Aria's POV
The vampires were gone, but nobody celebrated. Nobody even moved. Everyone was staring at me, at my eyes, at the blood still running beneath my skin, at the impossible thing they had witnessed.
Damon was the first to step forward. "Aria."
I looked at him. His expression was controlled, but I could see the worry in his eyes.
"Don't come closer."
He stopped immediately. "Why?"
"I don't know what I am anymore."
His jaw tightened. "You're still Aria."
I wanted to believe him.
Before I could answer, one of the Council representatives spoke. "She needs to be isolated."
Damon's eyes flashed. "She's not a prisoner."
"No one said she was." The Council member looked at me. "Her condition is unknown. We don't know what the awakened bloodline can do."
I lowered my gaze. "He's ri
