Free Old Dark (The Last Dragon Lord Book 1) by Michael La Ronn Page B

nephew, Lucan, thinks he can influence how you think. There’s a simple law that many of you who run businesses understand. It’s called the law of reciprocity. He gives you some harmless information today. But tomorrow, he will ask more of you. And after all, you bought a cheap grimoire that his company toiled to create … and then it becomes all too easy to act out of guilt. You see, Lucan is using this grimoire to steer you away from me. To steer you away from your true beliefs. We have a word for that in government—it’s called electioneering. That’s why tomorrow, I’ll be filing a lawsuit against The Grimoire Company for this egregious act of politics. Draw your own conclusions when the verdict drops.”
    A few people booed. The governor seemed to take the insults personally, and he held up his hand to silence them.  
    “You know what pisses me off about all of this? What kind of man trash talks the patriarch of his own family and runs a smear campaign against him?”
    He was going off script. Tension was building in the room.  
    “I raised Lucan. I was practically his father. When his dad died, I promised to help out. I put him up in my mansion. Loira and I treated him like one of our own. Just like the rest of our children. And when he told me he was going to drop out of college, I supported him because he was starting a business. Look how successful he’s become. He’s made more money than I’ll make in my lifetime. But the truth is he’d be nothing without me. But for my advice, there’d be no Grimoire Company. Just a bed of broken dreams, filled with hookers and drugs.”
    The crowd booed again, fully enjoying the show.
    “Because you all know that, right? About his substance abuse? I can’t tell you how many nights I scooped him off my porch.”
    Ennius smirked, and then paused.
    “Lucan keeps talking about how I’ve done nothing for the capital. How I’ve done nothing for the Half Eight. Before I came along, this place was a slum. A shanty town! The university was on the verge of shutting down. And when a group of business owners sold me on what this place could be, I invested my own money. Is Stella Gavlin here tonight?”
    A wrinkled woman in the back of the room raised her hand, laughing joyfully.  
    “Stella—how are you, sweetie? This woman helped bring this neighborhood back. I’ll never forget when I met her the first time. She had plan after plan after plan—and those plans made this wonderful place a reality. Ladies and gentlemen, I have plans. You know what they are; you’ve lived them for the last twelve years. So when Lucan speaks next, why don’t you ask him what his plans are?”
    Ennius crumpled the grimoire and tossed it into the trashcan.  
    A reporter raised her hand. “Mr. Governor, you’ve accused your nephew of being thin on magical policy. Can you elaborate?”
    The governor smiled graciously.  
    “You all have a choice. It’s a simple choice. Vote for the man who made this city what it is, or vote for the little boy masquerading as a political candidate. I love my nephew, but this isn’t about family ties. It’s about making you all feel safe. It’s about saving our environment and figuring out a way to solve the magic crisis. I’ve already set up task forces. What has he done?”
    Another reporter raised a hand. “Do you think he’s really a serious threat, being twenty points behind?”
    “No. He’s not a threat. But I’m the head of my family, and I won’t be smeared by my ungrateful nephew.”
    More reporters raised their hands with questions, and Miri quickly stepped forward. “I have a question, Mr. Governor.”
    “Miss Charmwell, what a surprise.”
    “You said that magical conservation is a priority. Do you think dismantling the Academy of History and Magical Sciences really supports your platform? Removing the only access to Magical Science education?”
    The governor’s face went harsh. “Your current so-called education is full of