It appeared to be quite the turn out. She thought as she watched the man pace in front of the others. The members of the Paxton Clan. Her clan by all rights, a legacy left to her by her mother. Although, it could be said that her mother had failed the clan in more ways than Ever wanted to admit. Or perhaps more ways than she could ever dream of. The young woman stood leaning against a tree watching the man speak. This gathering had been called in secret and if it wasn't for her spies she might not know about it at all.
The black spider sat on her shoulder as she listened to his words. He was a member of one of the lesser noble houses within the Paxton Clan. And he moved with fluid grace across the make shift stage. She had to admit he had the attention of all who had been assembled. “It is time we considering choosing another main family as our ruling family. Catalina did horrid things to our clan. And Dahlia has been gone for to many years to know our needs. As for Everleigh, she is but a child only seventeen years of age, and who knows what horrors she learned from her mother. Do we want a repeat of Catalina's horrors upon our children. The clan cannot survive another member of their house as our leader. We must act today and take a vote and pick a new family to rule. If not for us for the future.”
Ever could see the murmurs of approval go through the crowd. She wasn't like her mother. Her mother's perversions had been her own. And this man knew more about them then he cared to admit to those gathered before him. This was her clan she would be damned if she was going to let some upstart take it from her just because he wanted to make a play for power. It would appear the time to act was now.
She pushed herself from the tree and made her way towards the stage. “Is that how you feel about it, Damon? That you should rule in my stead.” She moved and the crowd parted because despite everything witches respected power and there was no doubt that Ever was as powerful if not more so than her mother. She moved coming to a stop just in front of him. “You make me sick. You don't even have the courage to confront me to my face. You call secret meetings.”
She stepped upon the stage and looked down upon the gathered crowd. Everyone was quiet watching the dark haired woman as she eyed them taking measure of those around her. “Do you all really think that my mother has been looking out for you these past years? I mean my mother who cared for nothing more than her games. Do you really think she made sure that you were clothed and feed? That she made sure the lesser families received what they needed? Do you think she cared about such things? No, I did that. Lord Giese helped me when I was younger but for the last few years it was me who looked after those things. Yet, I am not fit to led. I know my mother did horrible things to the people of this clan.”
She glanced around at the faces surrounding her some of those things were evident. Those who could be saved were. Children who her mother had experimented on, a small child with a mangled leg being carried by his mother. She bent down and picked the child up as she smiled at him, kissing his head. She turned back to the crowd. “I was a victim of my mother as well. I know first hand what so many of you have endured.” Ever had shown very few the scars that still remained. But, today it seemed that she should do just that. She let go of the illusions she had held on to for so many years.
The illusion shattered and the young woman was shown to have patches of dead skin that appeared to be woven into her body. In some places it would leak a black sludge at times. “I was worst when I was saved by my father. I would save all of them if I could. I would undo the damage she caused but I can't. The only thing I can promise if that if you let me lead this clan. I will make sure it doesn't happen at least no by my hands and if it happens by another I will deal with them.”
She paused and glanced around as she handed the child back to his mother. “No child should go through that. Cat failed our children. The most precious gift we have. She failed me as her own flesh and blood. There is an old leadership test that says one can ask the clan what they want them to do to prove their right to lead. I could take the new test and pass. But, it is to you I must prove my worth not the world as a whole. It is you who I want to lead. It is you I want to protect and guide into the future. So, it to you I ask what you would have as me. I am the daughter of Kyrell Giese. My word is my bond. My father didn't want me to tell the world because he was afraid it would mean both Cat and his enemies would come for me. I care not. Let them come. They know where to find me.”
She smiled as she could see the workings going on around her. People whispering at her words. She saw Damn frown. He knew that he had lost her. One man called out to her from the crowd. “There is one thing we want Miss. Paxton. We want those that hurt our families brought to justice. You said it should be something that the clan needs. We need to make sure those who helped your mother are punished for what they did.”
Ever nodded her head as she turned towards the crowd. “I will be your sword. And the punishment for harming a child is always death. I will bring them to justice no matter what clan they belong to. I will find them and hunt them down. I promise.” The man bowed his head and other seemed to follow suit. She let her eyes catch Damon's for a moment.
“There really is no time like the present to begin.” With those words said, she removed the bow and arrow from her back and called to Damon who was walking away. “Lord Damon.” He spun around and the arrow went right between his eyes as he fell to the ground dead. “You have been sentenced to death for crimes against my clan. I am your leader from this day forth.” She smiled as she looked at him. “I will do as I promised and to those that oppose me. Well...” She glanced down at the body as if trying to make a point. “I say let them try.”