“What is the Dark looking for?” he demanded.
I rolled my eyes. “How would I know?”
“You’re connected to the Dark. You tell me.”
“Careful,” I hissed, “your prejudice is showing.”
“Enough,” Greer snapped, slamming her fist down onto the table.
“Madeleine, you obviously have some strong opinions,” Aldrich urged, his voice a welcome calm amongst the rising tension. “Tell us what you would do.”
“You shouldn’t be so hung up on following the law as it was written in an eight hundred-year-old book,” I told them. “The Codex was created in a world under threat from the demonic creatures beyond the rift. Now the rift is closed and the Dark which remains isn’t the same enemy. The Light must evolve just as the Dark has or it will perish. The future is here, and it is in jeopardy. We can’t rely on archaic beliefs to save the world from an evolving threat.”
“They’d be wise words if they weren’t coming from a hybrid,” the man spat. “A hybrid who can nullify Light and do whatever the hell she wants.”
“Issac,” Greer snapped, “we do not judge with hostility within these walls.”
“She said it herself,” the man known as Issac argued. “We can’t rely on archaic beliefs.”
“There is a shred of truth in her words,” Aldrich said. “It is folly to remain still when the enemy is speeding up.”
“Perhaps,” Issac shook his head, “but she accepted her soul and merged her powers the same night a greater demon attacked Camelot and the Twin Flames fell into a coma.”
“Scarlett was nowhere near Camelot,” Aldrich told him.
“It doesn’t matter,” Issac countered. “The Twin Flames are linked. If one falls, they both suffer.”
My heart plummeted. “Scarlett’s sick?” Why didn’t Jackson tell me?
Greer sighed and nodded. “Whatever ailment has taken Wilder has also affected Scarlett.”
“Where is she? Can I—”
Issac snorted. “Do you really think we would let you anywhere near the Flames?”
“She saved my life!” I exclaimed, my voice echoing around the gallery. “Why would I wish this on her?”
“Because when she saved your life, your soul came back along with the Darkness that infected you,” Issac told me. “It isn’t beyond reason you’d harbour ill will towards her for that.”
“No! You’re putting words in my mouth.”
Greer rose to her feet, cutting Issac off. “Enough.” Her gaze found mine and I thought I saw a shred of pity in them. “You slew Ikakantor and broke his hold over the Naturals at Camelot,” she continued. “However, you attacked a fellow Natural, escaped confinement not once but twice, and conspired to free a demon who is now unaccounted for. Do you deny it?”
I jutted out my chin. “No, I do not.”
“Where is the demon Elijah?” she pressed.
“Hybrid,” I corrected. “He was mutated. Ramona has the evidence.”
She nodded, her lips thin. “Where is the hybrid?”
“I don’t know.”
“Convenient,” Issac spat.
“He left after I slew Ikakantor’s body, fearing he’d be cut open and experimented on,” I said, seething. “And I don’t blame him. I will make it a point that if it wasn’t for Elijah, we wouldn’t know the Balan demon’s true name.”
“She’s sympathetic to them,” Issac hissed at the others. “What’s stopping her from turning against us? If she goes Dark, we can’t do anything.”
Greer turned to face him, her eyes narrowing. “You,” she said evenly. “You’re stopping her.”
“Excuse me?” he and I blurted it at the same time, looking at each other with open dislike.
“It’s clear your newfound abilities require further study,” she went on. “And that they are linked to your emotions. I do not doubt your intentions, Madeleine, but we all understand how emotions can get the better of us. We do have a human element to our species, after all.”
“You believe me?” I asked, my mouth falling open.
“I believe you had no part in the sickness that overcame Wilder. Aiden Thompson mentioned the vault in Camelot’s archive was emitting a strange power that may have something to do with it, and the timing was within range. However… more study is needed and my benevolence towards your multiple insurrections comes with certain conditions.”
I nodded, lowering my gaze. It was wishful thinking to hope that I’d walk out of here without some kind of punishment, but at least Greer seemed to be leaning towards not throwing me into prison in the Glastonbury catacombs. That place was dark, wet, and miserable.
“You will return to Camelot and assist Aiden with the cataloging of the archive. Your abilities may be a welcome benefit for his continued studies. This was his request, so do not disappoint him a third time. While not in his service, you will report to Issac once daily for training. He will assist you with controlling and developing your abilities.”
“Impossible,” he complained.
Greer turned her glare onto Issac. “This is not negotiable. It’s a direct order, Issac.” To me, she added yet another condition, “You must understand your new reality, Madeleine, and earn the Naturals’ trust back.”
“The Naturals?” I narrowed my eyes. “So, I’m no longer seen as one of you?”
She didn’t honour me with a response, just the ultimate full stop. “And you must inform us immediately if the demon-hybrid Elijah contacts you, otherwise we will have no choice but to confine you. Am I clear?”
My jaw tightened and I stood tall. There was no way I was going to let Issac see a single shred of weakness in me. He was determined to see me fail, I was sure of it.
“Yes,” I said, “I understand.”
“Then you will return to Camelot this evening.” Greer nodded and gestured towards the doors. “Dismissed.”
I shot Issac one last glare, salty over the fact that I’d have to share a car with him for the three hours back to base camp. Cataloguing dusty scrolls and pottery, and daily training with the ultimate prejudiced arsehole was going to wear thin, real quick. I wasn’t born yesterday.
I’d just been given a babysitter.
* * *
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