All the blood drains from Connor’s face. They weren’t lying; no one gives this guy the truth. Well, he’s about to get an earful now.
“Over and over, you tell Lincoln how he’s your best solider, how he has to do things for you. Even the first time I saw you at the Ryder mansion, you told him to approach the quasi girls because it was his duty to the angels. How about thinking about your duty to him as a father, for once? Maybe put Lincoln’s needs above Acca or even Antrum? If you’d have given Lincoln the betrothal jewels when he asked for them, we wouldn’t be in this situation right now.”
Connor shakes his head. “It isn’t that simple.”
I rise to my feet; I’m on a roll. “I disagree. It’s absolutely that simple. You’re so stuck in your precious thrax traditions and House politics, you can forget what it means to be a good person. Or in your case, Connor, a good parent. Maybe yes, we must give in to Adair for the next twenty-four hours, but you’re totally outrageous to play it off like she’s just high-spirited…Or that the Earl isn’t asking for anything new. Adair is part demon now. She possesses people. At least, do Lincoln the courtesy of admitting that we’re locking him into a living Hell, and not pretending that everything’s alright.”
I glare at Connor, my eyes flaring demon red. His features turn slack with shock. A long silence follows.
Finally, I retake my seat. “That’s all I have to say.”
Mom straightens in her chair; she’s in official President Lewis mode, now. “I think our meeting is over, then.” She scans the table. “Unless anyone can think of other plans or options?”
“No, I can’t think of anything.” I reset my hand into Lincoln’s. “I’d like our time alone now.”
But that last part is a huge lie. I do have one idea on how to get my powers back. It’s the last-ditch crazy option I thought of before, but was hoping I’d have better luck and wouldn’t need to go there. Now, it seems that my luck has run out entirely, because as much as I hate this concept, I know that my parents will hate it more. So, I’m keeping it a secret.
I’m confronting Adair alone, tonight.
Chapter Nineteen
The Ryder mansion isn’t far from my new home, so Lincoln and I decide to walk through their hedgerow maze. Here’s where Lincoln and I shared some of our first kisses, so the place has lots of good mojo.
And with the stuff I have to discuss, I need all the positive mojo I can get.
It’s a pleasant night, Purgatory-wise. The sky is grey, as always, but it hasn’t rained in a few days, so the ground of the maze is dry and soft. We hold hands and stroll through the familiar paths. Funny how our feet take a direct route to the fountain at the maze’s center. I suppose our kiss there is one of those things that stick with you.
We step along quietly for a time, and then Lincoln breaks the silence. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Saying those things to Father. It means a lot to me, Myla. I suppose in some ways, I’m very thrax traditional. No one questions the King.”
“Well, you’ve got me to bring a little innovation into your life.”
He chuckles softly. “So, what’s your plan?”
“Who says I have a plan?”
“I do. Back in the kitchen, we were discussing the situation with Adair. Your mother asked you if anyone could think of other options. You said you couldn’t think of one. You threw in the towel, just like that. I don’t believe it for a second. You have another idea, only you don’t think your parents will like it.”
For the first time in what feels like forever, I get all warm and fuzzy inside. Lincoln knows me too well, and that’s a wonderful thing. “Did you take a Myla 101 Class or something? Because I don’t think I’m that easy to read.”
“I study up in my spare time.” He purses his lips. “So, what’s this plan that your parents won’t like?”
“You might not like it, either.”
“Try me.”
“I don’t trust Adair as the Great Scala. Not even to move a single soul. And I don’t believe she she’ll stick to some plan of compliance. The igni chose me. Scala powers are my responsibility, and I’m going to see it through. I have to get my igni back, no matter what. Even if it costs me my life.”
“Go on.”
“Now that Lucifer’s Orb is safely out of Purgatory, almost everyone thinks that Adair should do at least one iconigration. My parents. Your parents. All of Purgatory. There isn’t a lot in my corner right now.”
“Except me.” He rubs his thumb along the back of my hand.
“That, and the fact that I’m here. Don’t you see?”
“Not exactly.”
“If Adair could move souls like she says, then why am I standing here? I don’t buy that baloney about respecting some kind of offer from her father. She hates me. Plus, it’s not like igni have a limited radius or something, like Adair’s ability to possess demons and thrax. I zapped demons to Hell from halfway across Purgatory. I know Adair could do the same to me right now, even from Antrum. So, why am I here, holding your hand, still alive?”