Page 99 of Keeping Sarah

Sarah straightened her stance. “Xylic, I wish we were seeing one another under better circumstances, but this is where we’re at.”

The most distinguished gentleman of the group solemnly nodded. “We had caught wind of Rex’s unexpected demise. Our districts are in utter chaos now. We are trying to shield this information from Justice Bateen to avoid an outright scandal. Thankfully, he is preoccupied with preparations for Illiapol next week, so I believe that has bought us some time.”

“I will take all the good news I can get,” Sarah said, then pursed her lips at one of the council members. “Angeles, I suggest you stop eyeing my sisters like that.”

He held his hands up and smiled lasciviously. “Merely appreciating the sights, Queen.”

Abyss suddenly held a knife to his throat. “Appreciate being alive more.”

Angeles’s eyes flashed with anger. “You guaranteed us safe conduct, Queen, what is the meaning of this?” he snarled.

“Safe conduct goes both ways, Angeles, and I will not tolerate anyone who makes my sisters feel unsafe,” Sarah said in a fierce tone anyone would be wise to heed. “Keep your eyes on what’s important and you will be allowed to keep them.” Then she gestured for Abyss to step from the man.

The mood among the council was not good to begin with, and Abyss’ quick temper had not helped matters. Some fidgeted while others looked at each other, as though they would try to escape.

Xylic cleared his throat for attention. “Queen, why did you call us here? I imagine you have a plan.”

She smiled curtly. “I do. You will declare me queen of Faithless. You will use your considerable authority and men to bring peace to my city. Once order has been reestablished, I will create a street patrol to maintain that order.”

The council mumbled among themselves. One I didn’t know turned and asked, “In exchange for what?”

“I believe the future of Faithless is not in bloodshed and violence, not in abuse or cruelty, but in its people, both the living and the dead alike,” Sarah said. “We all want a prosperous Faithless and a prosperous Halla. You men run your districts well. I will support your continued claim to your districts—"

“Is that all you offer us?” he interrupted her.

“It is that, or I can possess each of you into me, the way I did to Rex. You see where that got him.” She pointed to his ghostly body, now mostly faded. “Or, if dwelling as a hostage in my body for the rest of your lives does not appeal to you, then you may follow Rex to the ether. Either way is fine by me. Support my claim to Faithless, gentlemen, or the alternative. It is your choice.”

“And if we refuse all the options?” he asked, even though his voice had weakened in resolve.

She paced between us as she spoke. “Barthen, you are surrounded by a dozen and a half of the deadliest ghosts on all of Halla, all armed and happy to take down anyone I want. More than that, my companion is an accomplished soldier, as well.” She put her hands on her sisters’ shoulders and said, “But my sisters have yet to learn the ways of Halla. They don’t know the rules for ghosts yet, what ghosts need, what they don’t. How to hurt them…they don’t know how to kill your kind just yet, and I can think of no finer way for them to learn than on a handful of uncooperative men who thought they knew better than a queen. I don’t imagine they would get it right on their first victim, either. But I swear to you they will keep trying.”

I was impressed by her sisters’ ability to play along. They both stared the council down, as though they were eager to get started learning how to dispatch ghosts, starting with them.

Barthen’s nostrils flared in anger. “Our guards—"

“Are on theotherside of that door,” Sarah said with a smirk. “None of them will have enough time to break down that doorandstop me from possessing each of you. Or, if I were to tell my conduits to block the door, your guards will never get in here. They won’t be able to stop my sisters from hacking you into little bits, starting with your fingers and toes and working their way up.”

Elizabeth’s pallor was green, but she stood firm. Jenny glared at the men with impressive vigor.

But Xylic seemed to sense Sarah’s bluff. He had the slightest smirk the entire time she gave her gruesome speeches. But then he knelt before Sarah and said, “May the Moons bless the queen of Faithless.”

The other council members were slow to follow suit, but each of them knelt and repeated his words.

“Gentlemen, rise as my new court of advisors.” They stood, and the tension in the room shifted. She said, “Now, send your men throughout the city to quell the violence. You may accompany them or stay here. As always, your choice. We will meet at Rex’s manor in three days. I expect all of you there, ready to sign a new city charter.”

The other advisors left for the door to return to their men and give orders, but Xylic walked straight to Sarah. Abyss stood by Sarah, with her eyes on him, her hand gripping her bone knife.

He regarded Abyss with a smile, then said to Sarah, “Well played, Queen.”

A smile twitched at her mouth. “How fussy are they?”

He chuckled, looking over his shoulder at the new court. “They’ll get over it. This was less detrimental than when Rex hadarrived. He executed four of us, before we agreed to his terms. I do not like seeing Faithless in ruin. None of us do. You will have your city’s order by nightfall, Queen.”

She considered that for a moment. “Do you think I need to worry for my safety with the others?”

“Doubtful, though if you were to execute Angeles for good measure, none of us would mind terribly.”

She snickered and he did, too. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

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