Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69923 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
It occurred to me that I didn’t know this man’s power. At least it occurred to me for half a second. There was nothing he could do to me in the minuscule time he had before I exploded him all over the desk.
“I think it the wisest thing I’ve ever done.”
If anything, Drakos’s smirk widened. “I like you, boy. Like your spirit. Most walk through these doors and I know with a single look, they won’t survive their novice year, let alone live to walk on a battlefield. But you...” He pointed through the dark. “There’s a warrior’s heart in your chest. And a killer’s glint in your eye.”
Said eyes hardened. I trusted he was seeing that glint then.
“You’ll go far one day. Possibly further than your father if,” he stressed ever so slightly, “you learn when it’s time for strength, and when it’s time for diplomacy. There’s a reason the council allots me more money, leeway, and deference than suits them. Even they know not to push a man who’s left no trace of the numerous assassins they’ve sent to kill me.”
Our eyes locked across the divide. Neither speaking nor moving as the silence stretched. The guy didn’t get this far by being pushed around by men twenty years his junior. I’d be impressed, if their heads didn’t all pop the same way.
Drakos waved a hand, making me tense. “You may go.”
I didn’t move. “You haven’t agreed to the memorial yet.”
“Agreed?” His brow climbed so high it disappeared into the shadows. “I thought you were making demands, Damien, not pleading for agreement.” He tsked. “How quickly you’ve fallen in my estimation. Seems you’re not the warrior just yet.”
My lips peeled back from my teeth. Drakos shifted the balance of power so swiftly, I asked myself if I ever had it.
“Permission is granted,” he continued. “Galen Teresi was the first son of Kronos to come through these doors in fifty years. His was a rare and marvelous power that would’ve turned the tide in this war. Instead, he’s lost to ignorance, carelessness, and a lack of training. A day of remembrance will be held if only so the students know and remember one thing: Olympia needs the academy. Without it, we’re silly little waifs laying our heads between the maws of demons.”
Silly little waifs. Finally, he brought her up so I didn’t have to. “Where is Aella Galanis? I’ve looked for her. Burst into her dorm half a dozen times. Those Sisypheans all claim she never came back from talking with you.”
“She was less than forthcoming answering my questions, so I gave her time to reconsider before we talked again.”
“Where is she?” I hissed, eyes narrowing to slits. “I want to speak to her. Now.”
“While she may be your responsibility, Galen Teresi was mine. No one speaks to her until I have the truth.”
“What is she saying is the truth?” I growled when he didn’t reply. “Tell me. I spent a week with her. At the very least I can confirm if your suspicions match mine.”
Drakos leaned back, considering me. “What are your suspicions?”
Smart man. Won’t let me see his cards until I reveal mine.
“There’s more to her than she’ll say,” I forced out. “She’s smart. Quick. She can hold her own in a conversation, but she could be from another dominion for the ignorance she displays of Olympus. I say things and she looks at me with true cluelessness. She led us on a desperate chase to the border, but when captured, she didn’t put up a fight.” I dipped my head. “That is until I sentenced her to come to the academy. The traitor’s noose or the mundane dominion, she’s not bothered about which she ends up in. But here... Aella does not want to be here.”
He hummed. “Then, our suspicions do match. She claimed her lack of knowledge was the result of leaving school at the age of ten.”
“Impossible. Ten-year-olds barely know their letters. If she didn’t attend village schooling, then she was privately taught.”
“A private tutor that left her woefully unprepared to survive in our world?” He shook his head. “Though, ignorance is not stupidity. Nor is it weakness. What was done to that demon after it killed Mr. Teresi...” Drakos let out a long, low whistle.
I mimicked him—leaning back in my seat and steepling my fingers. “Is there a question in there?”
“What is her power and why does she deny it? The report said she killed one of the guards transporting her in self-defense. Actually, self-defense was emphasized multiple times, but where it got vague were the details of the attack. How did she kill him?”
“He was torn to pieces,” I dropped easily. “No part of him was left intact besides his heart.”
If I expected a gasp, popped brows, or another whistle, I didn’t get one. “Interesting.”