John Moss laughed, Gerard Depardon’t joined him in guffawing. Next to Paloma, Deryn tensed. Lachlan cracked his knuckles.
Judge Astor hit his gavel.
“Order, Mr. Moss.”
“I apologize, Your Honor, but surely this is all a bit too much noise and a waste of time over nothing. The good citizens of Crow’s Nest care about the economy of the town, about the opportunities that a mayor could open for them, and not about… How do the kids call it these days? Smut? I don’t know a single soul who reads these books?—”
Deryn’s tension reminded Paloma of a coiled spring. She didn’t know what the woman would do, but she anticipated the arrival of a breaking point.
It did indeed arrive, but not with Deryn losing her cool. Victoria jumped to her feet.
“And what business is it of yours what people read? Since when is it up to you? When was the last time you opened a book, Johnny boy? As for smut, I can recommend a few titles to you. Might give you a few moves, you limp-dicked asshat.”
“Mrs. Crowhart-Moreau!”
Judge Astor slammed the gavel down hard, even as the entire assembly erupted in laughter.
Paloma took a step forward, letting go of Deryn’s hand, and she deliberately lowered her voice when she spoke. The silence settled around her immediately, the crowd desperate to hear.
“With due respect, Your Honor, before we even begin to discuss the currently challenged titles, which would make it fifty-nine since the Board received the first anonymous complaints, I would like to ask why the Board is accepting such challenges in the first place?” She cleared her throat, now certain every eye was on her, and turned to face Moss directly. “It’s not for any one of us to judge what grown adults are reading, and unless one is a parent, they aren’t in a position to dictate to any child but one’s own. Taste is subjective, and people who don’t read have no taste at all.”
Moss’s dumb smirk didn’t waver. Paloma highly suspected he was not at all understanding her, the insults too subtle for his stupidity. She went on. “The library is public. It belongs to everyone on the island. Thus, we, as citizens of Crow’s Nest, cannot accept being subjected to cowardly, anonymous challenges any longer. Either the Board—which the town elected to take care of its library—votes to strike this procedural clause from the Board’s statutes, or this town shall elect a new Board which will fulfill the fiduciary duty of caretaking over a public institution with seriousness and true care.”
The applause was raucous. Behind her, she could feel Deryn standing close enough that her body heat was both a comfort and a support. She didn’t touch Paloma, but she was there, and for the first time since they struck their agreement, Paloma regretted it. For the first time, she wished someone would be there for her. Truly. No strings and no NDAs. Deryn smiled and held out her hand, and Paloma felt tears prick her eyes. Still, she smiled back, with hundreds of people watching, and took the proffered hand. A deal was a deal.
14
DERYN, POWER & PAIN
LIBRARY REFORM FAILS!
Mayor candidate Paloma Allende’s proposed Library Board of Governors reform failed to pass by one vote. Ms. Allende challenged the Board to strike down the procedural loophole allowing anyone to challenge books in the public library anonymously. In an astounding turn of events, the Board voted in the presence of over three hundred Crow’s Nest citizens, with the procedure being upheld by three of the five votes. Judge Astor and Councilwoman Crowhart were in the losing minority.
Ms. Allende expressed both her frustration with the results of the vote and her hope that the upcoming town elections, which will also see the citizens elect replacements for several outgoing members of the Library Board and the town magistrate, will help revisit today’s disappointing decision.
Ms. Allende’s rival, Mr. John Moss, bought every willing attendee of the Board’s meeting drinks at the Rooster. “I believe in freedom, and I believe in voting, and I think the Governors have voted as they saw fit. Power to them. All this politicking sure made me thirsty!” When asked what his favorite book was, Mr. Moss professed his love for Ayn Rand. Ms. Allendecited namesake Isabel Allende as one of her favorite authors, alongside Sylvia Plath and Toni Morrison.
Watch the town’s library, read books, and watch this space.
—Crow’s Caw
“I still can’t believethe vote didn’t pass!” Deryn set the newspaper on the counter and reached for her coffee. She slapped Seren’s hand as it tried to take the cold mug away from her. “I’m fine. Take care of your customers, Rennie.”
“Everyone is well taken care of. And why would you not believe it? From what I hear, you were there. Front-row seats to the entire show and all that.”
Seren wiggled her eyebrows, and Deryn set the mug down without warming it up.
“I wasn’t seated.”
“Not the point.” Seren wiped her hands on the pristine white towel. Deryn wondered how it stayed this white after an entire shift at the coffee shop. Then she noticed her sister murmur a quiet incantation, and the towel was dry again. She leaned back. How her sister used her magic was none of her business. Even if, by the line of questioning and the sly expression in the aquamarine eyes, Seren clearly had not heard of minding her own.
“If you’re trying to imply what I think you’re trying to…”
“All I’m saying is she’s a beautiful woman.”
“Hey, what the hell, Rennie?”
“A smart one, too. Quite a few people in here today have mentioned how her proposal made sense and was, by far, the most appropriate. Once you start policing what people read, the slope becomes very slippery.”
