Mathieu (White Flame Trilogy) - By Paula Flumerfelt Page 0,118

still in his tailcoat, he caught sight of the man just behind him. The man was older, probably around the same age as Darcia, but his hair was a deep red, so dark it was almost black. His eyes were the same color, only they had a haunting quality to them that he couldn’t explain. It was like he was piercing right through Mathieu’s soul.

“Oh, this is Erik.” Enak said in an off-hand way as he sat down. Erik sat beside Enak on the side closest to Zanika, his eyes flicking around the circle as he did. “Hello again, Mathieu. So I’m sure you’re wondering why we’re here. Well, I heard through the grapevine that poor Nathan had died and that his house was being rather…well, rowdy. We were a little curious about who was going to take over?” There was a long silence that filled the little circle.

Avanon cleared her throat and was the one to break the silence. Tucking her multi-colored hair behind her ear, she said, “I think Solomon should be in charge.”

Mathieu plucked a piece of grass from the earth before speaking, “I think Elise would do better.”

“Well, I think that Mathieu would be good at it, too.” Enak said, his face filled with childish happiness. “He got you lot to calm down, yes?” Tapping his chin, he acted like he was thinking. “Three different people who could be in charge. How shall we ever decide?”

Erik took the pause in his counterpart’s speech to say his first words. His voice was like a liquid fire that spread over the group, drawing their attention. “A vote, no secrets from each other. If we reach a tie for the leader, we’ll deal with it when we get there.”

The boy next to him nodded excitedly. “Oh yes, I like this plan. I shall go first. I vote for Mathieu.”

Erik nodded in agreement. “As do I.”

Mathieu looked away from the two of them, “Elise…”

Then went Zanika and Zerieve, who both also chose Mathieu; Elise was the first to vote for Solomon, followed by Mina; Solomon shrugged and voted for himself; Avanon bumped her best friend playfully, saying: “You’re always my choice”; Darcia gave the newcomers a long look, as if searching for his vote on their faces. Eventually, he nodded, proclaiming Mathieu’s name.

Kiev gave Mathieu an apologetic look as she cast her poll as Solomon’s name. Jo smiled at Mathieu, telling him that it wasn’t even a contest, that Mathieu was the one he would follow; Elric decided on Solomon, then Adele selected Elise.

Josette fidgeted nervously as all eyes fell to her. She knew that it was all down to her. Solomon and Mathieu were tied now. If she chose Elise, they would have a tie; if she chose one of the other two, she was deciding who would replace Nathan. Enak’s voice cut through the tension as they all waited for her decision. “For those of you not keeping count, that six for Solomon and Mathieu, two for Elise. Josette?

Slight shock crossed her face, realizing that he knew her name, but she shook her head. “I can’t…I mean I don’t…”

Adele smiled at her, “Just do what you think is best. No one will think less of you.”

Taking a shaky breath, Josette looked between the three candidates. Mathieu wondered what the hold-up was; it was clear that she would never choose Mathieu. It took a long moment for her to come to a conclusion. “I think that…the best person to lead us…is going to be…Mathieu.” There was a stunned silence. “All personal feelings aside…he is who I choose.”

Mathieu was in a state of actual shock and wondered if his heart was going to start beating again any time soon. Why Josette would have chosen him, why he was now in charge, he didn’t understand. When Enak had picked him, he had taken it as something of a joke. But really, Josette hadn’t been the only one to pick him. His heart finally thudded back to life.

“There you have it,” Enak stated slyly. “Here before you all, you’ve seen Mathieu be fairly elected as the next leader of the resistance. So, Mr. Leader, Erik and I shall stay around for a bit, if that is okay.”

He nodded numbly before giving Josette a disbelieving look. Mathieu would not have bet his life on her choosing him, but she had. She thinks I’ll be a good leader… He kept repeating in his mind.

Niveus’s warm mind pressed into his frozen one and spurred him