His voice dropped — colder now.
“But you’re reckless, Kieran. And you’re getting people killed.”
I scoffed.
“Don’t be so dramatic,” I snapped. “The only ones who died at Darkmoor were ferals and a couple of guards. And we shut down Marr’s house of horrors.”
I held his gaze.
“Doesn’t that count for something?”
Dev didn’t hesitate.
“Marr isn’t dead, K. He’s out there. It doesn’t matter where — he won’t stop.”
His eyes burned.
“And he’ll come for her. You know that.”
“Let him,” I sneered. “I will wipe him from the face of the earth. We will kill them all.”
Dev just stared at me, shaking his head. “Now you are starting to sound like him.”
“So what? Elliot has a vision – a plan!”
“Yeah, I heard all about the plan from Seph last night.” He stepped towards me, his gaze dangerous. “And it sucks.”
“We aren’t forcing her into anything!”
“Have you ever seen Seph after she’s siphoned someone? Do you know what happens to her?”
I swallowed harshly. “No.”
“I have. I watched her strip away a ferals life force before my eyes. And then I watched the black, evil fucking magic of it all strip through her skin like poison. It hurts her, K. Do you even care?”
“She handles it fine.” I replied, but the bravado was heavy in my voice.
“She’s not a damn battery! Every time she is forced to act it takes a toll. And what you are asking of her – What Elliot wants – “
“What would you have us do Dev? The Council out man us ten to one! The Libertarians have the fucking ferals attacking people everywhere and blaming us for it! Its turning public opinion against us! And not only that, but the Council has scouts out looking for Gideon. It’s only a matter of time before they find us!If we don’t do something drastic, we are going to lose!”
Dev snapped his mouth shut. He looked away, sighing.
“K. I respect you. I do. You are my friend. Together, we have done some bad shit. And I get it – things are rough. But you need to ask yourself how far you are willing to go to get what you want. Particularly when it comes to her.”
“We aren’t going to force Seph. That’s not who we are. It’s not who I am.” I said finally. “But she is important to the cause. And to me. She always was.”
“And if she refuses? No matter how much you guilt her. No matter how much you pressure her. If she tells Elliot no, will you still choose her then?” Dev asked.
For a moment I hesitated.
“That’s what I thought.” Dev said, his voice final. He shook his head. “The dragon was right about you. You’re becoming dangerous.”
“Oh, fuck you.” I replied. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Dev held my gaze for a long moment longer. There was no anger left in his expression now. Just something like disappointment.
“I hope you figure out which side of this you’re on,” he said quietly.
