Seriously, how did I get here? Just weeks ago, she was an art major, waiting for the day she would graduate and move into the next phase of her boring, normal life. Now, she was about to start a war with the Senate.
As they approached the edge of the barrier, Allie’s nerves went into overdrive.
“Relax, daughter,” Navid whispered, coming to stand directly in front of her. “You are in control of this situation. Just be confident in your desire to protect everyone behind you. Remember that is your single motivation in doing this.” He paused. “This is a big step; are you ready, or do you need a minute?”
Allie nodded. “I’m as ready as I’ll ever be.”
Navid and Quinn took the last step forward, breaching the barrier to allow this meeting. They refused to open the barrier more than a few feet, but that was all she needed.
Allie took a confident step up to the mouth of the tunnel to await the arrival of the Senate’s representative.
As her people gathered protectively around her, Allie marveled at the way they stood so firmly with her, conviction on their hopeful faces—both her family and the people of Soma. Gregg and Liam marched down the lines of soldiers, giving instructions. She trusted them to handle the military aspect of this face off and prayed that’s all it would be.
A large party began to approach across Piedmont Park. Their numbers were equal to hers. Dressed in black fatigues and armed to the teeth, they came for a battle and they meant business.
With one look at the representative they’d sent, Allie almost lost her will. He was so angry. She saw it written all over his face. A face she knew almost better than her own. Aidan? How had this happened? After all of this time, after staking her claim as the heir in a bid to help him escape the Senate’s grasp, how had they ended up on opposite sides?
“Alexis.” Aidan’s voice was like broken glass. His real emotions hidden behind a calm facade she didn’t trust. He stood tall, his eyes burning with the force of his power. He was furious with her. “Or should I say, princess?” He gave a mockery of a bow.
Allie couldn’t have been more surprised if he’d slapped her.
“Aidan, don’t be a dick.” Sasha took a step forward, but Quinn held her back.
Aidan ignored his sister and raised his hand in a gesture to stop those behind him. They lined up like experienced troops on a battlefield. Against her ragtag team of forces in mismatched battle gear, they were intimidating to say the least.
“Aidan.” Gregg came to stand beside Allie. His arms were crossed behind him as if standing at attention.
“Dad.” Aidan nodded at his father.
Neither said anything further, but the tension between father and son was palpable.
Naomi warned her that he’d changed. She was right; the last years had made Aidan darker and more deadly. Allie closed her eyes for a brief moment. Not like this. She’d never imagined it would go down like this with them on opposite sides.
“You know me better than this.” Her voice came out strong and steady.
“Do I? You’ve made some serious claims against the Senate,” he said. “The Chief Justice calls you an imposter, and I’m inclined to agree. The Allie I knew would never reach for this kind of power.”
She saw the disappointment spread like a shadow across his face. He thought she was power hungry? “I am no imposter.” She lifted her chin in defiance. “I am the named heir of Alísun, the last queen of Indriell and you damn well know it.”
“How can we know your claim is anything more than words?” he asked. “The queens died ages ago without naming an heir. Indriell carries no weight with the Senate or the Immortal population. How can an unknown girl expect to take the name of Indriell without any proof?”
“I see my idiot brother has reached an entirely new level of stupid.” Darius gave Aidan a hostile glare. “You know who she is, Aidan.”
“I thought I did.” Aidan stood with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
She wanted to throttle him. He knew very well she was who she claimed to be. He’d been among the first to know of her connection to the prophecy and the ancient queens. But if he wanted proof, she would give it to him.
“We are her proof.” Alísun and Alexander stepped forward. “She has been named.” The aura the queen gave off at will was firmly in place. There was no mistaking Alísun for the queen she was, but she wasn’t the only one who could do that now.
“I’ve got this, Grandmother,” Allie said respectfully. She summoned thoughts of Indriell and its people until the weight of the mantle fell heavy on her shoulders once more. Her power stirred like lava in her chest, her heart beating steady, and filled with an awe-inspiring love for those who stood behind her. It nearly took her breath away.
