Betrayed by Kristin Cast, P.C. Cast Read Free Book Online

confidence in me.
    â€œSo what are you going to do? Have you decided?” Damien asked.
    â€œI think so. Actually, what do you guys think of this idea . . .” I launched into the whole Council and Prefect idea, and realized about halfway through explaining it to them that it really was a pretty good plan. I finished with the five ideals that were each allied with an element.
    No one said anything. I was just starting to worry when Stevie Rae threw her arm around me and hugged me hard.
    â€œOh, Zoey! You’re going to be an awesome High Priestess.”
    Damien was all misty-eyed and his voice cracked adorably. “I feel like I’m in the court of a great queen.”
    â€œOr you could just be a great queen,” Shaunee said.
    â€œHer Majesty Damien . . . hee hee,” Erin said, giggling.
    â€œY’all . . .” Stevie Rae warned.
    â€œSorry,” the Twins said together.
    â€œIt was just so hard to resist,” Shaunee said. “But seriously, we love the idea.”
    â€œYeah, sounds like an excellent way to keep the hags out,” Erin said.
    â€œWell, that’s another thing I needed to talk to you guys about.” I took a deep breath. “I think seven is a good number for the Council. That way it’s a decent size, and it’s impossible to have a tie vote.” They nodded. “So, everything I’ve been reading—not just about the Dark Daughters, but about student leadership groups in general—says that the Council members are upperclassmen. Actually the Senior Prefect, which would be me, is a, well, senior, and not a freshman.”
    â€œI like the title third former better. It sounds older,” Damien said.
    â€œWhatever we call it, it’s still abnormal that we’re so young. Which means we need two older kids on the Council with us.”
    There was a pause, and then Damien said, “I nominate Erik Night.”
    Shaunee rolled her eyes.
    Erin said, “Okay, how many times do we have to explain this to you—the boy is not on your team. He likes breasts and vaginas, not penises and anu—”
    â€œStop!” I absolutely did not want to get off on this subject. “I think Erik Night is a good choice, and
not
because he likes me or, well . . .”
    â€œGirl parts?” Stevie Rae offered.
    â€œYes, girl parts versus boy parts. I think he has the qualities we’re looking for. He’s talented, well liked, and he’s really a good guy.”
    â€œAnd he’s totally drop dead . . .” Erin said.
    â€œ. . . gorgeous,” Shaunee finished.
    â€œIt’s true; he is. But we’re absolutely not basing membership on appearance.”
    Shaunee and Erin frowned, but didn’t argue with me. They’re actually not real shallow; they’re just kinda shallow.
    I drew a deep breath. “And I think the seventh member of the Council needs to be one of the seniors who was part of Aphrodite’s inside group. That is, if one of them petitions to join our Council.”
    This time there was no bedazzled silence. Erin and Shaunee, as usual, spoke at the same time.
    â€œOne of the hags from hell!”
    â€œNo f-ing way!”
    Damien spoke while the Twins were taking breaths so they could shriek again. “I don’t see how that could be a good idea.”
    Stevie Rae just looked upset and picked at her lip.
    I held up my hand, and was pleased (and surprised) when they actually shut up.
    â€œI didn’t take over the Dark Daughters to start a war at school. I took over because Aphrodite was a bully, and she had to be stopped. Now that I’m in charge I want the Dark Daughters to be a group kids are honored to belong to. And I don’t mean just a little select clique of kids, like when Aphrodite was the leader. The Dark Daughters and Sons should be hard to get into and it should be select. But not because only the current leader’s friends have a chance to get in. I