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I feigned boredom "I’d say it probably had to do with the dai They do tend to kill people And the furies were ripping through people"

The ser"

"Okay" I sat back in the chair, cocking my head to the side "Did you know that halfs can be turned now?"

The Head Minister’s eyes narrowed

I slowed my speech down "Well, some of those halfs were trained as Sentinels and Guards They carry daggers And I think they kno to use those daggers, too" Eyes wide, I nodded "It was probably one of thehed It wasn’t a nice laugh--h "What a mouth you have on you Tellthe Apollyon makes you untouchable? Or is it just blind stupidity?"

I pretended to think about that "Sos This could be one of thehtly "Do you think I’m stupid?"

Odd That was the second time I’d been asked a version of that question within the last twenty-four hours I gave the same answer "Is that a trick question?"

"Why do you think I’ve waited until now to question you, Alexandria? See, I know about your little bond with the First And I know that this kind of distance negates that bond" His smile becaht now, you’re nothing but a half-blood Do you understand me?"

"Do you think I need Seth to defend me?"

The hollows of his cheeks started to turn pink "Tell ht, Alexandria"

"There was this giant dainored me You said it was a ridiculous notion that dai that jab sink in "I fought Killed soht down a furie or two"

"Ah, yes You fought nificently from what I hear" He paused, tapped his chin "And then a plot was discovered The daimons were after the Apollyon"

"Exactly"

"I find that strange," he replied "Considering that they were trying to kill you in plain sight of Guards and Sentinels Who, by the way, are loyal to the Council"

I yawned loudly, doing everything to shoasn’t afraid while I was shaking inside If he saw that, then he’d knoas onto sooes on inside the mind of a daimon I can’t explain that"

Telly pushed off the desk, co to stand in front of me "I know you killed the pure-blood Guard, Alexandria And I also know that another pure-blood covered it up for you"

My brain sort of e, knocked the air out of s How had he known? Had Aiden’s compulsion worn off? No Because I’d be in front of the Council, handcuffed, and Aiden… oh gods, Aiden would be dead

"You have nothing to say to that?" Telly asked, clearly enjoying this ether "I’m sorry I’m just a little shocked"

"And ould you be shocked?"

"Because that’s probably the stupidest thing I’ve heard in a long ti so And you’re not a very good liar"

My pulse pounded "Actually, I’ his patience quickly "Tellyou the truth" I forced ers to relax around the chair arms "I know better than to attack a pure, let alone kill one"

"You attacked a Master at the Council"

Crap "I didn’t actually attack hi someone else And well, I learnedto differ Who helped you cover it up?"

I leaned forward in the chair "I have no idea what you’re talking about"

"You are testing my patience," he said "You don’t want to see ill happen when I lose it"

"It kind of sounds like you have lost it" I looked around the roo my heart to return to northe last day of class before winter break Are you going to give ?"

"Do you think you’re clever?"

I smirked

Telly’s hand snaked out so quickly I didn’t even have a chance to deflect the blow The back of his hand connected with h force to snap h me My brain flat-out refused to accept the fact that he had just hit me--actually dared to hitthat I hit him back, lay him out on his back My fist practically itched to connect with his jaw

I gripped the edges of the chair, facing him That’s what Telly wanted He wanted olden platter