Sin wants permission to go inside my mind.
I wait for the automatic fear I usually get at the thought. Only, it never comes. I’m already going to tell him the truth, since I can’t stomach lying to him. So, what difference does it make if he gets the information at the source?
Even though Sin thinks he’s capable of doing unthinkable things to save me, I know he would never hurt me. I trust him.
My eyes drift up to his, and the intensity I find there has my pulse picking up another notch.
“Okay,” I whisper back.
He takes a sharp inhale, his eyes searching mine, as if he’s making sure that I’m not messing with him.
“My thoughts are yours, Sin.” I smile softly, even though I know the fallout from the conversation will leave us both upset.
“Thank you all for joining us this evening,” Morgana starts. She and Ragna are standing in front of Need’s throne, on the raised platform at the front of the room.
Morgana’s voice echoes across the space with ease, and all eyes turn to them. “We all know why we are here, and time is not on our side. So, without any further ado, it’s time to hear your nominations.”
“My thoughts are yours after the vote, when everyone is busy talking to the new leader,” I clarify in a rushed whisper.
A few people are muttering, and I’m trying to hear what they’re saying, but Sin gently tips my chin, so my focus stays with him. He’s looking at me like I’m the most precious thing in the world.
“You won’t change your mind?” He asks, sounding worried.
“Of course not,” I answer, frowning.
A slight smirk pulls at the corner of his mouth. “Promise?”
“Yes, I promise,” I whisper back quickly, and easily pull away to turn back to the crowd.
I want to hear the nominations. I’m taking the vote seriously.
Sin must catch on, since he moves back a step and turns to face Morgana and Ragna. Something in my stomach sinks when I realize they’re staring right at us.
They want to nominate Sin, I reassure myself. That makes sense. Sin would make an amazing leader. My anxiety flares at the thought that they’re waiting for me to do it.
Someone would have told me if that was my job, right?
“I’m holding you to the promise, kitten,” Sin whispers, and the look he gives me is tortured.
I don’t have a chance to worry about how ominous that sounds when he looks back at the crowd.
“I nominate Vivian Ryans,” he exclaims in a loud voice.
Ice floods my veins.
“You didnotjust do that,” I hiss under my breath.
It’s okay, there’s still time to fix this. All I have to do is nominate Sin, and everyone will vote him in instead.
“All in favor of electing Vivian, please raise your hand,” Ragna orders before I can get a word out.
Hands raise around the room, both from familiar faces and strangers. My hope fades as I realize there’s only one person who doesn’t have their hand up.
It’s me.
I look over at Conner, Sarah, and Isaac, who are sitting at a table with Rosie, Magnus, Damien, andArianna. They aren’t official voting members, but they have their hands raised, whooping and cheering.
It would probably reflect poorly on everyone’s judgment if their newly elected leader crawled under this table and hid.