“Indriell carries no weight with the people?” Allie tilted her head. “I’m sure the Senate would like to think so. Yet look at all the Immortals standing behind me.” She gestured over her shoulder.
“I see,” Aidan said in his flat, heartless tone. But his eyes widened as he took in her newly acquired aura. “You are supposed to be dead, Alísun.” He turned to face the queen. “The history books tell us you died thousands of years ago.”
What have they done to you? She wanted to scream at him to answer her thoughts the way he used to do.
“I am the Scholar. I wrote the history books, son,” Alexander said. “To protect our family, I recorded our death.”
“Now that we’re here face to face, I can sense you are who you claim to be,” Aidan said with a hint of regret in his voice. “But the Chief Justice would ask you, what right have you to return, seeking power after all this time? Why use this girl to make such a claim?” He leveled an accusing glare at Allie.
“We have not—” Alísun began, but Allie held her hand up to silence her grandmother. This was her battle to fight.
“Use?” Allie arched a brow at Aidan. “I’m no puppet. The queen has named me her heir, and it is my place to decide what’s to be done in my name.”
He knows me better than this. He’d changed a great deal in the intervening years, physically. He’d always been tall, but he was bulkier now with a five o’clock shadow and a menacing presence. But could he have changed so much on the inside that she truly couldn’t recognize him anymore? She had changed and grown in his absence. But surely he could still see the girl he once professed to love?
“Our lineage gives Alexis the right to stake a claim in the leadership of this world,” Alísun said. “The people here today have chosen to follow her. And more will come in time. Alexis has the authority of the ancient queens coursing through her blood. The people recognize that and they will follow her. She will be heard. She will be respected. But she will never be controlled.”
“What do you expect to accomplish by standing in the way of the Senate, Allie?” Aidan asked, returning his gaze to her. His voice wavered as he spoke her name, holding the barest hint of what he might be feeling at seeing her again. He wasn’t immune to his feelings any more than she was, though he tried to hide it.
“Soma belongs to the royal family,” Allie said in a firm voice. “I do not wish to rule anyone, and I have no thirst for power. You know that better than anyone, Aidan McBrien. But Soma will not fall under the Senate’s thumb as long as I am the heir.”
“The Senate demands you cease and desist. You will remove this barrier and allow us entry. Soma belongs to the Immortal government now.”
“I’m afraid we aren’t moving, Aidan.”
She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. He looked so cold and indifferent. Nothing of the mischievous boy she’d loved remained in the jaded man before her now. Yet his eyes were glued to hers as if he couldn’t make himself look away if he wanted to. What have you been through? Her thoughts hammered at the mental barrier standing between them.
I could ask you the same question, Lex.
His thoughts came to her like an old memory, swirling in her mind. Her knees shook, and she feared for a moment that she
wouldn’t be able to stay on her feet. His thoughts filled her with so much emotion—so many warring emotions, she couldn’t stand it. Warmth spread throughout her entire body as her heart nearly beat out of her chest. All she wanted was to cross the distance separating them and finally feel his arms around her again. But she had a job to do.
“The royal family intends to disobey a direct order from the Senate?” he asked. “Do you have any idea of the consequences you will face if you do not yield to me now?”
“I will not yield and damn the consequences. The Senate has proven time and again that they have as little regard for young Immortals as Soma had.” Her voice shook with rage. “I’ve watched them use and abuse those I love. The royals will not stand aside any longer. Soma will be a safe haven for our generation and those that come after us. I will not tolerate the abuse any more.” Least of all what they have done to you.
“The Senate holds the same desire. There is no need for you to oppose us. We are all on the same side here. Stand down, Alexis. While you have the chance.” Please. You don’t know what you’re doing. I can imagine you must be thrilled to have your true family with you finally, but I fear they have led you astray.
