Seth leaned over, voice low. Dont kick me again.
Our eyes locked. Let. Go.
Slowly, he released his grip and sat back. I want all of your attention for a moment. He paused, brows lowering. That is, if youre capable.
Whatever.
What do you think about the daimon attack?
I glanced at him. Everything about him had changed in an instant. Honestly? I think its just the beginning. I mean, for all we know, this could have been going on long before.
Seth swiveled around and sat beside me. Once situated,
he nodded approvingly. Theres something you dont know, but I dont think it would hurt if you did.
I shot forward. What?
The Council has been tracking incidents that look like daimon half attacks. Theyve been picking up over the last three weeks, discovering two to three attacks a week. And its happening all over.
But they havent said anything. Mainly, Aiden hadnt said anything, and Id thought he told me everything. How do you know about this?
I have my ways. The Ministers dont want the pures or halfs knowing right now. Theyre afraid it would cause a panic.
So thats why you were with Lucian? Hes feeding you this information?
Seth just raised his brows.
I fell back against the headboard, sighing. But not knowing is stupid. People need to know whats happening. Look at what my mother told me. Its happening.
I know. He tipped his chin toward me, but his heavy lashes concealed his eyes. I dont think the Council wants to believe that.
Thats so stupid, Seth. They need to focus on that instead of trying to control us.
I agree. These rules are wrong. He lifted his eyes, meeting mine. But you wont have to submit to them.
Uh it doesnt sound like I have a choice.
The half-bloods wont have a choice, but youre different.
I stared at him in amazement. Im not any different, Seth.
He held my stare. Yes, you are. You will become an Apollyon, which makes you very different from the other half-bloods. You wont submit to those exams.
Is that what you and Lucian were arguing about after the assembly?
His stare was intense, calculating. Among other things, but its not anything for you to worry about.
Its not? Thats pretty ballsy of you to argue with the Minister, Seth.
The look on his face faded, replaced once again with the smug amusement. Lucian has promised me that you will not be searched.
I slouched to the side, eyeing him suspiciously. I didnt know you had the kind of influence to make Lucian promise anything.
You dont need to worry about the exams. So dont.
What about the other halfs? They shouldnt have to go through that.
He looked away, letting out a soft breath. Can I ask you a question a serious question?
Sure. I stared down at my scuffed hands. I doubted Lucian cared enough to honor that promise.
Why do you want to become a Sentinel? Is it a sense of obligation or?
That question took me a few moments to respond to. Its not about protecting pures, if thats what youre getting at. Thats what the Guards are for.
Of course you wouldnt settle on being a Guard, Seth said mostly to himself.
Daimons kill for no reasoneven mortals. What kind of creature just kills for the fun of it? Anyway, Id rather do something about it than sit around and wait for them to attack.
What if you had a different choice?
Servitude? I stared at him. Are you serious?
He rolled his eyes. I mean, what if you had other choices not given to half-bloods? To live a normal life?
I already did that, I reminded him, for three years.
Would you do it again?
Why he was asking this? Would you?
Seth snorted. I wouldnt give up being a Sentinel for the world. Or being the Apollyon. I rock.
Laughing, I rolled my eyes. Wow. Youre so humble.
Why should I be humble? Im great.
I didnt even bother responding, because I felt confident he was being serious. We sat in silence for a little while. I knew he caught I hadnt answered his question, but in not-so-typical Seth fashion, he didnt push it. Did you see the furies in the lobby?
He nodded.
Aiden said theyre here because the gods feel the Council isnt doing an adequate job. I toyed with the hem of my shirt. Do you think we need to be worried about them?
Ah if they get loose, then it could be a potential problem.
Oh. I dont know what made me say the next thing that came out of mouth. I yelled at Aiden in training.
Seth nudged my arm with his shoulder. Im afraid to ask.
He agrees with the new rules. I yawned. So I yelled at him.
And he said you were being irrational, huh?
Yeah, so I yelled at him some more. I told him he was just like all the other pures.
Well, he is like other pures.
I shifted down, trying to ease the ache in my side. Not really.
Seth frowned down at me. Alex, hes a pure-blood. Just because he chose to become a Sentinel doesnt make him any different. Ultimately, Aiden will always side with the gods. Not us.
You mean the pures, not the gods. Weary, I lay my head down on the pillow
and closed my eyes. Our hour was almost up. Maybe Id get some sleep tonight. You dont know him, Seth.