Deity (31 page)

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?”

The elderly Minister came to his feet, leaning heavily on the cane. “He has no say in this matter! Apollyon or not, he does not decide life or death. If Head Minister Telly has gone against the Council of Twelve’s wishes, then he is to be tried by that very Council!”

He was ignored.

I stared up at Seth. “No,” I whispered. “No. Don’t answer that question.”

And I was ignored.

Seth tipped his chin up as the marks of the Apollyon broke out across his face, swirling and moving down his neck, under the collar of his shirt. “He is not worthy of life.”

Pride filled Lucian’s eyes. “Then he is yours to deal with.”

Panic punched a hole straight through my chest. I pulled away from Seth, throwing my entire weight into breaking his grip. He only held on tighter. I knew what he intended to do.

“No!” I cried out, still trying to pull free and break the contact. “Telly is a douche, but we don’t decide who dies, Seth. That is not what we are—not what the Apollyon is.”

“Silly girl,” Lucian murmured loud enough for only us to hear. “That is not what an Apollyon decides, but what a God Killer does.”

“Don’t listen to him,” I pleaded, and jerked as his mark burned against mine. “You’re not like this. You’re better than this.
Please’’

Seth glanced at me. There was a moment—brief but there. Hesitation and confusion flitted across his face. Seth didn’t fully believe he was doing the right thing. Hope seized me.

I clutched his arm. “Seth, you don’t want to do this. I know you don’t. And I know this isn’t you. It’s the akasha—I get it. And it’s him. He’s using you.”

“Seth,” Lucian urged. “You know what you have to do. Do not fail me—do not fail
us.
”

“Please,” I begged, holding his gaze while wanting to leap over Telly’s defeated, hunched form and snap Lucian’s neck. “Don’t do this to us—to me, to yourself. Don’t become a killer.”

Seth’s lips quirked up and then he turned away from me, facing Head Minister Telly. “He cannot live. That is my gift to you.”

Horror stole my breath. And it struck me then. That was the difference between Aiden and Seth. No matter how badly Aiden would want to strike back or how much he wanted something, he would never risk me. And dammit, Seth would.

He did.

His hand tightened around mine. My body snapped inward as he tore akasha right out from underneath me. I doubled over, catching only a flash of amber light as it enveloped Telly. The last I’d seen Seth use akasha, it had been blue, but that was before the four marks, before he could pull the power of the fifth from me.

Shrieks filled the air—not from Telly, but from the Council and the audience. Telly didn’t have a chance to make a sound. Once akasha hit him, charged from both Seth and me, he simply ceased to exist—obliterated.

Glass shattered from the dome overhead. Shards of glass rained down, slicing through the air and those not quick enough to move out of the way. Three winged shapes came through the opening, howling in rage.

The furies had arrived.

CHAPTER 29

THE FURIES WERE IN FULL-OUT UGLY MODE. THEIR SKIN was gray and milky. Snakes snapped from their heads. Fingers extended into sharp points. Those claws could rip through tissue and bone with ease.

They were headed straight for us.

Only a second or two had passed from the moment Seth had charged up and taken out Telly. One furie broke free from her sisters, arcing over the audience, emitting shrill screams.

Seth raised his arm. Akasha streaked from his hand, streaming through the air at incredible speed. He hit the first furie in the chest before the amber light sputtered out. Shock flickered over her monstrous face and then her jaw slackened. The furie dropped, spinning like a downed bird as her wings sliced through air. The furie landed in a lifeless pile of white chiffon, gray skin, and unmoving flesh a few feet in front of us.

The remaining two furies hovered by the broken window. Their mortal skins slipped over the monsters inside, and horror pinched their beautiful features.

“It’s not possible,” one shrieked, pulling at her blonde hair until strands hung from her clawed fingers. “It cannot be!”

“But it is.” The other grabbed her sister’s arm. “He has killed one of us.”

