Star Summit (The Debt Collection Book 3) by Andrew Givler

Author:Andrew Givler [Givler, Andrew]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sad Seagull Publishing
Published: 2023-11-14T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Twenty-four

The combined Dandelion-and-Hunt swept out of the bowl into the reception area with an entourage that would be impressive for any celebrity. Dawn only made it a dozen feet before she was swarmed by Constellations congratulating her. Suddenly there were plenty of Nephilim who wanted to be on her good side.

The rest of us left her behind, driven by the almost audible ticking of Time’s clock. The final grains of sand were trickling out of the hourglass until the next vote began. As I followed Orion into the throng, a warm hand wrapped around my left arm in a familiar way. I turned to smile at my betrothed, Ash, still wearing her legionnaire outfit.

“Congratulations,” I said, giving her a warm smile. “How does it feel?” I could only hope that such a huge victory would put whatever little speed bump we had hit before the session in the rearview mirror.

Ash was silent for a moment as she gazed around the room. Thanks to her father, she shared as much kinship with the beings here as she did with the Fae. But there was no warmth in her green eyes as she evaluated her cousins. “Empty,” she answered after a few moments. “Endless bureaucracy that amasses power for its own gain.”

“Around here, we just call it politics,” I told her.

“I don’t know, Squire Carver,” an elegant voice interjected. “Some of us call it keeping everyone else alive.” The North Star appeared at our elbows, holding a glass of red wine and a faintly bemused smile, like a grandfather who has just watched his descendant pull a cookie out of the cookie jar without realizing she’s been caught. “Congratulations to the Dandelion Court,” he continued, giving a small bow to Ash that was somehow polite and mocking at the same time.

“Thank you, Polaris,” Ash replied formally. “It is wonderful to be restored to fellowship with our peers.”

“I’m sure.” His dark eyes sparkled as he took a sip of his wine. “It was well done by the Hunter, to change his vote,” he offered without any pretense. “I must confess I thought that he wouldn’t notice how the winds have shifted over the centuries.”

I blinked in surprise as this blatant admission that he’d manipulated the vote against Orion. While no one can resist a good monologue, even the dastardliest of villains rarely spills the beans after the opening round. Especially if they lost it. I guess the North Star was certain the next vote would go as planned.

“I think you’re proving the lady’s point,” I replied. “You’re rigging the game against a member of the Congregation to consolidate power. Sounds like politics to me.”

“You think this is about power for power’s sake?” Polaris’s white eyebrows scrunched down as he scowled at me. “I was just beginning to think you might be a bit brighter than you look.”

“I get that a lot.”

“This is about survival.” The North Star waved my banter aside as if it were a gnat, not worthy of his time or attention.

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