See How She Awakens (The Chronicles of Izzy #4)(46)
“That’s because the light doesn’t care,” I grumbled. The memory of my conversation with Uriel left a bitter taste in my mouth.
“Or, perhaps the heavens have faith that we are strong enough to handle our own affairs. Did you not prevail?” Mona asked.
Anger flooded my veins as the words left her mouth. Had I prevailed? Was this really winning?
“His words were that he cared not for humanity. What was meant to come would come. Tell me, do you believe we must fall to the whims of fate, or are we capable of steering destiny on a course which we set? I, for one, am sick of being a pawn. This game will have no victor if it continues to play out according to these rules.” Anger roiled within me as I spoke.
“Um, Izzy, maybe take the anger down a smidge,” Molly whispered.
I looked around the room, a strange purple glow reflected off of everyone’s eyes. It finally dawned on me that the glow was coming from me. I’d gone all flamethrower again.
With a bit of concentration I was able to reign in my temper. The darkness had added some whammy to my anger. Every emotion I felt was ten times more potent now. Stupid prophecy. I wanted to go back to sleep. Could I be un-Awakened? Was that a thing?
“I’m sorry. Not for what I said, but for the whole flamey-anger thing.”
“I believe she is right.” Conall stepped away from his perch beside the mantle. “If we continue on this path we will never win. I grow weary of this fight. Something must change.”
An overwhelming din of noise followed Conall’s words as everyone erupted at once. Some in agreement, others in dissent. Seers and Guardians all talked at once, struggling to have their voices heard until one voice rose above the rest.
“SILENCE!” Molly shouted to the crowd. She’d climbed atop the desk at some point. She probably wouldn’t have been seen otherwise.
The room stilled as every face turned toward the source of the command.
“My entire life I’ve been bounced from one place to the next; never settling. First the lab, then the Council, then the Order. Enough is enough. Our world—our future—depends on us fixing what was broken. Somewhere along the way we lost our purpose. Petty arguments split us apart, breaking what should be a strong and united front into weaker factions. It is time to put an end to that. We must mend the ties that were broken, bridge the divide, and unite the two halves once more. Izzy is right, we are the last defense of humanity.” Molly stood staring out over the Seers and Guardians, her face a stony mask of resolve. She was truly frightening.
“What are you saying?” Mona asked.
“I’m saying it is time for the Council and the Order to be reunited. For us to come together and fight the ever pressing darkness together. A day will come when the darkness will resurface, it always does. When that day dawns, we need to be stronger, better than we were this time,” Molly replied.
“Who do you suggest lead?” Eleanor asked, leveling me with a gaze.
“Oh, no, not me. My ruling days are over. Besides, I’m part darkness now. I think that disqualifies me. Or maybe the whole ‘me fulfilling the prophecy’ thing gives me the right to put in an early retirement from supreme leader.” I paused looking around the room. No one seemed to be amused by my joke. “I nominate Molly. She is empathetic, which means she will know the heart of every situation. She will have a better understanding of things than most anyone else would. Plus, she is young, so she will have time to unite the two halves and set a precedent for future generations to follow.” As the last of my words left my lips I looked up to find Molly staring at me, aghast. I smiled brightly, probably a little maniacally, at her.
“I un-nominate myself,” Molly shouted quickly.
“I think Izzy is right,” Mona supplied. It hadn’t occurred to me to give the position to my aunt. Rightfully, she had far more experience leading than Molly did, but she’d led the Order, which meant those that fell under the Council wouldn’t trust her to have their best interests at heart. Molly was the daughter of neither faction. She was the best choice. “All those in favor of Molly leading us into a new era?” Mona raised her hand looking around the room for a second.
She didn’t have to wait long. Hands shot up quickly around the room as Molly leveled me with a death stare. The last time I’d seen her that angry was when Ian had given her hair a makeover. Oh, how I missed the rainbow cheetah look.
“What say you?” Conall asked Molly.
She looked over to Ian to see both of his hands were raised, a huge smile plastered on his face. “I guess that means I accept.” Ian swept her off of the desk into a tight embrace.
“Shouldn’t we take a much larger vote, though?” Molly seemed uncertain.
“No, there were members of both factions present today to decide. In the days to come you will choose your own governing body. I suggest you do so wisely.” Mona smiled gently at Molly.
The room was abuzz as everyone talked over the possibilities of what a united front might be.
But I wasn’t satisfied. I wanted more.
“What happened here? I know I left, or died, or whatever, but what happened? No one’s told me yet.” I spoke more loudly than was probably necessary, but it quieted the room all the same.
“Izzy, maybe you should recover some before trying to jump back into the fray?” Sena had been quiet up to this point, and quite frankly it had been freaking me out. When did she become the voice of reason?