Deity (Covenant #3)(98)

“What happened to the Guard who supposedly attacked her?” asked the female Minister who’d spoken first.

“He has been dealt with,” Lucian responded, pushing on before that could be further examined. “Head Minister Telly went against the Council’s wishes and still tried to force her into servitude. She was even attacked here, stabbed by a half-blood Guard ordered to do so by him.”

“And the proof?” the elderly Minister asked. “Where is the proof?”
Lucian turned back to Telly. “The proof is in his own words. Isn’t it, Head Minister?”

Telly lifted his head. “It is true. I went against the majority vote and ordered the assassination of Alexandria Andros.”

There were a few stunned gasps. I knew it wasn’t for my benefit, but more so that Telly would admit to it so easily. They didn’t know what I did—that Telly’s brain was most likely fried from a powerful compulsion.

An argument broke out among the Ministers for several minutes. Some immediately wanted Telly impeached. Those were the ones who’d smiled earlier. Others, those who I doubted knew what Lucian was up to, didn’t see how what he’d done to me was a crime. There were very few laws protecting halfs.

“There will be no impeachment,” Lucian’s voice silenced the arguing. “Head Minister Telly will be dealt with today.”

“What?” Several of the Ministers demanded at once.

“It has come to my attention that the Head Minister is involved in the Order of Thanatos and several of those members are en route to free him.” There was another pause. Lucian knew how to shock and awe. “There is no time for anything else. Alexandria’s safety is of the upmost importance.”

And now I understood Seth’s nervousness—all the Guards this morning. Lucian couldn’t have the Order ruining his plans. He’d strike first. And my safety? It wasn’t about my safety. Lucian was worried that I’d misbehave before he went out on the dais because Seth didn’t have full control of me… yet.

“This wasn’t supposed to happen now, was it?” I whispered.

Seth said nothing.

My mouth was dry. “You all wanted to wait until after I Awakened, but you’re doing this because of the Order.”

Because wouldn’t that suck for Lucian if the Order arrived before I Awakened and ended up killing one of us? All of his plans for nothing,

Lucian motioned toward where we were hidden. “This is a time of change. That change starts now.”

“That’s us,” Seth said, his hand tightening around mine. “And dear gods, please behave.”

I didn’t have much time to respond to that. Seth started walking, and I had no choice but to follow him out into the session room.

Silence so thick it choked me descended when we appeared. All eyes were on us as we made our way up the marble steps. We stopped just short of Lucian and Telly.

Everyone started talking at once.

The Council quickly grew uncomfortable, shifting in their seats. A murmur swept through the crowd, escalating as the seconds ticked on. Some were standing, their faces showing shock and terror. “No reason to fear two Apollyons,” my happy butt. They knew—some out there in the audience recognized the danger.

My heart was trying to come out of my chest, and even though I tried to stop myself, I looked for Aiden. He had gone still. I wasn’t sure he was even breathing. Our gazes locked, and in an instant, there was relief and then rage in his steely eyes as his gaze dropped to where Seth held my hand tightly. Then he moved, taking a step forward. Marcus threw out an arm, stopping him. I wasn’t sure Aiden was going to pay him any heed, but he did.

I let go of a breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding.

“What is this about?” cried a Minister. I’d stopped trying to keep track of them.

Lucian just smiled. I hated that smile. “It is our time to take back what is rightfully ours—a world where we rule and do not answer to a sect of gods who do not care whether we prosper or die. A world where half-bloods are not enslaved, but stand beside us—” several startled gasps cut him off there, go figure “—but where mortals kneel at our feet like they should. We are gods in our own right.”

And that was right about when half of the audience came to their feet. Words like “blasphemy,” “treason,” and “insanity” were tossed around. Some of the half-bloods watched Lucian curiously; his words held a certain appeal to them. But they’d be fools to believe him.

Lucian’s Guards and some I recognized from around the Covenant moved to the back doors, blocking anyone from escaping. I almost laughed. We’d thought the Order had infiltrated deep within the Covenant, but Lucian had really outdone himself. It was he who had infiltrated the Covenant and Council.

“This is a time for a new era.” Lucian’s voice resonated through the large courthouse. “Even the lowest half-bloods who stand with us will flourish. Those who do not will fall.”

Several members of the Council stood and stepped back. Five of them—the five who supported Lucian—and at least two-dozen Guards… and Sentinels.

I caught a glimpse of Aiden and the stranger moving closer to the dais, but then I lost sight of them. Focusing on what was going on in front of me, as I felt anger and alarm take hold.

“Seth,” Lucian said quietly. “This man has attempted to end Alexandria’s life several times. Is he worthy of life?”