He looks at me, analyzing my response.
"The academy?" I reply, confused. "But why would she attend the academy if she has no sin powers? How does she remain sinless at twenty? I've never heard of that happening before."
"Precisely," my father replies with a scowl on his face. "It is unacceptable for her to be allowed to attend. Apparently, her power level ratings came back high, and Bellows and Igor think she should attend. It's ludicrous." Well, that makes a little more sense. Igor is the factionlead of Wrath, and the criteria for SinVail Academy attendance in that territory is reliant on one's power level.
"I can't believe the entire council would convene for this waste of time. They should have exiled her as soon as they discovered she was sinless. She brings no value to Vail." The entire council? I think of Arwen… it can't be her, though. She was meeting with the council on business. She said that, right? And anyway, she has already graduated out of the academy. No, this must be someone else.
"I agree, Father. How can I help?" Ever the compliant son, I reply.
"You're going to attend this trial. You need to pay close attention to the faction leads and observe how they react to questioning this girl. It's rare that we get to see the entire Vail Council interact, and we might glean if there are any potential alliances stirring up that we aren't aware of. No one should question it, as you have attended council business before as part of your training."
"Of course, Father," I reply.
"And Atticus... if the decision appears to be swaying in the wrong direction, I would expect you would want to do something about it." He holds my stare and says this like it would be my decision, when it's clearly not. But my father would never stoop so low as to ask for my help.
Of course, this is why I am here—to use my sin power to ensure all goes my father's way. He has no problem exploiting my sin, although he would never admit how exceptional it really is.
My sin power is an aura of superiority. I can influence others' opinions, nudge them to agree with me, command respect, and inspire loyalty or fear. But my genuine gift is a top-tier sin: I can compel someone's opinion, a power unseen for generations. I can slip intotheir minds, rearrange their thoughts, and essentially control their decisions while they believe they are in full control.
It's dangerous, and it takes all my power to perform. I need days to recharge, so I use it sparingly—usually only when my father prompts that it would be best. He has taken great measures to ensure this power remains a secret. On paper, I'm still a powerful sin with my influential abilities, but if it were ever revealed that I have the power to compel, it could spark rumors that my sin power rivals my father's, whose sin of invincibility is also unique. It's in his best interest to keep it a secret. If it got out, it would make others more cautious around me, more attentive with their mental shields, and harder to slip through. So, I guess it is in my best interest for now as well.
I nod, and he stands. I follow him out of his office and down the hall. As we walk to the formal courtroom, I glance around each hallway, looking for any glimpse of Arwen. She should be finished with her meeting if the trial is starting now. Shit. Why am I looking for her? I need to clear my head after this. I'm definitely going to shove my cock in someone tonight; this state of mind that I am in is pathetic.Weak.
In true Pride fashion, or more accurately, my father's fashion, we are the last to arrive. The council is used to that now. My father opens the intricately carved double wooden doors to the courtroom, striding in with an air of arrogance. Not looking at anyone in particular—no, that's my job. His job is to remind everyone that they are so far beneath him, he doesn't need to acknowledge their presence.
It has been a very long time since I have seen the councilors all together. I sit on one of the middle benches facing their raised dais. They occupy a lengthy, semi-circular desk overlooking the courtroom.My father takes his seat in the center, and they say terse hellos and brief each other on new faction developments. Although none of it is truly new, as they all have Envy spies to keep them updated, each councilor will only discuss what they know the others are already aware of.
A door opens towards the front of the room, and Dean Bellows walks in, followed closely by a familiar red head.Arwen….
Disappointment and something close to rage flood me. So, it is her.
She purposely deceived me, lied to me. My pride nature has me seething that someone would fool me like that, especially a commoner from a lesser faction. Maybe she knew who I was the whole time? What was her endgame? Did she think she could use her looks and shy glances to get me to put a word in with my father?
I can feel myself scowling in her direction, but she hasn't noticed me yet. She is standing at the front of the room, looking around the raised dais with her head held high and portraying a fake air of confidence just like I told her to, but I can see her hands trembling.
The tug in my sternum returns faintly, like it wants me to move closer to the front of the room. I can't afford to think about that right now; I need to use all my attention to observe for my father.
"Councilors," Dean Bellows says with a respectful nod. Despite not being a councilor herself, Dean Bellows commands all their eyes and respect. She is powerful, respected, and well-known among all the factions. Arwen takes a seat in the lone chair facing the raised dais.
"I'm sure you all know why we are here, but for the sake of transparency, I will repeat the basics. Following tradition in Wrath for academy entrance, they tested Miss Davies's power level yesterday. She has not manifested a sin, despite being over the age of 20. Miss Davies' power level was tested multiple times by different machines. I myselftested her with no one else in the room. Each time, her power level came back the same: 100%."
100%?!My eyes go wide, and my father risks a quick glance at me.
He left that vital part out of his little story on purpose.
Her power level is incredibly higher than his, and he would never mention or acknowledge anyone, especially a commoner with no known ties to Pride, of having anything more than he does. Not a soul in Vail has tested that high. Even in past generations, when power levels were higher, was there ever a citizen with 100% power?
100%... That would mean an endless well of power. No need to recharge and the ability to go as big and as far as you want to, but quite useless without a manifested sin. I understand now why my father seemed so passionate about some common girl attending the academy. It's not normally something he would give attention to, but if this girl manifests a sin, she could be dangerous. A direct power against him or a useful alliance for one of his adversaries. No… it's much better for him if this girl goes away quickly and quietly.
"Are we sure the girl isn't lying? How do we know she hasn't manifested a sin?" Councilor Blaise asks. As leader of the Greed faction, the second most powerful faction in Vail and Pride's biggest enemy, it makes sense for him to question. He has the same concerns as my father, no doubt.
"Why would I lie?!" Arwen speaks up angrily to Councilor Blaise, speaking out of turn. Dean Bellows gives her a stern look, and she huffs, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms. Yeah, this girl is a spitfire. Definitely a wrath trait. How did I miss that before?
"Miss Davies' accounts have been validated through the residents of her city and the teachers at her school. She has no manifestedsin powers," Bellows responds. Councilor Blaise raises an eyebrow in speculation. He wouldn't dare challenge Dean Bellows in front of the other councilors, but he is no doubt questioning her account in his mind.
"I believe, as does Igor…" Dean Bellows continues, gesturing towards Councilor Drow the Wrath's leader, "that we should allow Miss Davies to attend SinVail Academy to continue her education."
"And do what?" my father questions. "She has no sin to practice. This would be a waste of time and resources that could go towards students who will actually contribute to Vail in the future."
