Siege of Shadows (Effigies #2)(51)
“Submitted yourself to your own people?” He laughed. “Well, that’s a comfort.”
“Hey, relax,” I said, frowning. I’d seen how hard Sibyl worked at her job, how desperately she tried to steer the ship even with new unimaginable threats popping up like a twisted game of whack-a-mole.
“Sibyl’s been doing literally everything she could under insane circumstances,” I insisted.
“Yes, that’s all well and good,” he replied. “It’s clear there’s an issue here at this facility that needs to be sorted out by outside agents. This is a drastic problem. Drastic problems require drastic solutions.”
“And what solution did Daddy come up with?” said Rhys.
Brendan bristled at the word “daddy,” especially with the mocking emphasis Rhys had placed on it. But while he shot his little brother a dirty expression, he managed himself nonetheless. “Sibyl is to be removed from leadership immediately until further notice,” he said, letting the words fall to silence before he spoke again. “I will be assuming leadership for the time being. The Council voted on the recommendation. It’s done. You’ll be escorted back to your home in Philadelphia and looked after while the Sect conducts a more thorough investigation of you and your methods.”
“Looked after.” Sibyl rolled her eyes as she shook her head in disbelief. “That’s what they’re calling house arrest.”
“They can’t do that!” Cheryl cried. “This isn’t Director Langley’s fault.”
“The APDs,” said Belle, taking a seat on the bench by one of the monitors. “All over the world. Hacked. Who do you think is behind this?” She trained her sharp gaze on Brendan. “Now we have soldiers the like of which we’ve never seen before. They have power—the kind of mysterious power only we possess.” She lifted her arm. Clouds of snow wafted up from her palm. “Who created them? Could it be just one person? Or one facility?” The snow dissipated into nothingness the moment she clenched her hand into a fist. “This issue is larger and more insidious then we ever thought possible. Suspending Director Langley is nothing more than an act for the public, to make it appear as if something is being done. But placing the blame squarely on her shoulders will not save the Sect from public scrutiny.”
“She’s right, Bren,” Rhys said. “You really want to take charge of things, you’ve got to do more than take someone else’s job.”
Brendan obviously didn’t like being challenged, but he stood his ground nonetheless. “The Council voted,” he said as if this were the only argument he needed. He straightened his back. “I’m in charge now. If any of you are worried about my intentions or credentials, you’re welcome to check my references.”
“Yeah, your dad.” Chae Rin snickered.
“I already figured that if I’m going to be convincing to you as command, I’m going to have to show a little more initiative. That’s why, on top of bringing my own people to investigate this facility, I’ve brought in a specialist to deal with some of our more . . . difficult subjects.”
Sibyl narrowed her eyes. “Specialist?”
“He’s with Vasily Volkov in the holding cells as we speak,” Brendan said. “I was just on my way there now—and actually, Aidan and Ms. Finley, I’d like you both to come with me.”
Rhys and I exchanged wary glances. I hadn’t seen that psycho since he’d tried to kill me in France. I wasn’t exactly aching to see him again, but Rhys’s brother was in charge now. That meant whatever he said was law.
“If it’s who you’re talking about, I’d ask you to reconsider,” Sibyl said. “Even I could never approve of certain methods of investigation.”
“Well, what you would approve or disapprove of doesn’t really matter anymore, does it?” Brendan pressed the button by one of the monitors, and in just a few moments, five Sect agents marched through the door, their expressionless faces half hidden behind pairs of dark shades. “Don’t worry,” Brendan said. “They’ve been thoroughly vetted. My people are loyal.”
My insides churned as I watched Sibyl, her head high, the defiance still burning from her eyes as she silently followed the agents out the door.
13
THE GUARDS IN THE LOBBY of the detainment ward swiped Brendan’s ID card. I was about ready to take a swipe at him myself if he wouldn’t stop babbling about his accomplishments. Graduated with honors from one of the Sect-run academies out of Virginia, specially trained since childhood, led his first mission in Zimbabwe before he was out of his teens, et cetera, et cetera. He gave us every painful detail as if leaving anything out would mean losing the respect and admiration he was clearly gunning for. The entire way there, he kept peeking at me as if waiting for a reaction—awe, maybe—to yet another amazing thing he’d done. I didn’t give him anything. If he was this insecure about proving himself, then he shouldn’t have taken someone else’s job.
To be honest, I couldn’t say I necessarily liked Sibyl, but I’d trusted her this far, and she always did her utmost to keep us alive. I respected her for that. Brendan preened like a peacock desperate for adulation. Not my first pick for a replacement.
The guards looked tired of him too, watching Rhys’s X-ray from their desk with dull eyes as he passed through the body scanner last.