by Ivy Baum
“Most honored Council of Elders, I present to you Kestrel Adler, an Unmarked charged with violating the Covenant of Purity. She awaits your judgment.”
Thirteen pairs of cold, curious eyes stared down at me.
The man in the center regarded me impassively. I was struck by a sense of familiarity. Something about those dark, arresting eyes…
“I am Atameus of House Knossos. As Leader of this Council and voice of the Noble Race, I will be the one to deliver your judgment.”
That was when it hit me: he looked like Sol. The resemblance was even more uncanny than Sol’s resemblance to Lucan.
He steepled his long, elegant fingers and leaned forward ever so slightly. “I am told you came to Knossos for the specific purpose of requesting an audience with this Council.”
Unlike Sol, there was no warmth in his face.
“You do understand that by coming before this Council as Unmarked, your life is forfeit?”
I swallowed the lump of fear at the back of my throat. When I opened my mouth, I wasn’t sure any sound would come out.
You have to do this.
“I have information about Blood Right.”
There was a moment of stunned silence.
One of the other men said, “And you wish to share this with us…?”
There was a note of incredulity in his voice.
“I wish to make a deal.”
A chilly silence followed.
A man with a long silver braid who looked like he could’ve been an extra in The Lord of The Rings peered down at me. “A deal?”
“Yes. An—arrangement.”
Well, that just sounded stupid. But I didn’t know what to say.
Atameus narrowed his eyes. “We don’t make arrangements with half-bloods.”
“If you know about Blood Right, then you know they’re dangerous. They attacked Sanctuary, and now they’re starting to attack humans, too. If you value your Covenant of Secrecy—”
“Do not speak of the Covenants to us, half-blood.” Atameus’s anger had flared quickly—but was instantly replaced by cold composure. “We are well aware of Blood Right and the problems they pose. But I fail to see how this has anything to do with you.”
Time to throw that bargaining chip on the table. I took a steadying breath. “I know the identity of its leader. I know who Tacitus is.”
There was a ripple of interest—murmurs from the others.
But Atameus frowned sharply.
Sensing that he was about to cut me off, I hastened to add, “In exchange for this information, I propose a ban on hostilities between purebloods and half-bloods.”
At a gesture from Atameus, the murmurs died away.
He leaned forward. “Even if we were willing to entertain such an absurd notion, why would we care about the identity of some half-blood upstart? We will deal with him as we have dealt with others.”
“Because he’s not a half-blood. He’s a pureblood—a Noble from your Capitol.”
I nearly added, And a notorious Hunter. But I couldn’t afford to give away too much.
This, finally, seemed to have an effect. The other members of the council began to whisper more loudly amongst themselves, and this time, even a sharp look from Atameus wouldn’t quiet them.
“Silence.”
Atameus glared at me, and I could tell he was not happy.
“The Covenant of Purity represents a sacred trust established more than a thousand years ago.” His dark, fathomless eyes seemed to pin me to the spot. “It is not a horse to be traded away at our convenience.”
“But don’t you want to know who he is?” I knew I wasn’t supposed to interrupt, but I couldn’t help myself. “He could be anyone—”
“You will remain silent unless spoken to. Or I will bring forth one of the Hooded Guard and have you fitted with a muzzle.”
I bowed my head.
He continued, “You come before this Council as an Unmarked and as such, you are an abomination.”
The word abomination echoed across the cavernous space.
I felt an ice-cold prickle of premonition.
Atameus smiled coldly. “By the authority of this Council, I hereby sentence you, Kestrel Adler, to die.”
I stared, numb and dry-mouthed.
“The sentence will be carried out immediately.”
I felt as though I’d been struck. I couldn’t feel my legs, and wondered how it was that I didn’t sink to the cold stone floor.
Distantly, I realized that Azoros had come to my side and was supporting me.
This isn’t happening. It couldn’t possibly be over.
There was only one thing left for me to do. Atameus was speaking with one of the other Council members now, but I wasn’t listening. My focus had gone inward.
I had one chance at this. One last chance to unleash my magic. I doubted it would be enough to save my own life. But perhaps I could take down one of these men in the process.
Somewhere deep inside me, the river of fear and hatred had swelled into a vast ocean, and I marveled at the power I sensed waiting there.
Maybe if I took Azoros by surprise. Or overloaded him, as I’d done to Clover—
Someone touched my arm. Azoros.
He uttered a single word in my ear. “Look.”
There was a commotion at the back of the Chamber. Someone in the elaborate garb of a clerk was trying to gain entrance, arguing fiercely with the guards.
Finally, Atameus waved him inside, and he approached the platform. Without a word, he handed Atameus a piece of paper. Whatever it said made Atameus frown.
A hush had fallen over the Chamber.
“What—?”
I had started to ask the question of Azoros, but he shook his head and pointed to the Council of Elders.
Atameus’s steely gaze fell upon me once more. I did my best not to flinch, but behind the cold reserve, I sensed a seething anger.
“It seems that someone has officially requested an Exemption on your behalf.”
An Exemption? I frantically tried to recall what Dr. Sotheby had said about that. Did this mean I was pardoned?
