Registration closed at midnight.
Glad stared at her laptop, refreshing the page every thirty seconds.
"Tita, you're going to break the refresh button," Rigen warned.
"I can't help it! This decides if I'm a council member!"
"Results come out at 9 AM tomorrow. You have twelve hours."
"TWELVE HOURS?!"
Ariel pulled her away from the computer. "Come on. Let's fly. Clear your head."
They soared over Dumaguete, the wind cool against their wings. Anino rode on Glad's shoulder, as always, his purrs vibrating against her neck.
"What if I lose?" Glad asked.
"Then you tried. And you'll try again next election."
"What if I win?"
"Then you have a lot of work ahead of you." Ariel grinned. "But you're good at work. Look what you've already built."
They landed on the community center roof, their favorite spot now. The building below them was quiet, but Glad knew it would be busy again tomorrow—counseling sessions, support groups, maybe even a creature yoga class (apparently very popular).
"Whatever happens," Ariel said, "I'm proud of you. We all are."
At 9 AM the next morning, Glad gathered with her friends at the community center, all staring at her phone.
The results loaded slowly.
Then faster.
Then—
"YOU WON!" Rigen screamed. "TITA, YOU WON!"
Glad stared at the screen.
Supernatural Council Election Results - Visayas Region
*1. Gladys Samotiloy (Manananggal) - 12,847 votes*
*2. Benito "Ben" Reyes (Kapre) - 8,231 votes*
*3. Juniper "Junior" Santos (Tikbalang) - 6,902 votes*
4. ...
She'd won.
She was actually, officially, a council member.
"First order of business," she announced, "better blood bank access for rural creatures."
The crowd cheered.
"Second order—actual representation in human government. We exist. We should be heard."
Louder cheers.
"Third order—" She looked at Anino. "Official cat holidays. At least four per year."
Anino purred so loud the building shook.