In case you forgot, I have a mind of my own. “Shall I ask your team if they feel confident in the Senate’s desire to protect them?” Her hands rested on the hilts of her weapons, sheathed at her side. “You stand here with half an army of Syntrophos soldiers behind you, yet their other half is missing. I stand beside my own Syntrophos,” Allie said. “I’d sooner come to you unarmed than to leave Darius behind for such a meeting as this. I can only assume the Senate has used the bond to manipulate you and your soldiers’ allegiance.”
“Our allegiance is to our government,” Aidan said. “Not to a long dead nation or a queen who abandoned us to extinction thousands of years ago. We leave our Syntrophos behind to protect ourselves from those who would think to use us for our collective power.”
“Like the Milan Initiative uses you?” she asked. “You are never allowed to leave with your Syntrophos unless you are escorted. Doesn’t that sound familiar? A trick straight from the Coalition’s rulebook; manipulating one Complement with the safety and wellbeing of the other. Or does it sound like Soma? Did you know that’s what they did to Dean? For the last four years, your cousin has been a slave, Aidan. Bought and paid for through Soma. He managed to earn a certain level of freedom, but he and Tessa were never allowed to leave together. They love each other, and their owners used it against them. Sound familiar, Aidan?” Allie’s voice rose in anger as she clenched her fists at her side, the spark of her judgment gift itching for release. But Allie had no guilty outlet for her rage against an unjust system. Not yet. But she would some day.
“Things need to change. The Senate sees that,” Aidan said. But you don’t have to be the one to do it, Allie.
“I don’t care for their methods.” This is my choice. We can stand here arguing all day about how much you believe I am being manipulated, since you clearly don’t think I’m capable of making sound decisions. Or you can come with me now. You and your Syntrophos soldiers. We will liberate your partners as a top priority. His lack of faith in her hurt more than when he’d left her.
“That is not for you to decide. Stand aside now, and you will not be charged for your crimes against the Senate. They will take your position into consideration.” Leaving is not an option, Allie. Would you leave Darius if the situation were reversed? I know you think you are doing the right thing, but trust me, you’re in way over your head.
“Then we truly are against each other.” Allie’s heart shattered in her chest. Aidan would never see her as anything more than that silly girl who didn’t know she was Immortal. “I will not allow you access to Soma.”
“We will act by force if necessary. Your barrier can’t keep us out forever.” I have a job to do. Please stand down. I don’t think you have the full story.
“As long as you stand with the Senate, you will not find entrance to Sterling Tower today or any other day. But if you seek refuge…” Her voice rose to address his soldiers. “If you seek asylum, then we can talk.”
Do you have any idea how much I’ve missed you? How much your complete lake of faith is killing me right now? Her thoughts were a jumble of chaos. She was torn between her duty to her position and her heart. This whole thing started as one in the same, and somehow things had taken a drastic turn for the unexpected.
I’ve been with you everyday, Lex. Just because you haven’t been able to hear me, doesn’t mean I left you.
She wanted to cross the few feet separating them and kick his ass all the way home. But even more than that, her overwhelming desire was to hold him again. Even if just for a moment.
I’m afraid this will not end well for either of us, Aidan said. I’ve tried like hell to protect you from all of this. And here you are, despite all my best efforts, right in the middle of it.
Aidan, when will you ever learn? I don’t need your protection. I don’t need you making decisions for me. I just need you … I need my equal standing here beside me. Not over there, standing against me.
“Stand down, Alexis,” Aidan said again. “Or you will endanger everyone you’re so eager to protect.”
“I cannot.” Not even for you.
Then we are at an impasse. “The Chief Justice will be in contact. The Senate intends to end the exploitation of young Immortals by entities such as Soma, including any royal who stands in our way.”
“An admirable vow, but considering the Senate’s involvement in the Soma slave market, I don’t believe you,” Allie said.
“The Senate has no official involvement with Soma. Any Senate representatives participating in the Soma slave market have been punished.”
