This was a lot of pomp for just one Minister. It wasnt like the entire Council was swarming the gymnasiumjust Lucian and his awesome hair. Jet black, it flowed to his waist, pin straight. Complimenting his hair was the only really good thing I could say about my stepfather. Well, that and he sent me lots of money.
The Guards bowed, straightening slowly. I noted that Seth hadnt moved an inch. Lucian stepped forward, clasping his hands together. He wore an all white, tunic-type dress. I thought he looked ridiculous.
A daimon attack occurred within the grounds of the Covenant yesterday. Lucians clear voice rang through the silent room. Such an attack is unprecedented and must be dealt with swiftly. At this time, we believe there will be no further breaches of security.
Yeah, he mustve seen the furies. I bet he hoped there wouldnt be any more breaches.
But, he continued, we must move forward and focus on prevention.
Like a violent tide rolling in from the ocean, apprehension swept through us. I held my breath.
The Council and the Covenant have agreed that measures must be taken to ensure another attack does not occur.
Marcus stepped forward then, smiling in a way that sent shivers down my arms. Several things are going to happen over the course of the next week. New rules are being put into place and these rules will be unconditional and effective immediately.
And here it starts, I thought angrily. One half-blood turned bad, so all half-bloods will be punished. I recognized the severity of the issue, but it didnt make it any easier to swallow.
Marcus scanned the crowd, meeting the gazes of the halfs. His steady eyes held mine a moment, then glided past. A curfew of seven p.m. will begin tonight for all half-bloods Gasps could be heard echoing through the room. My jaw hit the floor. unless the half-blood is accompanied by a Guard and is participating in an activity related to schoolwork. There will be no other exceptions. At no time will half-bloods be allowed into the rooms of pure-bloods unless accompanied by an Instructor or Guard. No half-blood will be able to leave the Covenant-controlled island without permission, and then must be accompanied by a Guard or Sentinel.
Oh, my gods, Olivia murmured, rubbing the palms of her hands over her thighs. Can they do this?
I didnt respond. The pures could do whatever they wanted. I had a feeling it was about to get a lot worse.
Sentinels will be posted outside the dorms, along with the Covenant Guards. In addition to these measures, all half-bloods will be required to submit to a physical exam. These His cut a strong look toward the upper level, where several muffled curses sounded. these exams will be mandatory. After every half-blood has been
examined, then the exams will continue based on need.
Ice rushed through my veins, settling in the pit of my stomach. Of course there would be physical exams. How else could they tell if any halfs had been turned? Their bodies, much like mine, would show the evidence of multiple daimon tags. It was the only sign of a half being turned.
I wanted to puke.
Exams will begin tomorrow and will be done so alphabetically. Marcus stepped back, allowing Lucian to take center stage once more.
None of us enjoy the idea of limiting your freedom or imposing potentially uncomfortable situations upon you. Lucian splayed his hands open in front of him. We care for our half-bloods, and this is as much for your benefit as it is for the pure-blooded students.
I covered my mouth, afraid Id say something. Benefit us? Restricting our comings and goings, forcing us to submit to physical exams ? There was no difference between us and the halfs who served themexcept we wouldnt have the pleasure of being doped up and unaware of what was happening to us.
I looked away from Lucian and caught sight of Seth again. Every line of his face had hardened in disapproval and his eyes flared like the sun. I could feel his anger as if it were my own.
After going over a couple of more rules regarding where we were allowed to enter and something about random dorm checks, the assembly drew to a close. I had a hard time focusing on what Marcus and Lucian had gone over. My own anger roiled inside me, and the brewing storm against the wall kept my attention.
We were ordered to exit the gymnasium the same way wed entered: a silent, single-file line of half-bloods. Briefly, I caught a glimpse of Calebs face. Disbelief and anger warred across his boyish features, making him seem so much older. No one had considered what this could mean for Caleb and me. They would find evidence of recent daimon attacks on both of us. Then what? Shove a bleeding pure in our face and see if we attacked? I glanced over my shoulder, searching for Seth. He stood with Lucian, off from the white-robed Guards, and they appeared to be arguing.
At lunch, we went over the new rules quietly. More Guards than normal hovered around the perimeter of the cafeteria, and even a few Sentinels stood post, limiting what we could say. I wondered what those half-blood Sentinels thought, knowing that theyd be subject to the exams, too.