"That would have eliminated the Chosen One."
My heart thumps harder against my rib cage. "What is the new path?"
Kirill sighs. "Don't ask questions you know I can't answer. But when the time comes, you will be tested again."
I freeze.
The SUV swerves in and out of traffic.
"This is your cross to carry now, Valentina. The security leak, Sean's lack of following orders, the man you know nothing about..."
"Sean's disobedience shouldn't be on me. It's Byrne's job to make sure he obeys orders," I remind.
Kirill grunts.
"What does that mean?" I snap.
He scoffs. "Think about what you just said, Valentina. You're a smart woman. Put two and two together. What do you want?"
I dig my nails into my thigh, muttering, "A seat at the table."
"So who's responsible for everything?"
I try to clear my dry throat, but it doesn't help. My voice cracks, "I am."
He asserts, "That's right. If you want the seat, you have to prove you can handle every obstacle that comes your way. Now I've asked you before, but I'll ask you one last time. Are you sure you want a seat?"
"Yes," I say without hesitating.
"There are consequences to failing. This isn't a task I would want. I will allow you to back out, but you must do it right now," he offers.
I stay quiet.
He cautions, "There won't be another chance. Back out and be happy where you are, or go forward. You'll either gain a seat at the table or die trying."
Part of me screams to step back and be happy with my current level inside the Underworld. But I know myself. Until I earn the seat my parents held, I'll never rest. And what is happiness anyway? It's just an emotion for weak-minded people who don't want to see what's really going on in front of them.
I sit taller in my seat, declaring, "I want my seat, Kirill."
"Then your choice is made," he says in a sad voice.
"Don't get all excited for me," I snap. Kirill may be the king, but I'm his only friend. And he's the only person in the world I trust.
Still, that won't get me any passes. I have to earn my seat or I'll die. And I wouldn't put it past the Omni to make Kirill be the one to see to it I never take another breath.
"Like I said, you've made your choice," he repeats.
The SUV veers right and stops.
I glance out the window and hit the button for the divider window. "Why did we stop?"
Vito glances at me through the rearview mirror. "Orders, ma'am."
"Cassian?" I question.
He turns his head, his eyes full of questions. "I'm not allowed inside."
My gut drops. "Kirill?"