Weak in the legs, I straightened and swayed unsteadily. Seth’s actions had weakened me, leaving me no match for a groundhog, let alone one of the furies, if they attacked. Realizing Seth had released me, I stumbled to the side of the dais. I was going to die. I was sure of it. My screams would join those of the audience… except the furies didn’t attack.

“You’ve made war against the gods,” one hissed. Her wings cut through the air noiselessly. “Make no mistake they will make war against you.”

The other spread her muscled arms wide. “You risk them all to gorge yourself with power that never was yours. What a path… what a path
you
have chosen.”

And then they were gone.

Chaos reigned supreme below the dais and on it. Telly was gone. There wasn’t even a pile of ashes. Bile rose in my throat as I turned away from the spot where he’d knelt.

Toward the back, I heard sounds of fighting as Guards and Sentinels went after the ones blocking the doors. A Guard near us was overtaken. One of his daggers hit the floor. I lurched for it, wrapping my numb fingers around the hilt. I had to stop this—stop Lucian. He was pulling Seth’s strings.

I whirled around, finding Lucian speaking to the Council, spouting more crazy stuff that was going to get us all killed.

Seth was on me before I could even take a step toward Lucian. Our eyes met before he wrenched the dagger from my hand. He tossed it aside as he advanced on me. Coldness had crept upon his features. I didn’t recognize the look in his eyes. They glowed violently, nearly luminous. That awe was there again. But it wasn’t awe… I’d mistaken that look.

It was a craving, a greed for more. The same thing I’d seen time and time again in the eyes of a daimon.

Weaponless and weak, I knew when to retreat. My spine hit the wall. Desperately, I searched for something and found a titanium candelabrum. I grabbed it and threw it at him using both arms.

Lighting quick, he caught the candelabrum and tossed that to the side, too. “Always throwing things,” he said, voice thick and different. Gone was the musical quality. “Such a naughty, naughty Alex.”

I inhaled raggedly. “This… this is not you.”

“It is me.” He reached for me. “And this is us.”

Dawn’s voice distracted him. “This is treason!” she said. Terror filled her amethyst eyes. She was trembling, hugging her elbows. Other Ministers stood behind her, faces pale. “This is treason against the gods, Lucian. What you ask from us cannot be given.”

“Do you think change is not needed?” Lucian asked.

“Yes!” She unfolded her arms and raised them in front of her, as if she was shielding herself. “Change is needed. Half-bloods need more freedom and choice. There is no doubt to that. I have a half sister. I love her dearly and want a better life for her, but this… this is not the way.”

Lucian cocked his head to the side as he smoothed his hands over his white robes. “And what about the gods, my dear?”

Her breath came out ragged as her spine straightened. “They are our only masters.”

All my nightmares were coming true, as were the Order’s. History
was
on repeat. Seth stepped to the side, facing the Council members who would not bow to Lucian’s will.

Lucian smiled.

“No!” My voice came out ragged as I slid along the wall, away from Seth. “Seth, don’t!”

But Seth was on autopilot. He grabbed my hand again. Mark pressed against mark. Pressure filled me and then the cord snapped again, pushing akasha through the bond. There was no reaching him when the power took over, no compassion.

Seth was just Lucian’s killing machine.

The brilliant amber light erupted from his hand a second time.

Screams rose above the pandemonium. I swore I could hear Lea’s above them all. I knew that couldn’t be true, because everyone was screaming. I was screaming.

Seth released his hold, and I dropped to my knees, gagging and choking on the smell of burnt cloth and… flesh—burnt flesh. Where the seven had once stood, only three remained huddled together as they stared at Seth in horror. One whimpered, clutching a blackened arm.

Lea’s sister—Dawn—was gone.

He had done it—attacked the Council. My cheeks were damp. When had I started crying? Did it matter? I didn’t know.

Lea’s sister was gone.

