Broken Knights (Gifted Academy #4) - Michelle Hercules Page 0,20

a bunch of dumbasses,” she mutters while we’re still within earshot.

“Couldn’t agree more. Do you think they’re with the Neo Gods?” I whisper.

“I have no idea. I haven’t met many members, only Nathaniel and a couple of his goons when he kidnapped me.”

I stop in my tracks and touch her arm. “Wait? When was that?”

“Not too long ago. Soon after my recruitment, I realized I had made a terrible mistake. I cut off my communication with Nathaniel completely for years. He only started to pester me recently. I guess when he got whiff of the Unmaker.”

The darkness inside of me begins to churn. I clench my jaw tight, focusing on keeping my rage under control. I can’t lose my shit in front of all these people—that is, not until I discover what Nathaniel knows about my past.

We resume our walk toward the mansion. There are two more suits manning the double doors, but besides a sideways glance, they don’t try to block our entrance. Lively music echoes against the smooth walls and high ceiling of the entry foyer. Ahead of us, there’s a grand staircase worthy of a classic Hollywood movie. Everywhere I look there are ostentatious displays of excess, from the crystal chandelier to the painted mirror display above the staircase.

Andromeda hisses, clutching at her hand.

“Is he hurting you again?” I ask.

“Yes. We must be late.”

On impulse, I take her hand in mine. The power of the Nathaniel’s mark feels like burning ice to me. Wisps of shadows sneak around my wrist, slowly snaking around Andromeda’s. For once, they’re not trying to smother me. On the contrary, they’re seeking to counter Nathaniel’s power. I sense his presence diminish until the tension in Andromeda’s hand eases.

“Thank you. That helped,” she says.

“Let’s go find the jackass. I can’t wait to try my powers on him in person.”

“I know where he is now,” she grits out.

With shoulders squared, she moves toward the sound of the party. The mansion has a grand ballroom, which is bursting with mostly Idols, but there are also Fringe guests in the mix, which surprises me. Granted, they’re on the edge of Idol-hood.

As we move through the crowded space, I sense several stares aimed in my direction. Maybe I should have asked to borrow a suit from Mr. Silverstone. I stick out like a sore thumb in my faded jeans and hoodie, drawing too much attention. When Nathaniel said he was throwing a party, he really meant it. There must be hundreds of people here, and by the amount of bling adorning the female guests’ necks, ears, and fingers, this soiree can probably be seen all the way from the moon.

“There he is.” Andromeda points at a tall man with light brown hair combed back, busy entertaining a few of his guests.

He has the looks of a charmer with a dazzling smile and fine features. But it’s his dark and magnetic powers that draw his victims to him. I can see it as clearly as day. Oddly, my own powers react to the man, almost as if it recognizes him somehow.

“Hello, brother.”

His words echo in my head again. Is he really my brother? If so, what kind of god sired us? Obviously nothing good if I inherited the power to put fear into people’s hearts.

Still laughing at his guest’s joke, he turns to us. When our gazes meet, I feel like I’ve been sucker punched. His eyes are nothing like mine, but they look as familiar as if I had been staring at my own reflection in the mirror.

“Excuse me. I must greet some very special guests,” Nathaniel says to his friends, then strides in our direction.

For all Andromeda’s cockiness, she’s tense and a little afraid too. I can easily pick up that type of negative emotion in others since I’m a fearmancer. She knows now that her fate is in the hands of a being far more powerful than she is.

“Andy, I’m so glad you could make it.” He smiles broadly, showing perfect white teeth. But his mirth wilts when he glances at her casual clothes. “Tsk. Didn’t I ask you to dress appropriately?”

“I’m sorry. Is this not okay?” She glances down, pretending to check her clothes. “Is my ass showing?”

He narrows his eyes briefly, then turns his attention to me and extends his hand. “I’m Nathaniel Wilcox. You must be Morpheus Malek.”

I hesitate to take his hand for a second, unsure what’s going to happen when we touch. But fuck, I’m not going to let him