Perilous Light by Alyssa Rose Ivy Page B

councilman.” From her tone, I could tell she respected him. I’d have to keep the wizard references to myself.
    I looked around the table. An eclectic mix of people represented the different nations. Ollis sat to the right of Naomi, who sat next to a Zale. I was pulled from my musing by Alexander’s angry voice. “I see no reason why we should involve ourselves in the politics of Energo.”
    Surprised that we had jumped right into the debate, I didn’t know how to respond. Luckily, others weren’t as tongue-tied.
    “ The politics of Energo? Are you blind to the destruction Blake is bringing to all of our lands?” Bry thundered.
    “ Regardless, we have nothing to gain from backing this young Winthrop.”
    “ Nothing to gain?” Naomi said incredulously.
    “ I am sure he is weak, just like the rest of the recent line,” Alexander sneered.
    I didn’t get the connection at first. Once I realized he was trying to put down my sister, I had to jump in. “You know nothing about Charlotte. How could you call her weak?”
    “ She is weak like her mother. Emma ran away when we all needed her, and she caused half this mess. At least she had the excuse of a dead Gerard. This new Essence chose to leave her Gerard. How can we trust an Essence who cannot be loyal?”
    My blood boiled, and I couldn’t stay in my seat any longer. The guy was putting down both my mother and sister. “My sister left her Gerard because he was supporting a corrupt man. The same man you all know is behind the destruction.”
    “ What do you know of our situation, Winthrop? You were raised in the lost world, and from what I hear, you spend your days playing for sport. What kind of leader could you ever hope to be?”
    “ I may not be from Energo, but I’m still part of it. I care about the outcome as much as the rest of you.”
    “ We should listen to the young man.” Ollis stood and nodded in my direction. “He is genuine.”
    “ You are only saying that because he could match your drinking.” A tall woman with a snake wrapped around her spoke for the first time. “Alexander may well be right. What do we know of this boy?”
    “ I know a true man when I meet one. I do not need years to form my opinion.” Ollis’s hulking form was formidable. I gave the snake lady credit for even questioning him.
    “ Kevin is determined to rid Energo of Blake. What else do you need to know?” Naomi challenged.
    “ He suddenly showed up after eighteen years. Does no one else find that suspect?” Clearly, Alexander wasn’t finished attacking me.
    My frustration grew. “I didn’t even know anything existed beyond my own world until last year.”
    “ Your world? See? He still views himself as of the lost world. That proves my point.” When I heard the murmurs of agreement, I recognized that I was in trouble.
    Bry rose to his feet. “It is evident that this meeting is getting nowhere. You have already decided to vote against our cause and are merely trying to rally more support for yourself. There is sufficient evidence to warrant a public hearing. We should reconvene in one day’s time for the hearing and a vote.” When I saw Naomi push back her chair, I did the same.
    Alexander stood up, knocking his chair over in the process. “I will agree to it, but I want the record to reflect that I do not believe this needs a public hearing or a vote.”
    “ Duly noted, Alexander, but there will be both a hearing and a vote.” Marquis did not appear to be much of an Alexander fan either. “We meet in one day’s time to put this issue to rest. Session dismissed.”
    Bry and Naomi waited for me outside the room. Their faces were unreadable, so I couldn’t figure out if they thought the meeting went well.
    “ Are you ready?” Naomi asked before she took off down the hallway. We pushed through the sea of people in the streets and walked back in silence. We found Samantha and Henry waiting in the lobby, and Naomi filled them in while we headed back to