I pressed my hand to my mouth, ordering myself to pull it together. Something had to be done. This was bad—horrendous—but it would get worse once I Awakened. In the chaos, I could escape. I couldn’t break down now. Struggling to my feet, I held my breath and edged toward the stairs as Seth’s back was to me. I reached the steps and arms went around my waist, lifting me over the edge. Warmth immediately surrounded me, my body—my heart—telling me who it was who’d grabbed me. Sweet relief flooded me.

“I’ve got you.” Aiden set me on my feet. His eyes searched mine intently. “Can you run?”

I heard him as though through a tunnel, and I think I nodded.

Within seconds, we were surrounded.

“Shit.” He let go of my hand, blocking my body with his. Coiled tension rolled through his body.

I wished I’d had the foresight to find the lost dagger, because then I’d at least have something to ward off Lucian’s Guards. Not that I’d be able to do much with it. It was taking everything in me to stand, to push through the nearly overwhelming exhaustion that’d come when Seth tapped into my power.

Then Aiden sprang. Spinning around, his boot connected with the jaw of the closest Guard, and then he dipped under the outstretched arm of another. Coming up, his fist struck the second in a fierce uppercut. Without missing a beat, he caught another with a kick to the chest, knocking the Guard back several feet.

It had been so long since I’d seen him fight. Forgetting how graceful and fast he was, I stared in awe. Not a single Guard made it past him. He mowed them down with just his hands and kicks.

One, however, did creep up behind us.

The Guard grabbed me from behind and started to pull me back toward the dais, toward Seth and Lucian. With my arms pinned to my side, I was only able to slam my foot down on his. He grunted and his grip loosened, but that was about it.

Aiden turned, seeing my predicament. Our eyes met for a brief second, and then his gaze dropped. I let my legs collapse. Aiden moved so fast the air stirred around me. A second later the Guard hit the ground, unconscious.

“Nice,” I croaked as Aiden tugged me to my feet.

His smile was tight as he grabbed hold of my hand again, and we were running up the center aisle. My uncle and the stranger were making short work of the Guards by the door. On the floor, Luke was holding Lea, rocking her back and forth as he kept an eye on the battle. When he saw us, he stood and pulled Lea to her feet. She was hysterical. I didn’t think she even knew what was going on around her, not even when the stranger with the scar threw a dagger and took out a Guard right beside her.

“Who… who are you?” I asked.

He bowed at the waist and grinned. “Most call me Solos.”

“Solos from Nashville?”

Solos nodded, spun around and punched the living crap out of a Sentinel who’d made a run at us. The punch knocked the guy off his feet. It was pretty epic.

“Are we getting out of here?” Luke asked. He held Lea close to him, his movements near frantic. “We’ve got to get out of—”

The air popped and crackled. Light followed, flashing over the entire room. When it receded, Apollo stood in the middle of the aisle. “Go,” he said. “Get off the island now. I will hold him off, give you enough time.”

“Alex!” roared Seth.

Cold shivers went down my spine.

“Whatever you all do, do not stop. Do not stay to help,” Apollo ordered before he turned around. “Go.”

“Come on.” Aiden had me again. “We have a car waiting down the street, by the beach.”

“You can run, Alex!” Seth’s voice carried over the uproar. “Run all you want! I will find you!”

Aiden dragged me toward the front doors. I looked back, seeing Seth standing in the center of the dais, his chest heaving. The body of the furie lay at his feet like a sick trophy.

“Stop them!” Lucian ordered, moving behind Seth. “Don’t let her out of here.”

The Guards in front of the dais turned and froze. Then they scattered like roaches.

Apollo moved up the aisle. “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

“I will find you! We’re connected. We are one!” Seth was still screaming. His gaze fell to the god. He sneered. “You want to fight me now, in your true form?”

“I will fight you in any form, you little punk-ass brat.”

Seth laughed. “You can’t kill me.”

“But I
can
beat the living snot out of you.”

