Page 48

Although it shouldn't have been possible without a control stone, I made progress. I had control when I focused all my concentration on the cold energy and the water. But it took a lot of my physical energy. Too much.

The result was cramp-like headaches, but if it meant that it didn't just burst out of me because I had been holding it in for too long, then all the better. I had no other option.

If Amara couldn't find a stone, then I would have to do it myself.

I had watched them all do whatever they wanted for long enough. I had been the quiet girl for too long. That was over now.

Gloria Westcode walked past me, dressed in her long gray-silver robe, without even looking at me.

The entire hall had fallen silent. Only Rebecca was still shaking her head, turning away from the old woman to face the woman who would never be my grandmother. The mere thought was disturbing.

Gloria made her way up the stairs, sat down on the large stone seat, and picked up the silver hammer to hit the silver plate on the table in front of her. The sound that filled the hall was a piercing thud. Memorable and bloodcurdling.

“We have gathered here today to bring the two weeks of discussions on the further procedure for interpreting the prophecy to a satisfactory conclusion.”

She looked around the room as she spoke about me, as if I were a criminal who needed to be sentenced.

“Due to demands from the New York Quatura Association and because of her condition, the mother of the chosen one is guaranteed the highest protection from the Circle and the Councils.”

It sounded as if she wanted to protect me, but that was not the kind of woman she was. She would watch me closely, treat me like a prisoner. I was still her little defenseless doll.

That made it all the more shocking to her that I had repeatedly crossed the line that evening. And now she was repressing the new reality by playing along.

“To guarantee this legally, the mother of the chosen one will be supervised by Councillor Harlow and Councillor Silvar.”

The young woman next to Rebecca Harlow, who had argued with the older woman earlier, nodded. She could only be Councillor Silvar.

“Regarding the regulated control of her out-of-norm capabilities, Councillor Harlow and I will take care of the girl.”

A clawing panic spread through me, and I immediately looked at Rebecca, who didn't change her expression.

Wasn't it part of the deal that only she would train me?

“Her abnormal element poses a serious threat,” hissed a small, slender woman who, among Vivienna's twenty new friends – or rather, followers – was nicknamed Walking Karen.

“I have everything under control!” Gloria retorted sharply.

“Like a few years ago?” another woman with a blonde topknot called out before pressing her lips together and earning unreadable looks from the other Council members.

Gloria's eyes began to glow a grayish hue. Her brow twitched, as did the finger that disappeared into the right sleeve of her robe.

The woman immediately looked down.

“There's no need to worry as long as we have complete control over Julie Blair,” Gloria said sharply. And then her cold, power-hungry gaze met mine.

My blood froze in my veins and I held my breath.

“And how are we going to guarantee that? We can't let her go back to that campus. It's too dangerous there. The lower species want her dead!” the old member of the High Council snapped in a loud voice, earning nods of approval from those sitting around her.

She seemed to have fought her way to a high position through her conservative opinions. An easy game within the Councils.

“The Ruisangors know about the prophecy,” little Karen interjected dramatically, as if I were her daughter and she were concerned for my well-being. “They will try to kill the girl at every opportunity.”

It was no secret that they feared the undead creatures of the night. We and the DeLoughreys respected each other in public, but the mistrust was unshakeable.

If there was anyone except for Alaister whose spirit everyone here seemed to fear, it was Nicolaj DeLoughrey.

“As the Head of the Councils has already confirmed. We have everything under control.”