Now I was confused. “That’s not what you said before.”
“Like I said, I’m saying it wrong.” Seth twisted toward me. “And I’m not being honest.”
The knots in my stomach tightened, and I resisted the urge to hit him before he spoke, because I figured whatever he was about to say would deserve a five-finger hello to the face. “
“Alex—”
“What in the hell could you possibly not be honest about now?” I demanded as a rush of anger rose inside me. “That you’re waiting until the thirtieth hour to divulge?”
Seth looked away, his chin jutting out stubbornly. “You could lay off the attitude.”
I flipped him off.
A reluctant-sounding chuckle parted his lips. “Okay. Do I think you’re going to go a little power-crazy? Probably. You’re already a little crazy.”
My eyes narrowed.
“But you’ll handle it. You always handle everything, and I…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “We have to wait until the last minute because I’m not sure I won’t try to stop you. I’m not sure I won’t try to take the power myself.”
I stared at him, the scowl slipping off my face as his words sank in. Holy babies in a manger, this was a big deal. Apollo had been right. I had wanted to believe Seth that night at the University, but Apollo had been right.
Two pink spots appeared in his cheeks. “You’re looking at me like… like I said the worst thing possible.”
“Well, that is pretty…um, well, it’s something.” I shook my head. “Seth, if you think you’re going to stop me and try to do it yourself, how in the hell is waiting to the last minute to do it a good idea?”
He didn’t answer. Instead, he looked away, focusing on a really creepy deer head hanging from the wall.
Lowering his chin, he rubbed the palm of his hand over his cheek.
How? What if you don’t? What if—?
“I will,” he snapped, lifting his head. His eyes were glowing. “I know I will then.”
“Excuse me if I’m not reassured by that!” I started to stand, but he grabbed my arm. The tiny hairs on my body rose.
“I know I will, because too much will be riding on me to let you do it.”
Was he saying that he’d perform better under the pressure? That somehow having our heads on the line would ensure he wouldn’t suck me dry? What the hell was that? I tried to pull my arm back, but he held on. “I think we should do it now.”
He closed his eyes.
“I’m serious. We could do it now.” My heart was trying to come out of my chest. “I’ll get Aiden, and then we’ll do it. Afterward, he’ll make sure we’re separated and—”
“I’m not going to fail you or anyone. Not again. We’ll do it then, as planned.”
“Seth…”
The marks of the Apollyon went crazy, spinning and twirling across my skin, reaching his. His face contorted, and I felt the cord jump inside me. My pulse kicked into overdrive as every warning sensor went off. The last time, he’d said—
Suddenly, the tip of a Covenant dagger was under Seth’s chin, pushing into the delicate skin of his throat. My gaze dropped to where Seth’s hand was wrapped around my forearm and then back to the tip of the dagger. Definitely a silent way of saying “let go.” Seth released my arm, finger by finger.
I looked up, and my gaze locked with eyes the color of warm chocolate.
Air halted in my throat, and my voice cracked on one word. “Dad?”
CHAPTER 22
The huge, potential problem of Seth taking the God Killer power from me at the last and possibly worst moment known to mankind was suddenly insignificant.
I was staring at my dad.
My father.
He looked just like I remembered—a classically handsome face lined by the weather and his life, but his brown eyes were lively with intelligence and awareness. He was thinner, gaunter than before.
And he was wearing a Sentinel uniform.
Something in my chest came unhinged, like a door had been thrown open too fast and too hard. Tears poured into my eyes.
He was in a
My father also held a dagger against Seth’s throat.
“It’s okay,” I said, my voice hoarse. I glanced at Seth, who looked as surprised as I felt. “Seth?”
Standing slowly, Seth raised his hands. His amber gaze was locked on my father. “I’m not going to hurt her.”
My father didn’t look convinced. His lips curled in a sneer as he kept the blade against Seth’s throat, but he let Seth back away. The First headed for the door, stopping once to look at us, and then he disappeared through the archway.
I stared up at my dad, too afraid to look away because I feared he might actually vanish, too scared to stand because I knew my legs wouldn’t hold me. My throat clogged with emotion, and his face blurred. This whole time, from the moment I first received Laadan’s letter, I had hoped that I would see him again, but I never really thought that I would.
And here he was, on the night before battle, standing before me.
“Dad?” I croaked. It was all I could say. It was like I’d lost my ability to speak in comprehensible sentences.
He expertly sheathed the Covenant dagger the way we’d been taught in training. For a whole minute, he didn’t move or look away. His gaze crawled over my face, and the lines around his eyes deepened, as did the furrow between his brows. I knew it was the scars, and even though he had never been in my life—couldn’t have been—they had to affect him deeply.
Letting out a breath that he seemed to have been holding for years, he sat beside me on the couch. I didn’t know what to say. There was so much pressure in my chest and my throat.
He reached out with one hand and cupped my cheek. His hand was cool, but I didn’t care. I squeezed my eyes shut to stop the tears. The pressure increased, pushing at the seams. My dad didn’t say anything, because he couldn’t, but his touch…it was better than any words that could be spoken.
I struggled to pull myself together, waiting until I was more sure I wouldn’t start sobbing all over him before I spoke. And of course, I said the stupidest thing possible. “It’s really you?”
He nodded, a slight smile appearing.
Taking in a shuddering breath, I blinked a few times. “Did you…did you get my letter?”
Another nod.
“Okay. Okay.” I took another breath. “How long have you’ve been here?”
He held up a finger, and then leaned back. Reaching into the side pocket of his tactical pants, he pulled out a small notebook and pen. He wrote something quickly and handed it to me. His handwriting was neat and small, so unlike mine.
“Two days?” I read out loud and then waited while he scribbled something. “You heard that a group of Sentinels had arrived.” My heart tripped up as I glanced at him. “You left the Covenant to see if I was among them?”
He nodded.
