Page 31 of Shiny Things

Malachai Dean, Castor Thornton, Preston Montgomery, and Reese Caldwell, along with my father made up the Raven Congress Council that oversaw ravens here in Ravenden and all over the world. While Ravenden was the largest group of raven shifters, there were others scattered around the world.

My parents would preach on the purity of the Flocks here in Ravenden, and I would remind them that it just meant we were a bunch of inbred freaks, or I’d mention the fact that David wasn’t from Ravenden so Gia, their own daughter, screwed up the purity line.

I just didn’t understand it. Mating first and even second cousins was greatly frowned upon, but outside of that anything went. When I attended a Davenport or Dean Flock function, I would look around and see family. And I sure as hell wasn’t interested in mating any of them.

As I looked around the room at the prestigious men who represented our people, it angered me to realize, perhaps for thefirst time, that only five of the seven Flocks were represented. There were no Grimes or Pierces and likely never had been.

“Why are there only five of the seven Flocks sitting on the Congress Council?” I asked.

“Excuse me?” Castor asked.

“I’m serious. There are seven prominent families in Ravenden. Why are only five of them represented here?”

“Well son, that’s just the way it is,” Dad said.

“But aren’t these elected seats?”

“Yes, they are, and each of us take our position very seriously, looking out for the whole Congress,” Preston insisted.

“I’m sure you are, but while you are elected to this position, you’re only elected by your Flock, not the whole Congress. Which means the Grimes and Pierce Flocks are without representation entirely. How is that fair?”

“Fair?” Malachai scoffed. “They’re Pierce and Grimes. What do they know about governing? This is the way it’s always been.”

“Actually, it’s not,” Reese spoke up. “It wasn’t that long ago that the Caldwell Flock fought for representation. My grandfather was a big activist in the movement. I happen to agree with Elias on this one, seven Flocks means seven councilmen.”

“Or women,” I added.

He smiled and nodded in agreement.

Malachai laughed. “You cannot possibly be serious with this. Allow a Grimes and a Pierce to sit amongst us? It’s absurd. Edward, explain things to your son and keep him in line. This is ridiculous and unheard of.”

Dad looked at me as my chin lifted in defiance, just waiting for the reprimand that didn’t come.

“Actually, Malachai, I think I agree with him. I’ve never fully understood why we allow some Flocks to sit on the Counciland not others. This is the twenty-first century and I fear some of our traditions have grown quite archaic. Maybe it’s time for a change.”

Reese’s jaw dropped open in surprise. I had to admit I was more than a little shocked by it too.

Under the table I kicked Reese in the shin and tried to silently communicate my thoughts to him. I wasn’t in the position to make a motion since I didn’t officially sit on the board, but he was. I nodded encouragingly.

“I move to fix this immediately,” Reese finally said.

Malachai was still protesting it in disbelief when Castor spoke up.

“I second the motion.”

“Seems we have a call for a vote,” Dad said. “All those opposed to adding two additional Council seats to represent the Grimes and Pierce Flocks say nay.”

“Nay,” Malachai bellowed, but he was the only one.

“All those in favor.”

“Yay,” the rest of the room admitted.

I sat there in shocked silence.

“Elections don’t take place for another eight months. I think we should consider appointing people in the interim. It will still give us a bit of control and establish things the way we want them before the Flocks get to vote for themselves,” Castor said.

“Let it be known that I think this is a horrible idea, but if we’re doing this, then we should get a say in who,” Malachai insisted.

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