### Chapter 10 Sprawled across the training mats, I was drowning in the motions of my cool-down stretches. It was during this time that Aiden decided to pull me into the whirlwind of his latest revelation. “Lucian is coming.” My gaze drifted to the ceiling, disappointment pooling in my chest. “So?” Instead of looming over me as he usually did, Aiden dropped down next to me, our legs almost touching. My heart skipped a beat—why did it do that? Pulling my leg away, I shook off the tumult of ridiculous thoughts. “He’s going to want to talk to you.” Forcing my attention back to the conversation, I took in his words. “Why?” He bent his knees and folded his arms over them, looking thoughtful. “Lucian is your legal guardian. I suppose he’s interested in how your training is progressing.” “Interested?” I kicked my legs up in irritation. “Why on earth would he care? Lucian has never shown a scrap of interest in me before. Why start now?” Aiden’s expression hardened for a moment, a flash of something dark crossing his face. “Things are different. With your mom…” “That doesn’t matter. It’s got nothing to do with me!” Still, he stared at me, his eyes intense. “It has everything to do with you.” As if weighing his thoughts carefully, he inhaled deeply. “Lucian is firmly against you returning to the Covenant.” “Great! So Lucian and Marcus are in sync on that one.” Aiden’s jaw clenched. “Marcus and Lucian have nothing in common.” There he went again, trying to defend Marcus, the same guy I saw as a total jerk. Aiden had been relentless for weeks, trying to convince me of Marcus’s concern during the time my mother and I had gone missing. Every time he mentioned Marcus’s relief at finding out I was alive, I felt my annoyance bubbling. Aiden meant well, but he didn’t understand—I had no interest in repairing any relationship. He reached over, pushing my flailing legs back down onto the mat. “Do you ever sit still for five seconds?” I grinned, popping up to a sitting position. “Nope.” Aiden’s lips twitched, but he held back a smile. “Tonight, when you see Lucian, you need to be on your best behavior.” I rolled to my feet, laughter bubbling up. “Best behavior? So, I shouldn’t challenge Lucian to a fight? I could win that, he’s a total wimp.” The severe frown etched on Aiden’s face told me he was far from amused. “You do realize your stepfather has the power to override Marcus’s decision about letting you stay here? His authority supersedes your uncle's.” “Yes, I know.” I planted my hands on my hips defiantly. “But since Marcus is only letting me stay if I prove myself capable of returning to classes in fall, I don’t see what the big deal is.” Aiden sprang to his feet, and I momentarily marveled at his agility. “The big deal is that if you mouth off to Lucian like you do with Marcus, there won’t be a second chance. No one will be able to help you.” A knot formed in my stomach. “I’m not going to mouth off at him. Honestly, there’s nothing Lucian can say that will get me riled up. He means nothing to me. Never has.” He peered at me, skepticism written all over his face. “Try to remember that.” I shot him a grin. “You have so little faith in me.” Unexpectedly, Aiden returned my smile, igniting a warmth that spread through my chest. “How’s your back?” “Oh, it’s getting better. That—stuff really helped.” He stalked across the mats, silver eyes fixated on me. “Make sure to apply it every night. The bruises should fade in a couple of days.” A sudden thought flitted through my mind—he could always help me apply it again—but I didn’t voice that. Instead, I backed up a little, keeping some distance between us. “Yes, sensei.” Aiden stopped before me, the impetus of authority shifting the air. “You better get going. The Minister and his Guards will be arriving soon, and everyone at the Covenant is expected to meet him.” A frustrated groan escaped me. Everyone would be decked out in Covenant-issued uniforms, and no one had given me a thing. “I’m going to look like a—” Aiden placed his hands gently on my upper arms, an action that scrambled my thoughts. I gazed up at him, lost in a fit of wild fantasies where he pulled me closer and kissed me like those heroes in the steamy romance novels my mom once read. Instead, he gently lifted me off the mats and set me down a few feet away. Crouching, he began to roll up the mats. “You’ll look like what?” I ran