Page 57 of The Flame

“I didn’t think this whole hiding out in the woods thing through very clearly,” I said.

“I got the impression it was kind of last minute.”

“It was.”

“So, what’s the plan?” he said.

“The plan was for you to be safely stashed in The Smoke,” I said pointedly. “I should never have agreed to let you stay behind.”

“You don’t own my life just because you saved me.”

My mouth opened, and shut. That was so far out of left field. What was I supposed to say?

“Hell, that came out wrong,” he said, reading my expression. “I’m grateful for everything you’ve done, you know that. What I meant is, you’re not responsible now for everything I do. If I get myself caught, that’s on me, not you. I’m here because I want to be here.”

“And what I meant was, you’re here because Roman asked,” I said. “You’re here to babysit me.”

“I prefer to think of it as looking out for you.” He smirked. “And that’s not the only reason I’m here. Roman said you want to shake things up with the Sisterhood. Let’s just say, I’d like to see that happen, and help in any way I can.”

“This isn’t about getting the council re-installed,” I said quickly.

He shrugged that off. “That’s not even on the table.”

I studied him. Daniel was one of the good guys, but it couldn’t be easy giving up all that power, losing all he’d lost. “What if it were an option?”

He took his time before responding. “There were things I would have wanted to change, when my turn came to take the reins.”

That was one of the reasons I’d fallen for him, back then, right at the start, before he’d broken my heart, before I’d come to realize my heart was never his to break. “You’re talking about a different version of the council?”

Daniel shook his head. “There were things my father spoke of changing, but the council was designed to make that impossible. When your turn comes up, you’re the shining new arrival,the lone squeaky wheel around the table of older, established members. My father was always outnumbered and outvoted, or, if I’m being totally honestly, talked down, persuaded that his ideas went against the principles on which the Eastern Coalition was founded.”

“That’s what Roman always says,” I murmured. “The system is greater than the man.”

“Yeah, he may have mentioned that to me once or twice.” A lopsided grin tugged at his mouth. “But anyway, no, I don’t think I could have succeeded where my father failed. Capra doesn’t need an improved version of the council, it needs a complete overhaul.”

“I feel the same about the Sisterhood. We’ve traded in one regime for another. That’s what it feels like.”

“So, what do you have in mind?” Daniel rubbed his hands like a comical villain. “Are we overthrowing them?”

I laughed and rolled my eyes. “Nothing that wild.”

He wolfed down a handful of crackers, watching, patient while I gathered my thoughts.

“I met this guy, Axel Gomez, he’s a nurse at the rehab center. Roman calls him my number one fan.” I blushed as I spoke. It sounded like I was blowing my own horn. “Axel reckons people will listen to me, theywantto hear me speak. He actually said that if I agree to speak from the bandstand on Saturday, he’ll bring a crowd that will fill the square.”

Daniel coughed and spluttered around a mouthful of cracker. “Roman is going to kill me.”

“Why?” I said, instantly worried. “What have you done?”

“Me?” He cleared his throat, his voice hoarse. “I’m supposed to stop you from doing anything crazy. I’m pretty sure that includes something like addressing your followers in the town square in broad daylight.”

“Addressing myfollowers?” I cocked a brow at him. “You’re confusing me with the Puritans.”

“You know what I mean,” Daniel said. “It was you up on the screens, your revelations that kick-started the revolution. The people of Capra hang onto your words. Even I’ve heard about how amazing you are, how much everyone admires you, and I’ve been locked away this whole time.”

My cheeks were stinging hot now. “That’s not what I ever wanted.”

“That’s what you got,” Daniel said solemnly. “You’re like their damned pied piper, Georga. You could lead them wherever you wish right now, but the people are not the ones in power. The Sisterhood is not just going to stand back while you shout your message from the bandstand.”

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