Page 399 of Master of My Life

one have been avoiding me. Senator Stanton said that people are starting to act odd around DC.

Nothing overt, but different.”

After he and Richard finished their call with Tom, Chase said goodbye and headed out of the Elder’s

office. Jayson was walking across the foyer to the staircase. “Jayson.”

He stopped and looked around until he saw Chase and smiled. “Hey.”

“Things okay?” Chase asked.

“Yeah,” Jayson grinned. “Really good.”

Richard had spoken to Lia several times and not gotten any more information from her, but had

confirmed Chase’s gut reaction that she was telling the truth. She stayed at the Manor for her

protection, but Jayson could visit whenever he wanted, which was most days. “Lia doing okay?”

Jayson nodded. “I think she’s getting nervous as it gets closer to that big Gathering, but I keep

trying to reassure her it’ll be okay. She’s pretty scared.”

“I bet.”

“He wasn’t nice to her.”

“I know.”

“Chase?”

“Yeah?”

“What happens if you don’t win?”

Chase stared at his friend for a long moment. “I honestly don’t know, Jay. But it won’t be good.”

“More than just losing Sabrina forever?”

The question made Chase wince, but Jayson was right. “If Damian wins, it’s the end of everything

as we know it.”

The day before Chase was to leave for the Spring Gathering, he stopped by his mom’s house for the

third time that week. She looked up from reading a book in the living room as he walked in. “Hello,

son.”

He leaned over and gave her a hard hug before sitting down on the couch across from her. “Are

you packed?”

“I am, but I don’t see why I have to stay with Kathy while you’re gone. I always stay home.”

“It’s different this year, Mom. I don’t want you in the city.”

“You keep saying that, but won’t tell me why.”

---