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Gray light.
I transform into the Senator once again, mirroring his loosened tie and rolled sleeves. He studies me. Does he know his face as well as he thinks he does? I know it really well from all the times he was up in mine yelling at me to be better, to give him space to work when I wanted him to spend time with me. There were some evenings during my Blood Caster days when I was on edge whenever I saw someone who bore the slightest resemblance to him. His face has haunted me, and I’m wearing it now to lie for him like I have my entire life.
“That power is remarkable,” the Senator says. “Don’t disappoint me.”
“Not sure that’s possible,” I say as I leave, followed by Bishop.
I pass Grandpa’s statue, wishing he’d been a better human being instead of the gleamphobic piece of shit who raised another one. Flashing cameras greet us at the gate. The last time the media swarmed to the manor like this was after the Blackout when the Senator was grieving me. They’re back for another lie.
Roslyn silences all the reporters and photographers.
I open the speech, a full page handwritten by the Senator. Interesting how he can find the time to write up these lies in minutes but can only spare a sentence for my birthday cards, if that. There’s so much suspense in the air as everyone waits for me to speak.
I’m silent as I quickly read through the speech.
It opens with grief for the bodyguards who were killed by Emil and Brighton.
Lie.
How the Spell Walkers want to assassinate him.
Lie.
How resurrection in humans is real with phoenix blood.
Fact.
How he is responsible for the capture of Luna Marnette.
Fact omitting the greater truth.
How all vigilante groups are uniting to become invincible.
Lie.
How Emil Rey is the latest incarnation of Keon Máximo and Bautista de León.
Fact.
How the Senator is the true hero this country needs.
Lie.
I look up at everyone with genuine tears in my eyes, knowing what has to happen next. The Senator must be stopped. It’s frightening how quickly he’s adapted to tonight’s events. He wrote all of this before he even detained Luna. In the time we’ve been back, he plotted a whole betrayal to try and save face.
This might be the last time I’m let out of my cage.
I rip up the script with a pounding heart. “You’re all being lied to! The Blackout was orchestrated by—”
A spell bangs through the air.
There are screams in the crowd, but I can’t see where anyone is going. I’m on the floor with blood spilling out of my stomach and gray light washing over me to show the world my true face.
One last time.
Fifty-Nine
Fury
