“And so will you.”
“And so will I.”
“I understand,” I say.
“Good. Good. I knew you’d see sense. You know, many of the Proctors like you. Minerva even does. She hated you at first, but since you let Mustang go, she’s been able to stay around on Olympus. Much less embarrassing that way.”
“She’s allowed to stay around on Olympus?” I ask innocently.
“Naturally. It’s the rules of the Institute. Once your House is defeated, the Proctor heads home to face the music and explain what went wrong to the Drafters.” Fitchner’s smile contorts when he sees the sudden glimmer in my eyes.
“So if their House is destroyed, they have to leave? And it was Apollo and Jupiter who want me dead, you say?”
“No…,” he begs, suddenly hearing the menace in my voice.
I tilt my head. “No?”
“You…can’t!” he sputters, confused. “I just told you, the Sword of the damn House Mars wants you as an apprentice. And there are others—Senators, Politicos, Praetors. Don’t you want a future?”
“I want to rip the Jackal’s balls off. That’s all. Then I will find my apprenticeship. I imagine it will be an impressive one if I do that.”
“Darrow! Be reasonable, man.”
“Fitchner, my friends Roque and Lea died because of the ArchGovernor’s meddling. Let’s see how he likes it when I make his son, the Jackal, my slave.”
“You’re mad as a Red!” he says with a shake of his head. “You’re screwing with the Proctors’ livelihoods. None are content with their current station. They are all looking to ascend as well. If youthreaten their futures, Apollo and Jupiter will come down and they will cut off your head!”
“Not if I destroy their Houses first.” I frown. “Because don’t they have to leave if I do that? Someone reliable told me those were the rules.” I clap my hands together. “Now, I have another friend who is dying and I’d like some antibiotics. It’d be prime if you could give me some.”
He gawps at me. “After this, why would I?”
“Because you’ve been a piss-poor Proctor up until now. You owe me bounties. And you have your own future to look after.”
He snorts a defeated laugh. “Fair enough.”
He takes an injectable from a medcase on his leg and hands it to me. I notice how the pulseShield doesn’t hurt me when his hand touches mine. So they can turn it off. I thank him by clapping his shoulder affectionately. He rolls his eyes. The armor is turned off over the entire body. Then it’s back. I hear the microhum at his waist where the contraption sits. Now that I’ve got Proctors for enemies, it’s a good thing to know.
“So what will you do?” Fitchner asks.
“Who is more dangerous? Apollo or Jupiter? Be honest, Fitchner.”
“Both are monsters of men. Apollo is more ambitious. Jupiter is simple—he just enjoys playing god here.”
“Then House Apollo first. After that, I’ll crush Jupiter. And when they are gone, who will protect the Jackal?”
“The Jackal,” he says dryly.
“Then we’ll see if he really does deserve to win.”
Before I go, Fitchner tosses a small package to the ground.
“Not that it matters now, but this was given to me. I was told to say that you’re to know that your friends have not forsaken you.”
“Who?”
“I cannot say.”
Whoever gave it to him is a friend, because inside the box is my Pegasus, and inside that is Eo’s haemanthus blossom. I put the Pegasus necklace about my neck.
