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“Do not discount the ability of the Others.” I smile at her. “The Yard grew overnight, and it will do so again to shelter all those who seek refuge.”
Her brow furrows in thought. It’s clear she didn’t consider the true power of the Yard, but the people of Clearhelm need to realize that it is not them versus the Others. And if that takes the Yard claiming more of the city, so be it.
As I survey the crowd, fear etches their expressions. They’re looking to me for answers, for hope, and I refuse to fail them. My thoughts race, searching for a way to comfort them without making false promises.
“Rest assured,” my firm voice carries across the assembled press, “we will do everything in our power to bring an end to these attacks. We won’t back down until our streets are safe again.”
More questions fly at me, and I do my best to answer each one with the same level-headedness. The last thing I want to do is stir more alarm.
When the barrage tapers down, I lean toward the microphone. “Thank you all for coming.” I step back from the podium. “Stay safe, and remember, we are Clearhelm, and together, we will overcome this.”
The press begins to disperse, and I allow myself a moment to breathe.
Worry tightens my chest, but I push it aside, focusing instead on the task ahead. We have work to do, and I won’t rest until we figure out how to stop the tide of death that the Wild Hunt will bring, not just to Clearhelm, but to the world.
Pen steps forward and grips my arm, her voice pitched low. “You did well.”
“Remind me of that when I’m standing in front of Nickodemus and the Yard council.” I give her a rueful smile. “I probably shouldn’t have offered to take people in.”
“Nonsense.” She laughs. “They’ve been looking for an excuse to claim all of New Clearhelm. The Yard is the only thing keeping those businesses afloat.”
The hum of conversation buzzes around the archway, and I catch snippets of questions and concerns.
A sudden stir draws my attention as reporters flood back to the stage.
“Captain Sharpe, before you leave, do you care to comment?” shouts the blond reporter.
Worried that another person had already been murdered, I return to the microphone. “What is the question?”
She grins up at me, her canines looking sharp and her blue eyes fading toward silver. “What do you have to say about being elected as the new mayor of Clearhelm?”
My lips part, but for once, my mind can’t catch up with this shift in topic.
Pen steps up beside me and holds out her phone. The screen displays a news story with the headline: Gavin Sharpe, Former Captain of the JTFPI, Sweeps the Mayoral Election with Write-In Votes. The People Have Spoken.
My stomach drops, and I read the news title again with a mixture of shock and disbelief. The unexpected announcement of being elected as the new mayor catches me off guard. Leading Clearhelm in a political capacity adds a layer of complexity to my life I never planned for.
More questions fly at me, but none of them register.
Mayor? Of Clearhelm? People joked about it, but I never considered running.
My gaze shifts to Pen in question, and she gives a minute shake of her head. This wasn’t her doing.
I turn back to the waiting reporters. “This is an unexpected honor, and one I have not prepared a speech for. To those who wrote in my name, I am honored at the faith you have shown in my ability to take care of this city. Clearhelm’s safety and the health of our citizens have always been at the forefront of my mind.”
My eyes sting, and I swallow the emotion creeping up my throat. “At this time, I need to focus on protecting our people, but I will hold press conference with a formal response once there is time for me to process what this honor means, both for my future and for Clearhelm’s.”
The flash of blue and red lights turning onto the street behind the reporters catches my eye, and I lift the microphone from the holder. “In the meantime, I suggest you disperse before the Clearhelm Police arrive. Let’s not begin this new era with arrests.”
Chuckles rise from the crowd, and they get moving, racing toward their waiting news vans while those who came on foot to watch vanish back into the surrounding buildings.
I turn off the microphone and Pen grabs the speaker. We hurry off the podium, putting distance between us and the police.
good news
- Pen -
The pattern of killings did not hold, much to our relief and frustration.
