Then, extraordinarily, she explained how it could be done. True, she didn't have the time to give fine details on every single issue in our world, but she hit a lot of the big ones. And she managed to do it in a way that didn't offend anyone too badly. After all, she was right in saying not everyone could get their way. Still, she spoke about how the dhampirs were our best warriors--and would be better with a stronger voice. She spoke about how non-royals needed a greater voice too--but not at the cost of losing the exalted royal lines that defined our people. Finally, in addressing the issue of training Moroi to defend themselves, she did emphasize its importance--but not as something mandatory and not as the only method needing to be explored.
Yes, she gave something to everyone and did it beautifully and charismatically. It was the kind of speech that could make people follow her anywhere. She concluded with, "We have always mixed the old with the new. We've kept magic alongside technology. We conduct these sessions with scrolls and--with these.' She smiled and tapped her microphone. "That's how we have survived. We hold onto our pasts and embrace our present. We take the best of it all and grow stronger. That's how we have survived. That's how we will survive.'
Silence met her conclusion--and then the cheers began. I actually heard the roar from outside on the lawn before it started within. People I would have sworn supported others were practically in tears, and I hadn't forgotten that most of the people I had visuals on in this room were royal. Lissa herself wanted to burst into tears but instead took her due bravely. When she finely sat down, and the crowd quieted, Nathan resumed his role. "Well,' he said. "That was a very pretty speech, one we all enjoyed. But now, the time has come for the Council to vote on our next leader, and--by law--only two candidates stand ready for that position: Rufus Tarus and Marie Conta.' Two Moroi, one each from the Tarus and Conta families, came forward to join their respective candidates. Nathan's gaze fell on Lissa who had risen like the others but stood alone. "According to the election laws--laws set down since the beginning of time--each candidate must approach the Council, escorted by someone of their bloodline in order to show family strength and unity. Do you have any such person?'
Lissa met his eyes unflinchingly. "No, Lord Ivashkov.'
"Then I'm afraid your part in this game is over, Princess Dragomir.' He smiled. "You may sit down now.'
Yup. That's when all hell broke loose.
I'd always heard the expression, "And the crowd goes wild!' Now, I saw it in the flesh. Half the time, I couldn't even keep track of who was shouting or supporting what. People argued in clusters and one-on-one. A couple of Moroi in jeans challenged every well-dressed person they could find, operating under the irrational assumptions that anyone in nice clothes must be royal and that all royals hated Lissa. Their devotion to her was admirable. Creepy, but admirable. One group from the Tarus family stood face to face with a Conta group, looking prepared for either a gang fight or a dance-off. That was one of the most bizarre pairings of all since those two families were the only ones who should be in complete agreement on anything.
On and on it went. People fought about whether Lissa should be eligible for the vote. They fought about having a session to change the law books right at that moment. Some fought over things I'd never even heard of before. A rush of guardians to the door made me think the outside crowd was trying to break in. My mother was among that defense, and I knew she'd been right: there'd be no vote today, not with this anarchy. They'd have to close the session and try again tomorrow.
Lissa stared at the crowd, feeling numb and unable to keep up with all the activity. Her stomach twisted as something dawned on her. All this time, she'd sworn that she'd respect the dignity of the election tradition. Yet, it was because of her that things were now anything but dignified. It was all her fault. Then, her eyes fell on someone sitting in a back corner, far from the pandemonium. Ekaterina Zeklos. The old former queen caught Lissa's eye--and winked.
I faded out of that room, not needing to see any more of the arguing. I returned to the car ride, a new thought in my head. Lissa's words burned in my soul. They had stirred my heart. And even if she'd given her speech as a decoy, there had been passion in them--ardent belief. If she had been eligible to be queen, she would have stood behind those words.
And that's when I knew. She would be queen.
I decided then and there that I would make it happen. We wouldn't bring Jill simply to give Lissa her Council vote. Jill would give Lissa the status that would allow Moroi to vote for her. And Lissa would win.
Naturally, I kept these thoughts to myself.
"That's a dangerous look,' said Dimitri, giving me a brief glance before returning his eyes to the road.
"What look?' I asked innocently.
"The one that says you just got some idea.'
"I didn't just get an idea. I got a great idea.'
Jokes like that used to make Jill laugh, but turning to look at her in the backseat showed me she didn't find much funny at all.
"Hey, you okay?' I asked.
Those jade eyes focused on me. "I'm not sure. A lot's kind of happened. And I don't really get what's going to happen next. I feel like ... like some kind of object that's going to be used in someone's master plan. Like a pawn.'
A bit of guilt tugged at me. Victor had always used people as part of a game. Was I any different? No. I cared about Jill. "You're not an object or a pawn,' I told her. "But you're very, very important, and because of you, a lot of good things are going to happen.'
"It won't be that simple though, will it?' She sounded wise beyond her years. "Things are going to get worse before they get better, aren't they?'
I couldn't lie to her. "Yeah. But then you'll get to contact your mom ... and well, like I said, good things will happen. Guardians always say "They come first' when we're talking about Moroi. It's not exactly the same for you, but in doing this ... well ...'
She gave me a smile that didn't seem very happy. "Yeah, I get it. It's for the greater good, right?'
Sonya had spent a lot of the ride working on a charm for me, using a silver bracelet we'd bought at a roadside gift shop. It was tacky-looking but made of real silver, which was what counted. When we were about a half hour from Greenston, she deemed it finished and handed it over. I slipped it on and looked at the others.
"Well?'
"I don't see anything,' said Sonya, "but then, I wouldn't.'
Jill squinted. "You seem a little blurry ... like I just need to blink a few times.'
"Same here,' said Dimitri.