Page 56 of Until the End of Ever (To the Cruel Gods #2)

LUCIAN

A fter the waste of space Zenya Pendros turned out to be, I had little faith in Kleos's family. But no one came to announce that my life was forfeit over the last few days. Damian brought me food, a note from Mother that I refused to read in order to manage my anxiety. I couldn’t afford to lose it here, surrounded by enemies.

Damian added his assurance that, to his knowledge, Kleos hadn’t done anything foolish, like trying to leave the safety of the underside in order to get to me. I desperately needed to hear it. She was fine. She was protected. Nothing else mattered.

“No one has seen her,” he said. “Presumably, she’s at the manor. I went a time or two, but it didn’t open up. Cassisus must have tightened security.”

And here we were. Instead of a hushed decision by the council behind closed doors, I ended up right where this all started about seven months ago: facing the entire magistrate to justify my action.

Except this time, I was innocent.

It didn't look good. I knew how the new bloods hated the founders. I'd be an example.

I scanned the crowd, frowning, confused by the missing faces. My mother and father, my aunt and brothers, were all here, but no matter how much I looked, I couldn't find my friends. Ronan, Lucky. I even expected Gideon or Silver, though not both. Someone had to watch Kleos.

This was peculiar, to say the least. Were they forbidden to come? Had anything happened? I was more concerned about them than myself at this point.

At exactly nine, right on the hour, Castor Pendros-Valmont stood. "We are convened following the death of the White Witch, a noble council member of the house of Pendros, assassinated in this very hall. Lucian Regis, you stand accused.How do you plead?"

"Sadly, not guilty," I drawled. "I would have gladly killed the bitch given half a chance, as she attempted to enslave her own daughter in a bid to gain power, but I was home the entire time."

Castor showed no sign of surprise, while most in the stands whispered. "You stand accused of murder. We're not charging a dead woman for a crime that has not been reported.Can you prove your whereabouts between eight and ten on Monday, the seventeenth of November?"

"I'd gladly provide any proof the council requires. I was at my office that afternoon, then took the tram home, where I remained all night.Ronan Nachtigall popped by, as did my brother, Damian. Then Kleos Valesco joined me around nine, after being attacked by her mother."

I didn't mention Adrian, not wanting to pull the boy into this mess.

"We're to take the word of your family, your best friend, and your girlfriend?" Castor asked, with an unprofessional snort. "Most of whom are conveniently absent, I note."

Inconvenient for him and his goons, he meant.

"You're to look at proof. Do you have any to suggest I murdered the bitch?"

"The simple fact you persist on calling the deceased a bitch doesn't look good for you, Regis," Castor sneered.

"But also, all of the woman's energy was drained.

To the knowledge of this council, this is a power only two men in the entire world possess at the moment: Cassius and Lucian Regis.

Are you accusing your grandfather, Mr. Regis? "

"I am not."

"Then this council will vote."

"It will not."

Everyone turned as my heart raced in my chest.

Kleos.

No, no, fuck, what is she doing here?

Why was she…beautiful. She looked beautiful as she ran inside the forum,Ronan, Lucky, Silver, and Gideon behind her. After not seeing her for days, despite my worry, it was the only thing I could focus on at first.

Next, I noticed how haggard the entire group seemed. Those I'd seen Monday still wore the same clothes they had on at the time, Ronan in Gideon's jacket—which was wild—and every one of them was disheveled, exhausted.

I noticed a stranger right behind them. A dark-skinned woman with the look of the Hyperions, though I'd never seen her.

She had pale green eyes, wild curls, and wore black clothes, not unlike Silver's style.

Who was that? Why were my friends, my Kleos, so exhausted?

I was thoroughly confused, just like most of the magistrates. Perplexed whispered filled the stands.

"Silence! This magistrate does not suffer unscheduled interruptions," Castor bellowed.

I didn't miss the mirth in his eyes the moment he spotted Kleos. Usually brown, I caught a blue light through his gaze in the distance.

Fuck .

My astonishment gave way to concern again. Whatever Castor and the other freaks had planned, it couldn’t be good.

"You will suffer it in the name of justice," Kleos demanded, her voice as clear as his as it filled the forum.