Atameus pressed his lips together in a tight line. “If this is how you were hoping to save your own skin, you will soon find that you have made a grave error.”
The man with the silver braid was now having an urgent, whispered conversation with Atameus.
Atameus, looking distinctly unhappy, said, “The law states that you may make your case for clemency in front of the full Assembly of Nobles.”
One of the other council members leaned over and murmured something. Atameus nodded.
“Your Exemption request will be adjudicated at the next meeting of the Assembly in five days. After which you will submit to this Council’s judgment and sentencing.”
Five days.
That was all I understood. That I had a reprieve of five days.
For the moment, it seemed like an eternity.
Atameus glared at the clerk who had arrived with the note. The man seemed to wilt under his gaze.
But Atameus only gestured dismissively. “Take her to her cell.”
Chapter 56
I awoke to darkness—and the realization that someone was in my cell.
I had gone to sleep, my mind awash with misery and confusion. After the initial buoyancy at my five-day reprieve, my mood had crashed again, and I had fallen into a fitful sleep.
Now I blinked, my mind still cobwebbed with the remnants of the night’s dreams.
I peered into the darkened doorway and saw a hooded figure.
My heart leapt. Sol?
A second figure appeared behind the first, and I sighed. Not Sol.
There was a soft snick as the door was pulled closed behind them.
I sat up, pulling the blanket around myself protectively.
Not that I was worried about modesty. My prison-issued pajamas, in addition to being surprisingly comfortable, offered wrist-to-ankle coverage.
In f
act, all my clothes—except my underwear—had been confiscated and replaced by plain, flowing shifts.
The first man pulled back his hood.
He smiled tentatively. “Kestrel, the half-blood.”
“Um…yes?”
“Sorry.” He broke into a lopsided smile. “I know I’m staring. It’s just—we don’t see a lot of you guys here. Not willingly, anyway.”
He was younger than I’d first assumed. I saw that now. Though—I had to remind myself—it was impossible to tell age where the Aristoi were concerned.
“Who are you?”
“You can call me Elihu. I’m a friend.”
I raised an eyebrow.
“Okay, I guess that’s a bit presumptuous. Let’s just say I’m someone who’s on your side.” A beat passed. “Think of me as—an emissary. And, hopefully, an ally. House Orikon heard a rumor that there was a half-blood here offering to broker a peace between our people.”
I nodded, unsure of what he wanted to me say.
His grin widened. “Wow. I mean, just wow. That takes some balls.”
His companion grunted. “Is that any way to speak to a young lady?”
The voice was gruff, no-nonsense—and familiar.
The second man’s hood came down, and I found myself facing a pair of bright blue eyes.
Dr. Sotheby.
He looked a little worse for wear—there was a large bruise on his temple, and he looked older, somehow. But he was here, and he was alive.
Maybe he’d been wearing his seatbelt, after all.
I glared at him.
Elihu saw my murderous expression. “Don’t worry, he’s on our side.”
“He kidnapped me. Tried to bring me here to be executed. He is not on my side.”
Dr. Sotheby’s mild expression didn’t change. “It was I who filed the Exemption on your behalf, Kestrel.”
“So what? It’s not going to be granted.”
“No, it’s not,” he agreed. “It only bought us some time.” He exchanged a fleeting look with Elihu. “Which is why we’ve been trying to come up with an alternative plan.”
I stared at him, anger warring with confusion. “You’re going to help me? You wanted me dead.”
“I only wanted what was best for the Noble Race. That hasn’t changed. Only my understanding of the facts has.”
Well, one thing hadn’t changed—he was still as condescending as ever.
I turned to Elihu. “I still don’t understand why you’re here. Why do you care what happens to me? And what is our side, anyway?”
He smiled, but I saw now how carefully he answered.
“Word is that you told the Council you know the identity of Tacitus. That he’s a pureblood. Is it true?”
I nodded. “I wouldn’t have come here empty-handed.”
“So, what? You came here hoping to negotiate a new Armistice or something?”
Or something. “That would be a good start. Then we can figure out how to deal with Blood Right.”
“You don’t like those guys? I mean, from what I’ve heard, they have a certain macho-revolutionary appeal.”
“They’re trying to set the world on fire.” I felt a sense of renewed bitterness. “I thought you guys would want them gone, too. But I was wrong.”
A look passed between the men.
“The problem is that you brought your offer to the Council. Those guys…they’re kind of Atameus’s lackeys. And I don’t know if you noticed, but Atameus does not want you to live.”
Well, what was I supposed to say to that?
Dr. Sotheby said, “Atameus’s strength depends on the support of the hard-liners, the fanatics—a number that dwindles with each passing year. To stay in power, he must please them.”
I frowned, feeling a chill settle over me. “So you’re saying it’s hopeless.”
“Not quite.” This was Elihu. “At the Exemption hearing, you’ll be able to present your case to the entire Assembly. And believe me, a lot of those guys do not like what Atameus is doing.”
“What is this Assembly?”
Elihu shrugged. “They’re the guys who vote on stuff. Make decisions. That kind of thing.”
