Marcus nodded, his fingers forming a steeple under his chin. The daimon attack is one of them. I know that some have been able to plan attacks.
My mother had been one of them. Shed been behind the attack on Lake Lure during the summer, the very first proof some daimons could form cohesive plans.
But that type of large-scale attack is its unheard of, Marcus continued, glancing at me. I know I know your mother had insinuated that such was coming, but to pull something off of that kind of nature seems improbable.
Aiden cocked his head to the side. What are you saying?
I think they had help.
My heart tripped up. From the insidefrom a half or a pure?
Lucian huffed. That is absurd.
I do not think that is entirely out of the question, Leon said, eyes narrowing upon the Minister.
No half or pure would willingly assist a daimon. Lucian folded his hands.
It may not be willingly, Minister. The pure or half mayve been coerced, Marcus continued, and where I shouldve felt relief, something ugly still sat inside me. What if someone had actually let them in past the gates?
No. No way could that have happened. If Marcus suspicions were right, it had to be under duress.
Marcus glanced at me. Its something we need to keep in mind for Alexandrias safety. The daimons were there for her. They could try it again. Capture a half or pure Guard or Sentinel, have them lead the daimons right to her. It is something to be aware of.
I grew very still and I imagined so did Seth and Aiden. The daimons hadnt been after me. Itd been a lie that we told so that I could leave the Catskills immediately after after Id killed the pure-blood Guard.
I agree. Aidens voice was remarkably even. They could make another attempt.
Speaking of her safety, Lucian twisted in his seat toward me. Minister Tellys intentions were painfully clear, and if Id been aware of what hed planned, I never would have agreed to the Council session. My utmost priority is to see that you remain safe, Alexandria.
I shifted uncomfortably. Growing up, Lucian hadnt even pretended to care about me. But since Id returned to the Covenant at the end of May, hed acted like I was his long-lost daughter. He didnt fool me. If I werent the second coming of the Apollyon, he wouldnt be sitting here right now. Who was I kidding? Id probably have been eaten by daimons in Atlanta.
His eyes met mine. Id never liked his eyes. They were an unnatural blackthe color of obsidian and cold. Up close, there didnt seem to be any pupils. Im afraid that Minister Telly may have been behind the compulsion and the unsavory act of giving you that drink.
I suspected as much, but to hear him say it left me queasy. As the Head of all the Ministers, Telly exerted a lot of control. If it hadnt been for Minister Diana Elders vote, I wouldve been cast into slavery.
Do you think he will attempt something else? Aidens deep, melodic voice was hard not to respond to.
Lucian shook his head. I would like to say no, but I fear that he will attempt something again. The best we can do at this point is to ensure that Alexandria stays out of trouble and does not give the Head Minister any excuse to place her into servitude.
Several pairs of eyes landed on me. I smothered another yawn and tipped my chin up. Ill try not to do anything crazy.
Marcus arched a brow. That would be a nice change.
I glared at him, rubbing my left palm over my bent knee. The skin still felt weird and tingly.
Isnt there a more proactive method? Seth asked, leaning on my chair. I think we all can agree that Telly will try something again. He doesnt want Alex to Awaken. Hes afraid of us.
Afraid of you, I muttered, then yawned again.
Seth tipped my chair back in response, causing me to grasp the arms. He grinned at me, which was so at odds with his next words. He almost had Alex. He was one vote shy of servitude. Who says he wont build some trumped-up charge against her and sway their votes in his favor?
Diana will never compromise her position to serve Tellys wishes, Marcus said.
Whoa. On a first name basis? I said.
Aiden that it was like home to me. Standing near the wall of things meant to kill daimons with, Jackson grinned at something another half-blood said. Then he looked straight at me and smirked.
Once upon a time Id found him hot, but somewhere between my daimon mom murdering his girlfriends parentsif he was actually still with Leaand the last time I squared off with him, Id stopped thinking so highly of him.
I held his stare until he looked away. Then I continued my perusal. Olivia stood next to Luke, tying her curly hair into a ponytail. Bruises marked the caramel-colored skin of her neck. I glanced down at my hands. Id done that.
Gods, what had I been thinking? Guilt and shame tore through me. When I looked up, Luke was watching me. His stare wasnt hostile or anything just sad.
I looked away, chewing on my lip. I did miss my friends. And I really missed Caleb.
Class quickly began, and even though I was tired, I threw myself into it. I got paired with Elena for a series of cinch work and holds. Going through the various techniques, my brain was finally able to shut down. Here, in training, I didnt think of anything. There was no sorrow or loss, no fate to deal with or father to save. I imagined this was what being a Sentinel would be like. When Id eventually go out hunting, I wouldnt have to think about anything other than locating daimons and killing them. Maybe that was the real reason behind wanting to be a Sentinel, because then I could go through life and do what? Kill. Kill. And kill some more.