Perilous Light (The Afterglow Trilogy #2)(22)
Author: Alyssa Rose Ivy

“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 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.