The young Romany woman's bearing was defiant, though her face bore the traces of recent grief. "Will the Elders not hear me?" she asked, her voice hoarse from crying.

"Yes, Janna. As the near kin of Cassandra, it is your right to speak," the leader acknowledged.

"My father has spoken of the need for vengeance. I speak of the need for justice, and the need to protect the future. I want the demon Angelus to suffer as much as the rest of the clan for my sister's death, but we must think clearly. We must think of the consequences of what we wish to do."

"What does it matter?" shouted a middle-aged man, seated to the woman's left. He strongly resembled both the woman standing in front of the council, and the young girl laid out under a canopy to her right, beautiful even in death.

Janna stiffened her shoulders and took a deep breath before she went on. "I want the demon punished, but this is *not* the way! What if, against all odds, his soul does know a moment of true happiness? The demon will be unleashed again, and the blood he spills will be on our hands as much as his, because !"

"You go too far, daughter" Janos roared, surging to his feet.

"I don't think so, Father" Janna told him coldly. "You have never been able to think clearly where Cassandra was concerned, and now we are all paying for it." She turned back towards the council of Elders, and continued "The soul of Angelus is not to blame for the demon's actions, but he will suffer along with the demon. I accept that this is necessary. But the solution my father wants is too dangerous.

"Why take the chance that the demon Angelus will return? Have we forgotten the wisdom of our ancestors? All that you do will echo through your life. Can we do this, knowing that if the curse breaks, the demon will be free to kill again?" Janna's eyes narrowed and she added, "Besides, I want my sister's murderer trapped forever. With no chance of escape."

The Elders consulted each other quietly, then the leader turned back to face Janna.

"You have persuaded us, Janna. The curse will be permanent. Nothing will break it, whether Angelus ceases to suffer or no. However, a condition will be placed upon you. Do you accept?"

Janna lifted her head proudly, and she replied "I will do whatever is necessary, to ensure that my sister's killer will never have the chance to take another innocent life."

Do you want to read part one? Go here.

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