Perilous Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page A

immediately walked over to where Samantha, Naomi, and Ada sat with their own drinks.
    “ Good morning, Kevin.” Samantha’s cheerfulness caught me off guard.
    “ Good morning. Did you sleep well?” I hoped I didn’t sound too lame.
    “ Very well. Thank you for asking.”
    After an awkward silence, I asked, “So what happens when I meet the council?”
    “ Ultimately you need to persuade them to join us, but for today, your goal is to convince the council to hold a public hearing.” Bry said that as though he actually believed it answered my question.
    “ You don’t have any other advice?”
    “ Don’t stare, and try to hide how little you understand of our ways.” Naomi pushed back her chair and stood.
    “ Are we ready to go?” Bry sounded calm and collected. I wished I felt that way.
    “ Sure. I mean I’m so prepared. Why wait?” Sarcasm wasn’t my best trait, but I couldn’t hold back. No one even responded.
    ***
    Bry, Naomi, and I headed out to the meeting. Henry and Samantha wouldn’t be allowed into the council meeting, so they stayed back. I was relieved Samantha wouldn’t be joining us—one less stress. The streets were crowded again, but I enjoyed the city feel. It didn’t take long to arrive at the dome that housed the council’s chambers and meeting room. Steep steps led up to the grand entryway, and I felt as if we were walking into a NFL game rather than an important meeting with heads of nations.
    We followed Bry down a long hallway before coming to a stop in front of an arched doorway. We entered an enormous room filled with stadium seating. It reminded me of the large lecture halls at school. There was one long table at the front surrounded by chairs, all but four taken by men and women wearing serious expressions. I recognized Ollis and nodded at him. He smiled slightly in response. The stadium part of the room was completely empty, making me feel as though I was either really early or really late for an event.
    I took my spot, seated between Bry and Naomi, and tried to prepare myself as I did before a game. I failed miserably. With a game, I knew what to expect. I had no idea what the council meeting would involve. I nervously tapped my fingers on the smooth metal table. I turned toward the door when a tall man with waist-length blond hair and piercing blue eyes sauntered into the room. I had a feeling he was not a guy to mess with, but I couldn’t hold back a small chuckle. He looked like he had stepped off the cover of a romance novel.
    “ Is something amusing you, Winthrop?” The blond asked.
    “ No, nothing.” Once again, it seemed strange that someone knew who I was before I introduced myself. It felt even stranger in Alak than it had in Chapel Hill. I preferred the notoriety of basketball.
    “ I am surprised you were willing to grace us with your presence. I would have thought you were too busy with your infantile existence.”
    Bry grabbed my arm before I could bolt out of my seat. I already disliked that guy, and he evidently felt the same about me.
    “ How nice to see you again, Alexander,” Bry said, but didn’t appear too pleased about it.
    “ Quit the pleasantries. I see no reason why we are even holding this meeting.” Alexander exuded annoyance as he took the last remaining seat at the table.
    “ We are here to decide whether to hold a public council meeting on the issue of aiding Energo’s Resistance. This is an issue that requires the full council, as you well know.” The ancient guy sitting at the head of the table addressed Alexander in a strong voice that seemed odd coming from a man his age. With his long white beard and dark eyes, he looked like a textbook example of a wizard; all he needed was the hat. Less than five minutes into the meeting, I’d met Fabio and Dumbledore—the day was getting better and better. I wished Liam was with me because he would be thinking exactly the same thing.
    Naomi elbowed me. “That is Marquis, the senior