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“Verdict?” I ask numbly. The word in itself feels like a death sentence. The silence weighs on my chest, my lungs unable to fill completely, my breaths coming in short quick bursts.
The only sound I can make out clearly is the pounding beat of my heart, steadily picking up its pace. I vaguely hear footsteps, hurriedly clomping down the stairs through the fog, before two firm hands grip my arms. My eyes raise to meet a pair of warm honey-brown ones tilted in concern.
“Breathe,” Kyros whispers calmly. The words take a moment to settle in my mind. Breathe? Do I even remember how to? I force my lungs to pull in a full breath and hold it before exhaling a moment later. My heart finally slows back down to a regular rate.
All of the guys have inched closer. My eyes briefly catch on Adrian, paused halfway down the stairs. His fingers gripping the railing, indecision warring in his crystal blue gaze. I don’t let myself linger there too long as guilt burns in my chest.
My father waits impatiently by my side, his eyes throwing daggers at Kyros. Not used to me having anyone else but him and Nelle. He purses his lips, warily assessing Kyros before his mouth opens, about to explain.
“What verdict do they need to deliver?” Mateo scoffs. His rumbling voice shocks everyone from their silence. Adrian continues his way down the stairs, stopping just at the bottom. He rubs his bicep, anxiously avoiding my gaze. Maximus has gone rigid, and he clenches his fists, fighting back the rage that simmers just beneath the surface.
My father’s narrowed eyes move to Mateo, his brows creasing in annoyance at his interruption. “Thanks to you four,” His glare now settles on Adrian, ensnaring him. “The council is not only aware of Olivia’s existence, but since she is enrolled as a student here, she is firmly under their jurisdiction.”
I chew my lip nervously at his words, unsure what exactly to make of them. Kyros moves to my side, satisfied that I’m not about to pass out. He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me into him. He gives me a tight smile, and I move into him, soaking up the comforting warmth his presence evokes in me.
Mateo goes to speak once more, yet my father speaks over him, shooting him a triumphant look. “I don’t think any of you understand the severity of this situation. They could rule to lock her away, study her, or even put her to death.”
His last syllable rings out around the room like the last toll of a bell. Plummeting the room back into silence. My brows knit together, and my lips pop open, attempting to form words, questions that refuse to leave my lips.
“You would let them do that? To your own daughter?” Mateo asks incredulously, the disgust and hatred he feels towards my father at this moment evident in his tone. I even catch a hint of disbelief. My father’s perceived acceptance surprises Mateo, despite how they were at each other’s necks.
My father huffs out an irritated breath, his eyes hardening at Mateo’s words.
“God of War, we may have had our disagreements in the past, but let me make one thing abundantly clear.” His words come out calm and concise, but I can hear the threat lingering in his tone. “I will do whatever I need to protect my daughter.”
His gaze roves over the four other gods, capturing their attention before he looks at me. His eyes soften, and I can see the truth in his words. Not that I had any doubt in my mind. I nod in understanding and give him a tight smile.
My father may be many things, but regardless of what others may think of him, I know he would never put me in jeopardy. He’s always been my fierce protector and my number one supporter. He may not be the warmest man or the most open about his feelings, but I have no doubt in my mind that he would go to the end of the earth—or the ethereal realm now—to keep me safe.
“I may have more power than them, but since they have power over the school and its students, they will declare that it is a liability to allow Olivia to leave the academy without any demonstration that she is able to control her powers,” my father explains, giving me a sympathetic look. “You know those four council members have been vying for whatever scrap of power they can cling to. I’m only warning you that this may be a tipping point with the council. If they force my hand, I will not hesitate to smite them where they stand,” my father proclaims, training his gaze back on Mateo.
Mateo nods in grudging respect, the two finally finding common ground. Despite this, they both look disturbed, as though they’ve never agreed on anything before.
My father straightens, his hands smoothing over his designer suit, ironing out any creases in the fine linen. The move more out of power than vanity. I’ve seen this move a thousand times—normally during a business meeting. He uses his height and air of authority as an intimidation tactic.
Matteo must understand this too, as his look of begrudging agreement quickly changes to one of disdain. A sneer curls his lips as his eyes narrow suspiciously on my father.
“So, what’s the plan?” Maximus grumbles from his spot planted against the wall. He sticks close to my bag as though guarding it. My eyes widen in surprise, shocked that the surly asshat would defer to anyone.
I observe the room warily, seeing how everyone-well almost everyone-now looked to my father, taking his lead. Mateo, of course, looks on defiantly, daring him to attempt to order him around.
I quirk an eyebrow at the scene. Obviously, I’m missing something. Sure my dad has always been an intimidating, no-nonsense businessman. But for four, well three gods, to defer to him, he must hold some sort of rank or position over them.
“The plan was—” My father pauses to focus this look of disappointment on the other four gods in attendance. “To never allow Olivia to step foot in this academy, let alone have to face the council.”
He narrows his eyes on Adrian, clearly having found out that Adrian was the one to find most of the demigods and was the one to first bring me to this realm. Adrian doesn’t meet his gaze, though. The usually confident, teasing man only looks off to the side. My heart drops, knowing I’m the cause for that pain and anger churning inside him.
“Well, you obviously didn’t do a great job of that,” Mateo announces smugly, crossing his arms over his chest. He barks a laugh at my father’s expense, looking down his nose at him. “So why don’t we just leave?” Mateo asks plainly, as though he didn’t just stop my father from doing just that. I eye my father warily, really hoping I don’t need to get in between the two of them again.
“Your stupidity is honestly astounding, Mateo. What on earth do you think I was trying to do?” My father scoffs a slight growl to his voice, the only thing betraying his anger towards Mateo at this moment. “This is all your fault anyway. If it wasn’t for that emergency meeting you called, I would have been there to stop the God of Illusion.”
Mateo grins triumphantly as though he planned it all, which we all know is impossible. Yet his ego is indeed deluding him into thinking he masterminded the whole Adrian abducting me thing on my birthday. I sigh in exasperation, with just a hint of admiration.
“I had no idea you were so annoyed by my surprise meetings. I’ll ensure I schedule them more often,” he gloats. “Besides, I didn’t mean you, Osias. I meant us. The five of us can leave without you.” He waves, gesturing to myself and his brothers.
I open my mouth to protest, but Kyros cuts me off.
“Do you realize how selfish you’re being? You’re asking Olivia to leave her father because of what, your childish pissing match?”
