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Gideon’s constant manipulations.
    “Hi, Oren.”
    He gave her a
small, respectful bow. “I just wanted to check on you. Make sure you’re happily
settled in.”
    Selene smiled.
Happy was a subjective term. “I’m fine. All set in my apartment. Thank you for
arranging it so quickly for me, by the way. It’s perfect.” She waved a general
hand at the charming space.
    “How are your
classes progressing?” he asked.
    “Very
interesting so far. I decided to major in history.”
    “You always did
enjoy a good story,” Oren recalled fondly. “When you were a little girl, you
would beg me to tell you the story of Sleeping Beauty over and over
again.”
    Selene chuckled
at the memory. “How is everything there?” she asked after a moment’s
hesitation.
    Oren paused, an
earnest look on his time-wizened face. “There is unrest and confusion among the
Vyusher. I know you feel leaving was the right thing to do—”
    “I know it was the right thing, Oren,” she insisted. I may be more a danger to them
than a help .
    Oren had looked as
if he’d wanted to say more but had merely nodded, accepting that Selene knew what
was best. “There are rumors that you left because you are ashamed of the
Vyusher. And there is infighting among the Council about who should lead in
your place.”
    Selene looked
down and tucked a strand of pale hair behind her ear. “You know my views on
that. As long as Xavier isn’t selected, the Vyusher should be fine.”
    “How about Dez?”
    Selene pursed
her lips. “Desmond’s smart. He knows how to handle political situations. He’s
highly ranked, so the Vyusher would accept him.”
    “Yes, but is he
committed enough?”
    Selene shrugged.
“I know it seems as if he takes nothing seriously.”
    “That’s an
understatement,” Oren muttered.
    “But I think
that’s not who he is. I think he would make an excellent king, actually.”
    “And his father?”
    “Gives weight to
his claim. But Desmond won’t give in to anyone, if that’s what you’re thinking.
He can stand on his own two feet,” Selene said, her chin tipping up.
    “I know you two
have become… well… friendly. Especially over the last year or so. But are you
sure?” Oren asked, his skepticism clear.
    Selene nodded.
“Positive. But if you’re unconvinced, ask Monica what she thinks.” Monica was a
Vyusher with the ability to determine if someone possessed a good innate
character or not, similar to the powers of the Jenner females, especially Adelaide’s.
    Oren shook his
head. “No, My Lady, I am confident in your assessment. I still intend to try to
hold off an official replacement for you until after you’ve completed college. Four
years is a relatively short period of time. But if I can’t, I will back Desmond
with your permission.”
    Selene’s eyes
warmed. “You have it. Thank you, my friend.”
    The conversation
had ended shortly after, as Oren’s form wavered and then disappeared. But
Selene couldn’t get the exchange out of her mind. Although she’d endorsed
Desmond to Oren, a part of her didn’t want to give up her right to rule. She
absolutely despised politics, but she didn’t want to abandon her people,
either. She knew she needed to do something…. She just wasn’t sure what
exactly.

Chapter
7
     
    Selene pushed
aside the memory of her visit with Oren and tried to focus on her history book.
Only a few paragraphs into her reading, her cell phone rang.
    Speak of the
devil, she thought as she noticed the caller ID. “Hello, Desmond,” she greeted.
    “So, you have my
phone number programmed in already,” he teased.
    Selene chuckled.
“I believe all of the higher-ranked Vyusher are programmed in this phone,” she
said. “Oren gave it to me.”
    “And here I
thought I was special.” He pretended to be hurt, and she could just picture his
hand over his heart. Selene rolled her eyes.
    “Can I help you
with something, Desmond?”
    “Dez,” he
automatically corrected. “So have you