Dr. Sotheby glared at him. “Your civic knowledge is appalling. The head of each Noble Family has a seat in the Assembly. When the Council needs to make a decision, it—in theory, at least—follows the guidance of the Assembly.”
Elihu said, “The Council has the final say. But the Assembly has the power to throw out any Council members. Including the Leader.”
“And how does that help me?”
Dr. Sotheby raised an eyebrow. “If you can get the Assembly to cast a Vote of Expulsion for Atameus, he’ll be out.”
“And what if the next asshole decides to execute me anyway?”
Elihu caught my eye with a grin. “It just so happens that the second-most-popular asshole in the Assembly is one of ours—the head of House Orikon. The other factions are pretty divided. If Atameus is out, there’s a good chance our guy is in.”
Well, that explained what he was getting out of the deal.
Dr. Sotheby said, “The groundwork must be laid very carefully. As it is, we only have days.” He glanced over at Elihu. “We will be working hard behind the scenes to spread rumors and information ahead of time to undermine Atameus.”
“And to do that,” Elihu continued, picking up with a significant look from Dr. Sotheby, “It would be really, really helpful if we knew the identity of Tacitus. You know, so that we could really stir shit up.”
Dr. Sotheby ignored him. “This is the only way, Kestrel.”
I studied him with undisguised hatred. “Awfully convenient, how you survived that car crash long enough to come here and switch sides.”
Elihu said, “Show her.”
Dr. Sotheby sighed and began to unbutton his shirt.
On his chest was a livid, fresh tattoo—Blood Right’s symbol.
His eyes narrowed. “In case you were wondering why they let me live.”
I shook my head. “I still don’t trust you.”
Dr. Sotheby started to argue, but Elihu silenced him. “Can you blame her?” He caught my eye. “You’re right not to trust us. That was why I went to the trouble of tracking down someone you might find a little more…convincing.”
He gestured, and Dr. Sotheby went to the door.
A new figure stepped inside—a stranger.
I suppressed a wave of disappointment. I’d been hoping it would be Sol.
The figure was smiling down at me with a sort of tentative familiarity.
Elihu rose and went to the door. “We’ll give you two a moment alone.”
When they were gone, I studied the stranger, more curious than anything else.
“Hello, Kestrel.” He took another step toward me.
“Am I supposed to know you?”
His smile was gentle. “My name is Vissarion, but your mother knew me as Vincent Parker.”
Chapter 57
My father. This man was my real father.
Whenever I imagined this moment, I’d always thought I would feel some definitive, overpowering emotion. Anger, love, vindication—something.
Instead, I felt adrift.
He offered a crooked smile. “I know this wasn’t the reunion you were hoping for.”
I couldn’t stop staring. After a moment, I realized why: I was trying to figure out if he looked like me.
I decided that we probably had the same eyes—a dark mix of hazel and green.
I said, softly, “You knew about me.”
I hadn’t meant it to sound like an accusation, but it did.
“Yes.” A beat. “I’m sorry I couldn’t stay, Kestrel. Please don’t think I didn’t want to.”
I gazed at him, unable to voice the question out loud. So why didn’t you?
He seemed to hear it anyway, and answered. “I loved your mother too much to endanger her life.”
“She was pregnant with a half-blood. What did you
think would happen?”
“I know. It’s not fair. None of it is fair.” He looked away. “I’m sorry for everything that’s happened.”
When he looked back, his eyes were soft and earnest, and seemed to say, And for everything that’s still to come.
I wanted to believe him. To forgive him.
But above all, I wanted him to make sense of out of my life. He was the missing key. The reason for everything that had happened.
And yet...
This changes nothing.
The realization was cold and terrible, and left me feeling hollower than ever.
He said, “I fell in love with your mother. It wasn’t something I planned.”
Was he asking for forgiveness? Understanding?
I wondered what it was that he wanted from me.
I was beginning to think that it was very different from what I wanted from him.
Dr. Sotheby would not have arranged this family reunion, after all, for sentimental reasons.
“Why are you here?”
He gave me a look of shrewd appreciation. “I’ve always been a friend of House Orikon and the causes they stand for.” He smiled the crooked, self-deprecating smile. “As you might have guessed, I’m no stickler for blood purity.”
In spite of myself, I liked him.
He said, “In four days, the Assembly will gather to discuss and vote on many things—one of which is your Exemption Request. They won’t grant it. I’m sorry to say it, but no one will risk going against Atameus for the sake of a mere half-blood.”
I nodded—then had a thought. “Will you be there? At the Assembly?”
“No. Only the heads of families will be there. I do not carry that status. Yet.”
And judging by his tone of voice, he was rather glad of it.
“Do I have half-brothers and sisters? Grandparents? Aunts and uncles?”
He peered at me for a long moment, his hazel eyes wistful. I had never thought of my eyes as particularly beautiful.
But now, as I gazed into his eyes, I found I loved their color—which was the same as mine.
“Some other time, Kes. For now, we need to discuss strategy.”
I held back a sigh. “Right. You want me to help you overthrow Atameus so your side can take power.”