Kayla’s father hurries towards the dais, then bows obsequiously. “Your Eminence, thank you for this honor.”
Tyrus nods at him then looks to Janine.
“This will be the last ascension until our energy cache of new conduits is charged and ready,” she says. “David, bring forward the last vessel.
My heart breaks as a tiny girl is dragged out. She’s a little older than the last boy. Maybe seven? Sweet and silent.
A repeat of the last ceremony occurs. The kid collapses and is dragged out. Roger Cox gasps then stands upright. His eyes are glowing.
“Turn off the lights,” he bellows.
After a nod from Papa Drakeward, the room is plunged into darkness.
“I can see,” Cox squeals in delight. “I have night-vision. I see you all, ineverydetail.”
Gross.
More applause and congratulations happen. It’s too much, I’m barely able to keep myself upright.
—Stay strong, Theodora. This can’t last forever—
Tyrus Drakeward gathers the attention of the assembled people once again. “As you know, we can only charge up our conduits every forty-six days. But rest assured, the Conclave’s finest scientists are working on a new conduit which will accelerate the process and soon have you all reaching your innate potential.”
He glances my way, then clicks his fingers to beckon Dr. Hart towards him. “Janine? Are they ready to be sent back?” Tyrus asks, as his cold eyes shift between me, Cosmo, Wes and then over to François.
“Completely,” she replies, a satisfied smirk on her face. “All four are completely and utterly ours.”
Tyrus doesn’t like that. “Mine,” he snaps back.
“Of course, your Eminence. I misspoke.”
He grunts then places a heavy hand on Cosmo’s shoulder. “You and your classmates may return to the academy now, son. You are my eyes and ears among the student body. I want to know of any attempted dissent. And remember, there is no place for sentiment in the Conclave. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Father,” Cosmo replies.
“And you, François?”
“Yes, sir. I understand,parfaitement.”
Tyrus Drakeward moves towards me. He tilts my chin with a finger.
I shudder as his power roots me to the spot. “And the AUA. She will remember nothing from the past twenty-four hours?”
“Correct, your Eminence. She is now perfectly pliable.”
“Good.” Drakeward moves his hand to grip my jaw, then angles it towards his son. “See this girl? She’s the key to having a rapid production of ascended Elites. Keep her safe, son. And keep your other friend in order, or he’ll be eliminated”
“Father? Which friend?”
“The other Hart boy.”
Jonquil Hart shifts. “Sir…”
“A problem with that?” Tyrus sniffs. “Your second son is a trouble maker. Not my concern that you’ve faulty offspring.” He snaps his fingers and two guards ‘escort’ us into the elevator.
My stomach dips as the pressure changes when we rise.
Within a minute we are ejected out into a shipping container.
