Dom led the way, waltzing into the chambers like she owned the place. A walkway was illuminated by dim strip LEDs along the carpeted aisle. The rest of the room was cloaked in a thick darkness.
Except for a spotlit podium at the center of the room.
Is there even anyone here?
At this point, I wouldn’t put it past The Oracle to punk us.
But from what little I could see, the room was huge. The sound of our footsteps echoed off the tall, vaulted veilings.
Leo and Spencer walked behind me, suddenly giving off a nervous energy I’d never felt from them before.
But Dom sauntered right up to the bright podium and leaned against the wood railing that kept her caged from the councilors who sat in the black void beyond.
Standing behind her, I squinted into the darkness. All I could make out was an elevated semicircle made of a dark wood. In chairs, each Oracle was too shrouded in shadow to make out their faces. But I knew they weren’t wearing a mask like theirlittle messengers. Not like they needed anything anyway. They were completely anonymous to me in such dim lighting.
Leo and Spencer fanned out next to me. Leo crossed her arms as she stared the council down, her forearms straining the limits of her suit.
Taking a deep breath, I knew I needed to settle my racing heart. I needed to play this cool, needed them to know I wasn’t afraid of them. In reality, I was terrified. They’d been watching me for years, my entire life really. And I’d never been the wiser. Somehow they’d cornered me here in their secret headquarters and I’d followed their path without straying.
They had found a way to force Dom back into my life. And I still didn’t understandwhy. The least they could tell me is who the fuck they really were.
Theslamof the heavy doors behind us made me jump as the room fell into silence.
Dom rolled her shoulders back and opened her mouth to speak?—
“You seek council in Delphi.” One of the shadow-cloaked figures beat her to it, leaving Dom’s mouth hanging open for a moment. “What can The Oracle see for you, Martyr?”
Groaning her annoyance and teeth gritted, Dom gripped the wood railing of our podium. “We’ve done your bidding. Followed all of your fucking rules and completed your mission. We’ve broughtherto you. When will your appetite finally be sated?”
“Not all of our rules.” A different voice called out as soon as Dom’s words left her mouth.
Next to me, Spencer shook her head and mumbled, “For fuck’s sake.”
Dom’s temple tensed. “We got you the evidence, broke into that sick asshole’s apartment. Now it’s time to come clean. What’s the plan?” With a scoff, Dom’s tone turned to an icymockery for a brief moment, “All mighty, all seeing Gods you are up here in yourfuckingtower.”
Silence passed over the room again.
Did she go too far?
Sweat built on my forehead.
Until a councilor’s voice boomed out from the shadows. “Ms. Tierney. Step forward.”
Dom looked over her shoulder to nod to me.
Following the instruction, I took my place next to Dom. I tried to hide the rapid rise and fall of my chest as my nerves raged inside my body.
“You do not have your father’s wealth?” The same voice asked.
“No,” I couldn’t stop the laugh from ripping out of my throat — the very idea that I was some secret billionaire too funny to ignore. “Been broke my whole life. Could’ve used that cash a few times.”
A new voice turned my head. “Where did the shares go?”
“I have no idea.” Sucking my teeth, I shrugged. “I assumed my dad gave them to my mom and she squandered the money.”
“That is not the story The Oracle has seen unfold.” Another councilor chimed in.
At this point, I’d lost track of how many members there even were before us.