my hands over my arms, feeling self-conscious. “What am I supposed to wear? I’ll stick out, and everyone will be staring at me.” He looked up, his heavy lashes framing those striking silver eyes. “Since when have you been bothered by everyone staring at you?” “Good point.” I flashed him a grin before bouncing away. “See you later.” By the time I reached the common lounge, excitement crackled in the air like electricity. It wasn’t Lucian who had Caleb pacing back and forth; even Lea seemed jittery as she twisted a lock of hair around her fingers. None of us half-bloods cared much about Lucian personally, but as the Minister of Court, he wielded an immense amount of control over both the pure-bloods and half-bloods. Nobody understood why a Minister would visit the Covenant in summer, especially when most students were absent. I was still daydreaming about Aiden, envisioning him as a pirate sweeping me off my feet, when Luke’s voice broke through. “Do you know anything?” Before I could respond, Lea piped in. “How would she know? Lucian barely claims her.” I shot her an indifferent look. “Was that supposed to hurt my feelings?” Shrugging, she replied, “My stepmother visits me every Sunday. Why hasn’t Lucian visited you?” “How would you know?” Her expression turned sly. “I just know.” “You’re totally hooking up with one of the Guards, aren’t you? That explains how you always know so much.” Lea narrowed her eyes, just like a cat spotting a mouse. With a snicker, I placed my bet on Clive, that younger Guard I’d seen around—good-looking and too busy checking out younger girls. “Maybe Lucian is coming to remove you from the Covenant,” she mused. Casually, I leaned forward and grabbed a thick magazine, chucking it at her head. “Thanks. I needed something to read,” she said, snatching it deftly before it could hit. As the clock inched toward seven, I retreated to my room to prepare. Sitting folded on the coffee table was an olive green, Covenant-issued uniform. My eyes widened as I picked it up, a small note fluttering down. With trembling fingers, I opened it: “Had to guess your size. See you tonight.” A wave of warmth spread over me; the pants were my size. Aiden’s thoughtful gesture meant more to me than I could express. Tonight, I’d finally feel like I belonged at the Covenant. Instead of the black uniforms worn by the trained Sentinels, we students donned the same cut in green, akin to army uniforms, complete with pockets and hooks for weapons—something I secretly adored. I hurried through a quick shower, and once clad in the uniform, a rush of excitement pulsed through me. It felt like ages since I’d worn anything like it, and I had almost given up hope of ever doing so again. Turning in front of the mirror, I admired how good I looked in the dress greens. With newfound enthusiasm, I pulled my hair into a ponytail and made my way to find Caleb. Together, we headed over to the main campus, nostalgia filling me as we entered the largest academy building. I had avoided the academy section of the campus since my return, primarily because that was where Marcus held his office. Additionally, facing memories was unnecessary if he decided to expel me in a month or two. As far as Caleb was concerned, everything was looking up, and Marcus wouldn’t send me away. I, however, was less optimistic. I hadn’t seen Marcus since that day in the gym when I embarrassed myself. No wonder Aiden was so concerned about how I would behave around Lucian. As we strolled through the grand lobby filled with people, the atmosphere buzzed with anticipation. Every Guard and Sentinel was present, standing stoically beneath the impressive statues of the nine muses—the daughters of Zeus, if I remembered correctly. In the center, I quickly spotted Aiden among Kain and Leon, who struck me as the most dangerous pair I’d ever met. Aiden caught my eye, and he offered me a small nod. In that moment, despite the swirling chaos around us, I felt a jolt of pride and warmth emanate from him. As Caleb ushered me to the left of the Sentinels, we found a spot next to his secret crush, Olivia. “Looking good, Alex,” Jackson whispered, his voice carrying more than just a compliment. “Thanks,” I forced a smile, wishing he’d look elsewhere. Then, out of nowhere, Lea strode in, her uniform tightly fitted, accentuating her legs. My gaze dropped to my own and disappointment