Ex Nihilo Academy by Jennifer Watts Page A

bureaucratic as the human politics you follow may be. The Council’s power is all-encompassing and their decisions directly impact each and every one of us. At present time the newly appointed vampire leader is calling for a revolution.
     It is his belief that we are superior to the human race and shouldn’t hide our true natures. He is calling it emancipation but it’s really just a clever coup d’état he’s plotting. He hides it well enough in rhetoric but at the heart of
     it he truly believes that humans are dispensable and should be used however we see fit. It is a very dangerous proposition that if accepted by the races will almost certainly mean war.” She comes around the desk to face me. “So far he’s
     been successful in convincing the witches that they need to reveal themselves. The wolves and trolls favor discretion. You would be the deciding vote.”
    “So what are you saying?” I ask, my voice wavering.
    “I am saying that we need to double your training sessions and educate you on the Council so that we can get you to London as soon as possible to take your seat and cast your vote.”
    “Isn’t that a little hasty? You still don’t know for sure
     that someone wants me dead. The speaker and the car, they could’ve been accidents.”
    “They were not accidents.” Lucinda says quietly. “It’s just like your parents.”
    “Lucinda.” Professor Winters says sharply.
    “They were her family. She has a right to know.”
    She sighs and removes her glasses, pinching at the bridge of her nose. “I suppose she does. Lily, the investigation revealed that there was
     no mechanical failure detected during the plane crash and that the fuselage was inexplicably crushed. Planes don’t just rip in half. The only thing that could take down a plane that quickly and with that level of precision… ”
    “Is magic.” Lucinda cuts in.
    “It is an unfortunate truth. Your mother was very vocal in her opposition of a reveal to humans and her opinion was always held in high regard with the Council.”
    “You are telling me that my parents were killed over stupid
     politics!” I can’t keep the venom from my voice and I don’t even try. In that moment I want more than anything to close my eyes and back at the old bungalow: waxing my surfboard in the yard and listening to mom play piano while dad fries
     up tofu scramble and veggie sausage on the stove. I am filled with a sudden loathing for this place and these people.
    “You’ve been feeding me lies and hoping that I’ll just adapt. Well guess what? It’s not working. But I am smart enough to read between
     the lines and what you are saying is that I don’t really have a choice. So I’ll do exactly what you say and double my training efforts, learn about your politics and cast my vote. Then once everything has returned to normal and this
     vampire leader guy gives up his agenda I get to leave this place. The Council can find other fairy to do their bidding and I am done with Ex Nihilo, and so help me I will find whoever killed my parents and make them pay. Agreed?” I
     think I catch them both by surprise. There is a beat of silence before the Professor answers.
    “That sounds reasonable Ms. Hughes but as hard as it may be I urge you to put your feelings of revenge aside and focus on what’s important
     right now.”
    I clench the edge of the desk with both hands. It is all I can do to keep myself from launching myself at her.
    “My parents’ lives may not have been important to you but I assure you they were to me.” I sling my bag over my shoulder and stalk out of
     the room, ignoring Lucinda’s calls as she follows after me.
    “Lily! Please wait!” I’m halfway down the hall before I stop. This isn’t her fault. She’s the one that wanted to tell me. When she
     reaches me she pulls me into a firm hug and I let go. I’m crying hard and my nose is running on to her sweater but she stays where she is and gently rubs my back. “I’m