Telly left me by the window, returning to the center of the room. This is your last chance. I will leave the day after tomorrow, before dawn, and if you havent turned yourself in by then, there will be no more chances. This could end easily.
I didnt even feel the throbbing in my face anymore.
Telly smiled, reveling in my silence. Admit to killing the Guard, and I wont push on his lip curled, who covered it up. And trust me, I will find out. There are only a few I have noticed who have taken any interest in you, other than the First. What? He laughed. Did you think I hadnt
has someone watching meus.
There wasnt an ounce of panic in those silver eyes. You need to tell me what happened, Alex. Dont even think about lying to me. Ill know.
Closing my eyes, I shook my head. I dont know if I can.
I heard Aiden move around the table and sit on its edge in front of me. His hand pressed against my other cheek. You can tell me anything. You know that. I will help you always. How can you doubt that?
I dont doubt that. I opened my eyes, ashamed to find they felt damp.
Confusion flickered across his face. Then why cant you tell me?
Because because I dont want you to worry.
Aiden frowned. Youre always thinking about someone else when you should be more concerned about yourself.
I snorted. Thats so not true. Ive been really self-centric lately.
He laughed softly, but when the rich sound faded, so did his brief smile. Alex, talk to me.
The terror and panic returned. Im not sure theyd ever really left. The words just came out. Telly knows.
A slight narrowing of his eyes was his only reaction. How much?
He knows I killed a pure-blood, I whispered. And he knows either Seth or a pure covered it up.
Aiden said nothing.
I really started to freak out. Hes definitely part of the Order, and I think hes the one who sent the Guard to kill me. Its the only way he could know unless the compulsion
The compulsion hasnt faded. Aiden dragged his hand over his head. Dark waves tumbled through his fingers. We would know. Id be arrested by now.
Then the only way he would know is if he sent the Guard to kill me.
Aiden clasped the back of his neck. Are you sure he knows?
I laughed harshly as I gestured at my cheek. He did this when I wouldnt admit to it.
The silver in his eyes burned. I want to kill him.
Me too, but thats not really going to help things.
He flashed me a wild smile. But it would make us feel better.
Damn, youve gotten dark. Funny, but dark.
Aiden shook his head. What did he say, exactly?
I told him the questions Telly had asked. You know, the only good thing about this is that he didnt think using my father had any pull on me. But he said that, if I turn myself in, he wouldnt push to find the pure who covered for me. If I didnt tell him, then he would go after every pure who seems to tolerate me: you, Laadan, Leon, even Marcus. I guess he doesnt think he can get Seth or hes afraid of him.
Alex
I dont know what to do. I pushed off the couch, sidestepping him. I prowled the length of the small living room, feeling caged. I stopped, my back to Aiden. Im screwed, you know that, right?
Alex, well think of something. I felt him come up behind me. This isnt the end. There are always options.
Options? I crossed my arms. There were options when the Guard tried to kill me, and I chose the wrong one. I made a huge mistake, Aiden. I cant fix that. And you know what? I dont even think he cares about that Guard.
I know, he replied softly. I think he sent that Guard knowing that youd be able to defend yourself, that you would probably even kill the Guard. It makes sense.
I turned around. It does?
He nodded, eyes narrowing. Its the perfect set-up, Alex. Telly sends the Guard to kill you, knowing there would be a good chance that youd fight back and kill the Guard out of self-defense.
And self-defense means nothing in this world.
Exactly. So Telly would have you then. No one could stop him from having you killed or at least placing you into servitude. He puts you on the elixir and you dont Awaken. Problem solved, except Telly didnt expect a pure to use compulsion and cover it up for you.
I nodded. But he now knows that someone did.
It doesnt matter, Aiden said. He may know but he has no evidence without incriminating himself. Telly may be the Head Minister, but he does not wield the kind of power where he can indiscriminately go after pure-bloods. He can accuse us all he wants, but he cant do anything without evidence.
A tiny seedling of hope rooted in my chest. He has a lot of power, Aiden. He has the Order, too, and gods know how many people belong to it.
It doesnt matter, Alex. Aiden placed gentle, strong hands on my shoulders. All he has right now is fear. He thinks he can scare you into admitting the truth. Hes using that fear against you.
But what if he does go after everyone? What about you?
Aiden smiled. He can, but hes not going to get anywhere with it. And when you dont admit to anything, then hell go back to New York. And well be ready if he tries something again. This isnt the end.