flared; I absolutely didn’t measure up. Watching her glide between the Guards, a low throaty noise escaped me as I saw a line of half-blood servants dutifully hovering behind the staff, their presence serving as a chilling reminder of our own precarious positions. Their drab gray tunics and washed-out white pants made them nearly indistinguishable from one another, each marked by the unsettling tattoo—a crude circle bisected by a line that marred their foreheads. The weight of realization crashed down on me. I could so easily end up one of them. Swallowing my anxiety, I faced forward just as the door swung open, and Marcus entered the room like a storm gathering intensity. Not a single hair on his head was out of place, and his black suit stood in contrast to the more casual attire of the other instructors. As he moved confidently toward the front, the glass doors burst open, revealing the Council Guards, each one dressed in white uniforms that radiated fierce authority. Then came the Council members themselves. Two figures filtered in behind the Guards. I didn’t recognize the woman, but the man—Lucian—was unmistakable. His raven hair cascaded ridiculously long, framing a face as devoid of emotion as a daimon’s. He was undoubtedly handsome like all pure-bloods, but an unsettling arrogance clung to him, leaving a bad taste in my mouth. As Lucian approached Marcus, his lips twisted into a manufactured smile, complete with the required greeting. Marcus bowed slightly as I cringed inwardly; thankfully, they didn’t expect us to follow suit. If that were the case, I’d require someone to forcibly shove me to my knees. Lucian may be a Minister, but he certainly wasn’t a god or even royalty—just a pure-blood with an inflated sense of self-importance. I’d never understand what drew my mom to him in the first place—money, power, prestige? Sighing, I dismissed the thought. No one was perfect. Several more Guards trailed Lucian and the woman, and I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease settling deep within me as I registered the last figure—a stark contrast to everyone else in the room. The atmosphere shifted dramatically, the air tapped out as he entered. Tall and commanding, perhaps even as imposing as Aiden, with blond hair tied back in a small ponytail that highlighted his striking features and sun-kissed skin. He wore black like the Sentinels, and under different circumstances, I might have found him incredibly attractive. “Holy crap,” Luke murmured, eyes widening. An electric tension pulsed through the air, tingling against my skin. Shuddering, I stumbled back, unintentionally colliding with Caleb. “The Apollyon,” someone muttered—maybe Lea. Holy crap, indeed. The Apollyon drifted in behind Lucian and Marcus, positioned strategically to respond to any perceived threat. All eyes were drawn to him, his very presence leaving us all in a spellbound state of awe. I instinctively edged back, wishing for both distance and closeness to this force that was undeniably captivating. When our gazes finally collided, my stomach dropped. His eyes were a shimmering amber, almost otherworldly, and dizzying to behold. But something else unfolded as our eyes locked. A fine line began to etch itself down his arms, darkening to an inky hue as it spread. The intricate designs morphed and transformed, snaking beneath his shirt and cascading along his neck until they adorned the entirety of one side of his face. What did it mean? When he drifted past us, my breath caught like a rope tightening around my throat. “Are you okay?” Caleb asked, brows knitting in concern. “Yeah,” I managed, smoothing my hair back with trembling fingers. “He was…” “Freaking hot,” Elena interjected, excitement dancing in her eyes. “Who knew the Apollyon could be that unbelievably gorgeous?” Caleb grimaced. “He’s the Apollyon, Elena. You shouldn’t talk about him like that.” Furrowing my brows, I chimed in, “But those markings… they just appeared out of nowhere.” Elena shot Caleb a disapproving look. “What markings? And why does it matter that he’s hot?” “Seriously? You didn’t see them?” I pressed, feeling the urgency of my observations. They shook their heads in unison, and the guys—all except for Luke—exhibited disgust at the commotion the girls were creating. Frustrated, I found myself spinning around and nearly crashing into Aiden, who stood behind me, eyebrows