I nodded again.
Aiden looked me straight in the eyes. I want you to promise me that you wont do anything stupid, Alex. Promise me that you wont turn yourself in.
Why does everyone think Im always going to do something stupid?
His look said he knew better. Knee-jerk reaction, Alex. I think weve covered that.
I sighed. I wont do anything reckless, Aiden.
Aiden stared at me for a moment, then nodded. Instead of relaxing like I thought he would, he seemed to grow more tense. He exhaled roughly and then nodded once again. Whatever he was thinking, I knew it wasnt good.
And when his steely gaze met mine, I knew there was a good chance he didnt believe any of the promises Id made.
CHAPTER 14
LATER THAT EVENING, I HELD THE CELL PHONE TWO feet from my head and still felt like Seth was yelling in my ear.
Im going to kill him!
Yeah, youre not the first one to say that. I climbed off the couch, scowling at the door. I didnt need to check to know that Leon stood right outside my room. Thank the gods most of the kids were gone, because having a personal Sentinel guard would make me an even bigger freak. And its pretty sad when Im the voice of reason.
What else do you suggest? he asked. Hes the Head Minister, Alex. Its obvious that he ordered that Guard to attack you.
Yeah. I headed to my bathroom, turning my head to the side. The left side of my cheek was red and slightly swollen. A bit of blue lined my jaw. Jackson had done worse. Telly hit like a girl. I started to smile. But Aiden said that he doesnt
Aidens an idiot.
I rolled my eyes. Anyway, why didnt you answer the phone last night?
Are you jealous?
What? No. It was just weird.
Seth laughed. I was busy and it was too late by the time I had a chance to call you. Did you miss me or something?
Not really. I pushed away from the mirror and went into the bedroom. Seth, what are you really doing up there?
I already told you. Static filled the line for a few seconds. Anyway, is that really important right now? You should be worried about Telly.
I sat on the edge of the bed. Telly said that you were there to deal with the halfs who were causing problems and werent responding to the elixir. Is that true?
Silence.
Knots started to form in my stomach. Seth.
He sighed into the phone. Alex, that isnt the problem right now. Telly is.
I know that, but I need to know what youre doing up there. I plucked at a loose thread in the bedspread. My dad I know he wasnt responding to the
I havent even seen your father, Alex. Granted, I really dont know what he looks like and Laadan isnt telling. He could be here. He could be gone.
Anger and frustration rushed to the surface. What are you doing to the halfs who arent responding to the elixir?
A sound of exasperation traveled through the phone. What Ive been ordered to do by the Council, Alex. Take care of them.
Blood froze in my veins. What do you mean by take care of them?
Alex, that isnt important. Look, theyre just half-bloods
What the hell do you think we are? I stood and started pacing. Again. We are half-bloods, too, Seth.
No, he replied evenly. We are the Apollyons.
Gods, I wish you were in front of me.
I knew you missed me, Seth said. I could hear his smile.
No. If you were in front of me, Id kick you in your junk, Seth. You cannot be okay with taking care of those halfs! Wrong doesnt even sum up what that is. Its disgustingrevolting.
Im not killing anyone, Alex. Gods, what do you really think of me?
Oh. I stopped, feeling my cheeks turn red.
A couple of moments passed in silence. It sounded like Seth was walking somewhere fast. Id like to be in your head for just one hour, he laughed. No. Forget that. I dont. Youd kill my self-confidence.
Seth
Lets focus on the important stuff here, which is Telly. I dont believe he doesnt have a damn thing. He wouldnt hold that threat of going after the pure responsible for the compulsion without having something.
Fear spiked. You seriously think he has something?
Telly is a lot of things, but he isnt stupid. He waited until he knew that neither Lucian nor I were anywhere near you before he made his move. I wouldnt be surprised if Telly didnt screw with the elixir weeks ago as a fallback plan. He needed a distraction and he got one. And Aiden isnt stupid, either, he said. Hes telling you what you need to hear to stop you from doing something stupid.
Feeling dizzy, I sat back down. Shit.
Listen to me, Alex. None
of themyour uncle or Aidenis important. Stay away from Telly. Let him act on his threat, whether he has proof or not.
What? I stared at the phone as if he could somehow see me, which was kind of dumb. Theyre important to me, Seth.
No. Aiden is important to you. In reality, you could care less about the rest, he corrected.
Thats not true!
Seth laughed, but there was no humor in it. Alex, youre a terrible liar.
What the hell? Did everyone think I was prone to acts of stupidity and a terrible liar? But I wasnt lying. Laadan and Marcus were important to me. Even Leon, though he was kind of weird.