Page 398 of Master of My Life

THE DAYS PASSED IN A BLUR FOR CHASE. HE TRIED TO STAY BUSY, DOING HIS BEST TO IGNORE THE PAIN

in his heart while he prepared as best he could for the upcoming Gathering. He and Richard met

nearly every day, often speaking with Tom or Alex and Wilhelm. Chase spoke with Alex daily,

gleaning what knowledge he could from the one man who understood exactly how he felt.

“Love is the most important thing, Chase,” Alex told him repeatedly. “Love is what will win her

over, not magic words or impressive power. She has that already in Damian. You have to show that

you are different.”

The chaos in the world grew worse. Every day the news was filled with stories of violence and

anarchy.

“Do you really think they’re under Damian’s influence?” Richard asked Tom as he and Chase sat

in his office at the Manor during a video call a week before the Spring Gathering.

Tom sighed and leaned back in his chair. “With everything that’s happening, it’s the only thing that

makes sense. We haven’t lost control of our cities in a long time. It has happened in the past, with

weak or unwilling Elders. I suppose it could be just Damian’s growing influence over the country and

the Elders aren’t powerful enough to stop the chaos.”

Richard frowned. “I could understand that with Ted or Lewis, or hell, even me, but Brandon?

He’s a solid leader.”

“He is. And not easily swayed. He kept on the right path against Devin, once Anna’s seduction

wore off.”

“Is it possible that somehow Sabrina is more powerful than we thought and she’s influencing

them?” Chase asked.

Tom shook his head. “We are all immune to her kind. We ensured it with the Immortals after Devin

was taken down.”

The men were silent for a long moment, lost in their thoughts.

“What was it like when Vamar took control before?” Chase asked.

Tom shook his head. “There aren’t many sources that talk about that time, but it began peacefully,

for the most part. I mean, the takeovers weren’t peaceful, but the world wasn’t erupting into chaos

like it is now.”

“Different strategy?” Richard asked.

“Possibly. I’ve tried talking to a few senators I’ve had relationships with in the past and all but

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