She shook her head again. You dont get it. Listen to me. Piperi poked me in the chest with one bony finger. You must make a choice between what is fated and what is unknown.
Ow! I stepped back. She jabbed me again. Hey! Knock it off!
Take the risk or suffer the consequences! She stopped suddenly, her eyes growing wide as her gaze darted around the otherwise silent garden. You must not accept gifts from those who seek to destroy you.
Or candy, I muttered.
Piperi ignored my sarcasm. You must stay away from the one who brings nothing but heartache and death. Do you hear me? He brings nothing but death. Always has. Know the difference between need and love, fate and future. If you dont, everything your momma sacrificed will be for naught.
That caught my attentionperhaps because it was the clearest thing shed ever said to me. Who is he ?
He is not what he seems. He has them all fooledhas him fooled. Poor child doesnt see it. He doesnt see it, and it has sealed his fate. She sighed. That one plays both sides. You dont knowyou wouldnt know. He She jerked backward, the cane slipping from her grasp. The thing hit the marble sidewalk, shattering into a dozen thick pieces.
I grabbed for her, expecting her to fall flat on her face. So I was surprised when she didnt fall over and utterly shocked when she folded in on herself, flaking away until nothing remained but a pile of dust.
CHAPTER 9
THE ORACLE HAS PASSED. LUCIAN WHIRLED AROUND, addressing each of us. He looked ridiculous as the white robes twirled around his slender body. Another has come into power.
I had a headache.
Apparently, the oracle dying wasnt a big deal. Grandma Piperi was ancient. I just happened to stumble upon her on her dying day or somethinglucky me.
Woo.
Leon raised one massive arm and pinched the bridge of his nose. This impromptu gathering of the minds had not been going well. Id come straight to Marcus after Grandma Piperi poofed , and from there, Marcus had called everyone to his office. Unfortunately, Lucian had brought a very contrary Seth. And worse yet, Aiden had already been in Marcuss office for whatever reason.
Marcus took a deep breath. Alex, what happened exactly?
Ive already told you everything. I ran into her in the garden. She was talking one second and the next, she just sort of poofed
She poofed? Seth laughed. He lounged in the corner, arms folded across his chest, and that damn smile plastered across his face. Seriously?
Yes, she poofed. Like she was there one second and the next she was a pile of dust.
We just dont poof , Alex. That doesnt happen.
Well, it did. She poked me in my chest with her bony fingers and said some crazy stuff. Then she poofed!
Seths brows flew up and he laughed again. What have you been doing today? Smoking something?
Addressing Marcus, I threw up my hands. I had no idea why Seth was being such a jerk to me. Hed started in the moment hed stepped into this room, and now I wanted to kill him.
Does he have to be here?
He is where I need him to be, Lucian answered instead. And I need him here.
Can he shut up, at least? I missed the more charming version of Seth. This version sucked. Theres no valuable need for him to comment on everything that comes out of my mouth!
Im commenting on everything, because it sounds like youve smoked some crack, Seth countered. Where have you been all day?
Seth, Aiden warned. It was the first hed spoken since the meeting began. He had changed into his Sentinel garb, and I was having one hell of a time not looking at him. Can you be quiet for five seconds?
Seths yellow eyes snapped fire. Does he have to be here? Hes just a Sentinel.
He was here before any of you were, Marcus responded with a tight smile. And Seth, please try to contain the comments.
Seth slouched against the wall, raising his hands in surrender. Sure. Sure. Go on, Alexandria . Tell us how she poofed again.
Ive already explained it, I said. Its pretty easy to understand. Even for you. Or did you wake up on the wrong side of stupid this morning?
Alex, Aiden sighed. Just talk to Marcus.
I stiffened. Sorry. If he says one more word to me, Im going to take that dagger off that wall and shove it through his eye.
Seth straightened, every cell in his body rising to the occasion. Well, thats brave for a little Apollyon in training. If you want to try it, Im game.
Seth! Marcus yelled, slamming his palms down on the table. Several ledgers and books shuddered.
My hold on my temper stretched to the breaking point. You know what? I bet your mother wanted to drown you after you were born.
Alexandria! Marcus started around the desk. Would you two
And theres a reason why mothers turn daimon and try to kill their daughters.
I shot across the room, aiming right for the dagger behind Marcuss desk. Aiden cut me off. I considered barreling through him, but he looked like he would employ every measure possible to keep me from killing Seth.
Dont, Aiden ordered in a low voice. Just ignore him.
Dont tell me what to do, I seethed. I want the dagger so I can cut him.