an explosion of light as the black gave way. The brightness became blindingly intense. All four girls screamed as the force of it burned into all of them, physically slamming them back. They just barely managed to hold their contact with each other.
Selene opened her eyes to see the other three staring back at her.
“Holy smokes, look at your eyes,” Lila muttered.
“Yours too,” Selene said. Lila’s eyes, instead of their usual green, were a kaleidoscope of their four combined colors – bright yellow, ice-blue, violet-blue, and fuchsia-red – swirling and mixing together in an endless combination of hues. Looking around, she saw that Ellie’s and Adelaide’s eyes were the same.
“Keep going,” Adelaide said.
They closed their eyes again and focused on Selene. The brilliance of the lights inside her gradually died down. Suddenly they could all see that all four of their glows were intertwined, shining inside Selene in rays and ribbons of intense color.
Carefully, Ellie helped Lila and Adelaide pull their powers out of Selene. It was like pulling apart strings of Christmas lights. The colored strands didn’t want to separate. But they managed to unravel them gradually. Once Lila and Adelaide were out, Ellie pulled her own light out of Selene, leaving only Selene’s own glow of power behind. A few streaks of black remained where the deep scar had been, but only small remnants. It was as if her soul was a little toasted around the edges.
As soon as Ellie pulled the last piece of her power away, all four girls took a deep breath.
“Jeez. What the heck was that?” Adelaide asked.
Ellie ran a hand over the back of her neck. “I’m not quite sure.”
“Well, one thing’s for certain,” Selene said. “Whatever happened … it worked."
*****
Selene glided into the chamber where all of the Council members were already gathered. She had deliberately changed into her most regal gown, an ice-blue silk concoction, floor length with billowing sleeves gathered with silver trim at the wrists. Her bearing was even more regal, with her head held high and her shoulders thrown back, and confidence oozed from her. She commanded respect the moment she walked into the room. The Council members ceased their discussions in midsentence and afforded her their full attention.
“Samuel has had a premonition that an attack on the Vyusher is imminent. Apparently, they are only waiting for warmer weather. The time for discussion has passed,” she announced.
“What do you suggest we do about it?” Xavier asked.
“I am done with suggesting,” Selene declared.
“Is that so?”
Selene ignored him and looked around the chamber.
“I have lost faith in the ability of this Council to rule our people with any certainty or direction. I am taking, by right of blood, my place as your Queen and ruler. I will, of course, consider your view points before I make decisions.”
Xavier looked as if he were going to burst a blood vessel. “Exactly how do you think you will rule us? You can’t even lead this Council!”
Selene watched with impersonal disdain as he puffed out his chest, his eyes glowing golden as he threatened her with his wolf. Without removing her gaze from him, she brought her own wolf out, her grey eyes taking on an eerie, reddish-pink glow.
Xavier’s face showed a small amount of uncertainty.
“I am the only one here who knows exactly what Gideon made us do. While the rest of you escaped happily into oblivion, I had to live through every single second of his rule. That alone should earn me your respect. The fact that I tried to deter him every step of the way, tried to save other people from him and protect us all from him should earn me your trust, even your loyalty.”
“But you couldn’t defeat him because you are weak,” Xavier argued, still unwilling to cede control.
Selene graced him with a cold smile. The rest of the members shifted uncomfortably in their seats, but Xavier didn’t budge.
“I couldn’t defeat him because I had no help. But my own powers are stronger now. And we have the aid of Ellie Aubrey, possibly one of the most powerful Svatura in history, as well as her family. But what is most important is that I am ready now to lead my people.”
“We will decide who is fit to lead the Vyusher.” Xavier threw his arms out wide. Instantly he shimmered, transforming full into his wolf form.
But before he could lunge at her, Selene reached into him and flipped off the copper colored glow that represented his power. Immediately he