Page 6 of The Sin-Binder’s Fate (The Seven Sins Academy #1)

Blackwell leans back in his chair, casual, like he’s discussing an exam, not a death sentence.

“You will face the Sins in a trial,” he explains smoothly. “A controlled battle. A test of your ability to withstand them.”

She blinks, then lets out a small, sharp laugh. Disbelieving. “Withstand them?” She gestures wildly. “I’m human. I have no powers. How the hell am I supposed to, ”

Blackwell laughs. It’s cold, edged with something almost amused.

“Oh, Miss Evernight,” he says, shaking his head. “That’s where you’re wrong.” Blackwell tilts his head, watching her closely. “You have power. You can use it now, even without the bonds.”

She goes still.

The room tightens.

Lucien shifts slightly, his jaw ticking just enough for me to notice. Silas’s gaze flickers, and even Ambrose lifts a brow.

Luna exhales sharply, her hands trembling at her sides. “I don’t, I don’t understand.”

“Of course you don’t,” Blackwell says. “You weren’t raised to know your power. But it’s in you. In your blood. The ability to command them.”

My teeth grind.

Lucien’s fingers flex.

Caspian smirks. “Well, well,” he murmurs, tipping his head toward her. “Looks like you get to play Queen after all.”

She doesn’t react to him. She’s still too busy trying to process the fact that her life isn’t hers anymore. Or maybe it never was.

Her dark eyes flick back to Blackwell, desperate now. “And if I fail?”

Blackwell’s gaze sharpens. “Then you die.”

Caspian exhales, amused. “Poor thing looks like she’s about to pass out.”

Her lips press together, jaw tightening like she’s trying to keep herself from falling apart.

Then,

“How long?” she asks, voice rough. “How long do I have before this…trial?”

Blackwell lifts a brow, considering. “Two days.”

Her breathing stutters. Two days to prepare for a fight she can’t win. For a fight where we’ll all be against her.

She swallows. “And what am I supposed to do in two days?”

“Learn,” Blackwell says simply.

Luna laughs again, but this time, it’s empty. Hollow. “And who the hell is supposed to teach me?”

Caspian steps forward before anyone else can speak. Fucking Caspian.

“I’ll take her,” he says smoothly.

Luna’s head snaps toward him. “What?”

Caspian grins, golden eyes gleaming. “I’ll get her up to speed.”

My entire body stiffens. Caspian? Teaching her?

Blackwell considers him for a long moment. Then, finally,

“You have two days,” he says.

Caspian tilts his head toward Luna, smiling. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’ll take good care of you.”

Her jaw clenches. And for the first time since this conversation started, There’s something in her eyes that isn’t confusion. It’s defiance. She’s trying to process all of this at once: the trial, the fact that we’re going to try to kill her, that she has powers she didn’t even know about.

But then, she swallows, lifts her chin slightly, and asks:

“And if I survive?”

The question shouldn’t make my jaw clench. It shouldn’t make something sharp twist in my chest. Because she won’t. She won’t survive us.

But Blackwell doesn’t hesitate. “Then you will move into the estate,” he says simply.

For a second, the words don’t fully register.

Then,

“What?” Lucien’s voice is calm, but there’s an edge to it that even I know not to push.

Silas sits forward, resting his elbows on his knees, gaze sharpening. “You’re serious.”

Blackwell gives him a flat, unbothered look. “Do I often joke with you, Veyd?”

Silas’s jaw tightens.

Luna blinks rapidly, shifting slightly, like she’s just as thrown off as we are. “Move in… with them?”

Blackwell nods. “If you prove strong enough to survive, then you will continue your training under their watch. When the time comes, and when one of them accepts you, the first bond will be sealed.”

Luna visibly stiffens. “Accepts me?”

Blackwell watches her carefully. “A Sin must willingly allow the bond to take hold. It cannot be forced.”

She looks at him like he’s just spoken another language. Then, her gaze flicks to us. Like she knows exactly what the answer is going to be.

“Not happening,” I say flatly.

Lucien exhales through his nose, looking like he’s seconds from walking out. “You think we’ll just let her live with us?”

Caspian grins, but it’s sharp, cutting. “Now, now,” he murmurs. “Let’s not act like it wouldn’t be entertaining.”

I whirl on him, teeth bared. “Shut the fuck up.”

Caspian just laughs.

Elias, who’s been lounging this whole time, acting like he doesn’t care, actually scoffs. “Yeah, I’m gonna pass on the whole roommate situation.”

Orin tilts his head slightly, watching Luna too closely. “You wouldn’t last a night.”

Blackwell steeples his fingers, completely unfazed. “You will not have a choice in the matter.”

Lucien laughs once, but there’s nothing amused about it. “You think you can force this?”

Blackwell’s gaze flicks toward him, calm, unwavering. “I think you know better than to ask me that.”

Lucien’s jaw tightens. Because yeah, Blackwell doesn’t bluff. And yet, this isn’t just another order. This is forcing her into our space. A girl who has power over us, and doesn’t even know what to do with it.

Silas exhales, dragging a hand through his hair. “What if no one accepts her?”

Luna visibly tenses.

Blackwell’s expression doesn’t change.

“Then she will remain unbound.” He tips his head slightly. “But that will not last forever. ”