—Keep note of anyone who has that evil crap in them—
—I will—
When I rejoin Jordan, not only is she with her parents, but my father as well. He moves slightly, and to my horror, I see Aurora lurking behind his shoulder. She’s taller than the last time I saw her.
Rory’s full mouth is sulky, and a frown creases her brow. She looks up at me with her huge eyes. They’re wide-set, making her look like a pixie, fairy, something enchanted. Those eyes roll behind my father’s back.
Careless, sis. He won’t stand for impertinence.
Why has he brought my sister here? She’s only sixteen, too young, and utterly unprepared for this den of vipers.
Alistair Singleton-Smith holds out a hand, and we shake. “There you are, Cosmo. I couldn’t understand why my daughter was unattended.”
“Apologies,” I grind out, then press a cold, obligatory kiss onto the cheek of Jordan’s mother. “You look exquisite as always, Mrs. Singleton-Smith.”
Janine Singleton-Smith gives a fake, high-pitched giggle. “Come now, Cosmo, we’re old friends, please call me Janine. After all, we’re virtually family, are we not?”
“An honor,” I murmur. Fuck my life. I nod to my own parent. “Father,” then turn to my sister. “Hey, kiddo.”
She bites her lip nervously. “Hey.”
Janine squeezes my arm. “We are delighted by you and Jordan becoming a match, Cosmo. You’re just the kind of man my girl needs; strong and viral.”
I presume she means virile. Janine hasn’t two brain cells to rub together. She’s speaking fast, like she’s a little nervous. Tense. In fact, they all seem tense, apart from Father.
He narrows his eyes at me. “Cosmo, how are you this evening?” I can count on one hand, with all the fingers amputated, how many times Tyrus Drakeward has asked me that question.
“Quite well, sir,” I answer, wishing I could see the dark essence the same as Theodora. Is it inside my father? I can’t believe it’s not.
“In fact, I feel better than ever before,” I add.
Father and Singleton-Smith share a look and a smirk, sharing a private joke. Any tension they were carrying evaporates.
“We are glad to hear that,” Jordan’s dad says. As he speaks, my father's phone makes a noise. Frowning, he brings it to his ear. “Speak.” Our small group is silent while Father takes his call. “That’s interesting,” he says. “And as you say, an opportunity.”
I dread to think what he’s plotting now.
My father gives an unpleasant smile. “Give it an hour, then go ahead however you see fit.” The phone goes back in his pocket,then Father pins me in his glare. “So, Cosmo, it seems you are finally ready to take up your position.”
“Er, yes, sir. If you say so.” My position?
“You will have the honor,” Father continues, “to serve me and to serve The Conclave in our new tomorrow.” As he speaks, I feel the invisible sigil on my neck burn. Fuck, I need Theodora to free me from his bond. “You will bend the knee in every way required, do you understand?”
Now the force coming from my father shifts. It’s more than a simple binding; a dark magic fills my veins. It feels like drowning.
I cannot panic, but I don’t know if I can fight it.
Gods.
Suddenly, a warm rush fizzes through every atom of my body. I can almost see the golden sparkles destroying the dark smoke inside me. Thank the Gods.
Or Amirene.
Or Theodora.
I stand blankly, hoping this is what my father expects to see. “I will serve, Father,” I monotone.
“You will put the dawn of the Magical age above all else,” he demands. “As we guide the people to a new, powerful, pure future.”
