AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Taking my eyes off Ana costs me. She takes the opportunity to shove me so hard I fall backwards, hitting my head on the dais floor that’s slick with Marian’s blood.
“You think you’re a match for me?” Ana laughs, doing a good job at sounding as though she wants nothing more than to wear my entrails around her neck like an accessory.
When I look up at her, she flicks her eyes between me and my men who are waiting below the dais. I know she can’t outright tell me her plan, so I have to hope I’m understanding her correctly.
“You’re nothing but a bug trying to act like a predator,” she goads. “Tell you what, little girl. I’m feeling generous so I’ll give you a chance. Stand up.”
I make a big show of standing back up, groaning as though I’m in pain while widening my eyes in faux fear.
While Andreas and Joachim cheer Ana on, she lunges for me, which I counter by taking a step backwards. We continue this dance until we reach the edge.
“Give it your best shot,” I taunt. “Stop playing and get real with me.”
Even though her back is to the other Tribunal members, she doesn’t relax her expression. Instead, she hardens it and gives me one last push. My arms swing wildly, unable to protectively wrap them around my head as I roll down the stairs. I hear the snap before I feel the pain shooting up my arm.
Then, I scream.
While Ana slowly descends the stairs, Gus rushes to my side. He carefully cradles my head. When he tries to lift me, I scream again. The throbbing pain in my arm is so severe I can’t work out where it comes from. It could be my elbow, wrist, or any of the bones—I really have no idea. Instead of letting my sounds of pain discourage him, Gus grits his teeth and lifts me off the ground, protectively cradling me against his chest.
I open my mouth, determined to meet Ana head on, but I’m interrupted by the sound of a horn blowing.
“It’s time,” Kai says. His voice shakes with the emotions he’s holding back, and when I look at him, he’s clenching his hands so hard his knuckles are white.
Tears stream down my face, making my vision blurry as I watch everyone take on fighting stances. The area is immediately divided into two groups, and to my surprise, Ana stands next to Kai.
“What are you doing?” Joachim hisses in outrage.
“Remembering what we’re supposed to be about,” Ana spits back. “The fact that the Ruler is here, and no one seems to protect that is a testament to how far we’ve fallen. And look at how we’re treating each other.” She sweeps her arm towards Morgana and Gus.
“We are infinite,” Andreas shouts, sounding like a madman. “We’re the only ones that matter.”
As Kai’s guards become visible, I immediately notice Flavio walking with them. He bounces with every step he takes, like he’s eager for a fight.
“Is this the best you have?” Andreas laughs scathingly.
Without saying a word, Kai discreetly moves to the edge of the area, ready to greet his guards.
“The best are already here,” Liam quips in a broken voice.
I belatedly realize that Andreas has pulled a gun, aiming it straight at me. “You should have stayed dead,” he barks. “Marian was right about you and your whore mom. You tainted everything, ruined what this family is all about.”
Despite the gun aimed at my chest, it’s his words that cause me to flinch in Gus’ arms. When my cousin tries to move back behind some of the guards on our side, Andreas stalks towards us, making his intentions clear. We’re caught out in the open with nothing but human bodies to shield us.
“Gemma was soft,” Andreas continues. “She didn’t want you to receive your training, and she kept you as far away from our world as possible. When she couldn’t accept how things were, she and your dad started digging. The things they found sealed their fates.”
Even though I’m trembling with fear, I can’t resist shouting back. “But that’s a lie isn’t it? You used my dad, forced him to do whatever you wanted. Just like you’ve forced Morgana to go through only the Olympians know what while you’ve had her here. You’re not looking for the strongest or best Drákon, you’re looking for the one you can best manipulate.”
I’m breathing so heavily my breath comes out in labored puffs.
“You’re ready to kill anyone standing in your way. Not for the family name, but for your own nefarious reasons. Ana is right, you’ve forgotten what we’re supposed to be about.”
Something clicks in my head, a memory of the people who helped Liam out of the burning maze on Halloween, and the ones showing up when Gus was fighting Elena. Since learning more about the Tribunal, I assumed it was Ana’s men, but that doesn’t make sense. Kai told me that the new mythology teacher wasn’t available when the University started back up in September, or right after New Year’s.
“It was you,” I gasp, looking straight at Joachim. “You knew Marian couldn’t be trusted. You’re the one who had your men save Liam in the burning maze.”
Even though I don’t need him to confirm it, he nods his head slightly. “Yes.”
I turn my gaze back to Andreas, “You see? Even the ones closest to you don’t trust you.”
