Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 119942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 600(@200wpm)___ 480(@250wpm)___ 400(@300wpm)
Her hand balled into a fist. “Our kind needs a Monarch that will bring changes, will find solutions, and will give equal rights to every demon. Malden promises us all a voice, yet his lair stole my campaign materials and removed them from every establishment within the Underground.” Whispers traveled around the room, and an angry flush marred Malden’s cheeks. “That not only takes away my voice, it takes away your right to have an unbiased opinion. He doesn’t promise you a voice. He promises you the illusion of a voice.”
Even Harper could admit that much was true.
“What do I promise you? Security. A guarantee that no one will ever again target you, no matter who you are – a stray, an average demon, a Prime. If you elect me, I will build a Force that will protect us against dark practitioners; a Force that will hunt down and punish those who have taken our friends or families. I will provide protection for strays, who have the right to be without a lair and still have the protection that every other demon is granted. I will ensure that lairs are no longer able to terrorize others.
“This is not just about electing a Monarch, it is about choosing how our kind would like to live. None of us want our species to remain prey. You can change that. How? By electing a Monarch; by electing me. I hope you make the right decision.”
“That was a clever speech,” allowed Jolene. “And that worries me.”
Isla smiled, spine straight. “If anyone has any questions, I will be happy to answer them.”
A female Prime called out, “What makes you think a hierarchy will be better than simply having a Monarch?”
“Look at your lairs. You have a hierarchy within each one, do you not? It helps maintain order. It makes people feel secure, because they know exactly where they stand. It helps the demons on the lowest level of that hierarchy feel secure, because they have the knowledge that they are protected. Rules and regulations keep things running smoothly. At present, we do not have those.”
There was a small silence before another voice asked, “How would you choose where each Prime exists within such a hierarchy?”
“The decision would depend upon their individual level of power. They need to be strong enough to hold their position.”
“Why?” a different Prime asked. “You’re promising a future without war. Why does it matter if they can hold their position?”
“Demons respect power,” she replied as impatience very briefly flickered across her face. “A Prime on a high level would need the respect that ensures Primes on levels below them take their authority seriously.”
“But what about the Primes you decide should be placed on the lowest level?” called out Malden. “They would have no real power at all. It would only be a matter of time before they started challenging Primes on higher levels in an attempt to overthrow each other.”
“They would need my permission to battle; such a rule would be in writing.”
Jolene scoffed. “And we’re supposed to wave that piece of paper at any lair who bothers us and hope it makes them go away?”
Isla’s jaw clenched. “If a Prime did such a thing, they would be severely punished.”
“But the damage would already be done,” Malden pointed out.
“Yes,” allowed Isla, “but once they were punished, the rest of our kind would be very hesitant to do so again.”
“You say that small lairs are vulnerable now,” began another Prime. “Your plan – which would include placing us on lower levels – would simply make us even more vulnerable.”
“You would have the protection of the higher levels.”
That same Prime addressed everyone as he asked, “Can any Prime in this room say they haven’t punished one of their Force or sentinels for abusing their power over the other lair members? The same would happen to each Prime if a hierarchy was implemented,” he told Isla. “That power would be abused, and the vulnerable would pay for it.”
Isla shook her head. “If we implement my hierarchy, there would be better order, less demons being harmed, and safer streets. In addition, we would not have divides. We would effectively be united. It would put us in a good position if somehow our existence was exposed to humans.”
Someone from the back of the room snorted. “It’s been exposed many times to humans, and we’ve dealt with it each time.”
“Yes,” agreed Malden. “One point I want to make is this: if you really had such faith in your own plans, you wouldn’t try to attack my character and my promises by fabricating stories about me stealing your materials.”
She regarded him with disappointment. “You and I both know it’s the truth.”
Raul spoke then. “I asked Malden this question yesterday, and I’ll ask you the same thing. How do you think you can exert your authority over Primes who are more powerful than you?”