Page 91 of Villains Never Die

The room was crowded when we entered, assistants and delegates and whoever else crammed wall-to-wall to hear Emmett Graves counter Wesley’s bold proposals. Charles sat in one corner at a tiny desk, surrounded by ballpoint pens and other clutter, preparing to take notes. Rook gave him a quick wave when he spotted us and grinned when it made the younger man blanch.

The meeting was structured much the same as before, though Wesley Lake stood in a line near the representatives from the other groups while Emmett took a single podium centered on the stage.

“Thank you all for coming tonight,” he said, and the last chatter in the room died off. “With the election approaching, I want to make my plan for this city’s safety clear. Candidate Lakehas made it very apparent that he wants to sever magicians from the Council and pursue the power to punish our own people for crimes without the vote of other groups. I believe this will weaken the alliances the Council was built upon. We created a governing body to disperse power evenly, so that no group would have greater influence over magical matters that take place here in Ashbruck. Each species brings its own strengths, and by combining those strengths, supernatural people prosper as a whole.”

I didn’t need to hear Emmett’s new laws. I’d already read them. I was here to see how everyone else reacted to them.

He shuffled a few papers on the podium in front of him and read them out loud. “I propose CPA2005 - the Cooperative Powers Agreement, which states that all supernatural groups will use their powers to correct deficits in other groups during times of need. Using the example of the heinous murders being committed against magicians right now, the fae have extraordinary powers for finding people—”

The fae representative let out a throaty laugh, his rust red fingernails twitching slightly. “And what exactly are you going to give us in return? What do you have to offer in our times of need?”

I snorted and Rook and I exchanged a glance. Magicians were powerful, yes, but the boundaries of our magic were limited. The fae on the other hand—a bunch of overpowered snobs, but he had a point. There wasn’t much for us to offer in return.

“Representative Fate, there is aserial killeron the loose—” Emmett started.

“And he’s not serial killing us,” the man countered. “If you truly valued cooperation between us, you wouldn’t tip the laws in your favor. At least Candidate Lake doesn’t dress up his goals as harmony between us.”

A few bodies down from him, Wesley tried to contain a laugh and did a poor job of it.

Emmett proceeded. “Moving on, I propose IDA2005 - the interspecies diplomacy act, which states that representatives from each of our peoples will visit the others quarterly to assess and assist with issues in other communities, followed by IDA2005-PT2-PEA - part two to the interspecies diplomacy act, the permanent embassy agreement, which allows each group to have an embassy within each other’s territories for diplomats to regularly monitor and act on the needs of other groups.”

The shifter, who had to that point stood still and stoic, spoke quietly, but with an authority that turned heads. “You don’t want to insert an embassy into pack politics. You’ll make more enemies than friends.”

“Furthermore,” Emmett continued, “I suggest QGA2005 - the quarterly grievances act, which would allow the people we represent to submit their concerns on a regular basis. We shouldn’t be making decisions for the people we represent without hearing their input. There should be open Council meetings once a quarter for this purpose.”

“No, that’s why we are elected,” said Andrew Clark, who stood for the humans. “The vast majority of the people I represent are safer not knowing about the Council or the other groups.”

Emmett fidgeted with the corner of his paper. “Then we find a way to serve your people best. That’s the entire point. Humans can also benefit from the power of the other groups, even if we need to avoid their awareness.”

Wesley scoffed. “So you are making decisions forsomepeople without input.”

The response ranged from whispers to barely smothered laughter. Representative Fate’s mouth curved enough that one sharp tooth poked out the corner.

“Candidate Lake, if you’ll refrain from interrupting,” Emmett continued. A thin sheen of sweat sparkled on his forehead under the lights. “We can work together to piece together the best solutions for all of us, but I stand by my belief that we are stronger united. Thank you for your time.”

The meeting ended with a few words from the human representative, who announced election information ambiguously enough to hide his opinions on everything that had just transpired. Representatives filed off the stage and moved toward clusters of lower Council officials. The assembled crowd broke into low murmurs and quiet conversation.

“I see you had no trouble getting in,” a voice hooked me near the door. Rook and I turned as Wesley caught up with us. “And you must be Rook.” He extended a hand that went unshaken. He withdrew it, his smile flickering for half a second before it solidified on his face again. “What did you think of that shit show?”

“I think perhaps you have the support you hoped for,” I said.

Wesley laughed under his breath and lowered his voice. “I thought maybe I’d have to wait for the killer to go after Emmett again, but it looks like he’s tightened a noose all on his own.”

“Very fortunate for you,” I said mildly. “I appreciate the invitation. Tonight was…enlightening. If you’ll excuse us though, we have other business matters to attend to.”

“Of course,” he said, his hands sliding into his pockets. “Work never ends, huh? Enjoy the rest of your evening.”

Outside, Rook said, “You hate him, don’t you?”

“I hate anyone who thinks they can put me on a leash.” Our footsteps fell in sync as a cold wind bit through us. “But he’s a problem to deal with after the election.”

“Deal with like…” He made a slashing motion across his throat with one finger.

“That depends on how big a pain in my arse he intends to be. Killing a Council member is too high profile, even for me. I don’t need extra scrutiny, but my business is already somewhat fucked after the fire, so I will do whatever it takes to keep the rest of it intact.”

Rook snorted and shook his head. “And Death is less high profile than a Council member?”

I rolled my eyes, opening my mouth to argue with him, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop. When I turned toward him, his face had softened slightly, the tension around his eyes absent.