories from when she was a curious little girl. The call brought her a brief, bittersweet comfort, like taking one last breath of the world she knew before stepping into something entirely unknown.
When she hung up, Alice was watching her quietly. Her eyes were full of tenderness… and fear.
"Alice…" Kara began, her voice small and trembling.
"I've thought about everything. What could happen, what I might lose. But I also thought about what I've already found. I don't want us to keep living in fear that time will tear us apart. I want to be with you. Forever."
Alice frowned, surprised and moved all at once.
"Kara… are you sure you understand what you're saying? Being turned isn't just about eternity. It's about carrying the weight of the night, of blood, of loneliness. I don't want you to suffer…"
Kara took her hand, firm and certain.
"I'm not choosing suffering. I'm choosing you."
Alice couldn't hold back anymore. She pulled Kara into her arms, hugging her like it could be the last time, kissing her lips and forehead with trembling devotion.
A few minutes later, still overwhelmed, she picked up her phone and called Rose.
"Rose…" her voice cracked, heavy with emotion.
"I needed to talk to you. Kara made her decision. She wants me to turn her. She wants us to stay together. Forever."
On the other end, Rose stayed silent for a few long seconds, absorbing the news.
"Alice… that changes everything. Are you really ready to carry something like that again?"
Alice closed her eyes, squeezing Kara's hand.
"I don't know if I'm ready to go through that again, Rose. But I know I've never been so sure of anything in my life."
The night ended with the two lying side by side, while Crowell's plan grew darker and closer with every passing hour.