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The faces of passing Potentials blurred together as I made my way down the dormitory staircase and out into the fresh air. I’d thought of flying to blow off some nerves, but I needed the time to clear my head and get into that deadly calm I’d descended to so many times in my life.

Before making my way to Jeremiah’s office, I’d told the guys, of course, which had only made them all want to jump on their white horses and ride to the rescue.

But I’d argued that would only complicate things if there was no evil intent behind this meeting.

We all knew the chances of that were slim, but even if it was a trap, it would be easier to deal with Jeremiah quickly and quietly.

If they had their way, they’d mutilate him beyond reason and alert the whole freaking school in the process.

Fair enough, but it was my time for vengeance, and I was doing this my way.

The nice Fallon couldn’t answer the phone right now. It was time to put on my game face. The one Victoria and my father had instilled in me. The one I hated but relied on.

I slammed the door of the building open, then strode down the hall with confident steps. If Jeremiah wanted a faceoff, that’s what he’d damn well get. I raised my hand to knock on his door, but it opened before I had the chance.

“Fallon,” Jeremiah said, his handsome face a picture of calm. His green eyes shone bright, his short brown hair perfectly styled.

I wondered how many times he’d practised that easy smile of his. It was so welcoming, so gratifying, but I knew a snake hid beneath that lovely facade. I just had to get him to shed his skin so I could see the real Jeremiah.

“Master,” I replied sweetly. “To what do I owe the pleasure of meeting with you today?”

His smile deepened. “Please, take a seat.” I did as he asked, keeping a fake smile pasted on my face. “It’s been brought to my attention that you and your friends have been undertaking some extracurricular activities.”

My heart rate increased, but I said nothing.

If Noah’s investigations into Jeremiah weren’t enough to convince me of his hand in my sister’s death and House Jupiter’s shady dealings, this meeting was.

Aside from class, I’d had nothing to do with the Master, and that’s the way I’d liked it.

What could he possibly want with me, other than to remove a threat from his grand plans? Whatever they were.

We still didn’t know how deep his dealings with my father truly went, nor how involved he was with the kidnappings of Terrulians throughout the country.

But he had been a contact for Mark, may that prick not rest in peace, and he was either the assassin on these grounds—and murderer of my sister—or was an accomplice to the person who was.

Either way, he was going to suffer for his involvement and I was going to get my answers. First, I just needed to take a little gamble, maybe even throw an accusation out there and read his reaction.

“I know you killed my sister, Jeremiah. Along with all those other Potentials.”

“You have no proof, Fallon.” He leaned on the desk and steepled his fingers. “It is a shame, though, what happened to your sister.”

My blood heated as every instinct in me demanded I kill him.

He hadn’t admitted it, but I could tell by the smirk on his face that he was guilty.

“It was you,” I said softly. It took every effort to put a stopper on my rage and force myself to remain still.

“I’m impressed, Jeremiah. I didn’t pick you for the type to get your hands dirty. ”

He clicked his tongue. “Victoria was going mad near the end, perhaps it is a family trait.”

“Say another word about Victoria and I’ll cut out your tongue and feed it to you.” The voice that came out of my mouth was two octaves shy of demonic. To hear him say such things about my sister. To hear him even breathe her name… Oh, I was going to enjoy taking my time with him.

Jeremiah’s hand moved under the desk, but not before I caught a flash of silver. Did he really think I hadn’t noticed him palm the letter opener?

“You want to kill me, but it’s in your best interest to hear my proposal first before you do something you might regret.”

“Every syllable uttered from your mouth is poison,” I hissed. “Why would I waste another moment breathing it in?”

“We are on the same side here, Fallon.”

“I’ll never side with you.”

“Very well.” His lovely face twisted with delight.

“I didn’t want to do it this way, but you leave me no choice.

If threats are what motivate you then so be it.

You’re forgetting who I work for. Whose power I have at my disposal.

House Jupiter weeds out the weak, no? I could have your boyfriends executed at the click of a finger.

Or perhaps those two little lovebirds you call friends.

Or maybe that skinny guy… Dick, is it? Gods only know how he survived the trials. But you get my point.”

