"Augustus, you know as well as I that sin practice is not all we teach at the academy. It is my belief that in this academic setting, under the direction of our staff, Miss Davies' sin could manifest. If that happens, there is no doubt that she would be a productive member of Vail society at her power level."
Dean Bellows drones on, like she is teaching a student material they should already know.
My father is clearly fuming at her casual use of his first name. His dark eyes look like they could sprout lasers at any second.
"And if she doesn't?" He responds in a scathing tone. "I will not condone wasting valuable resources for four years. The academy is a significant drain on our funds and materials, but it is worth it for the select few who will be leading this country. We can't allow the common rabble to go running amok in your prestigious institution."
"I hate to say it, Dean Bellows, but Councilor Willshire could be right," Councilor West of Gluttony replies lazily as he sits back in his chair and spins a pen on the desk. "It sets a precedent. We have kept academy entry strict for a reason."
He would agree with my father. My father considers Councilor West,leader of the Gluttony faction and a mafia boss, to be his top ally outside of our Pride faction.
"Then I put forward a proposal," Dean Bellows responds. "A compromise. Miss Davies will be allowed to attend SinVail Academy for her freshman year, during which she can work towards manifesting her sin. If her sin does not manifest by the end of her freshman year, she will not continue at the academy. I think this is a fair compromise given the anomaly of the situation and her vast potential should she develop a sin. I put it to a vote."
Father glances quickly at me again. I know what he expects me to do. It's clear he and Councilor West will vote no. Councilor Drow will vote yes.
That leaves four Councilors with unknown votes. I wish they had continued to discuss so I could get a read on the other Councilors, but truth be told, hardly anyone gets a word in when my father and Councilor Blaise are in the room.
"Motion accepted," Councilor Drow starts the vote.
"Motion denied," my father barks, tossing a glare at Councilor Drow.
"Motion denied," Councilor West is quick to follow and prove his loyalty to my father. I swear that man has his tongue so far up my father's ass, he can taste his breakfast. It's pathetic.
"Motion accepted," Councilor Baylen of Lust pipes up. I'm not sure what's going on there... she might need Igor's soldiers. Her territory is close to a known large outcast group of forbidden magic users. This will probably earn her a favor.
"Motion accepted," Councilor Leopold, leader of Sloth, murmurs.
I should have seen that coming. Councilor Leopold holds the least amount of power because of the dissent and division in Slot. Slothfaction is divided into those who choose a scholarly path and those who rebel by dabbling in forbidden magic. Only those with the sloth sin can practice forbidden magic, and it was clear long ago that they could never hold a position of power, or Vail would perish entirely.
Councilor Leopold leads those in Sloth who devote themselves to the study of our world and its magic, most of whom teach at the academy itself. It makes sense that he has strong ties to the Dean and would vote her way.
"Motion denied," says Speaker Villanox, Envy Faction.
Maylo Villanox is the only one on the dais who is not a Councilor. He is my age and speaks for the Councilor of Envy. No one has seen the Envy Councilor in decades. He prefers to live his life in secrecy, ruling from afar through a few respectable speakers. Every faction needs the use of Envy's spies, and thus the Councilor gets away with his lack of attendance on council matters. No one knows how powerful the Envy Councilor is, but he never stirs up trouble like the rest of the faction leaders, so he is left to his own devices.
Maylo Villanox is the youngest speaker for Envy in history, a powerful role. He's at the top of the list of those I need to keep a close eye on while at the academy.
That just leaves Councilor Blaise.
It would make sense for Councilor Blaise to vote no and have this motion thrown out, since he questioned her ability along with my father during discussions. But as I slip into his mind, I can tell he is conflicted. That's likely why his mental shields are so weak right now. Working quickly, I try to make sense of the churning thoughts and flashes that are happening.
I can't read someone's mind, but I can get a sense of what they are going to do and manipulate aspects to compel their choices. I see the same fear I recognize in my father, but there is also… intrigue?
No, not intrigue.A hunger.
A glimpse of manipulation. A glimpse of control. A glimpse of power.
He thinks he could have a powerful ally in Arwen. Maybe even one he could control fully. Someone he could control with enough power to rival my father for dominance. I can tell that he is leaning toward approving the motion.
It's time to get to work. I need to maneuver his thoughts and ideas to compel him to vote no.
I take a second and look towards Arwen. She still hasn't seen me, and I can only see the back of her head, but my tug is growing stronger, as if it wants me to go to her. She has her hair pulled over her shoulder, and I gaze down the delicious line of her neck. I watch her little muscular shoulders rise and fall as she pants. She is truly entrancing.
I refocus on the task at hand.
His ideas and thoughts are within my grasp now. I just need to manipulate them enough to convince him this is not going to end well. One little shift and it will be done. I will make my father proud. Maybe he will finally see that I am worthy of his legacy.
So why haven't I done it yet? What is stopping me? The seconds tick by in slow motion.
