Author: Aileen Erin
Category: Paranormal
Go to read content：https://readnovelfree.com/p/28751_89
“Right.” She looked at the ground. “I understand you’re mad. I’m sorry.”
“You forced my hand when you could’ve asked nicely. I understand that you’re not in a good place, but I liked you. I would’ve done everything I could to help you. Now, I want to get this done and go back to my life.”
She nodded, still staring at the ground.
Being a bitch to her felt like kicking a puppy, but I couldn’t help it. I was pissed. It didn’t have to be this way. “Let’s talk about what we’re going to do next.”
“What do you mean?”
Whispers: Interactive StoriesMake your own choices and decide what happens next!
“Well, you need a new leader. Let’s start there. Who do you think is a good candidate?”
She shrugged. “I’m not sure. That’s the problem. No one is even close to Luciana’s strength in magic.”
“And that’s one of the requirements?”
“No. Not exactly.”
“How about you tell me exactly while I make myself a snack?” I opened the fridge and pulled out cheese, ham, and an avocado for a grilled sammy. I made myself at home as I started cooking. Once I had everything in a pan, I looked over my shoulder at Claudia.
She hopped onto the counter. “Right. Rules. There’s always a leader and a successor, so the current leader picks someone to be third in line. Grams picked you and once Luciana stepped down, she was supposed to name your successor, but that’s all changed now. And Grams is—”
“Unreachable.” Maybe it was snippy, but I was a little tired of being manipulated. I needed real solutions. “So what happens in this kind of scenario?”
“Luciana should pick someone, but we don’t want that to happen. That’s why there’s always a break in succession. No one person’s will or agenda gets pushed on two generations. And since we’re extremely divided about some of the things Luciana’s been doing…we’re in a bit of a bind. You’re strong enough that you could pick your replacement, and I think if we position it correctly, then we could get the support of the whole coven.”
“Sounds reasonable. So I know you have to have some sort of sight like my visions in order to rule.”
“Exactly. And Luciana’s visions used to be kind of weak, but she’s been getting stronger lately. Which is weird.”
“Wait. Why is her getting stronger weird?”
“Because once you reach a certain age, your affinity or abilities start to settle or even lessen. But with Luciana, it’s the opposite. That’s another reason we’re divided. The few in our faction suspect she’s using dark magic to boost her power and most in the coven want no part in that.”
I checked my sammy. Perfectly golden. I tossed some more butter in the pan as I flipped it.
“Wow. That looks really amazing.”
“Want me to make you one?”
She shook her head. “No. I eat something like that and I have to eat nothing but lettuce and work out for days to burn it off.”
“Right. Well, I have the opposite problem. It gets old, this whole eating all the time thing. I kept almost losing control of my wolf before. But now, as long as I eat I’m pretty okay. Me and the wolf have an understanding.”
Claudia pressed her lips together for a second, as if carefully considering what I’d said. “It’s weird hearing you talk about the wolf that way.”
I shrugged. “It’s weird to me, too, but that’s the only way I know how to describe it.” I checked the sammy. Not quite toasty. “So, who here has abilities that could be considered leadership material?”
“No one. That’s the problem. I’ve even asked friends in nearby covens, but they won’t respond. They’re too afraid of Luciana.”
I snorted. “She’s such a bitch.” I thought for a second. “What about you?”
Her mouth dropped open. “Me?” She pointed to herself like there was anyone else in the room I could’ve been talking about.
“Yeah. When we first met, you helped me find Dastien. That could be a good start.”
She shook her head. “That’s nothing. I helped amplify your own powers.”
“What about Raphael?”