That was all I heard. We were out of the courthouse, into the sunlight. Pures and halfs streamed out behind us. We kept running. I struggled to keep up with Aiden, breathing harshly. I could barely feel my legs. Stumbling more than once, Aiden caught me each time, urging me on. Then Marcus appeared at my side, and without a word, swooped me up in his arms.

Indignation swept through me. I loathed the idea of being carried, but I was more of a hindrance on my feet. Only then did I realize that my runes were still burning, the skin throbbing. My stomach started to roll violently.

“I’m going to be sick,” I gasped out.

Marcus stopped immediately, placing me on my feet. I hit my knees, and the contents of my stomach emptied on the sidewalk outside a coffee shop. It was quick and powerful, over as soon as it started, leaving my insides aching.

“Alex!” Aiden tracked back to us.

“She’s okay.” Marcus helped me to my feet. “She’s all right. Aiden, go ahead. Make sure your brother is there and get those kids to safety.”

Aiden hovered. “I’m not leav—”

“I’m fine. Go.”

Obviously reluctant to do so, it took Aiden a few more seconds before he spun around and took off.

“Are you okay?” Marcus asked. “Alexandria?”

I nodded slowly. My hands trembled. “Sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Marcus’ eyes softened, possibly for the first time since I’d known him. He stepped forward, wrapping his arms around me. It was a brief hug, but tight and everything it should’ve been. And oddly, I discovered it was something I’d been yearning for.

“Good gods, girl,” he choked out, releasing me. “Do you think you can run? It’s not very far. We have to get back to the St. Delphi’s.”

Tears clawed at my throat as I nodded. It wasn’t far, but the poor man would die carrying me the whole distance. Hoping my stomach didn’t decide to jump out of me again, I started running as fast as I could.

The run ended up nearly killing me. When we finally reached the sand, and were running into the wind, my muscles screamed and protested. I kept going, almost crying out when I saw the two black Hummers… and Aiden.

He met us halfway, thrusting a bottle of water in my hands as I slowed down. “Drink slowly.”

I sipped the water as Aiden clasped my shoulders. I wanted to tell him that I was okay, that I wasn’t who he should be worried about, but we were moving again.

Deacon was pacing at the rear of the Hummer. “Is someone going to tell me what the hell is going on?” He followed us past the first car. “Lea is hysterical. Luke won’t talk. What the hell happened?”

“Did you get the bags in the cars?” Aiden asked, taking the bottle from me before I forgot about the sipping rule. “All of them, like I said?”

“Yes.” Deacon ran his hands through his curls, eyes wide and intense. “What happened?”

Solos jogged up to us. “It’ll take about eight hours to get where we’re going. We should have at least half of that time in before we stop for gas.”

“Agreed,” Aiden said. He took hold of my limp arm in a gentle grasp, taking on most of my weight. I hadn’t realized I’d leaned against the Hummer. His worried gaze kept falling back to me.

“Tell me what happened!” Deacon yelled.

“Seth… Seth attacked the Council.” I winced at the words.

Deacon stared incredulously. “Oh my gods.”

I broke free of Aiden and looked inside the Hummer. Piled in the back were suitcases. They’d had it all planned. Pushing away from the back of the car, I watched for Seth. How long could Apollo hold him off?

They were finalizing plans, and I was still staring at the suitcases. Obviously they’d hoped to grab me at the Council somehow, not knowing the kind of chaos that was going to erupt. What would they have risked to get me out of there? Life and limb, most likely.

The wind picked up.

Aiden headed back to me, all determination and purpose. “We have to leave now.”

Solos called out to Marcus. “You ready for this?”

“Let’s get out of here,” Marcus replied, casting a long look at me. “You holding up?”

“Yeah,” I croaked, and then cleared my throat.

“This is crazy.” Deacon opened the back door and started to climb in. “Everything is going bat—”

“No!” Aiden pushed Deacon toward the Hummer being driven by Solos. “We’re the ones they will target. Go with Marcus. Luke, stay with him.”