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The anger on Sunstar’s face is the realest it’s been all night.
I try arguing that the faults of some cannot fall on an entire community, but the Senator is louder and more forceful.
“I didn’t think so! I didn’t think so! Americans refuse to build the bricks of your celestial supremacist country.” The Senator comes out from behind the podium, creating an intimacy with the audience hidden in the darkness. “A Sunstar presidency is preventable, but we should be concerned that she’s gotten this far. We have a record number of celestials in seats of power, and you’ve heard the rumors of qualified opponents who wanted to serve you but were too intimidated to run against celestials. Between stories of Sunstar using her husband’s hypnosis to control minds of politicians and voters, we have to protect ourselves now!”
I want to argue that mind control isn’t even a real power, and that Ash would never use it that way if it were, but it would be pointless even if I were allowed.
To my horror, they’re applauding him.
The Senator points at me. “You deserve to be locked up in the Bounds.”
The applause grows louder and Hugh Cooper is having a difficult time getting the audience to settle down. I’m terrified that I coexist in a country with these people.
“Thank you,” Hugh Cooper says as everyone finally quiets down. “I’d like to open the floor for closing statements. Congresswoman Sunstar, you may go first.”
I stare directly into the camera. I’m supposed to push some more Celestials First ideals, and I’ve figured out how to do it my way. “Celestials are fireflies who have been suppressed for so long, suffocating in jars that have become our homes. We demand to be freed from our jars, but we need your help to unscrew the lids. Thank you.”
This might sound like nonsense to the majority of this country.
I only need one person to understand.
Fifty-Four
Breaking
EMIL
Sunstar is talking about fireflies.
I pop my head up from Wyatt’s shoulder and drag Brighton’s laptop closer to me, rewatching the closing remarks. This entire debate has been wild with how Sunstar has hit absolute one-eighties with her stances, but what if something has gone terribly wrong? And maybe even a little bit right?
“I think that’s Ness,” I say, staring at my frozen still of Sunstar.
“Ness-Ness?” Wyatt asks.
“What are you talking about?” Brighton asks.
My heart is absolutely pounding against my chest, even though I’ve barely moved. “Look, for the past two hours we’ve been confused about why Sunstar seems so off and is saying so many dangerous things. What if that isn’t her?”
“That’s a big leap, especially since we think he’s dead,” Brighton says.
“But we don’t have proof that he is,” Prudencia says.
“Ness calls me ‘firefly.’ Iron must be using him, and this must’ve been some code for me to know what’s what. Think about it, the last time I saw Ness he was being carried away by enforcers. Someone would’ve definitely told Iron about that, right? Maybe Iron is using Ness’s powers to win this election.”
Everyone looks uneasy, like I’m reaching for this to be true. I don’t know, maybe I am. I never got any closure with Ness. I barely even got a beginning.
I replay Sunstar’s final remarks again.
“She’s—he’s—talking about fireflies suffocating in jars that feel like home. Maybe that’s code for Iron’s house and he’s being held hostage there.”
“Bro, you’re giving off major conspiracy-theorist vibes. If everything you’re saying is true, wouldn’t it be really risky for Iron to put Ness on a national stage?”
“Yeah, for sure, but maybe Iron has something on Ness to keep him in check.”
Maybe some promise for freedom? Things were so bad at home that Ness chose a literal gang over staying there. Or maybe he’s being blackmailed for everything he’s done as a Blood Caster. Above all, Ness has wanted his life back, and he’s not going to have much of one behind bars if his identity and crimes are exposed.
Prudencia’s eyes widen. “Iron could have Carolina and Eva as hostages too.”
