“So, I ask that you have patience with me. Because where I falter in polish, I more than make up for in gumption. This may not be a battlefield, but that doesn’t mean that we’ve stopped fighting. And when it comes to fighting, I have a knack for coming out on top.”
The other delegates turned their gazes towards Silas, who stared me down with steely defiance. They respected him, but they knew better than to challenge me. So instead of giving them the opportunity, I asked a simple question.
“What would you have me do, Silas?”
Another twitch of his ear. “What?”
“If you were in my place,” I clarified. “What would you do?”
He squared his jaw. “I would remind the Council that as their slaves, we Unseen have been privy to many a private conversation. And should they continue to shun our demands, then they cannot expect us to control our tongues.”
Murmurs rippled through the group.
“And what would you do if they still refuse to yield?”
“We keep good on our promises. We expose their secrets and let them devour themselves from the inside out.”
“It’s a promising idea,” I conceded. “But what of those who bear the brunt of the Magi’s wrath?”
Silas’s brow furrowed.
“You would have us provoke the Magi, not considering the thousands of Unseen who still labor under their rule. Are you willing to stand by your decision should they decide to exact their vengeance on our kind?”
“Then we would retaliate as well,” Silas answered, though his words were weighted in doubt.
“And war resumes. And wouldn’t you be glad to have me around then, aye?”
The delegates looked to their leader, and for the first time, I saw something crack behind Silas’ steely gaze.
“My brothers, our situation has never been more delicate. I’m not asking that we lick the heel of our oppressors, but we must tread with caution, for every decision we make will have a lasting effect on our people.
“I will speak with Creedy. She understands how hard-fought this peace was, and she will want to help protect it. Till then, please grant me your patience, and keep your minds sharp. We will need each of you if we are to navigate the unseen toward a brighter future.”
I rose from my chair, the delegates quickly moving to follow my lead.
“We will resume this conversation tomorrow.”
They each bowed their heads, excusing themselves. Silas was the last to linger at the table, but he too turned eventually, stalking away with the others. Once they were gone, I collapsed back in my chair, expelling a pent breath.
“You should have let me pop that git in the mouth,” Kaine said, sinking into the chair next to me and running a hand through his aqua colored hair. It was getting long, now that winter was upon us. Soon, it would fall into his eyes.
“I would have done it myself if I didn’t think he was brilliant. Leveraging the secrets of the most powerful against them? Why hadn’t I thought of that?”
“You were too busy ending a war,” Kaine replied, kicking his feet up onto the table.
“And you give me too much credit. We both know the rebellion ended only when Lynette Greene stormed into the Council and nearly wiped it off the map.”
Kaine snorted a laugh. “You’re so full of shite, Azrael. When are you going to wise up to the fact that you’re a born leader?”
I mulled over the question, letting a comfortable silence bloom between my right hand and me. It was difficult for me to accept my standings most days. How I’d managed to become the leader of a rebellion, and now a political movement. There must have been truth in Kaine’s words, though I saw none of it.
“What if I told you that I didn’t want it?”
Kaine’s feet slipped, landing on the floor with athud.His amber eyes found me next, brimming with incredulity. “What are you on about?”
“Maybe it’s time for a change.”
“A change?” echoed Kaine, an edge in his voice. “Is this your way of telling me that you’re going to step down?”