raised. “Whoa! Sorry.” “Don’t wander off too far,” he cautioned, his voice low. That was all he said before Caleb tugged me aside. “What’s going on?” he asked. “Ah, Lucian wants to talk with me or something.” Caleb grimaced again. “That’s gotta be awkward.” “You can say that again.” I bit back the anxiety creeping up my spine. I didn’t get to roam far between my little group of friends and enemies before Aiden motioned me forward. The moment I stepped inside, I instantly sensed the charged atmosphere shift. “So soon?” I asked as we moved together. He nodded, a sense of urgency in his manner. “It seems they want to address everything quickly.” “Oh.” Following Aiden up the stairs, I thought back to the uniform. “Hey, thanks for this. It really means a lot.” He glanced over his shoulder. “It wasn’t a problem. You look good in it.” I blinked, my heart jumping in surprise. “You think so?” His gaze darted away, and I could sense a blush creeping across his cheeks. “I mean, it’s good to see you in the uniform.” My smile broadened as I caught up with him, excitement bubbling anew. “So… the Apollyon?” Aiden tensed. “I had no idea he would be with Lucian; his reassignment must have happened recently.” “Why?” He bumped my arm with playful insistence. “There are things I cannot disclose, Alex.” Usually, I’d bristle at such vague answers, but the way he said it—all teasing—left me feeling lighthearted. “That’s not fair,” I teased back. Aiden held to his secrecy, and we climbed the ascending flights of stairs in silence. Eventually, I took a deep breath, determined to ask one more question. “Did you feel anything when Seth came in?” “Seth?” “The Apollyon’s name is Seth.” “Oh. That’s a boring name. He should have something more interesting.” Aiden laughed softly, nudging my arm. “What do you think he should be called?” I thought for a moment, and in jest, said, “I don’t know… something Greek-sounding. Maybe Apolo. Get it? Apolo. Apollyon.” Aiden chuckled. “That’s clever. Just remember to focus. You might need to rely on your wits soon.” “We’re nearing the top,” I observed, wiping sweat from my brow. Stairs had never been my strong suit. “Did you feel anything during his entrance?” he asked, smiling knowingly. “Yeah... it was strange—almost electric.” Aiden’s expression shifted. “That’s the aether within him. It’s notably powerful.” A few more flights up, we reached Marcus’s office door. I felt a tremor of anxiety. The second I stepped inside, standing before my uncle, all doubt swirled within me. He looked just like he had in the lobby, expectant and composed. “Come. Have a seat,” he beckoned. I trudged across the office, relief flooding me as Aiden stayed close. He didn’t take the seat next to me but remained near the wall, just like he did the first time I crossed this threshold. The air grew thick with tension, the kind you could slice with a knife. I felt it immediately when Lucian approached with his imposing presence—but he wasn’t the one making my skin crawl. The moment the Apollyon stepped through the door, the very oxygen seemed to evaporate from the space. Fighting the urge to turn around, I gripped the chair’s arms until my knuckles turned white. I braced myself, hardly daring to acknowledge Lucian or the mysterious figure standing beside him. Aiden cleared his throat, snapping my attention back to Marcus. His narrowed gaze bored into me, and suddenly, I felt paralyzed. “Alexandria,” he called, motioning me forward, and my numb legs forced me into an upright position. From the periphery, I caught sight of Seth positioning himself alongside Aiden, sharing a curt nod before attention shifted back to me. I took a sharp breath, finally allowing my gaze to sweep up from the floor to meet Seth’s. His scrutiny was intense, spinning in the air, checking me with a cool detachment far from any admiration. At that distance, with the cacophony of stares around us, it dawned on me just how young he appeared. I had expected someone older and more hardened, yet here he was—at my approximate age, exuding an otherworldly beauty, yet lacking the slightest hint of warmth. Marcus’s gaze settled on me, brimming with expectation. “This is Lucian.” With reluctance, I lifted my hand and offered a somewhat awkward wave to the Minister. “Hi.” Muffled laughter—either from Aiden or Seth—threaded through the tension. Then something completely