Plot Twist Chapter 2: The Aftermath of the Earthquake
You've got 3 days now to vote on what happens next and give your input. What caused the earth to shake? Is the coven safe? Will Selene join the fight? You decide!
Plot Twist: A Collaborative Novel is an interactive book project where you get to help decide what the characters say and do next. Check out the introduction to Plot Twist: A Collaborative Novel for all the juicy details on how this works.* And be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss a step on this fun adventure.
Welcome back to Plot Twist!
Chapter 1’s ending had a whole lotta shakin’ goin’ (and yes, I did sing that as Elvis while I wrote it). This week, we get to find out what caused it!
Here’s how you all voted on what should be causing the earth to shake:
Subscriber
left some great creative ideas on the post (go read them all and let me know what you think), including this plot suggestion:would love [the shaking to be] a new witch that’s come into power that’s also a half sibling (and maybe an escape hatch)
Which is pretty close to what I think is going to happen. But we’re writing this together, after all, so who knows where the story will go!
Speaking of writing it together:
You now get 3 days to vote on what comes next!
You asked, I listened! A few subscribers said 24-hours just wasn’t enough to vote on what’s next or leave a comment with a suggested idea, so you now have three days! I’d love to give you longer, but I’ve gotta write the darn thing.
If you have an idea and the three-day period on voting has passed, leave a comment still! I might make changes based on it. :-)
Ready to see why the earth is shaking!
Let’s dive into Chapter 2!
Here’s a link to Chapter 1 if you haven’t read it yet!
Chapter 2: The Aftermath of the Earthquake
Diana watched Her Majesty pace as she waited for the others to show up, each step a reprimand for how long the rest were taking. Coven Council rules required the members live within walking distance to the Royal Palace, but many of them were getting old, a fact of many heated debates between the old guard and the new. One by one, the council took their seats, Diana’s mother glaring at them all.
Finally, Aurora showed up, dragging a shaken Gentian along with her, and Selene jumped up to hug her sister and nephew, grateful to see they were unharmed. Losing Irideae had already made Aurora a shell of the woman she’d been before, Selene didn’t think she would survive if she lost Gentian too.
Her Majesty nodded at her daughter and grandson, her face stoic but relief shining in her eyes. Their mother loved them, she really did, she just had problems showing it most days. Instead of embracing her family, Her Majesty focused on the wards that protected them, scanning the readouts in front of her for any sign that they’d began to prematurely fall.
“I thought we had a few more years,” Gentian whispered, and Aurora patted his thigh, reassuring him that they were safe.
For now, Selene thought as the last of the Coven Council filed in and Her Majesty’s top guard came forward to assess the situation, Ashley following in behind with her computer.
“As you all felt, we’ve had a powerful magical surge,” General Harris began, as Ashley sat down next to Diana and plugged in the laptop. “We’ve yet to pinpoint the exact source, but we know it’s somewhere in the mountains two hours from here.”
With Ashley’s help, the General projected an image onto their screens of the San Jacinto range, the famous peaks that loomed over Palm Springs, an area Selene knew well and loved fiercely. She thought of Arielle and the A-frame, of her artist friends, and the quirky hermits who lived in the tiny towns that dotted those mountains. She hoped everyone was save from this “cataclysmic earthquake,” as the humdrum news sites were already calling it.
“And the wards?” An older woman interrupted. Selene and Willem called her Salisbury Steak, a nickname they’d come up with when they were kids because she was dried up and tasteless. For the life of her, Selene couldn’t remember her real name. Not that it mattered. Even as Queen, she was required to call everyone on the council Madam or Dame.
“The wards hold strong,” General Harris assured them, and a collective sigh went through the room. “But this threat is real, and we must take a team immediately to evaluate it.”
“Take Selene!” Salisbury Steak shouted, gaining her a glare from Her Majesty.
“Selene will stay here,” General Harris replied. “Every one of you will stay here. The Royal Palace has reinforced walls and wards. You will be safe here.”
“Just avoid the falling chandeliers,” Willem sniggered.
Before she realized what she was doing, Selene stood up and faced General Harris. “I am going with you.”
“Sit down, Selene,” Her Majesty commanded.
“As Queen,” she continued, ignoring her mother, “it is my duty to protect Frontera. I will be going. The rest of the Royal Family can stay here, to ensure the line is safe.”
“What are you doing?” Ashley fumed next to her.
With a sigh, Willem raised his hand, “guess that volunteers me to go too then.”
He looked at Ashley poignantly, and she threw up her arms. “Fine. Me too.”
“Are you sure about this?” Aurora whispered to Selene as General Harris outlined her strategy for the Coven Council to approve.
“Absolutely not,” Selene admitted, “But I’ve got a hunch about what caused that surge, and I’m going to be needed up there.”
“Don’t you dare die on me.” Her sister squeezed her hand so tightly Selene could barely feel her fingers.
“I wouldn’t dare,” she said, squeezing back and hoping to the Goddess her instincts were right. If Selene was wrong … well they were all goners anyways, so she might as well die in those mountains, the only place she’d ever been free.
Now it’s your turn!
For the next 3 days, voting is open in the poll and comments are ready for your input! This is a collaborative effort, so the more you participate, the better the experience for everyone – and the more fun you have. Your voting and comments directly change the story!
Here are some questions to get you started talking in the comments:
What did you love? Where were you excited? What do you want to see more of?
What didn’t resonate? What do you want to see less of? Where were you confused?
What predictions do you have for the characters? Where do you want to see the story going? What ideas did this spark in you?
Vote in the poll and comment below to help direct where the story goes next!
*PLEASE READ THE FINE PRINT BEFORE YOU COMMENT OR VOTE:
By participating in Plot Twist, you’re agreeing to give your input on a book that will be written by and credited to Lauren Marie Fleming. The final book will be available in ebook, print, audiobook, and other mediums with Lauren Marie Fleming listed as the sole author, copyright owner, and beneficiary. This project will be mentioned in the acknowledgments and anyone who comments on at least three posts will be listed as a collaborator. No compensation or copyright is granted for collaborators from any book sales or derivatives.
I obviously also want there to be a hippie witch coven so please work that in too if the ex coming into power does win. I’d love to see a third gender option (Dame, etc) I want to know more about their powers. Why can’t the elders teleport or travel faster? I feel like we do need an ex run in at the very least maybe the ex tries to return the old relationship vibrator? Can we pull poly concepts into this story? Many lovers! Thanks for including the pictures super helpful for my brain. Appreciated the mom shows love via perfectionism and protection but is bad at other love languages (relatable).