“My answer hasn’t changed. I don’t believe you. I have personally seen the slave market in action. I’ve seen Senate members purchasing young Immortals without batting an eye. Pardon me if I don’t trust the government at their word. And quite frankly, I can’t believe you would either. The Chief Justice will have to do much better than half-hearted promises if they expect us to work together. I am no threat to them or their administration. I have no wish to rule our world. I simply want to protect those who need it.” I need you to trust me, Aidan. Please, come with me now, and we will figure this out.
I can’t do that. I won’t. “We have only the best of intentions,” Aidan said. Trust me, Allie.
I don’t think I know you anymore. She didn’t know this version of him, nor what motivated him beyond his bond with Naomi and his need for revenge against Soma. “I don’t trust the Senate’s intentions. We are done here,” Allie said. “You should go.”
“Those are daring words,” Aidan said. “Are you quite certain you understand what you’re doing?” You are crossing a line here. One I can’t help you uncross. This could mean war.
I don’t need you to fix anything, Aidan. I need you to trust me. Allie stood ramrod straight as anger swept through her body. “I am Alexis Carmichael, the named heir of Indriell.” Her voice took on a commanding tone even she didn’t recognize. “Second natural daughter of the ancients, Ashar and Kassandre, former Chief of Justice. I am the child of prophecy, First Princess, and granddaughter of Queen Alísun and Alexander, the Scholar. I know exactly what I am doing, and you would do well to recognize my power, if not my authority. I am no child playing at war here. I am not the naive girl you met all those years ago, Aidan. I haven’t been her in a very long time. I am the leader of Soma. You will be the one to back down today. Return to the Chief Justice and tell them the ball is in their court now. The Senate must cede the fate of Soma to the royals. If they choose war instead, so be it.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“I can’t feel my legs.” Allie almost collapsed on her way back through the barrier. She shook with a mixture of anger and fear, finally letting it all hit her. Seeing Aidan again. The sweet relief of having him share her thoughts only to have him shut her out aga
in. The fact that she was pretty sure she just started a war she wasn’t sure she could win.
“Get her inside,” Alísun demanded.
Darius and Livia shouldered Allie across the lobby full of onlookers and stepped onto the elevator to take her up to the penthouse where she’d been staying.
“You’re scaring me, Allie,” Darius whispered. “Was it seeing him? Did you hear his thoughts?”
“Yes.”
“Is he really on board with the Senate?”
“Yes.” She shuddered at the thought.
“That kid drank the Kool Aid,” Livia said. “We can’t trust him.”
Darius shook his head. “We only got half of the conversation, Liv. What is he thinking, Allie?”
“I honestly don’t know,” Allie said miserably. “He tone says one thing, but his thoughts are more like the Aidan we know. He’s with them a hundred percent. He won’t leave Naomi, but I think a small part of him does want to come home. I just … I think we’ve lost him, Dare.”
“He’s gone then?” Darius tapped her forehead.
“Gone.” Allie nodded, tears blurring her vision.
But Aidan had claimed he’d never really left her. Did that mean he could still hear her? Aidan, please. You have to know I did this for you and all of your Syntrophos. To give you all a way out. You can come home.
“Are you okay?” Darius asked, pressing a hot cup of coffee into her hands.
Allie sat on the plush red sofa and gazed around the pristine white penthouse suite that used to belong to her sister. Livia couldn’t stand to be here now.
What just happened? She kept asking herself the same question.
“Allie, talk to me.” Darius crouched in front of her.
“What have they done to him?” she asked, staring into his midnight blue eyes for answers she knew he didn’t have.
“It’s been a long time, Allie. Think of all the things we’ve been through since Aidan left. We aren’t the same people we were then, and neither is my brother. He’s a stubborn little bastard, but he has his reasons for backing the Senate. My guess is he wants them to take responsibility for Soma, so you don’t have to. He thinks he’s protecting you, shielding you from some responsibility he doesn’t think you should have to shoulder.”
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