“She is grieving the loss of a comrade,” I explain. “I will ensure she is punished for her misguided speech.”
“You’ve been lax, Endymion,” he says, shaking his head in disappointment. “Weak.”
The word cuts me like a blade. It is his favored insult, the one he has used against me since my boyhood. Nothing I do ever impresses him. No amount of victories or accolades or medals will ever make him find me worthy. To him, I will always be that small boy who hid from the world because he couldn’t face reality.
I hate that his disapproving tone crawls under my skin.
“Your engagement to Haven Warrick is over.”
I stiffen.
“On what account?”
“I have found a better, more suitable candidate,” he says. “You will be Supreme Director one day, and it doesn’t suit you to have a Common on your arms.”
My jaw clenches tightly at his words, fighting him feels useless when he knows the outcome, but I have to protect Haven. Whatever he thinks he knows, I have to dismiss his concerns and assure him that she is not a threat and that this marriage must proceed as intended.
“What do you speak of?”
“Clover told me and Ansel the truth,” he says slowly. “Unlike you, she can be trusted. I know all about this girl and her schemes.”
Haven trembles behind me. Her hand reaches for mine, fingers gripping me tightly.
I’m going to kill Clover. I’m going to put a hundred bullets in her skull and throw her off a cliff. And then I’ll do the same to Ansel.
“A Timebender,” the Supreme Director muses. “What a rare power. Your sister was kind enough to confirm the truth after a little encouragement. I know all about your mother’s tricks, and you’re switch.”
Clover is going to hate her choices when she’s facing the muzzle of my gun. He must have captured Haven’s sister and confirmed the truth.
Haven releases my hand, stepping in front of me.
“What did you do to her?” Haven asks shakily. “Where is my sister?”
“Safe,” he says. “For now.”
“I’m going to ki?—”
I wrap a hand around her mouth. Threatening the Supreme Director is not an offense that ends in one’s survival. I pull her behind me, shielding her with my body.
“Father,” I say, a word I haven’t used since my boyhood in the hopes that it softens him. “She is confused and lost. I’ll bring her in line. I’ll train her and ensure her loyalty. Her and her sister.”
“I’m afraid that is not possible,” he says with a shake of his head. “Haven is too far gone. Her mother’s sentiments have rubbed off on her.”
“I will ensure her allegiance,” I press. “You have to trust me.”
“You threatened Clover to hide what she is,” he says, lips curling in disgust. “You protected the traitor instead of turningher in. You know that Class Ones are not permitted to live. You sheltered an Untamed. You defy the Code. You defy me.”
His face shifts, turning cruel and feline.
The door opens, and a stream of capital enforcers enter wearing their military regalia, assembling behind my father and joining their comrades.
I look back at Haven.
“Stop—”
Before I can finish my words, her mouth parts in surprise. There is a tranquillizer stuck deep in her neck. The ends protrude from her skin, and I catch her waist, just as she collapses in my arms.
My grip tightens around her, dragging her to my chest.
