Page 91 of Semblance

“You got it chief,” Donald said.

“Good.” Shadow turned to Takeshi next. “Meanwhile, all of our own business assets may come under attack, if it hasn’t already. I need you to secure our corporations and increase the cyber security around them. I’ll leave the protection of our investments in your hands.”

If Shadow was under any duress, it didn’t show. He was doing exactly everything a leader needed to do. For him to doubt any of his own abilities to lead the Midnight Society was ludicrous.

Shadow was born to rule.

“That leaves the four remaining council members to hunt down Lucien,” Shadow said, turning to Brevin and Lincoln.

“Four?” Brevin asked.

Shadow nodded.

“Sorry chief, but I think your arithmetic is a little off,” Lincoln said. “Captain Christianity, you, and I add up to three.”

“As of this moment, I’m nominating the house of Valencia to take the house of Constantine’s place on the Midnight Society’s inner council.”

His announcement surprised me and drew immediate backlash.

“Are you out of your fucking mind?” Brevin asked. “Look, you have a thing for cute musicians, I get it. You chose her as your partner, fine—whatever. But now you’re telling me that she gets a spot on the council just for sleeping in your bed?”

“Sorry bro, but I have to agree with Brevin here,” Calisto said. “As much as I adore Aria, she doesn’t have the qualifications to have a seat on this council. In fact, she shouldn’t even be at this discussion in the first place,” she turned to me and frowned. “No offence sweetie.”

“None taken,” I said truthfully. I had no idea what the hell Shadow was doing. The last thing I wanted was to become a high ranking member of this dangerous social club. I just wanted to go to classes, play my piano, and then come home with Shadow and fall asleep in his arms.

“This isn’t a democracy,” Shadow said.

“You’re seriously spitting on the family name of the Constantines,” Brevin said. “He would be disappointed knowing that you replaced his seat withher.”He emphasized the last word with disdain.

“I’m going to play devil’s advocate here for a second, but didn’t Abraham risk his life to save Aria?” Lincoln asked.

No one bothered to answer the rhetorical question.

“Clearly Abraham valued Aria’s life over his own, so really, I don’t think he’d be all too offended in having Aria sit in his seat,” he continued. “In fact, I think the old man was extremely fond of Aria and would be glad to know that his seat went to someone he cherished in the twilight of his life.”

“No one is questioning how loveable Aria is,” Calisto said. “But come on, we’re talking about a seat on the Midnight Society’s council here. There’s no power in her family name.”

“Did you guys forget that I started off pedaling crystal to trailer trash and street walkers?” Lincoln noted. “But here I am now.”

“You’re an exception,” Brevin said, “though more often than not, I think your inclusion into the council was a mistake.”

“I appreciate you honesty,” Lincoln sighed. “As always, it’s refreshingly blunt.”

“So girl,” Brevin said, turning to me. “What makes you qualified to sit in that seat.”

I was quick to respond. “I have no qualifications. Honestly, I don’t want to be a member of the council. I’m just a lowly arts student who’s struggling to maintain a 3.0 average that’s required to stay in my program.”

“What about your family name? What did your father do that was special?” Brevin continued his questioning.

I paused for a moment and thought about dad, and all the sacrifices he made for me. I knew what everyone here was thinking at the moment—they didn’t deem his accomplishments worthy to grant me a seat as a member of the Midnight Society’s pretentious inner circle, just because he didn’t make the big bucks.

“My father made me,” I stated. “He sacrificed money, power, and the chances of a prestigious life just so I could be sitting here today. You can look down on me all you want, but don’t look down on the man who gave up his dream just so I could fulfill my own.”

Brevin looked at me for a moment, and then nodded.

“She killed a Crow,” Lincoln added. “If that doesn’t deserve a seat on this council, I don’t know what does. How many of us would have the smarts to survive an encounter with not one but both the Crow brothers?”

Silence.

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