“If you lay a finger on a single hair on their heads, I swear—”

“What?” Jeremiah leaned over the desk and sneered.

“We’ve been over this, Miss Auger, and I grow tired of your pathetic outrage and heroism.

How about instead of another threat, a truth instead?

Tell me, would you be so willing to die for a friend who’d betrayed you?

I only ask because you have a rat in that cosy little love shack of yours. ”

I stared him down, but the fucker didn’t flinch. My heart sank. No, he actually believed what he was saying. But that couldn’t be right… they wouldn’t betray me. Not after everything we’d been through.

“You’re lying,” I said weakly.

He smiled again, oily and victorious. “Don’t believe me? See for yourself.”

He tapped a few buttons on his cuff, allowing it to project a video onto the wall beside me.

My gut churned as Zane stepped into an office—this office, I quickly realised—his head bowed and his hands shaky, as if fearful of what or whom he might find.

Then the last person I’d expected to ever share the same breath with Zane walked into the room.

My stomach did a somersault. Victrus, impeccably dressed as always, his bronze eyes sharp, motioned for Zane to take a seat.

The video lacked audio, but the conversation appeared animated, at least on Zane’s side.

My father, on the other hand, sat like a statue the whole time, a slight smile curving on his lips.

Gods, I hated that smile. Hated the way it instantly made me feel like a dog cowering before its master.

Hated how a simple look could make me wilt.

Victrus said something, and Zane instantly stilled, giving my father his undivided attention.

I couldn’t make out any words between them, but whatever they were discussing was clearly important. When they were finished, Victrus rose in one fluid motion and, to my surprise, held out a hand.

Zane took it. He fucking took it.

Bile rose in my throat as realisation set in because that action alone was beyond damning.

Zane was working with my father. Why else would they meet?

A million thoughts raced through my head, all of them making me more nauseous than the last. Had he been playing me this whole time?

Was he spying on me and reporting to my father?

And, more heartbreakingly so… was any of what we’d shared real?

Tears filled my eyes as I sank back into my seat.

I had opened myself to this man. Had let him break down my walls to make space for something better. Something whole.

“You put your faith into others, and this is what you get in return,” Jeremiah said as he flicked the video off.

Slowly, I lifted my eyes to his. He shook his head, the picture of remorse.

“Those boys can’t be trusted, Fallon. Perhaps one of them killed your sister.

We both know they have motive. Your family are the only ones you can trust. Only your family.

Only House Jupiter. With you at the helm, the crowned ruler of this kingdom, there is nothing you won’t be able to do.

Nothing you will want for. Work with me—with us—and you can have everything you’ve ever dreamed of.

Your siblings will be safe. Even your friends will be cared for. ”

I took a moment to take a deep breath and refocus on the task at hand.

Jeremiah was a Mind Master. Cheap tricks and low blows like this must be part of his nature.

But this went beyond my feelings for Zane.

Others were relying on me. And I refused to revert to the person I was for the sake of a broken heart.

Gods, it would be so easy to accept such a dreamy offer.

But that’s all it was. A smokescreen to cover up the harsh reality of what this future really looked like.

I would be my parents’ plaything and little more than a figurehead.

Victrus would ensure I was otherwise kept under lock and key, only let out to enforce his demands.

And my friends? They’d probably end up in a ditch somewhere as a warning.

I looked Jeremiah square in the eyes. “Is this the same deal you offered Victoria? That didn’t exactly work out for her in the end, did it.”

His jaw ticked, his eyes forming sharp slits. The snake made its appearance. “This is a good deal, Fallon. You’d be wise to take it.”

I tilted my head. “And if I don’t?”

“We both know what happens next.”

“Just tell me one thing and give me a clear answer. How did you know we were onto you? You got away with all those murders for this long, after all.”

Jeremiah raised a brow. “As far as I’m aware, your boyfriend from the Verdant Plateau is the only Potential here with the adaptation of invisibility.

My camera”—he pointed to a lens hiding within a sculpture on the opposite wall—“caught some of my things moving around the other day. It wasn’t hard to guess what you and your friends have been up to. ”