"You have no power to demand?—"

"Let her speak," her father's tenor commanded.Kleos stared at him as he stood."She's both a witness for Mr. Regis's whereabouts and the supposed victim of Zenya Pendros's crime, two relevant facts that I believe make her interruption valid."

Kleos didn't smile, but she inclined her head towards the man.

Castor seemed inconvenienced, but not overly annoyed. He was too happy to see that this mess had brought Kleos to the Hall of Truce.

My stomach twisted, my happiness at seeing her after so long dampened by the knowledge something was wrong.

Lucky passed her a box, covered by a cloth, that Kleos carefully unveiled.

The entire crowd gasped, me included, at the sight of the golden scale, which seemed to emanate its own light. One that, while bright, did not hurt my eyes.

I couldn't make sense of it, yet at the same time, there was only one logical conclusion.

The insane woman had gone to the Duat for it. For me .All five of them did. No fucking wonder they were so exhausted.

"I present the scales of Ma'at, goddess of justice, capable of weighing the guilt of any soul.

" She set them on the floor, and they instantly grew larger, a white feather floating on one side.

"As the highest authority in this room, I demand that Lucian is judged by the scales, rather than you corrupt, disgusting excuses for politicians. "

The assembly screamed their protests as a chuckle crossed my lips. Bloody genius. They might hate it, but there was no way they could refuse.

I loved the Hades out of this woman.

"Silence!" Her father’s voice boomed over the many objections.

"The scales will need to be authenticated, but your request is approved.

This magistrate is assembled to determine and judge the truth , not punish people we do not approve of.

Sir Daledius, as head of the Archives, you're the best option to assess the veracity of this artifact. "

"Of course, of course!"

A little man rushed out of the stands, eagerly joining Kleos, bringing his monocle to his eye several times, letting out gasps and croons, before finally proclaiming, "It is indeed a true Scale of Justice, and only a feather of Ma'at would function like this within it.

A true privilege to witness. My dear, however did you get your hands on such a treasure? "

Kleos snorted. "Give it a guess."

While the man fussed over her, I saw someone move in the stand, gathering and throwing magic in her direction. I reacted instantly, throwing myself between the projectile and Kleos. Too late, I saw I'd misjudged the target.

The feather was cinder on the floor.

"That's unacceptable!"Leander Valesco roared. "Arrest this man!"

But the fire-thrower was long gone, jumping out of the stands and through one of the many exits in the forum.

I stared at my chance for freedom, eyes wide.

Surely, the council would adjourn, judge that this tampering meant there should be an investigation. But as I saw my accuser's smirk, I knew my fate was sealed.

"Tsk tsk tsk."

The complete stranger, leaning against the stands, crossed the atrium, shaking her head.

"Man, this place might even be worse than home," she drawled, her thick, beautiful accent completely unplaceable.

As she advanced towards us, I watched a pair of enormous, swan-like white wings unfurl from her back where there were none moments ago.

She plucked a feather, wincing, and handed it to the archivist. "I am Helen, daughter of Ma'at. I trust you'll agree this one will do."The awestruck man nodded wordlessly as he placed the new feather on one side.

At the speaker’s behest, I stood on the golden scale, which remained balanced.

Sucking on a virtual lemon, Castor asked again, "How do you plead?"

And I repeated, "I am not guilty of murdering Zenya Pendros," enunciating each word to ensure there was no confusion.

At once, the scales moved, falling so fast I strained to remain balanced.

The side holding Helen's white feather hit the ground.

Not guilty.

Not guilty.

I knew that, but hearing Castor Valmont being forced to proclaim it, being free after spending most of the week believing I'd be condemned just because the valers could get me on a technicality? I could have flown in my elation.

I was hit by so many arms, all wrapping around me. Not Kleos. Everyone but her. She was too busy crying, hands covering her face, folded in two.She'd been more scared than me.

I managed to push past Gideon, Ronan, Lucky, and hardest of all, Silver's iron grasp, and brought Kleos to me, pressing against her. Fucking finally.

That was when theground started to shake under our feet.

We were all in complete agreement."Let's get out of here."

But it was far too late.