“No one will make it out alive except for her,” he said with an easy smile, but the threat was clear.
“It’s easy to tell others what to do, and how to do it when looking from the outside,” a deep voice said as a man stood up at the front. I saw the typical Drew Collins polo shirt and pants. He had a clean-cut look to him, light skinned, typical pretty features, tall and handsome to most. He took the mic and began to shape the narrative.
“Dr. Holmes is due for trial for his family crimes. With Wilhelmina Holmes no longer with us, the First Family and its supporters are dwindling down in size. They are not putting up a fight to save the Underground, they’re only putting up a fight to save themselves. I understand there is still value in family,” he went on as he dragged the stool to the center of the stage and sat down. “Whether we want to admit it or not, people may not be ready to see major changes outside of the First Family…especially after what happened.”
Bellamy slowly sat the chair upright as he listened.
“There are those who still believe in the First Family and let’s be honest…They are mostly responsible for building all of this,” he said with a wave of his hands. “We would still be in hiding if it wasn’t for them. I think a change of guard is needed, but I also think family representation matters. The black community in the Underground thrives on unity, family, and traditions. We are no good to one another if we’re separate on important matters.”
I watched everyone agree and nod their heads, but I could already see where this was going.
“The last remaining First Family member just so happens to be a young woman who only discovered her birth connections last year…”
Seth gripped Namir’s arm to silence and keep him still, but I could see the threat in his demeanor. Bellamy lowered his shades, revealing the blood red eyes as he stared at the man over the rim of his glasses.
“The last thing we need is another First Family!” Someone shouted.
“No, but she is by far one of the most powerful beings in the Underground. If we don’t control her now, she will be 10x worse than Dr. Holmes.”
Everyone became quiet as fear began to sink in.
“All I’m saying is…we need solutions, not complaints, and suggestions. My name is Xavier Martin of the Martin family…The Southern Five if you will…”
My nose turned up at the mention of the Southern Five while Bellamy went back to rocking on the back legs of the chair, no longer paying him any mind.
“A boy witch,” he muttered with disgust.
“It’s a lot of us here that saw this downfall years ago…. it’s now finally happening, and we need to move carefully. In order to restore and maintain, we need to–––”
I stood up with a scrape of my chair against the floor and cleared my throat.
“Witches show a history of being the most distrustful of the mythics and magics,” I said with a tilt of my head. “Every poll ever taken during a political year, witches ranked the highest asthe most distrustful and the most selfish. What do you say to that?”
Everyone began to stir with conversations while Xavier slowly smiled at me.
“Fellow Drew Collins student, you are?”
“No need for any introductions,” I waved off as I began to walk slowly to the front. “I’m not here for that.”
My footsteps echoed as I let out a small hum, barely noticeable to the average ear but with the number of shifters in here, their senses were 5x more sensitive than the average human. I watched men at the table suddenly leaned in with a lazy smile. A woman reached out to touch my arm. I stood in front of the man who stood up from the stool and glared at me.
“I run an entire ecosystem of my people, so I know the difference between a leader, a talker, a thinker, and doer.”
“So which one am I?” He pressed.
“You’re not.”
His face tightened as I let out an easy laugh before turning to see every eye was drawn to me.
“My name is Solomon King. Most of you know me as the Head of State of the Wetlands community. I witnessed firsthand what happened the day of the funeral and he’s right…the granddaughter of the First Family is indeed the most powerful one we’ve seen…so far. Everything you’ve said is correct.”
“So then why call me distrustful?” He asked with a laugh, hoping to get everyone else involved, but people just waited to see which of the two alpha men would walk away with the last word.
It’s always going to be me, every time. I may not be the loudest, but I’m not new to this.
“Witches are known to be distrustful, I never said you were…”
“What happened at the church?” Someone asked. “We’ve been left in the dark about everything…what happened? Why is it blocked off to the rest of us?”
