“They cozied up during the gala. A shame you didn’t attend with Dad. You could’ve met Elle’s boyfriend then.”
“I’m here now.” Mom’s eyes glint the same olive shade as Dorian’s. “Why don’t you invite Cillian to lunch tomorrow?”
I bounce my knee. “He doesn’t take lunch breaks.”
“Then invite him for breakfast.”
If only I could compel my stubborn mother to drop the subject. “He teaches lots of early morning classes.”
“All right. Then tea before I fly back out.”
“Why do you even want to meet him?” I ask. “He and I have dated for, like a minute.”
“I think the better question is: Why don’t you want to introduce Mom to your boyfriend, Elle?”
“Because I’ll probably have broken up with him by next week, so what’s the point?”
Mom sighs. “Fine, but if it gets serious, then I’m flying back here to meet him, deal?”
Since that won’t be happening, I say, “Deal,” then spend the rest of the car ride discussing Council business. Well, Mom and Dorian do.
Though I listen, I’m thoroughly distracted by the vibrations coming from the apparatus wedged beneath the leather seat and my thigh. I don’t peek at it until we’re in the driveway, only to find a bunch of pictures of a dark-haired girl with pornstar lips named Polly Collins.
I know I’ve seen her before, but wh?—
It hits me a second before someone asks what’s with the pictures of Symeon’s dead ex.
Chapter 11
Electra
Polly Collins was the last girl Symeon dated.
I saylastbecause Yasmin Fablez doesn’t count. Her relationship with Symeon was nothing but a performance.
Anyway, Symeon had desperately wanted to give Polly runes. When Tarian refused, Symeon flew her to Atlantis and took her into the mine in an attempt to get her some himself.
My parents tried to stop him.
Symeon ignored them.
Polly died.
Naturally, Symeon blamed his brother for his girlfriend’s death. He accused Tarian of being selfish and snapped that just because the old gods favored inbreeding didn’t mean we should. I remember overhearing him spit all of it into his phone and wondering whether Gaea would punish him for speaking so recklessly.
“Going to sit here all night?” Dorian asks, holding my door wide.
I blink at him, then blink at the empty car. How did I miss everyone getting out?
I tuck my phone away, then hop out. “There are rumors?—”
“You need to get off that chat.”
“I would, if you included me in the official Guardian chat.”
My brother’s square jaw sharpens. “Reenroll, and I’ll bring it up during the next Council meeting.”
“Ifthey agree to let me train as a Guardian,thenI’ll reenroll.”
