brain.
Flustered, I find my voice. "Beck Channing is no more a Sensitive than I am. He's a Founder's descendent and my rightful mate."
Be calm , I think and the audience relaxes.
"But what of Ryker Newbold, Lark? The law says--"
While still holding hands, I say, "I lied to my mother. Beck and I were bound while at Summer Hill. She had no idea when she selected Ryker for me.
"As for Ryker, he is on assignment, searching out the Sensitives who attacked Beck and me.
"From this point forward, Beck will be overseeing our diplomatic relations while I handle our domestic affairs. We will be running the Society jointly just as our ancestors, Caitlyn Greene and Charles Channing did. We are a team."
James mouth hangs open, but he snaps it shut. "Beck, tell me how it feels to go from condemned criminal to a leader of our Society in a mere few days."
Beck squeezes my hand. "My duty has always been to the State." He leans in and kisses my cheek, sending a nervous titter through the crowd. "And to Lark. Always to Lark."
"Do you feel your training prepared both of you for the task of running a society as large as ours?"
I fight the urge to suck on my top lip. "Absolutely. We were ranked number one and two at school. We both performed 'excellent' on our assessments. And let's not forget our ancestry. We were born to do this."
Desperate to change the line of question, I beg, Ask me about the upcoming Founder's Ball.
James smiles at the two of us, and scrolls through his tablet. "Do you think you'll both be healed enough to attend the Founder's Ball Masquerade? That's a lot of dancing for two people so grievously injured such a short time ago."
I beam. Somehow, I'm controlling the interview. I'm not sure how, but I'm doing it. I turn my eyes toward Beck and smile. "I already have my dress selected."
CHAPTER TEN
As soon as the press conference ends, Annalise calls a meeting with Mother's remaining security detail and the Council to discuss my and Beck's protection, along with the new structure of the State.
"No one gave you permission to announce Beck's role in the State," Annalise accuses. "No one." A faint redness colors, her face and her blue eyes flash. "You should have consulted with us first. The plan was to claim him as your rightful mate, not elevate him to co-leader."
"Am I not the Head of State? Am I not allowed to make decisions on my own?" I counter.
"That's what the Council and your advisors are for, Lark. To prevent you from doing whatever you want."
"Prevent me?"
"Yes, prevent you. You're still learning and need guidance." She watches me closely. "Don't forget, alienating witches can lead to new members for the Splinter group."
"Is that a threat?" I ask, deepening my voice. I haven't forgotten that she may well be behind the attacks.
Annalise pauses and re-adjusts her stance to something less threatening – less offensive. "We don't have time for this. We now need to discuss how the Splinter group managed to stage such an elaborate kidnapping right under our noses and what we're going to do with Beck."
"What do you mean, 'Do with me?'" Beck asks. "I think Lark made it clear. I'm to co-lead with her."
The room breaks into chaotic noise as everyone speaks at once. I close my eyes and tune out. Right now, I'm more upset with Annalise than worried about the Splinter group. I did what I was supposed to, but it wasn't good enough. As usual.
The anger that normally boils inside me is but a slow simmer. Manageable. I fold my hands together and breathe deeply.
Nicely done, Birdie. You didn't lose control.
Until Beck says that, I don't realize what I'm doing, but it's the first time I've actively kept myself in check with no nibbling urge to blow things up or set anyone on fire. Just normal irritation.
Maybe I am finally getting control of myself. I catch Beck's eye and smile - despite the angry words flying around us. If the Council wants to make themselves hoarse arguing, who am I to stop them? It
Flustered, I find my voice. "Beck Channing is no more a Sensitive than I am. He's a Founder's descendent and my rightful mate."
Be calm , I think and the audience relaxes.
"But what of Ryker Newbold, Lark? The law says--"
While still holding hands, I say, "I lied to my mother. Beck and I were bound while at Summer Hill. She had no idea when she selected Ryker for me.
"As for Ryker, he is on assignment, searching out the Sensitives who attacked Beck and me.
"From this point forward, Beck will be overseeing our diplomatic relations while I handle our domestic affairs. We will be running the Society jointly just as our ancestors, Caitlyn Greene and Charles Channing did. We are a team."
James mouth hangs open, but he snaps it shut. "Beck, tell me how it feels to go from condemned criminal to a leader of our Society in a mere few days."
Beck squeezes my hand. "My duty has always been to the State." He leans in and kisses my cheek, sending a nervous titter through the crowd. "And to Lark. Always to Lark."
"Do you feel your training prepared both of you for the task of running a society as large as ours?"
I fight the urge to suck on my top lip. "Absolutely. We were ranked number one and two at school. We both performed 'excellent' on our assessments. And let's not forget our ancestry. We were born to do this."
Desperate to change the line of question, I beg, Ask me about the upcoming Founder's Ball.
James smiles at the two of us, and scrolls through his tablet. "Do you think you'll both be healed enough to attend the Founder's Ball Masquerade? That's a lot of dancing for two people so grievously injured such a short time ago."
I beam. Somehow, I'm controlling the interview. I'm not sure how, but I'm doing it. I turn my eyes toward Beck and smile. "I already have my dress selected."
CHAPTER TEN
As soon as the press conference ends, Annalise calls a meeting with Mother's remaining security detail and the Council to discuss my and Beck's protection, along with the new structure of the State.
"No one gave you permission to announce Beck's role in the State," Annalise accuses. "No one." A faint redness colors, her face and her blue eyes flash. "You should have consulted with us first. The plan was to claim him as your rightful mate, not elevate him to co-leader."
"Am I not the Head of State? Am I not allowed to make decisions on my own?" I counter.
"That's what the Council and your advisors are for, Lark. To prevent you from doing whatever you want."
"Prevent me?"
"Yes, prevent you. You're still learning and need guidance." She watches me closely. "Don't forget, alienating witches can lead to new members for the Splinter group."
"Is that a threat?" I ask, deepening my voice. I haven't forgotten that she may well be behind the attacks.
Annalise pauses and re-adjusts her stance to something less threatening – less offensive. "We don't have time for this. We now need to discuss how the Splinter group managed to stage such an elaborate kidnapping right under our noses and what we're going to do with Beck."
"What do you mean, 'Do with me?'" Beck asks. "I think Lark made it clear. I'm to co-lead with her."
The room breaks into chaotic noise as everyone speaks at once. I close my eyes and tune out. Right now, I'm more upset with Annalise than worried about the Splinter group. I did what I was supposed to, but it wasn't good enough. As usual.
The anger that normally boils inside me is but a slow simmer. Manageable. I fold my hands together and breathe deeply.
Nicely done, Birdie. You didn't lose control.
Until Beck says that, I don't realize what I'm doing, but it's the first time I've actively kept myself in check with no nibbling urge to blow things up or set anyone on fire. Just normal irritation.
Maybe I am finally getting control of myself. I catch Beck's eye and smile - despite the angry words flying around us. If the Council wants to make themselves hoarse arguing, who am I to stop them? It
Similar Books