unexpected happened. Lucian stepped closer, enfolding me in an embrace. I froze, arms rigid at my sides. The scent of incense assaulted my senses. “Oh, Alexandria, it is so good to see you again. After all these years, amid fear and worry, here you stand. The gods have answered our prayers.” He pulled back, hands gripping my shoulders, dark eyes flitting over my features as if searching for a softer memory. “By the gods… you resemble Rachel so much.” Confused, I felt myself at a loss for words. This display of affection was starkly contrasting to everything I’d ever encountered with him. “The moment Marcus informed me you were found safe, I rejoiced! I told him I had a place in my home for you.” His gaze was intense. “I wanted to bring you back home, Alexandria. You don’t need to stay here.” My jaw dropped as I processed his words. “What?” “I am sure Alexandria is simply overwhelmed with joy.” Marcus’s voice was cool, his demeanor steady. A soft choking sound emerged from Seth, and I shot a glance at him, confusion swirling. “What part of this is a joke?” I queried, unable to mask the disbelief spilling from me. Lucian exchanged a knowing look with Marcus. “This is no joke, Alexandria. We may not have shared a close bond in the past, but after everything that has occurred, I’ve witnessed my failings as a father.” “Excuse me?” My voice hitched with incredulity, laughter bubbling up again, this time unstoppable. “You’re not my father.” “Alexandria!” Marcus’s voice thundered with warning. “Seriously, he’s not!” I retorted, desperately seeking a shred of clarity in this bizarre reality. “It is alright, Marcus,” Lucian interjected, his voice smooth but firm. “When Alexandria was younger, I let my bitterness dictate my actions. Now, in hindsight, everything seems so shallow.” He turned his gaze back to me, tenderness wrapped in judgment. “Had I been a better father figure, perhaps you would have reached out to me when your mother took you away.” I pressed a hand to my cheek, bewilderment washing over me. The universe felt upside down—was it possible that Lucian could truly care for me? “But that is in the past, dear one. I’ve come to take you back home,” he stated, a thin smile stretched across his lips. “We’ve discussed this, and considering your circumstances, we agree it would be best.” Panic surged through me, snapping me back to urgency. “Wait. I’m catching up, aren’t I?” I turned to Aiden for affirmation, desperate for validation. “I’ll be ready in the fall.” “Yes.” Aiden’s gaze darted to Marcus, carrying a hint of hope. “Faster than I anticipated, honestly.” Relief surged, but anxiety clung tighter. “I can do this. I have to be a Sentinel. I want nothing else.” Desperation laced my voice, drawing Marcus’s furrowed brow closer together. “I can’t do anything else.” For the first time since my arrival on this island, Marcus appeared genuinely pained, his resolve wavering. “Alexandria, it’s not about the training. I know of your progress.” “Then what is it?” I couldn't mask the panic that overcame me. “You will be taken care of,” Lucian attempted, his words courteous but patronizing. “You no longer need this kind of life. I’ve spoken lengthily with Marcus. You can attend the Covenant as a student, but not as one in training.” My mind reeled; half-bloods didn’t simply attend the Covenant in that capacity. “This is some kind of cruel joke?” I challenged, incredulous. Marcus’s disheartened gaze confirmed the impossible reality. “Lucian is offering you a chance for a very different life.” “Are you serious?” My head spun as I faced Marcus. “I can’t just give this up. There’s no conflict of interests! More than anyone, I have reasons to become a Sentinel.” Lucian frowned. “More than anyone, you have reasons not to be a Sentinel.” Aiden stepped forward, anxiety creeping into his voice. “Minister—” “I appreciate your efforts with her, St. Delphi, but I cannot allow this,” Lucian interjected. “What do you think will happen when she graduates? Once she leaves the island?” “I’ll hunt and kill daimons?” Lucian’s expression paled. “She doesn’t know, does she?” Marcus sighed deeply, pain unmistakably etched into his features. “No. We thought it would be best to spare her the details.” Unease crawled down my spine. “Know what?” “Your mother is not dead.” At that, the world fell away, and the ground beneath me seemed to vanish altogether.