THE PUPPET MASTER STAGE.

ELDRIC'S POINT OF VIEW. I stared at the board before and then smirked. If all goes the way I’ve planned, Sloane would be too humiliated to stand by Lucien’s side, and the fucker would be crushed. “Hello, Mayor,” I said, my lips stretching in a smile, even though I hated the piece of shit. He thinks I’m King Ravenscroft, though, so I’ll just pretend I am while Lucien isn’t here. “What is it, Eldric?” His monotonous, uninterested voice rang out, forcing me to grit my teeth and swallow a snide remark. “I’ve been thinking.” “Really? That’s new.” He replied, and I could hear the sound of papers shuffling through the phone, over that of my subtle hiss. “Yes,” I said through clenched teeth. “I wanted to see if Ravenscroft High could go head-to-head in the coming national competition. The debate one, I think we have a shot at winning, especially with our world-class students.” “Yes, I was about to call the office of your principal on that, but it seems he doesn’t work there anymore.” He said,