Page 191 of The Blairville Legacies

This campus was in a disastrous state. Witches and Ruisangor offspring trying to mess with us and, most recently, Jenny Bexley’s news channel project, which had wanted to interview mefour timeslast week.

Wasn’t it enough herparentswere already terrorizing the town with their ridiculous news station?

“The election will proceed as it does every year, which means that after the nomination period of four months, votes will be collected for the nominated candidates in the first week of March, and the top four who advance will have to developtheir campaign program, including suggestions for improving campus life, and defend it in the form of a campaign speech.”

My gaze wandered across the campus to the two sports cars. ALamborghiniand aFerrari. The Ruisangors were leaning against the engine hoods. Three young men in their twenties with sunglasses who had no business being here.

The body had been found in their wooded area just a few hours ago. A young woman with the pictures of two little girls in her locket, as word had spread half an hour ago.

If the two girls had been her children, she must have been very beautiful before someone had peeled the skin off her face.

The turmoil in my stomach grew louder and louder as I became more and more certain that those heartless bastards were behind it. I didn’t even want to think about what they were capable of.

I’d had a quick word with Alarik this morning, begging him to follow the code foronce. And I had stupidly given up. My mistake, as I realized at that very moment.

“You have four months to get nominated and already work on an election program.”

There was one more way to get the DeLoughreys off this campus.With democracy.

“Feel encouraged to get your friends and fellow students to nominate you for the election. This is your chance to make a difference.”

The speakers fell silent with an electric crackle.

My gaze drifted down to the bracelet with the Esadowas’ patterns of blue, red, and orange woven into it. It was one of the last mementos of a woman I had never had the chance to meet. But I knew that she would have stood up for her people.

Determined, I wheeled around to the guys.

“Nash, how about this?” Cody laughed. “You’re going to be the new campus president?”

“Fuck man, forget it,” my brother said grimly, his chest rising and falling as if he’d just run a five-hour marathon. He was still holding tissues to his nose.

“Why not?” Cody replied with a teasing smile. “I’m sure the girls would all vote for you.”

“He’s right,” I interjected before Nash could protest. “You should get nominated.” I pointed at his closest friend. “And you too, Hunter.”

Nash looked at me, unimpressed.

Sometimes you just had to force him to be happy.

“What?” Hunter stammered.

“I’m putting myself up, too,” I added quickly. Then there was only one person left to take us to the final. I looked around, and my eyes fell on Harry, Hunter’s big and reasonable brother.

“Wow, wow, wow...” Hunter exclaimed and stood in front of me, placing his strong hand on my shoulder. “Wait, Emely.”

I narrowed my eyes determinedly.

“This is our chance to get rid of the DeLoughreys.”

The guys exchanged conflicted glances. Nash and Hunter looked at me searchingly.

“You want to kick them out by becoming president?” Cody asked, confused.

“Not such a bad idea...” Noah returned with a raised thumb before tapping the tree stump. “I’d be happy to support you.”

“Then take part in the election,” I urged him. “We’ll all nominate each other and round up people to help us.”

Noah looked at me, thinking.