We feared that we wanted to say the words to placate the expectation everyone had for us. We allowed them to settle into us, deep into our emi, becoming part of who we were and wanted to be. We said the words—only to ourselves, the path of a journey finally coming together—the sound an empty clang in our heart. “We accept.”

“We know that you do not enter into this lightly.” Selamault produced a sigil. “We carry Amachi’s vote by proxy. We cast our votes behind you.”

We knew her face almost as intimately as we knew our own. Something bothered her. “What is it, Mom?”

“I just don’t want you to be disappointed.” Mom avoided our eyes. “Take some time and think about what you want.”

We angled toward her, ready to press the matter, but a fluttering about our emi gave us pause. Perhaps it was only maternal concern that thickened her voice. If she’d had a vision, she would not reveal it to us.

Jaha wore an equally grave expression, as if privy to her own secret knowledge she wouldn’t share. “Becoming head of the Adisa does not automatically make you head of the Ijo. We no longer live in the age of chieftains or kings. Leadership is determined by the will of the people, not bloodline. You have the rest of the families to win over.”

“And you can believe the Yo ain’t gonna wait on us before it makes its next move.” Ezeji sopped up some sauce with a piece of corn bread. He gestured toward one of the ribs on our plate. “You gonna eat that?”

What does it take to be number one is a pimp game

Exploit or be exploited is the old way, the new same

Be wary of those who want to seize power

In wanting it, they’ve proven themselves lost

Ain’t no victims here, no one here to cower

Folks can speak for themselves, bossed

(Never afraid) To lead, to teach, to forgive

Where there is repentance walked out

(Never afraid) To speak, to reach, to live

Free of history because we’re talked out

Escape the lies of those who want to leech, Truth

Heavy is the head that dares to teach, Truth

We’re the only thing we should be afraid of

Willing to give up what we love for who we love