Page 43 (1/2)

I flinched

"It’s safe to assume that she wasn’t a very kind ed to iain entrance into the Covenant He had a tough childhood, always alone I suppose all Seth has ever wanted is to be loved" He looked athe’s alanted?"

Suddenly, I knew beyond a doubt, Seth hadn’t told Lucian about Aiden But why? Re Aiden from the equation would only benefit Seth Could it be that Seth hadn’t because he kneould hurtHe wasn’t a lost cause, after all

"I do hope so Seth is a good boy"

My eyes widened "You sound… sincere"

Lucian sighed "I’ve never had a child of h me Lucian actually cared for Seth And Seth saw hi "You’re using him"

The Hu hi you"

"What you are offering is certain death for anyone who goes along with this"

"Not necessarily, my dear We have supporters in the most… unlikely of places--a very powerful supporter"

My door opened before I could respond A Guard waited forme as if he expected me to sprint ahich hat I’d considered but knew I’d never get aith it I was led into the house quickly and then left in the opulent foyer with my stepfather

"It’s a shame that you have to make this so difficult, Alexandria"

"Sorry to rain on your crazy parade, but I’ with this No one else will, either"

"Is that so? Do you doubt uards "I want to see a better life for the half-bloods"

"Bull," I whispered, and aze moved to the Guards The condemnation that filled their expressions when they looked at me said that they did believe Lucian And the real question was how many halfs were behind Lucian? The nuhed It was a cold, grating sound "You really have no control over this"

"We’ll see about that" I reached for the doorknob, but froze when it turned and locked in my hand I loathed the air element with all my heart Slowly, I faced him "You can’t keep ain "I’m afraid you will not be allowed any visitors until your Awakening And do not hope that Apollo will arrive, either He will not be able to enter od"

Lucian looked pleased as he stepped aside My gaze fell behind him and up the wall that Seth had once pinned a Guard to There was a mark there--a crudely drawn symbol of a man with a snake’s body

"Apollo cannot enter any home that bears the o as a punish the rules of Olympus Funny, I never knew that until recently"

I sed The drawing looked like it had been done in blood "Ho did you figure that out?"

"I have azed at the drawing, a slight sular face "I have many friends that would surprise you,the breath out ofMy breath hitched I should’ve listened to Aiden and never left his house "You can’t do this"

"Why can’t I?" He drifted toward uardian I can do with you as I please"

My temper stretched and snapped "Really? When has that worked out for you in the past?"

"In the past I did not have Seth, nor e so close to the Awakening" He caught ht me on this all you want, but in a few days, you’ll Awaken First, you will connect with Seth, and what he desires, you will desire And then your poill transfer to hier than that"

"You think so? Think about that, my dear Think about what thatwhat’s about to happen"

Unease crept over me, but I kept my expression blank "If you don’t release me, I will break your arm"

"You would, wouldn’t you?" His breath arainstthat Telly and I ever agreed on"

"What was that?"

"You need to be broken down" He released me, the same damn smile plastered across his face "Except he went about it all the wrong way I will not make the same mistake that I made with your mother I allowed her too much freedom As of now, you’re mine Just like Seth is And you would do very well to remember that"

I recoiled from him "You’re a bastard"